Car Shipping From Chicago to Tampa
AutoMove arranges car transport from Chicago to Tampa — auction pickups at Manheim, ADESA, Copart and IAA yards on both ends, one unit or several on the same order. It is a 1,139-mile run, typically 2 to 3 days in transit once the vehicle is loaded.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Chicago to Tampa?
Current market range $600-$700 ▼ down
Four things move the number on this lane, and a rate card that ignores them is guessing:
- Vehicle size and condition. A sedan prices below a three-row SUV or a dually. A unit that will not roll, steer or brake needs winch service and prices above a runner.
- Open or enclosed. Enclosed equipment is scarcer and prices well above open on a run this long.
- How busy the lane is that week. Chicago to Tampa competes with every other load moving the same direction; when carriers are short, the rate follows.
- Where exactly it sits. A yard right off the interstate is cheaper to service than one an hour out.
We price per unit and quote the lane rather than reading off a chart. Get a quote for the actual vehicle, or call or text (708) 888-0557.
How long does it take?
The route runs about 1,139 road miles, roughly 22 hours of steady driving. Car carriers cover somewhere around 400 to 500 miles a day once hours-of-service and multi-stop loading are accounted for, so plan on 2 to 3 days in transit after the vehicle is picked up.
Pickup itself is a separate window. Auction releases depend on payment clearing and the gate pass being in the driver's name, which is the single most common reason a load sits. We confirm the driver is authorized on your buyer account before dispatch.
Where we pick up in Chicago
Dealer-only auctions in the Chicago area:
We also pick up from every Chicago-area salvage and insurance yard:
- Copart Chicago South — Chicago Heights, IL
- Copart Dyer — Dyer, IN
- Copart Chicago North — Elgin, IL
- Copart Wheeling — Wheeling, IL
- IAA Chicago-West — Aurora, IL
- IAA Chicago-North — East Dundee, IL
- IAA Chicago-South — Markham, IL
- IAA Specialty Division — Schaumburg, IL
- IAA South Bend — South Bend, IN
Where we deliver around Tampa
Dealer-only auctions in the Tampa area:
- ADESA SarasotaBradenton, FLDealer only
- ADESA TampaTampa, FLDealer only
- Manheim St. PeteClearwater, FLDealer only
- Manheim LakelandLakeland, FLDealer only
- Manheim TampaTampa, FLDealer only
Plus every Tampa-area Copart and IAA yard:
- Copart Punta Gorda — Arcadia, FL
- Copart Tampa South — Riverview, FL
- Copart Tampa North — Thonotosassa, FL
- IAA Clearwater — Clearwater, FL
- IAA Tampa North — Hudson, FL
- IAA Tampa — Palmetto, FL
Delivery does not have to be an auction. Most of what we move on this lane goes to a dealership lot, a driveway or a body shop — give us the address and we will run it there.
Open or enclosed on this lane
Open transport
The default, and what the great majority of this lane moves on. Your car rides on an open multi-car carrier, exposed to weather and road grime the same way it would be if you drove it.
Enclosed transport
Worth it for low-clearance, collectible, freshly restored or high-value units. Fewer trailers run enclosed, so book earlier and expect a materially higher rate over this distance.
Common questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from Chicago to Tampa?
It depends on the vehicle, whether it runs, open versus enclosed, and how tight carrier supply is that week. We quote the specific unit rather than publish a fixed figure — send the details and you will get a real number for the actual car.
How long does shipping take from Chicago to Tampa?
About 2 to 3 days in transit over roughly 1,139 road miles, plus a pickup window that depends on how quickly the vehicle is released.
Can you pick up from an auction I bought at?
Yes — that is most of what we do. We handle Manheim and ADESA dealer sales as well as Copart and IAA, and we confirm the driver is authorized on your buyer account so the yard actually releases the unit.
Do I need to be there for pickup or delivery?
Someone does — you or anyone you nominate. They release or receive the vehicle and sign the bill of lading, which is the condition record at both ends. At an auction the yard handles release against the gate pass.
Can you move a car that does not run?
Yes. Tell us up front that it will not drive, steer or brake so we assign a carrier with a winch. A non-runner discovered at the gate means a failed pickup and a re-dispatch.
Is my car insured while it is being transported?
The assigned carrier holds cargo insurance covering the vehicle in transit, and we verify it is active before the unit is dispatched. Ask us for the certificate on your load and we will send it.
Other lanes we run
Routes that share an end with Chicago to Tampa:
- Chicago to Los Angeles2,018 road miles
- Atlanta to Chicago684 road miles
- Miami to Chicago1,345 road miles
- Phoenix to Chicago1,754 road miles
Shipping dealer inventory rather than a single car? See vehicle transport for dealers — we run Chicago to Tampa for franchise and independent stores on the same trucks.