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What Counts as an Emergency?
Call 911 if you experience:
We provide NEMT for:
Dream Care Rides is a licensed NEMT provider. We do not provide emergency ambulance or paramedic services.
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Last updated: April 2026
Long distance ambulance transport costs $450 to $1,200+ for a non-emergency stretcher ride with a two-person CPR-certified crew. If you're searching for a "long distance ambulance," you almost certainly need an ambulette, not a 911 ambulance. Dream Care Rides provides interstate stretcher and wheelchair transport from Illinois to anywhere in the U.S. Call (708) 505-6994.
When people search for "long distance ambulance transport," they rarely need a 911 emergency ambulance. In nearly every case, the service they need is a non-emergency ambulette — a stretcher-equipped medical transport vehicle staffed by trained, CPR-certified attendants. An ambulette carries a medical-grade stretcher, supplemental oxygen, suction equipment, and a cardiac monitor. It does not carry paramedics, IV medications, or advanced life-support equipment.
The distinction matters because an emergency ambulance costs $1,200 to $2,500+ per trip, while a non-emergency ambulette starts at $300 to $525 base rate. For stable patients who need to travel lying down — hospital-to-hospital transfers, facility relocations, post-surgical returns home, hospice patients going home — an ambulette provides the same stretcher positioning at a fraction of the cost. If your loved one's condition is stable and they do not need active medical intervention during the ride, an ambulette is the medically appropriate choice.
Long distance stretcher transport serves patients whose medical situation requires them to remain lying down during a trip that exceeds typical local distances. The most common scenarios include:
Moving a stable patient from one hospital to another for specialized care, second opinions, or closer-to-home placement. Distances of 100 to 500+ miles are common.
Transferring a patient from a skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation center, or long-term care home to a new facility in another city or state.
Patients who traveled for surgery at Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, or other specialty centers and need stretcher transport back to Illinois.
Bringing a hospice patient home to be with family for end-of-life care. These trips require gentle handling, oxygen availability, and a calm, unhurried environment.
Patients who became ill or injured while in Florida, Arizona, or other seasonal locations and need stretcher transport back to Illinois.
Patients traveling to distant hospitals for clinical trial participation who cannot sit upright for extended drives or flights.
If any of these situations apply, call Dream Care Rides at (708) 505-6994 to discuss your route and get an upfront price. We also cover these scenarios in our long-distance medical transport hub page.
Every long distance ambulette from Dream Care Rides is equipped for trips lasting several hours to a full day. The vehicle and crew carry everything needed to keep the patient safe, comfortable, and monitored throughout the journey.
Rated for up to 700 lbs with adjustable head and knee sections, padded surface designed for multi-hour comfort, and five-point safety harness.
Primary and backup oxygen tanks for patients who require O2 during transit. Tank holders are crash-rated and secured to the vehicle floor.
Available for patients with airway secretion management needs. Battery-operated for reliability throughout the trip.
Continuous vital sign observation including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. Allows the crew to monitor patient stability throughout the ride.
One driver, one attendant in the patient compartment. Both are CPR and First Aid certified. The attendant monitors comfort, positioning, and safety continuously.
Independent temperature control in the patient area. Critical for multi-hour trips where patient comfort directly affects outcomes.
For patients receiving intravenous fluids during transport. Pole is secured to the vehicle interior to prevent movement.
Direct radio and cellular communication between the crew and Dream Care Rides dispatch for real-time status updates and emergency coordination.
Long distance ambulance transport pricing is based on the stretcher base rate plus a per-mile charge. The total cost depends on distance, time of travel, equipment needs, and whether the trip is one-way or round-trip with a wait.
| Service Type | Base Rate | Per Mile | Long Distance Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory (Sedan/SUV) | $35 – $65 | $2 – $4/mi | $125 – $400+ |
| Wheelchair (ADA Van) | $65 – $115 | $3 – $6/mi | $200 – $500+ |
| Stretcher (Ambulette) | $300 – $525 | $5 – $16/mi | $450 – $1,200+ |
Surcharges: Weekends 1.5×, Holidays 2.25×, Wait time $15–$30 per 15 min, Oxygen $25, Stairchair $25.
| Destination | Distance | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | ~185 miles | $1,225 – $3,485 |
| Cleveland Clinic, OH | ~345 miles | $2,025 – $6,045 |
| Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN | ~280 miles | $1,700 – $5,005 |
| St. Louis, MO | ~300 miles | $1,800 – $5,325 |
| Nashville, TN | ~475 miles | $2,675 – $8,125 |
| Orlando, FL | ~1,100 miles | $5,800 – $18,125 |
Estimates based on stretcher base rate ($300–$525) + per-mile rate ($5–$16/mi). Actual prices depend on route, time of day, equipment needs, and scheduling. Call (708) 505-6994 for your exact quote. See our long-distance medical transport cost guide for detailed breakdowns.
