Moving from Illinois to Iowa
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Chicago and Des Moines it is about 361 miles and about 7 hours; the 6 city pairs we price between the two states run from 163 to 361 miles.
Prices from our published model (last updated ), not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. Carriers: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census, snapshot 2026-09-24. We do not move anyone.
- ~361 miChicago → Des Moines
- 1–3 daysTypical transit
- $1,625+2-bedroom, movers
- 6City routes priced
In short
About 10,691 people moved from Illinois to Iowa in 2024 (Census estimate, ±2,090), and about 6,721 went the other way. Between Chicago and Des Moines it is about 361 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $1,625 – $2,166 in our model, delivered in 1–3 days. 216 movers based in Illinois hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Illinois to Iowa
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 10,691 people a year (±2,090), against about 6,721 (±1,744) from Iowa to Illinois, so Iowa gains about 3,970 people a year on this exchange. Illinois sends more people to Iowa than any other state; Iowa took in about 59,199 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Island County | Scott County | 905 ±253 |
| Cook County | Johnson County | 585 ±217 |
| Jo Daviess County | Dubuque County | 530 ±324 |
| Cook County | Scott County | 448 ±267 |
| Cook County | Dubuque County | 382 ±172 |
US Census Bureau: ACS 2024 state-to-state migration and ACS 2016–2020 county-to-county flows; people a year with a 90% margin of error. County names link to their cost guides.
Chicago to Des Moines, 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 Iowa.
Cost of moving from Illinois to Iowa
At about 361 miles, full-service movers should land around $1,625 – $2,166 for a two-bedroom home and $1,868 – $2,491 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $1,170 – $1,560; a freight trailer is $780 – $1,040.
| 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.
City-to-city routes from Illinois to Iowa
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 1 has a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria to Cedar Rapids | ~163 mi | 1–3 days | $734 – $978 | $844 – $1,125 |
| Springfield to Cedar Rapids | ~214 mi | 1–3 days | $963 – $1,284 | $1,107 – $1,477 |
| Chicago to Cedar Rapids | ~243 mi | 1–3 days | $1,094 – $1,458 | $1,258 – $1,677 |
| Peoria to Des Moines | ~255 mi | 1–3 days | $1,148 – $1,530 | $1,320 – $1,760 |
| Springfield to Des Moines | ~283 mi | 1–3 days | $1,274 – $1,698 | $1,465 – $1,953 |
| Chicago to Des Moines | ~361 mi | 1–3 days | $1,625 – $2,166 | $1,868 – $2,491 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Illinois
122 of the 216 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 1,617 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 202 of 873 vehicle inspections (23.1%), above the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 173 of 1,617 driver inspections (10.7%, against 13.0%). None has an acute or critical violation from an FMCSA investigation in the past 12 months.
| Carrier | Inspections | Vehicle out of service | Driver out of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risinger Bros Transfer IncMorton, IL · USDOT 244981 | 417 | 57 of 160 | 4 of 417 |
| Complete Moving IncArlington Heights, IL · USDOT 4017704 | 240 | 37 of 186 | 22 of 240 |
| New World Van Lines IncChicago, IL · USDOT 258748 | 201 | 19 of 129 | 6 of 201 |
| National Van Lines IncBroadview, IL · USDOT 76628 | 143 | 25 of 78 | 6 of 143 |
| Em Transfer Services IncAddison, IL · USDOT 2914046 | 41 | 5 of 15 | 0 of 41 |
| Shur-Way Moving & Cartage CompanyLibertyville, IL · USDOT 172887 | 38 | 3 of 17 | 1 of 38 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
341 listed household-goods carriers are based in Illinois, 216 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Illinois directory ranks them. At the Iowa end, 119 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Iowa, moving costs in Iowa, or the reverse trip, Iowa to Illinois. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from Illinois
Illinois to Iowa moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Iowa?
Between the two states' main cities, Chicago and Des Moines, the distance is about 361 miles. From our model that is $1,625 – $2,166 for a two-bedroom home and $1,868 – $2,491 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $1,170 – $1,560 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $780 – $1,040. Across the 6 city pairs we price between Illinois and Iowa, distances run from 163 to 361 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Illinois to Iowa take?
Chicago to Des Moines is about 7 hours. The move itself typically takes 1 to 3 days, because at this distance it usually travels on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Illinois to Iowa?
Yes. A move from Illinois into Iowa is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 341 listed movers based in Illinois, 216 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Illinois.
What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Iowa?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $780 – $1,040 for a two-bedroom home over 361 miles against $1,625 – $2,166 with full-service movers. A container, about $1,170 – $1,560, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Illinois to Iowa each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 10,691 people (±2,090) moved from Illinois to Iowa that year, against about 6,721 (±1,744) from Iowa to Illinois. No other state sends more people to Iowa.