Moving from Baltimore, MD to Chicago, IL
About 705 miles across a state line, from Maryland 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 Baltimore, MD to Chicago, IL covers about 705 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,173 – $4,230 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 534 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 705 miles between Maryland 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 $3,173 – $4,230 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Baltimore to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,379 – $3,173 | $1,713 – $2,284 | $1,142 – $1,523 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,855 – $3,807 | $2,056 – $2,741 | $1,371 – $1,827 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,173 – $4,230 | $2,284 – $3,046 | $1,523 – $2,030 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,648 – $4,864 | $2,627 – $3,502 | $1,751 – $2,335 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,124 – $5,499 | $2,969 – $3,959 | $1,980 – $2,640 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,759 – $6,345 | $3,426 – $4,568 | $2,284 – $3,046 |
Transport only, for an estimated 705 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, Baltimore to Chicago
705 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,525. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,173 to $4,230, 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 Baltimore to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 534 people a year (±235) moved from Baltimore city, MD, home to Baltimore, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 188 people a year (±89). Movers from Baltimore city make up 0.4% 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 2,462 people a year (±1,794) moving from Maryland to Illinois and about 653 people a year (±427) from Illinois to Maryland — a net gain for Illinois of about 1,809 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Baltimore County, MD | 14,168 ±1,555 |
| Anne Arundel County, MD | 3,465 ±1,012 |
| Prince George's County, MD | 1,665 ±567 |
| Howard County, MD | 1,602 ±463 |
| Montgomery County, MD | 1,088 ±293 |
| 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
120 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Baltimore (252 counting those licensed only inside Maryland). 85 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 13.6% of their 536 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry Moving ServicesUSDOT 966254 | Baltimore · 0 mi | 28 trucks | 21 | 15.8% of 19 |
| Two Men and A Truck Annapolis MDUSDOT 2527384 | Columbia · 13 mi | 23 trucks | 15 | 0.0% of 11 |
| Bookstore Movers LLCUSDOT 2005212 | Hyattsville · 29 mi | 23 trucks | 36 | 8.7% of 23 |
| Good Season Moving LLCUSDOT 2428832 | Reisterstown · 16 mi | 20 trucks | 39 | 16.7% of 30 |
| Glamour Moving Company IncUSDOT 517243 | Westminster · 27 mi | 16 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 3 |
| Great Nation Moving LLCUSDOT 1775695 | Rockville · 30 mi | 14 trucks | 31 | 0.0% of 17 |
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 Maryland 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 Baltimore 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 705 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 Baltimore
All routes from Baltimore, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore to Annapolis, MD | ~26 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Baltimore to Washington, DC | ~42 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Baltimore to Arlington, VA | ~45 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Baltimore to Frederick, MD | ~51 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Baltimore to Harrisburg, PA | ~81 mi | $485 – $803 |
| Baltimore to Philadelphia, PA | ~104 mi | $468 – $624 |
| Baltimore to New York City, NY | ~197 mi | $887 – $1,182 |
| Baltimore to Norfolk, VA | ~198 mi | $891 – $1,188 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Baltimore to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Baltimore to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 705 miles cost about $2,379 – $3,173 for a studio, $3,173 – $4,230 for a two-bedroom home and $3,648 – $4,864 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Baltimore to Chicago take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 13 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 Baltimore to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,523 – $2,030 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,173 – $4,230 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,284 – $3,046.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Baltimore to Chicago?
Yes. Baltimore is in Maryland and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 120 listed movers within 30 miles of Baltimore hold it.
How many people move from Baltimore to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 534 people a year (margin of error ±235) moved from Baltimore city, which contains Baltimore, 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.