Moving from Saint Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
About 1,183 miles across a state line, from Florida 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 Saint Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL covers about 1,183 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $5,324 – $7,098 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 398 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 1,183 miles between Florida 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 $5,324 – $7,098 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 3 days on the road (about 22 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Saint Petersburg to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,993 – $5,324 | $2,875 – $3,833 | $1,916 – $2,555 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,791 – $6,388 | $3,450 – $4,600 | $2,300 – $3,066 |
| 2 bedrooms | $5,324 – $7,098 | $3,833 – $5,111 | $2,555 – $3,407 |
| 3 bedrooms | $6,122 – $8,163 | $4,408 – $5,877 | $2,939 – $3,918 |
| 4 bedrooms | $6,921 – $9,227 | $4,983 – $6,644 | $3,322 – $4,429 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $7,985 – $10,647 | $5,749 – $7,666 | $3,833 – $5,111 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,183 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, Saint Petersburg to Chicago
1,183 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $5,915. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $5,324 to $7,098, 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 Saint Petersburg to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 398 people a year (±222) moved from Pinellas County, FL, home to Saint Petersburg, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 414 people a year (±152). Movers from Pinellas 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 12,751 people a year (±2,882) moving from Florida to Illinois and about 24,410 people a year (±4,381) from Illinois to Florida — a net gain for Florida of about 11,659 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Hillsborough County, FL | 5,974 ±722 |
| Pasco County, FL | 5,709 ±1,138 |
| Polk County, FL | 3,016 ±743 |
| Hernando County, FL | 1,146 ±638 |
| Orange County, FL | 1,044 ±334 |
| 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
42 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Saint Petersburg (172 counting those licensed only inside Florida). 20 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 31.3% of their 32 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Class Moving Systems IncUSDOT 944759 | Tampa · 20 mi | 50 trucks | 5 | 100.0% of 2 |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk and MovingUSDOT 4227396 | Sarasota · 26 mi | 14 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Two Men and A TruckUSDOT 2113690 | Oldsmar · 20 mi | 10 trucks | 2 | — |
| Sunshine MoversUSDOT 4054744 | Sarasota · 26 mi | 10 trucks | 2 | — |
| Big Man's Moving CompanyUSDOT 2951960 | Bellaire Beach · 17 mi | 8 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 2 |
| 2 College Brothers IncUSDOT 2787568 | Tampa · 18 mi | 8 trucks | 11 | 0.0% of 3 |
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 Florida 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 Saint Petersburg 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 1,183 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 Saint Petersburg
All routes from Saint Petersburg, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Petersburg to Tampa, FL | ~20 mi | $455 – $733 |
| Saint Petersburg to Cape Coral, FL | ~101 mi | $455 – $606 |
| Saint Petersburg to Orlando, FL | ~110 mi | $495 – $660 |
| Saint Petersburg to Gainesville, FL | ~156 mi | $702 – $936 |
| Saint Petersburg to Port Saint Lucie, FL | ~166 mi | $747 – $996 |
| Saint Petersburg to Jacksonville, FL | ~218 mi | $981 – $1,308 |
| Saint Petersburg to Fort Lauderdale, FL | ~223 mi | $1,004 – $1,338 |
| Saint Petersburg to Miami, FL | ~238 mi | $1,071 – $1,428 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Saint Petersburg to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Saint Petersburg to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 1,183 miles cost about $3,993 – $5,324 for a studio, $5,324 – $7,098 for a two-bedroom home and $6,122 – $8,163 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Saint Petersburg to Chicago take?
The drive is 3 days on the road (about 22 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 Saint Petersburg to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,555 – $3,407 for a two-bedroom home, against $5,324 – $7,098 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,833 – $5,111.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Saint Petersburg to Chicago?
Yes. Saint Petersburg is in Florida and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 42 listed movers within 30 miles of Saint Petersburg hold it.
How many people move from Saint Petersburg to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 398 people a year (margin of error ±222) moved from Pinellas County, which contains Saint Petersburg, 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.