Moving from Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL
About 361 miles across a state line, from Iowa 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 Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL covers about 361 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $1,625 – $2,166 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 419 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 361 miles, about 7 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $1,625 – $2,166. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 7 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Des Moines to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,218 – $1,625 | $877 – $1,170 | $585 – $780 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,462 – $1,949 | $1,053 – $1,404 | $702 – $936 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,625 – $2,166 | $1,170 – $1,560 | $780 – $1,040 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,868 – $2,491 | $1,345 – $1,793 | $897 – $1,196 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,112 – $2,816 | $1,521 – $2,027 | $1,014 – $1,352 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $2,437 – $3,249 | $1,754 – $2,339 | $1,170 – $1,560 |
Transport only, for an estimated 361 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, Des Moines to Chicago
361 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,805. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,625 to $2,166, 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 Des Moines to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 419 people a year (±180) moved from Polk County, IA, home to Des Moines, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 232 people a year (±142). Movers from Polk 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 6,721 people a year (±1,744) moving from Iowa to Illinois and about 10,691 people a year (±2,090) from Illinois to Iowa — a net gain for Iowa of about 3,970 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Dallas County, IA | 4,388 ±856 |
| Warren County, IA | 1,961 ±665 |
| Story County, IA | 1,914 ±373 |
| Johnson County, IA | 859 ±254 |
| Black Hawk County, IA | 695 ±375 |
| 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
11 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Des Moines (33 counting those licensed only inside Iowa). 5 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 0.0% of their 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lint Van Lines IncUSDOT 543541 | Des Moines · 5 mi | 27 trucks | 1 | — |
| Duplicate- You First MovingUSDOT 3253628 | Urbandale · 7 mi | 5 trucks | 0 | — |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Des Moines LLCUSDOT 3528959 | Des Moines · 5 mi | 3 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| All Mighty Movers LLCUSDOT 2468266 | Des Moines · 1 mi | 2 trucks | 1 | — |
| Dedicated Movers of Iowa LLCUSDOT 4536957 | Des Moines · 4 mi | 2 trucks | 0 | — |
| Combined Relocation Services LLCUSDOT 1666941 | Huxley · 21 mi | 2 trucks | 0 | — |
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 Iowa 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 Des Moines to Chicago
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 361 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
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 Des Moines
All routes from Des Moines, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines to Cedar Rapids, IA | ~122 mi | $549 – $732 |
| Des Moines to Omaha, NE | ~142 mi | $639 – $852 |
| Des Moines to Lincoln, NE | ~197 mi | $887 – $1,182 |
| Des Moines to Overland Park, KS | ~220 mi | $990 – $1,320 |
| Des Moines to Sioux Falls, SD | ~243 mi | $1,094 – $1,458 |
| Des Moines to Minneapolis, MN | ~274 mi | $1,233 – $1,644 |
| Des Moines to Greenville, SC | ~893 mi | $4,019 – $5,358 |
| Des Moines to Orlando, FL | ~1,322 mi | $5,949 – $7,932 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Des Moines to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 361 miles cost about $1,218 – $1,625 for a studio, $1,625 – $2,166 for a two-bedroom home and $1,868 – $2,491 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Chicago take?
The drive is about 7 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $780 – $1,040 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,625 – $2,166 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,170 – $1,560.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Des Moines to Chicago?
Yes. Des Moines is in Iowa and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 11 listed movers within 30 miles of Des Moines hold it.
How many people move from Des Moines to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 419 people a year (margin of error ±180) moved from Polk County, which contains Des Moines, 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.