Alaska to Illinois Auto Transport Shipping
Shipping a car from Alaska to Illinois is really two trips. Cars from Anchorage sail south to Tacoma, Washington, on TOTE Maritime or Matson, and the voyage takes about three days. Fairbanks cars first ride about 360 miles south on the Parks Highway to Anchorage. Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan have no road connection to the rest of the country, so cars from Southeast Alaska go south by barge to Seattle. From Tacoma or Seattle, a car carrier drives about 1,945 to 2,065 miles to Illinois. Many carriers follow I-90 east across Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin and reach Illinois at Rockford. Chicago is about 90 miles farther east, Aurora and Naperville are in the western suburbs, and Joliet is southwest of the city where I-55 and I-80 meet. Alaska to Illinois Auto Transport usually takes 2 to 4 weeks from pickup to delivery. Auto transport rates can vary a lot between carriers, which is why getting several quotes matters. We provide up to 10 free quotes from our network of licensed, insured carriers, so you can compare pricing, transit times, and service options before you decide. Fill out the quote form on this page to compare offers, or call 1-800-590-6492 to talk through the ship and truck legs. For more information about shipping to the destination, visit our Illinois Auto Transport page.
Alaska to Illinois Auto Transport At a Glance
| Primary Transport Corridors | Ship or barge to Washington, then I-90 east to Chicago |
| Approximate Distance | ~1,945-2,065 road miles from the port, plus the sea voyage |
| Estimated Transit Time | 2-4 Weeks |
| Popular Origin Cities | Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan |
| Popular Destination Cities | Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Rockford |
Alaska to Illinois Auto Transport Shipping Rates
Most quotes from Alaska to Illinois run about $3,025 to $5,025 for a standard car. That covers the trip by sea and a truck trip of 1,945 miles or more. TOTE's published price for the southbound sailing from Anchorage to Tacoma alone is about $1,913 for a small or medium car, and Matson's is about $2,025.
For prices based on your car and dates, request your free quotes here and compare carriers side by side.
Anchorage is the cheapest place in Alaska to ship from, because it has the main port. Fairbanks adds a truck ride to Anchorage, and Southeast Alaska adds a barge to Seattle. Size matters on the ship: TOTE charges the same southbound price for cars and SUVs under 84 inches tall, but anything bigger needs a custom quote. On the truck leg, a large SUV or pickup usually adds $75 to $150, and a car that doesn't run adds about $150 to $300. Our guide to what affects your auto transport quote covers the rest. Shipping an electric car or plug-in hybrid? Complete the form on this page or call 1-800-590-6492 before you book, because the ships and barges out of Alaska no longer accept them.
Ships out of Anchorage sail all year, so the sea leg is rarely the holdup. Winter is the hard part on land: blizzards on the northern plains and lake-effect snow near Chicago can slow the truck from December through March. Summer and early fall are the easiest times to ship. Read more about seasonal auto transport prices.
Average Cost & Time to Ship from Alaska to Illinois
Distances below are road miles from the port in Tacoma or Seattle to Illinois. The trip by sea is extra, and Fairbanks cars first ride about 360 miles by road to Anchorage. Prices fluctuate with carrier availability, fuel costs, and seasonal demand. Use our quote form for real-time pricing tailored to your specific vehicle, dates, and cities.
| Route | Distance | Transit Time | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK to Chicago, IL | ~2,055 mi | 2-3 Weeks | $3,025 - $4,450 | Get Quote |
| Fairbanks, AK to Aurora, IL | ~2,040 mi | 2-3 Weeks | $3,425 - $5,025 | Get Quote |
| Juneau, AK to Naperville, IL | ~2,065 mi | 3-4 Weeks | $3,525 - $5,000 | Get Quote |
| Sitka, AK to Joliet, IL | ~2,045 mi | 3-4 Weeks | $3,525 - $5,000 | Get Quote |
| Ketchikan, AK to Rockford, IL | ~1,945 mi | 2-4 Weeks | $3,500 - $4,925 | Get Quote |
*Price estimates were updated in October 2026. Prices are estimates only and will vary based on your specific vehicle, pickup and delivery locations, transport type, and time of year. Complete the form above or call 1‑800‑590‑6492 to receive up to ten free, no-obligation quotes from licensed carriers, so you can compare real prices for your exact route before you book.
Leaving Alaska? The ship and the truck both need to be booked, so start early. Compare free quotes now or call 1-800-590-6492.
