Moving from New Orleans, LA to Chicago, IL
About 973 miles across a state line, from Louisiana into Illinois, 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 New Orleans, LA to Chicago, IL covers about 973 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,379 – $5,838 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 109 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 973 miles between Louisiana and Illinois, 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 $4,379 – $5,838 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 New Orleans to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,284 – $4,379 | $2,364 – $3,153 | $1,576 – $2,102 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,941 – $5,254 | $2,837 – $3,783 | $1,892 – $2,522 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,379 – $5,838 | $3,153 – $4,203 | $2,102 – $2,802 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,035 – $6,714 | $3,625 – $4,834 | $2,417 – $3,223 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,692 – $7,589 | $4,098 – $5,464 | $2,732 – $3,643 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,568 – $8,757 | $4,729 – $6,305 | $3,153 – $4,203 |
Transport only, for an estimated 973 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, New Orleans to Chicago
973 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,865. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,379 to $5,838, 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 New Orleans to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 109 people a year (±67) moved from Orleans Parish, LA, home to New Orleans, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 284 people a year (±125). Movers from Orleans Parish make up 0.1% of the 127,735 people a year who moved into Cook County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 2,737 people a year (±1,315) moving from Louisiana to Illinois and about 1,715 people a year (±1,094) from Illinois to Louisiana — a net gain for Illinois of about 1,022 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Parish, LA | 5,531 ±900 |
| St. Tammany Parish, LA | 2,202 ±833 |
| East Baton Rouge Parish, LA | 1,093 ±288 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 1,023 ±771 |
| Harris County, TX | 885 ±545 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DuPage County, IL | 13,206 ±1,320 |
| Lake County, IL | 6,678 ±1,090 |
| Will County, IL | 6,454 ±1,007 |
| Kane County, IL | 4,555 ±770 |
| Lake County, IN | 3,835 ±861 |
Licensed movers at each end
10 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of New Orleans (17 counting those licensed only inside Louisiana). 3 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 50.0% of their 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Machinery Movers IncUSDOT 237453 | Jefferson · 5 mi | 24 trucks | 3 | 50.0% of 2 |
| Hug-Condon Moving & Storage Co IncUSDOT 77814 | Harahan · 8 mi | 8 trucks | 0 | — |
| Lee Moving and Storage IncUSDOT 3372702 | New Orleans · 18 mi | 5 trucks | 2 | 100.0% of 1 |
| Atmosphere MoversUSDOT 1043891 | Mandeville · 28 mi | 5 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Moving Nola LLCUSDOT 4067652 | Gretna · 5 mi | 4 trucks | 0 | — |
| Audubon Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 273406 | Kenner · 11 mi | 4 trucks | 0 | — |
How these figures are calculated
At the Chicago end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Chicago: New World Van Lines Inc (Chicago, 204 trucks), National Van Lines Inc (Broadview, 174 trucks), New City Moving & Storage LLC (Chicago, 82 trucks), Complete Moving Inc (Arlington Heights, 80 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Louisiana into Illinois, 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 New Orleans to Chicago
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 973 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Chicago
A local move inside Chicago later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home and $795 – $1,425 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Chicago are Milwaukee (about 95 mi), Madison (about 142 mi), Grand Rapids (about 146 mi).
Other routes from New Orleans
All routes from New Orleans, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans to Baton Rouge, LA | ~87 mi | $425 – $691 |
| New Orleans to Lafayette, LA | ~138 mi | $621 – $828 |
| New Orleans to Jackson, MS | ~189 mi | $851 – $1,134 |
| New Orleans to Shreveport, LA | ~326 mi | $1,467 – $1,956 |
| New Orleans to Houston, TX | ~370 mi | $1,665 – $2,220 |
| New Orleans to Tallahassee, FL | ~405 mi | $1,823 – $2,430 |
| New Orleans to Atlanta, GA | ~495 mi | $2,228 – $2,970 |
| New Orleans to Dallas, TX | ~515 mi | $2,318 – $3,090 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
New Orleans to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from New Orleans to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 973 miles cost about $3,284 – $4,379 for a studio, $4,379 – $5,838 for a two-bedroom home and $5,035 – $6,714 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from New Orleans to Chicago 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 New Orleans to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,102 – $2,802 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,379 – $5,838 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,153 – $4,203.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for New Orleans to Chicago?
Yes. New Orleans is in Louisiana and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 10 listed movers within 30 miles of New Orleans hold it.
How many people move from New Orleans to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 109 people a year (margin of error ±67) moved from Orleans Parish, which contains New Orleans, to Cook County, which contains Chicago.
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.