Moving from Illinoisto Florida
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Chicago and Miami it is 1,386 miles and 3 days on the road (about 25 hours of driving); the 33 city pairs we price between the two states run from 832 to 1,386 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Chicago to Miami, the representative route
Each state is represented by its largest city we cover. The map shows that corridor; the table further down prices every city pair between Illinois and Florida.
Cost of moving from Illinois to Florida
At 1,386 miles, full-service movers should land around $6,237 – $8,316 for a two-bedroom home and $7,173 – $9,563 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $4,491 – $5,988; a freight trailer is $2,994 – $3,992.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $4,678 – $6,237 | $3,368 – $4,491 | $2,245 – $2,994 |
| 1 bedroom | $5,613 – $7,484 | $4,042 – $5,389 | $2,694 – $3,593 |
| 2 bedrooms | $6,237 – $8,316 | $4,491 – $5,988 | $2,994 – $3,992 |
| 3 bedrooms | $7,173 – $9,563 | $5,164 – $6,886 | $3,443 – $4,590 |
| 4 bedrooms | $8,108 – $10,811 | $5,838 – $7,784 | $3,892 – $5,189 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $9,356 – $12,474 | $6,736 – $8,981 | $4,491 – $5,988 |
Transport only, for 1,386 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.
City-to-city routes from Illinois to Florida
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 10 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield to Tallahassee | ~832 mi | 3–7 days | $3,744 – $4,992 | $4,306 – $5,741 |
| Peoria to Tallahassee | ~896 mi | 3–7 days | $4,032 – $5,376 | $4,637 – $6,182 |
| Springfield to Jacksonville | ~926 mi | 3–7 days | $4,167 – $5,556 | $4,792 – $6,389 |
| Chicago to Tallahassee | ~947 mi | 3–7 days | $4,262 – $5,682 | $4,901 – $6,534 |
| Springfield to Gainesville | ~947 mi | 3–7 days | $4,262 – $5,682 | $4,901 – $6,534 |
| Peoria to Jacksonville | ~983 mi | 3–7 days | $4,424 – $5,898 | $5,087 – $6,783 |
| Peoria to Gainesville | ~1,006 mi | 3–7 days | $4,527 – $6,036 | $5,206 – $6,941 |
| Chicago to Gainesville | ~1,041 mi | 3–7 days | $4,685 – $6,246 | $5,387 – $7,183 |
| Springfield to Orlando | ~1,060 mi | 3–7 days | $4,770 – $6,360 | $5,486 – $7,314 |
| Chicago to Jacksonville | 1,065 mi | 3–7 days | $4,793 – $6,390 | $5,511 – $7,349 |
| Springfield to Tampa | ~1,068 mi | 3–7 days | $4,806 – $6,408 | $5,527 – $7,369 |
| Springfield to Saint Petersburg | ~1,076 mi | 3–7 days | $4,842 – $6,456 | $5,568 – $7,424 |
| Peoria to Orlando | ~1,119 mi | 3–7 days | $5,036 – $6,714 | $5,791 – $7,721 |
| Peoria to Tampa | ~1,130 mi | 3–7 days | $5,085 – $6,780 | $5,848 – $7,797 |
| Peoria to Saint Petersburg | ~1,139 mi | 3–7 days | $5,126 – $6,834 | $5,894 – $7,859 |
| Chicago to Orlando | ~1,149 mi | 3–7 days | $5,171 – $6,894 | $5,946 – $7,928 |
| Chicago to Tampa | ~1,172 mi | 3–7 days | $5,274 – $7,032 | $6,065 – $8,087 |
| Springfield to Cape Coral | ~1,177 mi | 3–7 days | $5,297 – $7,062 | $6,091 – $8,121 |
| Chicago to Saint Petersburg | ~1,183 mi | 3–7 days | $5,324 – $7,098 | $6,122 – $8,163 |
| Springfield to Port Saint Lucie | ~1,183 mi | 3–7 days | $5,324 – $7,098 | $6,122 – $8,163 |
| Peoria to Cape Coral | ~1,240 mi | 7–14 days | $5,580 – $7,440 | $6,417 – $8,556 |
| Peoria to Port Saint Lucie | ~1,241 mi | 7–14 days | $5,585 – $7,446 | $6,422 – $8,563 |
| Chicago to Port Saint Lucie | ~1,269 mi | 7–14 days | $5,711 – $7,614 | $6,567 – $8,756 |
| Springfield to Fort Lauderdale | ~1,273 mi | 7–14 days | $5,729 – $7,638 | $6,588 – $8,784 |
| Chicago to Cape Coral | ~1,282 mi | 7–14 days | $5,769 – $7,692 | $6,634 – $8,846 |
| Springfield to Hialeah | ~1,286 mi | 7–14 days | $5,787 – $7,716 | $6,655 – $8,873 |
| Springfield to Miami | ~1,297 mi | 7–14 days | $5,837 – $7,782 | $6,712 – $8,949 |
| Peoria to Fort Lauderdale | ~1,333 mi | 7–14 days | $5,999 – $7,998 | $6,898 – $9,198 |
| Peoria to Hialeah | ~1,346 mi | 7–14 days | $6,057 – $8,076 | $6,966 – $9,287 |