Alaska to Illinois Auto Transport Challenges & Tips
Alaska to Illinois covers more than 2,000 miles by truck after the trip by sea. Most of the drive is on I-90 across the northern plains, which is fast in summer and rough in winter. Here's what to plan for, from the port in Washington to the streets of Chicago.
Electric Cars Are Hard to Ship
TOTE stopped taking electric cars and plug-in hybrids on August 1, 2025, Matson has suspended them, and Alaska Marine Lines does not ship them either. If you drive an EV or plug-in hybrid, tell us before you book so we can talk through your options.
Winter Driving to the Port
In winter, snow and ice can slow the drive to the Anchorage port, especially on the Parks Highway from Fairbanks. If you are dropping the car off yourself between November and March, leave extra time.
Chicago Traffic and Tolls
Traffic on the Chicago expressways can add hours to the last few miles, especially at rush hour. Many routes into the city and suburbs are toll roads, and big trucks aren't allowed on Lake Shore Drive or most boulevards.
Tip: Pick an Easy Delivery Spot
Many Chicago streets are too narrow or crowded for a 75-foot car carrier. A large parking lot near an expressway exit is often the easiest place to meet the driver.
Tip: Register Within 30 Days in Illinois
New Illinois residents should title and register their cars within 30 days of moving. Bring your Alaska title, proof of Illinois insurance and proof of your Illinois address to a Secretary of State office. Cars in Cook, DuPage and Lake counties, and parts of nearby counties, need emissions tests every other year once they are four years old.
Tip: Prepare Your Vehicle Properly
Clean your car and remove personal items before pickup. Take date-stamped photos from every side, keep the gas tank at a quarter full or less, and check tire pressure. For a full checklist, read our article on Preparing Your Car for Transport.
Still deciding? Call 1-800-590-6492 and we can go over dates and costs, or get up to 10 free quotes in a few minutes.
Alaska to Illinois Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions
Plan on about 2 to 3 weeks from Anchorage and Fairbanks, and 2 to 4 weeks from Juneau, Sitka or Ketchikan. TOTE sails between Anchorage and Tacoma twice a week, and the voyage takes about three days. The truck trip from Washington to Illinois adds the rest.
Cars from Anchorage and Fairbanks sail from Anchorage to Tacoma, Washington. Cars from Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan go south by barge to Seattle, because those towns have no road link to the rest of the country. From there, a car carrier drives your car the rest of the way. Many carriers follow I-90 east across Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin and reach Illinois at Rockford. Chicago is about 90 miles farther east, Aurora and Naperville are in the western suburbs, and Joliet is southwest of the city where I-55 and I-80 meet.
It is difficult right now. TOTE, Matson and Alaska Marine Lines no longer carry EVs or plug-in hybrids. TOTE does still accept mild hybrids that don't plug in. Call us before booking an EV so we can go over what is possible.
Title and register it with the Illinois Secretary of State within 30 days of moving. Bring your Alaska title, proof of Illinois insurance and proof of your new address. If you live in the Chicago area, your car will need emissions tests every other year once it is four years old. Illinois Secretary of State: New Residents
For more frequently asked questions about auto transport, visit our Auto Transport FAQs page.
Other Routes
- Illinois to Alaska Auto Transport
- Alaska to Indiana Auto Transport
- Alaska to Iowa Auto Transport
- Alaska to Kansas Auto Transport
- Alaska to Kentucky Auto Transport
- Alaska to Louisiana Auto Transport
Helpful Links
- FMCSA SAFER System: Check a Carrier
Look up any carrier's federal operating authority, insurance on file and safety record before you book. - Illinois Traffic Information
Federal Highway Administration links to Illinois road conditions, traffic alerts and construction updates. - Alaska Traffic Information
Federal Highway Administration links to Alaska road conditions, traffic alerts and construction updates. - Alaska 511: Alaska Road Conditions
The Alaska Department of Transportation's live map of road conditions, closures and traffic cameras, useful for the drive to the port or a Fairbanks pickup. - AccuWeather Illinois
Forecasts for your delivery city, so you know if storms might slow the last leg of the trip. - AccuWeather Alaska
Check the forecast for your pickup date, since winter storms in Alaska can delay the drive to the port or a sailing.
Call now at 1-800-590-6492 or complete the form on this page to find the best Alaska to Illinois auto shipping rates and when a truck will be in your area.