Moving from Savannah, GA to Chicago, IL
About 894 miles across a state line, from Georgia 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 Savannah, GA to Chicago, IL covers about 894 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,023 – $5,364 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 125 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 894 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 $4,023 – $5,364 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 Savannah to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,017 – $4,023 | $2,172 – $2,897 | $1,448 – $1,931 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,621 – $4,828 | $2,607 – $3,476 | $1,738 – $2,317 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,023 – $5,364 | $2,897 – $3,862 | $1,931 – $2,575 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,626 – $6,169 | $3,331 – $4,441 | $2,221 – $2,961 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,230 – $6,973 | $3,766 – $5,021 | $2,510 – $3,347 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,035 – $8,046 | $4,345 – $5,793 | $2,897 – $3,862 |
Transport only, for an estimated 894 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, Savannah to Chicago
894 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,470. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,023 to $5,364, 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 Savannah to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 125 people a year (±177) moved from Chatham County, GA, home to Savannah, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. The margin of error is as large as the estimate, so read it as a handful of households rather than a count. Going the other way: about 61 people a year (±64). Movers from Chatham County make up 0.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Bryan County, GA | 1,455 ±667 |
| Effingham County, GA | 1,113 ±509 |
| Fulton County, GA | 1,010 ±677 |
| Bulloch County, GA | 929 ±321 |
| Bibb County, GA | 897 ±393 |
| 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
17 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Savannah (35 counting those licensed only inside Georgia). 9 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 9.1% of their 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 261996 | Savannah · 6 mi | 17 trucks | 9 | 0.0% of 5 |
| Advance Relocation and Storage Systems IncUSDOT 816659 | Hardeeville · 12 mi | 10 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Fountain Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 29659 | Savannah · 6 mi | 9 trucks | 0 | — |
| American Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 1761669 | Savannah · 6 mi | 8 trucks | 1 | — |
| Hammock Transfer & Storage IncUSDOT 214164 | Savannah · 6 mi | 4 trucks | 5 | — |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Hilton HeadUSDOT 1324088 | Bluffton · 15 mi | 4 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 1 |
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 Savannah 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 894 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 Savannah
All routes from Savannah, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah to Charleston, SC | ~97 mi | $455 – $747 |
| Savannah to Jacksonville, FL | ~146 mi | $657 – $876 |
| Savannah to Columbia, SC | ~155 mi | $698 – $930 |
| Savannah to Charlotte, NC | ~254 mi | $1,143 – $1,524 |
| Savannah to Columbus, GA | ~260 mi | $1,170 – $1,560 |
| Savannah to Atlanta, GA | ~261 mi | $1,175 – $1,566 |
| Savannah to Orlando, FL | ~286 mi | $1,287 – $1,716 |
| Savannah to Tampa, FL | ~346 mi | $1,557 – $2,076 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Savannah to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Savannah to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 894 miles cost about $3,017 – $4,023 for a studio, $4,023 – $5,364 for a two-bedroom home and $4,626 – $6,169 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Savannah 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 Savannah to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,931 – $2,575 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,023 – $5,364 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,897 – $3,862.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Savannah to Chicago?
Yes. Savannah 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. 17 listed movers within 30 miles of Savannah hold it.
How many people move from Savannah to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 125 people a year (margin of error ±177) moved from Chatham County, which contains Savannah, 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.