Moving from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX
About 1,142 miles across a state line, from Illinois into Texas, 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 Austin, TX covers about 1,142 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $5,139 – $6,852 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 629 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 1,142 miles between Illinois and Texas, 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 $5,139 – $6,852 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 3 days on the road (about 21 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 Austin
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,854 – $5,139 | $2,775 – $3,700 | $1,850 – $2,467 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,625 – $6,167 | $3,330 – $4,440 | $2,220 – $2,960 |
| 2 bedrooms | $5,139 – $6,852 | $3,700 – $4,933 | $2,467 – $3,289 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,910 – $7,880 | $4,255 – $5,673 | $2,837 – $3,782 |
| 4 bedrooms | $6,681 – $8,908 | $4,810 – $6,413 | $3,207 – $4,276 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $7,709 – $10,278 | $5,550 – $7,400 | $3,700 – $4,933 |
Transport only, for an estimated 1,142 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 Austin
1,142 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $5,710. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $5,139 to $6,852, 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 Austin
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 629 people a year (±234) moved from Cook County, IL, home to Chicago, to Travis County, TX, home to Austin. Going the other way: about 880 people a year (±266). Movers from Cook County make up 0.7% of the 88,034 people a year who moved into Travis County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 23,509 people a year (±4,417) moving from Illinois to Texas and about 18,189 people a year (±3,474) from Texas to Illinois — a net gain for Texas of about 5,320 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 |
|---|---|
| Williamson County, TX | 10,828 ±1,757 |
| Harris County, TX | 5,495 ±746 |
| Hays County, TX | 4,306 ±1,049 |
| Bexar County, TX | 3,813 ±659 |
| Tarrant County, TX | 2,840 ±714 |
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 Austin end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Austin: Apple Moving (Austin, 185 trucks), Einstein Moving Company LLC (Austin, 80 trucks), A-1 Freeman Moving & Storage Inc (Round Rock, 30 trucks), Next Stop Moving & Storage (Taylor, 18 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Illinois into Texas, 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 Austin
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 1,142 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Austin
A local move inside Austin later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $445 – $733 for a two-bedroom home and $741 – $1,344 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Austin are San Antonio (about 86 mi), Houston (about 171 mi), Fort Worth (about 202 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 Austin: from San Antonio, TX, from Houston, TX, from Dallas, TX, from Arlington, TX.
Chicago to Austin moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Austin?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 1,142 miles cost about $3,854 – $5,139 for a studio, $5,139 – $6,852 for a two-bedroom home and $5,910 – $7,880 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Chicago to Austin take?
The drive is 3 days on the road (about 21 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 Austin?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,467 – $3,289 for a two-bedroom home, against $5,139 – $6,852 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,700 – $4,933.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Chicago to Austin?
Yes. Chicago is in Illinois and Austin is in Texas, 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 Austin each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 629 people a year (margin of error ±234) moved from Cook County, which contains Chicago, to Travis County, which contains Austin.
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.