Moving from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL
About 692 miles across a state line, from District of Columbia 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 Washington, DC to Chicago, IL covers about 692 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,114 – $4,152 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 1,098 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 692 miles between District of Columbia 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 $3,114 – $4,152 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Washington to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,336 – $3,114 | $1,682 – $2,242 | $1,121 – $1,495 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,803 – $3,737 | $2,018 – $2,690 | $1,345 – $1,794 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,114 – $4,152 | $2,242 – $2,989 | $1,495 – $1,993 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,581 – $4,775 | $2,578 – $3,438 | $1,719 – $2,292 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,048 – $5,398 | $2,915 – $3,886 | $1,943 – $2,591 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,671 – $6,228 | $3,363 – $4,484 | $2,242 – $2,989 |
Transport only, for an estimated 692 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, Washington to Chicago
692 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,460. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,114 to $4,152, 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 Washington to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 1,098 people a year (±328) moved from District of Columbia, DC, home to Washington, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 1,511 people a year (±417). Movers from District of Columbia 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 761 people a year (±432) moving from District of Columbia to Illinois and about 2,821 people a year (±1,669) from Illinois to District of Columbia — a net gain for District of Columbia of about 2,060 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Prince George's County, MD | 10,730 ±1,168 |
| Montgomery County, MD | 5,618 ±673 |
| Arlington County, VA | 3,566 ±703 |
| Fairfax County, VA | 2,910 ±534 |
| New York County, NY | 1,703 ±345 |
| 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
299 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Washington (481 counting those licensed only inside District of Columbia). 168 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.8% of their 949 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JK Moving ServicesUSDOT 1065394 | Sterling · 24 mi | 173 trucks | 107 | 12.3% of 57 |
| Eagle Van Lines IncUSDOT 388638 | Temple Hills · 8 mi | 72 trucks | 94 | 37.7% of 53 |
| Town and Country Movers IncUSDOT 418499 | Gaithersburg · 20 mi | 64 trucks | 75 | 18.9% of 53 |
| A&A Transfer LLCUSDOT 503883 | Chantilly · 26 mi | 62 trucks | 9 | 33.3% of 3 |
| MG Moving ServicesUSDOT 2455961 | Sterling · 24 mi | 58 trucks | 38 | 11.1% of 18 |
| Executive Moving Systems IncUSDOT 487595 | Woodbridge · 22 mi | 34 trucks | 20 | 33.3% of 12 |
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 District of Columbia 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 Washington 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 692 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 Washington
All routes from Washington, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington to Arlington, VA | ~4 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Annapolis, MD | ~35 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Baltimore, MD | ~42 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Frederick, MD | ~48 mi | $525 – $873 |
| Washington to Richmond, VA | ~112 mi | $504 – $672 |
| Washington to Wilmington, DE | ~115 mi | $518 – $690 |
| Washington to Philadelphia, PA | ~144 mi | $648 – $864 |
| Washington to Norfolk, VA | ~172 mi | $774 – $1,032 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Washington to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Washington to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 692 miles cost about $2,336 – $3,114 for a studio, $3,114 – $4,152 for a two-bedroom home and $3,581 – $4,775 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Washington to Chicago take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 13 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 Washington to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,495 – $1,993 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,114 – $4,152 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,242 – $2,989.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Washington to Chicago?
Yes. Washington is in District of Columbia and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 299 listed movers within 30 miles of Washington hold it.
How many people move from Washington to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 1,098 people a year (margin of error ±328) moved from District of Columbia, which contains Washington, 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.