Three different vehicles, three different levels of care, three very different price points. Choosing the right one saves money without compromising patient safety.
| Feature | Emergency Ambulance | Ambulette (Stretcher) | NEMT (Wheelchair/Sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (Long Distance) | $3,000 – $10,000+ | $450 – $1,200+ | $125 – $500+ |
| Crew | Paramedics / EMTs | CPR-certified attendants | Trained driver |
| Patient Position | Supine (full medical support) | Supine (adjustable stretcher) | Seated (wheelchair or sedan) |
| Medical Equipment | ALS: defibrillator, IV, intubation | O2, suction, cardiac monitor | Wheelchair lift, tie-downs |
| Best For | Unstable patients needing intervention | Stable patients who cannot sit upright | Patients who can sit in a wheelchair or sedan |
| Scheduling | 911 dispatch / on-demand | Pre-scheduled (5–7 days recommended) | Pre-scheduled (48–72 hrs recommended) |
| IV Medications En Route | Yes | No (IV pole for existing drip only) | No |
If your family member's condition is stable and they do not need paramedic-level intervention during the ride, an ambulette saves thousands of dollars compared to an emergency ambulance. For patients who can sit upright, a wheelchair or ambulatory NEMT vehicle is the most affordable option.
Not every long distance patient needs a stretcher. If the patient can remain seated in their wheelchair for the duration of the trip, long distance wheelchair transport is a more affordable alternative. Dream Care Rides operates ADA-compliant wheelchair vans with hydraulic lifts, four-point tie-down systems, and climate-controlled passenger compartments.
Base Rate
$65 – $115
Per Mile
$3 – $6
Long Distance Estimate
$200 – $500+
Long distance wheelchair transport is appropriate for patients who do not need to lie flat but cannot transfer to a standard vehicle seat. Common for dialysis patients relocating, seniors moving to be near family, and individuals with permanent mobility limitations.
Dream Care Rides also offers local stretcher transport in Chicago and gurney transportation for shorter trips within the metro area. For a comprehensive overview of all long distance options, visit our long-distance medical transport pillar page.
Call Dream Care Rides
Call (708) 505-6994 or book online at dreamcarerides.com/booking. Tell us you need long distance stretcher transport. Provide the pickup city and destination city so we can begin route planning.
Share patient and trip details
Provide the patient name, approximate weight, medical condition summary, pickup address with room or suite number, destination address, and preferred travel date. Mention oxygen needs, IV requirements, or bariatric considerations.
Submit documentation (if using insurance)
Medicaid and insurance plans typically require a Physician Certification Statement (PCS) confirming the patient cannot travel seated. Our team can help obtain this from the treating physician. Private pay patients may proceed without a PCS.
Receive your upfront price
Before confirming the trip, you receive a final price quote covering base rate, mileage, equipment surcharges, and any applicable weekend or holiday multipliers. The quoted price is the final price. No hidden fees.
Transport day
A two-person CPR-certified crew arrives with the stretcher, oxygen, and all equipment. They safely transfer the patient, secure all harnesses, and transport with continuous monitoring. You receive status updates throughout the trip.
Dream Care Rides is a licensed, insured non-emergency medical transportation provider headquartered at 20000 Governors Dr Suite 103H, Olympia Fields, IL 60461 (NPI #1033989991). We provide ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher transport throughout Illinois, Indiana, and nationwide for long distance trips. All pricing on this page reflects our current private pay rates.
Call (708) 505-6994 to speak with our dispatch team. We provide stretcher, wheelchair, and ambulatory transport from Illinois to any state. Upfront pricing, no hidden fees.
Founder & CEO, Dream Care Rides | NPI #1033989991
Licensed NEMT provider headquartered in Olympia Fields, IL.
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