Moving from Birmingham, AL to Chicago, IL
About 675 miles across a state line, from Alabama into Illinois, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Birmingham, AL to Chicago, IL covers about 675 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,038 – $4,050 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 172 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 675 miles between Alabama and Illinois, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $3,038 – $4,050 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 12 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Birmingham to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,278 – $3,038 | $1,640 – $2,187 | $1,094 – $1,458 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,734 – $3,645 | $1,968 – $2,624 | $1,312 – $1,750 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,038 – $4,050 | $2,187 – $2,916 | $1,458 – $1,944 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,493 – $4,657 | $2,515 – $3,353 | $1,677 – $2,236 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,949 – $5,265 | $2,843 – $3,791 | $1,895 – $2,527 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,556 – $6,075 | $3,281 – $4,374 | $2,187 – $2,916 |
Transport only, for an estimated 675 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Birmingham to Chicago
675 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,375. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,038 to $4,050, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Birmingham to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 172 people a year (±149) moved from Jefferson County, AL, home to Birmingham, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 104 people a year (±91). Movers from Jefferson County make up 0.1% of the 127,735 people a year who moved into Cook County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 859 people a year (±465) moving from Alabama to Illinois and about 5,231 people a year (±1,900) from Illinois to Alabama — a net gain for Alabama of about 4,372 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Shelby County, AL | 4,924 ±814 |
| Tuscaloosa County, AL | 1,850 ±459 |
| St. Clair County, AL | 1,774 ±564 |
| Lee County, AL | 976 ±286 |
| Madison County, AL | 969 ±305 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DuPage County, IL | 13,206 ±1,320 |
| Lake County, IL | 6,678 ±1,090 |
| Will County, IL | 6,454 ±1,007 |
| Kane County, IL | 4,555 ±770 |
| Lake County, IN | 3,835 ±861 |
Licensed movers at each end
18 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Birmingham (43 counting those licensed only inside Alabama). 15 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 13.1% of their 61 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Latitude Moving Admiral Movers Motivated MoversUSDOT 2179652 | Birmingham · 6 mi | 52 trucks | 22 | 7.7% of 13 |
| Thompson Delivery Services ColwrightUSDOT 713589 | Birmingham · 0 mi | 31 trucks | 17 | 9.1% of 11 |
| Two Men and A TruckUSDOT 806985 | Irondale · 8 mi | 21 trucks | 12 | 16.7% of 6 |
| Home MoversUSDOT 4229634 | Birmingham · 4 mi | 12 trucks | 6 | 60.0% of 5 |
| Crocker Moving Services LLCUSDOT 2959084 | Birmingham · 4 mi | 7 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| MovedaddycomUSDOT 2521318 | Birmingham · 7 mi | 7 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 1 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Chicago end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Chicago: New World Van Lines Inc (Chicago, 204 trucks), National Van Lines Inc (Broadview, 174 trucks), New City Moving & Storage LLC (Chicago, 82 trucks), Complete Moving Inc (Arlington Heights, 80 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Alabama into Illinois, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Birmingham to Chicago
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 675 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Chicago
A local move inside Chicago later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home and $795 – $1,425 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Chicago are Milwaukee (about 95 mi), Madison (about 142 mi), Grand Rapids (about 146 mi).
Other routes from Birmingham
All routes from Birmingham, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham to Huntsville, AL | ~98 mi | $435 – $719 |
| Birmingham to Montgomery, AL | ~98 mi | $435 – $719 |
| Birmingham to Atlanta, GA | ~163 mi | $734 – $978 |
| Birmingham to Nashville, TN | ~213 mi | $959 – $1,278 |
| Birmingham to Mobile, AL | ~243 mi | $1,094 – $1,458 |
| Birmingham to Memphis, TN | ~253 mi | $1,139 – $1,518 |
| Birmingham to Augusta, GA | ~324 mi | $1,458 – $1,944 |
| Birmingham to Columbia, SC | ~388 mi | $1,746 – $2,328 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Birmingham to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Birmingham to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 675 miles cost about $2,278 – $3,038 for a studio, $3,038 – $4,050 for a two-bedroom home and $3,493 – $4,657 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Birmingham to Chicago take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 12 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Birmingham to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,458 – $1,944 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,038 – $4,050 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,187 – $2,916.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Birmingham to Chicago?
Yes. Birmingham is in Alabama and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 18 listed movers within 30 miles of Birmingham hold it.
How many people move from Birmingham to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 172 people a year (margin of error ±149) moved from Jefferson County, which contains Birmingham, to Cook County, which contains Chicago.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.