Des Plaines Car Shipping & Auto Transport
Need to ship a car to or from Des Plaines? Whether you’re relocating from the northwest suburbs, sending a car south for the winter, or receiving a vehicle you bought online, you want a local team that actually knows the roads around O’Hare — not a faceless call center three time zones away. Best Care Auto Transport is based right next door in Elk Grove Village, so we handle Des Plaines pickups and deliveries as part of our home turf.
Local Des Plaines auto transport from a real O’Hare-area office
Our office is located at 1193 E Higgins Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 — a short drive from downtown Des Plaines. You can reach us directly at (224) 414-2700. Because we’re physically in the O’Hare corridor, we’re not guessing about your neighborhood: we know that Des Plaines sits in Cook County between the Northwest Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), roughly seven miles by car from O’Hare International Airport and about 17 miles from the Chicago Loop. That interstate access is exactly what car carriers look for, which makes Des Plaines one of the easier suburbs in the region to service.
Best Care Auto Transport is a licensed, bonded auto-transport broker with a 4.8-star rating across 105 customer reviews. We coordinate vetted, insured carriers on your behalf and stay reachable by phone through the whole process — the part most national brokers get wrong.
Why the O’Hare corridor makes Des Plaines shipping easy
Des Plaines’ location is a genuine logistical advantage. Long-haul car carriers are 75–80 feet long and heavily favor pickup and drop-off points that are quick to reach from a major highway. With I-90 and I-294 running through town — and I-294 connecting directly to I-80/I-88 corridors — a driver can get a nine-car trailer in and out of the area without fighting tight city streets.
Practically, that means:
- Faster carrier assignment. Des Plaines sits on the dense Chicago metro freight network, so carriers are passing through constantly. High route density usually means shorter waits and more competitive pricing than rural pickups.
- Flexible pickup options. For most Des Plaines addresses a carrier can do door-to-door pickup. If your street is narrow or has low trees, we’ll arrange a nearby meeting point — often a large lot near the Metra station, a shopping center on Oakton or Golf Road, or a spot just off Mannheim/River Road near O’Hare.
- Easy O’Hare tie-ins. Flying in and out while your car ships? Des Plaines’ proximity to ORD makes timing pickup or delivery around a flight far simpler than in most metros.
Popular Des Plaines shipping lanes
The routes we book most often for northwest-suburb customers reflect classic Chicago travel patterns:
- Illinois ↔ Florida (snowbird lane). Every fall, Des Plaines and its neighbors send cars to Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota and the Florida coasts — then reverse it in spring. Book early; this lane spikes in demand.
- Chicago ↔ Arizona & California. Winter escapes to Phoenix/Scottsdale and relocations to the West Coast are steady year-round.
- Midwest ↔ Texas. Job relocations to Dallas, Houston and Austin move a lot of vehicles out of the Chicago area.
- Northeast corridor. New York, New Jersey and Boston moves are common, especially for students and remote workers.
- Online-purchase inbound. Cars bought from out-of-state dealers or auctions being delivered to Des Plaines driveways.
Des Plaines car shipping cost & transit time (illustrative)
The figures below are illustrative ranges to help you plan — not a quote. Real pricing depends on the exact route, vehicle size and condition, open vs. enclosed transport, season, and current carrier availability. For an accurate number, request a free quote.
| Example lane from/to Des Plaines | Approx. distance | Typical transit | Illustrative open-transport range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines → Florida (Tampa/Naples/Miami) | ~1,200–1,400 mi | 2–5 days | ~$900–$1,500 |
| Des Plaines → Phoenix, AZ | ~1,750 mi | 3–5 days | ~$1,000–$1,600 |
| Des Plaines → Los Angeles, CA | ~2,000 mi | 4–6 days | ~$1,200–$1,800 |
| Des Plaines → Dallas, TX | ~925 mi | 2–4 days | ~$750–$1,200 |
| Des Plaines → New York, NY | ~800 mi | 2–4 days | ~$700–$1,150 |
As a rule of thumb, open transport across the U.S. runs roughly $0.60–$1.10 per mile, with shorter hauls costing more per mile and long hauls less. Enclosed transport typically adds 30–60% for the extra protection. Winter snowbird season (roughly October–December southbound, and March–April northbound) pushes Florida-lane prices toward the top of the range because demand outstrips available trailers.
Open vs. enclosed transport for Des Plaines residents
Most Des Plaines customers ship on open carriers — the same trucks that deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s the most affordable and widely available option and is perfectly safe for everyday sedans, SUVs and trucks. Choose enclosed transport if you’re moving a classic, exotic, luxury or low-clearance vehicle, or an EV you’d rather keep out of Chicago winter salt and road spray. For a full breakdown, see our guide on open vs. enclosed auto transport.
How to prepare your car for pickup
- Wash the car so existing scratches are visible at inspection.
- Remove personal items, toll transponders and parking passes.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
- Note any leaks or mechanical issues and tell your coordinator.
- Have a spare key ready for the driver.
- Do a walk-around and photograph the vehicle before it loads.
Why book Des Plaines shipping through Best Care Auto Transport
We’re not a nationwide lead-seller — we’re a Chicagoland office you can drive to. As a broker we tap a large network of vetted, insured carriers to find you a fair rate and a reliable driver, then we stay on the phone with you until the car is delivered. New to how brokering works? Read how car shipping brokers actually work and how much it costs to ship a car. You can also see our full Chicago-area coverage on our Chicago car shipping page or our home base in Elk Grove Village.
Frequently asked questions about Des Plaines car shipping
How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Des Plaines?
It depends on distance, vehicle size, transport type and season, but as illustrative examples a Des Plaines-to-Florida move often lands around $900–$1,500 on an open carrier, while a cross-country move to California can run roughly $1,200–$1,800. These are planning ranges, not quotes — request a free quote for an exact price.
Do you offer door-to-door pickup in Des Plaines?
Yes. For most Des Plaines addresses a carrier can pick up and deliver at your door. If your street is too narrow or tree-lined for an 80-foot trailer, we’ll arrange a convenient nearby meeting point, often near the Metra station or a large lot off Oakton, Golf or Mannheim/River Road.
How far in advance should I book?
For standard lanes, 1–2 weeks of lead time is ideal. For the Illinois-to-Florida snowbird season (fall southbound, spring northbound), book 2–4 weeks ahead — that lane sells out fastest and prices climb when trailers are scarce.
Is my car insured during transport?
Yes. The carriers we assign carry cargo insurance, and we confirm active coverage before dispatch. We’re happy to share the carrier’s insurance details before pickup.
Get a free Des Plaines car shipping quote
Ready to move your vehicle? Get your free, no-obligation quote or call our Elk Grove Village office at (224) 414-2700. We’ll give you an honest price and a realistic timeline for your Des Plaines pickup or delivery.