Moving from Illinois to Wisconsin
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Chicago and Milwaukee it is about 95 miles and about 2 hours; the 9 city pairs we price between the two states run from 95 to 392 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.
- ~95 miChicago → Milwaukee
- Same dayTypical transit
- $475+2-bedroom, movers
- 9City routes priced
In short
About 24,045 people moved from Illinois to Wisconsin in 2024 (Census estimate, ±3,201), and about 14,131 went the other way. Between Chicago and Milwaukee it is about 95 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $475 – $775 in our model, delivered in Same day. 216 movers based in Illinois hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Illinois to Wisconsin
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 24,045 people a year (±3,201), against about 14,131 (±2,749) from Wisconsin to Illinois, so Wisconsin gains about 9,914 people a year on this exchange. Illinois sends more people to Wisconsin than any other state; Wisconsin took in about 116,098 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Lake County | Kenosha County | 2,865 ±628 |
| Cook County | Milwaukee County | 2,361 ±460 |
| Cook County | Dane County | 1,714 ±376 |
| Cook County | Kenosha County | 812 ±260 |
| Lake County | Milwaukee County | 760 ±176 |
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 Milwaukee, 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 Wisconsin.
Cost of moving from Illinois to Wisconsin
At about 95 miles, full-service movers should land around $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home and $795 – $1,425 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $375 – $635; a freight trailer is $325 – $565.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $235 – $375 | $195 – $315 | $175 – $285 |
| 1 bedroom | $315 – $575 | $255 – $475 | $225 – $425 |
| 2 bedrooms | $475 – $775 | $375 – $635 | $325 – $565 |
| 3 bedrooms | $795 – $1,425 | $615 – $1,155 | $525 – $1,020 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,355 – $2,075 | $1,035 – $1,675 | $875 – $1,475 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,675 – $2,475 | $1,275 – $1,995 | $1,075 – $1,755 |
Inside the 100-mile local band, so these are hourly figures: crew size × hourly rate × hours on site, plus a travel fee. Container and freight columns show the same job done by a lower-cost crew. How we price it.
City-to-city routes from Illinois to Wisconsin
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 2 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago to Milwaukee | ~95 mi | Same day | $475 – $775 | $795 – $1,425 |
| Chicago to Madison | ~142 mi | 1–3 days | $639 – $852 | $735 – $980 |
| Peoria to Madison | ~192 mi | 1–3 days | $864 – $1,152 | $994 – $1,325 |
| Chicago to Green Bay | ~214 mi | 1–3 days | $963 – $1,284 | $1,107 – $1,477 |
| Peoria to Milwaukee | ~214 mi | 1–3 days | $963 – $1,284 | $1,107 – $1,477 |
| Springfield to Madison | ~264 mi | 1–3 days | $1,188 – $1,584 | $1,366 – $1,822 |
| Springfield to Milwaukee | ~281 mi | 1–3 days | $1,265 – $1,686 | $1,454 – $1,939 |
| Peoria to Green Bay | ~322 mi | 1–3 days | $1,449 – $1,932 | $1,666 – $2,222 |
| Springfield to Green Bay | ~392 mi | 1–3 days | $1,764 – $2,352 | $2,029 – $2,705 |
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 Wisconsin end, 174 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Wisconsin, moving costs in Wisconsin, or the reverse trip, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Wisconsin?
Between the two states' main cities, Chicago and Milwaukee, the distance is about 95 miles. From our model that is $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home and $795 – $1,425 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $375 – $635 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $325 – $565. Across the 9 city pairs we price between Illinois and Wisconsin, distances run from 95 to 392 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Illinois to Wisconsin take?
Chicago to Milwaukee is about 2 hours. The move itself typically takes same day, because at this distance it usually travels on an hourly crew with one truck. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 1 to 2 weeks, 3 to 4 in summer or at a month-end.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Illinois to Wisconsin?
Yes. A move from Illinois into Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $325 – $565 for a two-bedroom home over 95 miles against $475 – $775 with full-service movers. A container, about $375 – $635, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Illinois to Wisconsin each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 24,045 people (±3,201) moved from Illinois to Wisconsin that year, against about 14,131 (±2,749) from Wisconsin to Illinois. No other state sends more people to Wisconsin.