Moving from Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL
About 897 miles across a state line, from Connecticut 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 Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL covers about 897 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,037 – $5,382 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 335 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 897 miles between Connecticut 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 $4,037 – $5,382 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 16 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Hartford to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,027 – $4,037 | $2,180 – $2,906 | $1,453 – $1,938 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,633 – $4,844 | $2,616 – $3,488 | $1,744 – $2,325 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,037 – $5,382 | $2,906 – $3,875 | $1,938 – $2,583 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,642 – $6,189 | $3,342 – $4,456 | $2,228 – $2,971 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,247 – $6,997 | $3,778 – $5,038 | $2,519 – $3,358 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,055 – $8,073 | $4,359 – $5,813 | $2,906 – $3,875 |
Transport only, for an estimated 897 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, Hartford to Chicago
897 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,485. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,037 to $5,382, 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 Hartford to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 335 people a year (±203) moved from Hartford County, CT, home to Hartford, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 38 people a year (±29). Movers from Hartford County make up 0.3% 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 2,116 people a year (±1,513) moving from Connecticut to Illinois and about 1,044 people a year (±483) from Illinois to Connecticut — a net gain for Illinois of about 1,072 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| New Haven County, CT | 3,822 ±590 |
| Tolland County, CT | 3,784 ±779 |
| Middlesex County, CT | 2,797 ±626 |
| New London County, CT | 1,886 ±1,244 |
| Fairfield County, CT | 1,744 ±374 |
| 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
45 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Hartford (82 counting those licensed only inside Connecticut). 27 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 14.1% of their 78 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT Moving and StorageUSDOT 175772 | Southington · 15 mi | 25 trucks | 13 | 42.9% of 7 |
| Rt Relocation LLCUSDOT 3285714 | Cheshire · 21 mi | 24 trucks | 17 | 0.0% of 8 |
| Lippincott Van LinesUSDOT 731441 | Winsted · 25 mi | 22 trucks | 27 | 23.5% of 17 |
| Pioneer MovingUSDOT 3733749 | Chicopee · 26 mi | 10 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Bert Hill MoverUSDOT 55266 | Westfield · 27 mi | 8 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 3 |
| Capitol Relocation & LogisticsUSDOT 3647953 | South Winder · 7 mi | 7 trucks | 4 | 0.0% 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 Connecticut 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 Hartford 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 897 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 Hartford
All routes from Hartford, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford to Springfield, MA | ~28 mi | $505 – $831 |
| Hartford to New Haven, CT | ~40 mi | $505 – $831 |
| Hartford to Bridgeport, CT | ~56 mi | $505 – $831 |
| Hartford to Worcester, MA | ~66 mi | $505 – $831 |
| Hartford to Providence, RI | ~76 mi | $505 – $831 |
| Hartford to Yonkers, NY | ~100 mi | $505 – $831 |
| Hartford to Boston, MA | ~108 mi | $486 – $648 |
| Hartford to New York City, NY | ~117 mi | $527 – $702 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Hartford to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Hartford to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 897 miles cost about $3,027 – $4,037 for a studio, $4,037 – $5,382 for a two-bedroom home and $4,642 – $6,189 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Hartford to Chicago take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 16 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 Hartford to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,938 – $2,583 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,037 – $5,382 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,906 – $3,875.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Hartford to Chicago?
Yes. Hartford is in Connecticut and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 45 listed movers within 30 miles of Hartford hold it.
How many people move from Hartford to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 335 people a year (margin of error ±203) moved from Hartford County, which contains Hartford, 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.