Moving from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL
723 miles across a state line, from Georgia 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 Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL covers 723 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,254 – $4,338 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 630 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 723 miles between Georgia 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 $3,254 – $4,338 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 Atlanta to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,440 – $3,254 | $1,757 – $2,343 | $1,171 – $1,562 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,928 – $3,904 | $2,108 – $2,811 | $1,406 – $1,874 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,254 – $4,338 | $2,343 – $3,123 | $1,562 – $2,082 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,742 – $4,989 | $2,694 – $3,592 | $1,796 – $2,395 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,230 – $5,639 | $3,045 – $4,060 | $2,030 – $2,707 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,880 – $6,507 | $3,514 – $4,685 | $2,343 – $3,123 |
Transport only, for 723 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, Atlanta to Chicago
723 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,615. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,254 to $4,338, 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 Atlanta to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 630 people a year (±229) moved from Fulton County, GA, home to Atlanta, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 878 people a year (±291). Movers from Fulton County make up 0.5% 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 5,242 people a year (±1,896) moving from Georgia to Illinois and about 6,392 people a year (±2,157) from Illinois to Georgia — a net gain for Georgia of about 1,150 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DeKalb County, GA | 14,205 ±1,333 |
| Cobb County, GA | 10,929 ±1,229 |
| Clayton County, GA | 7,292 ±1,451 |
| Gwinnett County, GA | 4,421 ±716 |
| Forsyth County, GA | 3,851 ±812 |
| 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
125 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Atlanta (454 counting those licensed only inside Georgia). 74 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 7.7% of their 155 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulldog Movers IncUSDOT 1187702 | Doraville · 13 mi | 57 trucks | 16 | 0.0% of 5 |
| Atlanta Peach Movers IncUSDOT 797586 | Doraville · 14 mi | 39 trucks | 20 | 0.0% of 11 |
| Colonial Van Lines IncUSDOT 1727120 | Atlanta · 9 mi | 27 trucks | 9 | 33.3% of 3 |
| General Movers LLCUSDOT 1914057 | Lithonia · 16 mi | 25 trucks | 6 | 0.0% of 3 |
| Wirks Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 1942465 | Marietta · 20 mi | 24 trucks | 26 | 0.0% of 6 |
| USA Family Moving of Atlanta LLCUSDOT 3447326 | Alpharetta · 25 mi | 22 trucks | 4 | — |
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 Georgia 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 Atlanta 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 723 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 Atlanta
All routes from Atlanta, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta to Columbus, GA | ~105 mi | $473 – $630 |
| Atlanta to Chattanooga, TN | ~121 mi | $545 – $726 |
| Atlanta to Greenville, SC | ~159 mi | $716 – $954 |
| Atlanta to Birmingham, AL | ~163 mi | $734 – $978 |
| Atlanta to Augusta, GA | ~164 mi | $738 – $984 |
| Atlanta to Montgomery, AL | ~171 mi | $770 – $1,026 |
| Atlanta to Knoxville, TN | ~180 mi | $810 – $1,080 |
| Atlanta to Columbia, SC | ~225 mi | $1,013 – $1,350 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Atlanta to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Atlanta to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over 723 miles cost about $2,440 – $3,254 for a studio, $3,254 – $4,338 for a two-bedroom home and $3,742 – $4,989 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Atlanta 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 Atlanta to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,562 – $2,082 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,254 – $4,338 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,343 – $3,123.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Atlanta to Chicago?
Yes. Atlanta is in Georgia and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 125 listed movers within 30 miles of Atlanta hold it.
How many people move from Atlanta to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 630 people a year (margin of error ±229) moved from Fulton County, which contains Atlanta, 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.