Moving from Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL
About 645 miles across a state line, from Arkansas 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 Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL covers about 645 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,903 – $3,870 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 153 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 645 miles between Arkansas 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 $2,903 – $3,870 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 Little Rock to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,177 – $2,903 | $1,567 – $2,090 | $1,045 – $1,393 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,612 – $3,483 | $1,881 – $2,508 | $1,254 – $1,672 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,903 – $3,870 | $2,090 – $2,786 | $1,393 – $1,858 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,338 – $4,450 | $2,403 – $3,204 | $1,602 – $2,136 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,773 – $5,031 | $2,717 – $3,622 | $1,811 – $2,415 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,354 – $5,805 | $3,135 – $4,180 | $2,090 – $2,786 |
Transport only, for an estimated 645 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, Little Rock to Chicago
645 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,225. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,903 to $3,870, 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 Little Rock to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 153 people a year (±102) moved from Pulaski County, AR, home to Little Rock, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 105 people a year (±94). Movers from Pulaski 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 1,361 people a year (±697) moving from Arkansas to Illinois and about 1,926 people a year (±969) from Illinois to Arkansas — a net gain for Arkansas of about 565 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Saline County, AR | 2,749 ±720 |
| Lonoke County, AR | 1,161 ±368 |
| Faulkner County, AR | 1,075 ±295 |
| Washington County, AR | 802 ±269 |
| Jefferson County, AR | 562 ±198 |
| 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
12 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Little Rock (16 counting those licensed only inside Arkansas). 7 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.7% of their 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Yarbrough Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 68472 | Little Rock · 0 mi | 18 trucks | 0 | — |
| Daniel Moving & Storage Company IncUSDOT 111849 | North Little Rock · 2 mi | 11 trucks | 2 | 100.0% of 1 |
| Fixed Rate Moving IncUSDOT 1571525 | North Little Rock · 7 mi | 11 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Downey Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 1783602 | Conway · 22 mi | 9 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 1 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Little Rock LLCUSDOT 1763223 | Little Rock · 5 mi | 8 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Elite MoversUSDOT 1345746 | Little Rock · 25 mi | 5 trucks | 6 | 50.0% of 2 |
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 Arkansas 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 Little Rock 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 645 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 Little Rock
All routes from Little Rock, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock to Memphis, TN | ~151 mi | $680 – $906 |
| Little Rock to Fayetteville, AR | ~162 mi | $729 – $972 |
| Little Rock to Springfield, MO | ~209 mi | $941 – $1,254 |
| Little Rock to Tulsa, OK | ~268 mi | $1,206 – $1,608 |
| Little Rock to McKinney, TX | ~318 mi | $1,431 – $1,908 |
| Little Rock to Dallas, TX | ~341 mi | $1,535 – $2,046 |
| Little Rock to Oklahoma City, OK | ~349 mi | $1,571 – $2,094 |
| Little Rock to Fort Worth, TX | ~374 mi | $1,683 – $2,244 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Little Rock to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Little Rock to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 645 miles cost about $2,177 – $2,903 for a studio, $2,903 – $3,870 for a two-bedroom home and $3,338 – $4,450 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Little Rock 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 Little Rock to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,393 – $1,858 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,903 – $3,870 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,090 – $2,786.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Little Rock to Chicago?
Yes. Little Rock is in Arkansas and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 12 listed movers within 30 miles of Little Rock hold it.
How many people move from Little Rock to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 153 people a year (margin of error ±102) moved from Pulaski County, which contains Little Rock, 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.