Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Chicago, IL
About 234 miles across a state line, from Michigan 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 Ann Arbor, MI to Chicago, IL covers about 234 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $1,053 – $1,404 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 818 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 234 miles, about 4 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $1,053 – $1,404. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 4 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Ann Arbor to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $790 – $1,053 | $569 – $758 | $379 – $505 |
| 1 bedroom | $948 – $1,264 | $682 – $910 | $455 – $607 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,053 – $1,404 | $758 – $1,011 | $505 – $674 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,211 – $1,615 | $872 – $1,163 | $581 – $775 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,369 – $1,825 | $986 – $1,314 | $657 – $876 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,580 – $2,106 | $1,137 – $1,516 | $758 – $1,011 |
Transport only, for an estimated 234 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, Ann Arbor to Chicago
234 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $1,170. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,053 to $1,404, 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 Ann Arbor to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 818 people a year (±239) moved from Washtenaw County, MI, home to Ann Arbor, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 962 people a year (±198). Movers from Washtenaw County make up 0.6% 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 9,418 people a year (±2,605) moving from Michigan to Illinois and about 12,464 people a year (±2,739) from Illinois to Michigan — a net gain for Michigan of about 3,046 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Wayne County, MI | 5,459 ±736 |
| Oakland County, MI | 1,692 ±361 |
| Livingston County, MI | 1,123 ±293 |
| Lenawee County, MI | 1,003 ±473 |
| Cook County, IL | 818 ±239 |
| 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
22 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Ann Arbor (117 counting those licensed only inside Michigan). 12 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 34.0% of their 47 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrigan Moving Systems Premier RelocationsUSDOT 153343 | Dearborn · 26 mi | 245 trucks | 71 | 39.5% of 38 |
| University Moving & Storage CompanyUSDOT 438382 | Farmingtn Hills · 22 mi | 20 trucks | 1 | — |
| Professional Movers IncUSDOT 266582 | Walled Lake · 23 mi | 17 trucks | 5 | 50.0% of 2 |
| All Around Moving and Storage IncUSDOT 562547 | Romulus · 19 mi | 11 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Handle With Care Moving & DeliveryUSDOT 4561844 | Ann Arbor · 4 mi | 10 trucks | 0 | — |
| SM Moving & Freightage LLCUSDOT 2907353 | Trenton · 29 mi | 10 trucks | 23 | 0.0% of 5 |
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 Michigan 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 Ann Arbor to Chicago
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 234 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
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 Ann Arbor
All routes from Ann Arbor, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor to Detroit, MI | ~42 mi | $465 – $747 |
| Ann Arbor to Lansing, MI | ~60 mi | $465 – $747 |
| Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids, MI | ~126 mi | $567 – $756 |
| Ann Arbor to Cleveland, OH | ~138 mi | $621 – $828 |
| Ann Arbor to Columbus, OH | ~192 mi | $864 – $1,152 |
| Ann Arbor to Indianapolis, IN | ~250 mi | $1,125 – $1,500 |
| Ann Arbor to Milwaukee, WI | ~254 mi | $1,143 – $1,524 |
| Ann Arbor to Cincinnati, OH | ~260 mi | $1,170 – $1,560 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Ann Arbor to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Ann Arbor to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 234 miles cost about $790 – $1,053 for a studio, $1,053 – $1,404 for a two-bedroom home and $1,211 – $1,615 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Ann Arbor to Chicago take?
The drive is about 4 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Ann Arbor to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $505 – $674 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,053 – $1,404 with full-service movers; a moving container is $758 – $1,011.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Ann Arbor to Chicago?
Yes. Ann Arbor is in Michigan and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 22 listed movers within 30 miles of Ann Arbor hold it.
How many people move from Ann Arbor to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 818 people a year (margin of error ±239) moved from Washtenaw County, which contains Ann Arbor, 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.