Moving from Chicago, IL to Arlington, VA
About 690 miles across a state line, from Illinois into Virginia, 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 Chicago, IL to Arlington, VA covers about 690 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,105 – $4,140 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 285 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 690 miles between Illinois and Virginia, 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 $3,105 – $4,140 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 Chicago to Arlington
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,329 – $3,105 | $1,677 – $2,236 | $1,118 – $1,490 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,795 – $3,726 | $2,012 – $2,683 | $1,341 – $1,788 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,105 – $4,140 | $2,236 – $2,981 | $1,490 – $1,987 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,571 – $4,761 | $2,571 – $3,428 | $1,714 – $2,285 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,037 – $5,382 | $2,906 – $3,875 | $1,938 – $2,583 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,658 – $6,210 | $3,353 – $4,471 | $2,236 – $2,981 |
Transport only, for an estimated 690 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, Chicago to Arlington
690 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,450. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,105 to $4,140, 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 Chicago to Arlington
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 285 people a year (±171) moved from Cook County, IL, home to Chicago, to Arlington County, VA, home to Arlington. Going the other way: about 282 people a year (±123). Movers from Cook County make up 1.1% of the 25,426 people a year who moved into Arlington County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 6,488 people a year (±1,960) moving from Illinois to Virginia and about 4,974 people a year (±2,291) from Virginia to Illinois — a net gain for Virginia of about 1,514 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DuPage County, IL | 21,050 ±1,662 |
| Will County, IL | 12,267 ±1,138 |
| Lake County, IL | 11,414 ±1,215 |
| Lake County, IN | 9,145 ±1,341 |
| Kane County, IL | 8,885 ±1,239 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Fairfax County, VA | 4,513 ±933 |
| District of Columbia, DC | 3,566 ±703 |
| Alexandria City, VA | 1,960 ±485 |
| Montgomery County, MD | 685 ±201 |
| Loudoun County, VA | 435 ±164 |
Licensed movers at each end
154 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Chicago (245 counting those licensed only inside Illinois). 81 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 20.3% of their 615 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New World Van Lines IncUSDOT 258748 | Chicago · 11 mi | 204 trucks | 201 | 14.7% of 129 |
| National Van Lines IncUSDOT 76628 | Broadview · 12 mi | 174 trucks | 143 | 32.1% of 78 |
| New City Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 4020807 | Chicago · 6 mi | 82 trucks | 17 | 25.0% of 8 |
| Complete Moving IncUSDOT 4017704 | Arlington Heights · 25 mi | 80 trucks | 240 | 19.9% of 186 |
| Em Transfer Services IncUSDOT 2914046 | Addison · 20 mi | 36 trucks | 41 | 33.3% of 15 |
| Hollander International Storage and Moving Company IncUSDOT 131735 | Elk Grove Village · 22 mi | 23 drivers | 5 | 0.0% of 1 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Arlington end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Arlington: JK Moving Services (Sterling, 173 trucks), Eagle Van Lines Inc (Temple Hills, 72 trucks), Town and Country Movers Inc (Gaithersburg, 64 trucks), A&A Transfer LLC (Chantilly, 62 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Illinois into Virginia, 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 Chicago to Arlington
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 690 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Arlington
A local move inside Arlington later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $465 – $761 for a two-bedroom home and $777 – $1,398 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Arlington are Washington (about 4 mi), Annapolis (about 38 mi), Baltimore (about 45 mi).
Other routes from Chicago
All routes from Chicago, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago to Milwaukee, WI | ~95 mi | $475 – $775 |
| Chicago to Madison, WI | ~142 mi | $639 – $852 |
| Chicago to Grand Rapids, MI | ~146 mi | $657 – $876 |
| Chicago to Peoria, IL | ~152 mi | $684 – $912 |
| Chicago to Fort Wayne, IN | ~163 mi | $734 – $978 |
| Chicago to Indianapolis, IN | ~192 mi | $864 – $1,152 |
| Chicago to Lansing, MI | ~195 mi | $878 – $1,170 |
| Chicago to Springfield, IL | ~208 mi | $936 – $1,248 |
Also moving to Arlington: from Washington, DC, from Annapolis, MD, from Baltimore, MD, from Frederick, MD.
Chicago to Arlington moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Arlington, VA?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 690 miles cost about $2,329 – $3,105 for a studio, $3,105 – $4,140 for a two-bedroom home and $3,571 – $4,761 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Chicago to Arlington, VA 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 Chicago to Arlington, VA?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,490 – $1,987 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,105 – $4,140 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,236 – $2,981.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Chicago to Arlington, VA?
Yes. Chicago is in Illinois and Arlington is in Virginia, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 154 listed movers within 30 miles of Chicago hold it.
How many people move from Chicago to Arlington, VA each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 285 people a year (margin of error ±171) moved from Cook County, which contains Chicago, to Arlington County, which contains Arlington.
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.