Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL
1,755 miles across a state line, from Arizona into Illinois, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL covers 1,755 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $7,898 – $10,530 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 7 to 14 days. About 1,171 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A genuine long haul at 1,755 miles from Arizona to Illinois. Almost all of these move as consolidated freight: your goods share a trailer and the carrier quotes 7 to 14 days rather than a date. It is why a two-bedroom home here runs $7,898 – $10,530 instead of scaling straight with distance, and also why there is more handling and a looser schedule.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 4 days on the road (about 32 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- a consolidated load sharing trailer space with other households
- Book ahead
- 6 to 8 weeks
Cost of moving from Phoenix to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $5,923 – $7,898 | $4,265 – $5,686 | $2,843 – $3,791 |
| 1 bedroom | $7,108 – $9,477 | $5,118 – $6,823 | $3,412 – $4,549 |
| 2 bedrooms | $7,898 – $10,530 | $5,686 – $7,582 | $3,791 – $5,054 |
| 3 bedrooms | $9,082 – $12,109 | $6,539 – $8,719 | $4,359 – $5,813 |
| 4 bedrooms | $10,267 – $13,689 | $7,392 – $9,856 | $4,928 – $6,571 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $11,846 – $15,795 | $8,529 – $11,372 | $5,686 – $7,582 |
Transport only, for 1,755 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, Phoenix to Chicago
1,755 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $8,775. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $7,898 to $10,530, 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 Phoenix to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 1,171 people a year (±359) moved from Maricopa County, AZ, home to Phoenix, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 3,715 people a year (±782). Movers from Maricopa County make up 0.9% 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 6,130 people a year (±1,899) moving from Arizona to Illinois and about 9,445 people a year (±2,340) from Illinois to Arizona — a net gain for Arizona of about 3,315 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Pinal County, AZ | 17,904 ±2,214 |
| Pima County, AZ | 10,124 ±953 |
| Coconino County, AZ | 6,398 ±704 |
| Yavapai County, AZ | 3,689 ±618 |
| Clark County, NV | 2,998 ±761 |
| 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
67 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Phoenix (250 counting those licensed only inside Arizona). 39 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 17.2% of their 128 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dircks Moving & LogisticsUSDOT 923640 | Phoenix · 7 mi | 24 trucks | 0 | — |
| Muscular Moving Men LLCUSDOT 1829172 | Phoenix · 17 mi | 22 trucks | 27 | 42.1% of 19 |
| Camelback Moving IncUSDOT 1635834 | Phoenix · 3 mi | 20 trucks | 35 | 0.0% of 26 |
| M&S Trucking and Moving LLCUSDOT 4035484 | Phoenix · 12 mi | 20 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Just-In Time MovingUSDOT 1759501 | Mesa · 21 mi | 20 trucks | 32 | 4.5% of 22 |
| Daniel's Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 653536 | Phoenix · 7 mi | 18 trucks | 0 | — |
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 Arizona 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 Phoenix to Chicago
Insist on a survey
Over 1,755 miles the price is driven almost entirely by weight. A quote given without a video or in-home survey is a guess that gets revised upward on loading day, and at this distance the revision is expensive.
Keep full-value protection
It is the default on an interstate move. Signing it away for released value means 60 cents per pound, about $18 for a 30 lb television, after 1,755 miles of handling.
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 Phoenix
All routes from Phoenix, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix to Tucson, AZ | ~124 mi | $558 – $744 |
| Phoenix to Moreno Valley, CA | ~346 mi | $1,557 – $2,076 |
| Phoenix to Las Vegas, NV | 347 mi | $1,562 – $2,082 |
| Phoenix to San Diego, CA | 355 mi | $1,598 – $2,130 |
| Phoenix to Fontana, CA | ~365 mi | $1,643 – $2,190 |
| Phoenix to Los Angeles, CA | 374 mi | $1,683 – $2,244 |
| Phoenix to Anaheim, CA | ~383 mi | $1,724 – $2,298 |
| Phoenix to Albuquerque, NM | ~384 mi | $1,728 – $2,304 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Phoenix to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Phoenix to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over 1,755 miles cost about $5,923 – $7,898 for a studio, $7,898 – $10,530 for a two-bedroom home and $9,082 – $12,109 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Phoenix to Chicago take?
The drive is 4 days on the road (about 32 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 7 to 14 days because it moves on a consolidated load sharing trailer space with other households. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Phoenix to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $3,791 – $5,054 for a two-bedroom home, against $7,898 – $10,530 with full-service movers; a moving container is $5,686 – $7,582.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Phoenix to Chicago?
Yes. Phoenix is in Arizona and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 67 listed movers within 30 miles of Phoenix hold it.
How many people move from Phoenix to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 1,171 people a year (margin of error ±359) moved from Maricopa County, which contains Phoenix, 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.