| Peoria to Miami | ~1,357 mi | 7–14 days | $6,107 – $8,142 | $7,022 – $9,363 |
| Chicago to Fort Lauderdale | ~1,363 mi | 7–14 days | $6,134 – $8,178 | $7,054 – $9,405 |
| Chicago to Hialeah | ~1,378 mi | 7–14 days | $6,201 – $8,268 | $7,131 – $9,508 |
| Chicago to Miami | 1,386 mi | 7–14 days | $6,237 – $8,316 | $7,173 – $9,563 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
What the interstate rules give you
A licensed carrier. Active interstate operating authority (an MC number) and a USDOT number, both checkable on the FMCSA register. A company that offers neither is a broker at best.
A written estimate before loading. Binding fixes the price for the listed inventory; non-binding follows the weighed shipment. The carrier cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with the balance billed within 30 days. Ask for binding not-to-exceed by name, after a survey.
Valuation. Released-value protection is included at 60 cents per pound per item; full-value protection is the upgrade worth buying for 1,386 miles of handling.
A delivery window, in writing. If it is on the bill of lading, missing it entitles you to delay costs. If it is not, it entitles you to an apology.
Interstate movers based in Illinois
351 household-goods carriers in Illinois are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Risinger Bros Transfer Inc, Morton · USDOT 244981 · 337 trucks
- New World Van Lines Inc, Chicago · USDOT 258748 · 204 trucks
- National Van Lines Inc, Broadview · USDOT 76628 · 174 trucks
- New City Moving & Storage Llc, Chicago · USDOT 4020807 · 82 trucks
- Complete Moving Inc, Arlington Heights · USDOT 4017704 · 80 trucks
At the Florida end
2,045 household-goods carriers are based in Florida — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Miami runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $6,237 – $8,316 | $7,796 – $10,395 |
| 3 bedrooms | $7,173 – $9,563 | $8,966 – $11,954 |
Transit is 7 to 14 days. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer. Trailers on this corridor fill faster in summer, but crews and trucks are stretched, so windows get wider, not shorter.
Other moves from Illinois
Illinois to Florida moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Florida?
Between the two states' main cities, Chicago and Miami, the distance is 1,386 miles. From our model that is $6,237 – $8,316 for a two-bedroom home and $7,173 – $9,563 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $4,491 – $5,988 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $2,994 – $3,992. Across the 33 city pairs we price between Illinois and Florida, distances run from 832 to 1,386 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Illinois to Florida take?
Chicago to Miami is 3 days on the road (about 25 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 7 to 14 days, because at this distance it usually travels on a consolidated load sharing trailer space with other households. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Illinois to Florida?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Illinois into Florida is regulated by the FMCSA, and the carrier must hold active interstate operating authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. Check both on the FMCSA register before you sign. Interstate carriers must give you a written estimate, the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and access to an arbitration programme, and cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate before releasing your goods.
What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Florida?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $2,994 – $3,992 for a two-bedroom home over 1,386 miles against $6,237 – $8,316 with full-service movers. A container splits the difference and gives you days to load. On any of them, moving between October and April, mid-month and mid-week, is worth another 20 to 30 percent — a peak-season date puts the three-bedroom figure at $8,966 – $11,954 rather than $7,173 – $9,563.