Moving from Chicago, IL to Boston, MA
984 miles across a state line, from Illinois into Massachusetts, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Chicago, IL to Boston, MA covers 984 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,428 – $5,904 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 843 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 984 miles between Illinois and Massachusetts, 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 $4,428 – $5,904 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 18 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 Boston
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,321 – $4,428 | $2,391 – $3,188 | $1,594 – $2,125 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,985 – $5,314 | $2,869 – $3,826 | $1,913 – $2,551 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,428 – $5,904 | $3,188 – $4,251 | $2,125 – $2,834 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,092 – $6,790 | $3,666 – $4,889 | $2,444 – $3,259 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,756 – $7,675 | $4,145 – $5,526 | $2,763 – $3,684 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,642 – $8,856 | $4,782 – $6,376 | $3,188 – $4,251 |
Transport only, for 984 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 Boston
984 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,920. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,428 to $5,904, 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 Boston
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 843 people a year (±231) moved from Cook County, IL, home to Chicago, to Suffolk County, MA, home to Boston. Going the other way: about 717 people a year (±285). Movers from Cook County make up 1.3% of the 64,488 people a year who moved into Suffolk County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 3,274 people a year (±1,334) moving from Illinois to Massachusetts and about 4,239 people a year (±1,561) from Massachusetts to Illinois — a net gain for Illinois of about 965 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 |
|---|---|
| Middlesex County, MA | 15,398 ±1,386 |
| Norfolk County, MA | 7,422 ±847 |
| Essex County, MA | 2,813 ±534 |
| Plymouth County, MA | 2,372 ±493 |
| Worcester County, MA | 1,552 ±260 |
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 Boston end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Boston: Gentle Giant Moving Company (Winchester, 88 trucks), Olympia Moving & Storage (Watertown Town, 70 trucks), DN Van Lines Moving & Storage (Northborough, 32 trucks), Stairhopper Movers LLC (Everett, 31 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Illinois into Massachusetts, 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 Boston
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 984 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Boston
A local move inside Boston later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $525 – $859 for a two-bedroom home and $885 – $1,587 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Boston are Nashua (about 41 mi), Worcester (about 45 mi), Providence (about 48 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 Boston: from Worcester, MA, from Nashua, NH, from Providence, RI, from Warwick, RI.
Chicago to Boston moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Boston?
From our published model, full-service movers over 984 miles cost about $3,321 – $4,428 for a studio, $4,428 – $5,904 for a two-bedroom home and $5,092 – $6,790 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Chicago to Boston take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 18 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 Boston?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,125 – $2,834 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,428 – $5,904 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,188 – $4,251.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Chicago to Boston?
Yes. Chicago is in Illinois and Boston is in Massachusetts, 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 Boston each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 843 people a year (margin of error ±231) moved from Cook County, which contains Chicago, to Suffolk County, which contains Boston.
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.