Moving from Minnesota to Illinois
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Minneapolis and Chicago it is about 414 miles and about 8 hours; the 9 city pairs we price between the two states run from 318 to 469 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.
- ~414 miMinneapolis → Chicago
- 3–7 daysTypical transit
- $1,863+2-bedroom, movers
- 9City routes priced
In short
About 4,471 people moved from Minnesota to Illinois in 2024 (Census estimate, ±1,583), and about 5,140 went the other way. Between Minneapolis and Chicago it is about 414 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $1,863 – $2,484 in our model, delivered in 3–7 days. 92 movers based in Minnesota hold interstate authority.
Who moves from Minnesota to Illinois
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 4,471 people a year (±1,583), against about 5,140 (±1,386) from Illinois to Minnesota, so Illinois loses about 669 people a year on this exchange. Minnesota is the 15th-largest of the 48 states sending people to Illinois; Illinois took in about 199,996 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Hennepin County | Cook County | 1,096 ±345 |
| Ramsey County | Cook County | 459 ±235 |
| Dakota County | Cook County | 193 ±99 |
| Hennepin County | Will County | 177 ±138 |
| St. Louis County | Williamson County | 132 ±146* |
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. * Margin as large as the estimate.
Minneapolis to Chicago, 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 Minnesota and Illinois.
Cost of moving from Minnesota to Illinois
At about 414 miles, full-service movers should land around $1,863 – $2,484 for a two-bedroom home and $2,142 – $2,857 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $1,341 – $1,788; a freight trailer is $894 – $1,192.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,397 – $1,863 | $1,006 – $1,341 | $671 – $894 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,677 – $2,236 | $1,207 – $1,610 | $805 – $1,073 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,863 – $2,484 | $1,341 – $1,788 | $894 – $1,192 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,142 – $2,857 | $1,543 – $2,057 | $1,028 – $1,371 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,422 – $3,229 | $1,744 – $2,325 | $1,163 – $1,550 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $2,795 – $3,726 | $2,012 – $2,683 | $1,341 – $1,788 |
Transport only, for an estimated 414 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 Minnesota to Illinois
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester to Peoria | ~318 mi | 1–3 days | $1,431 – $1,908 | $1,646 – $2,194 |
| Rochester to Chicago | ~334 mi | 1–3 days | $1,503 – $2,004 | $1,728 – $2,305 |
| Rochester to Springfield | ~380 mi | 1–3 days | $1,710 – $2,280 | $1,966 – $2,622 |
| Saint Paul to Peoria | ~400 mi | 3–7 days | $1,800 – $2,400 | $2,070 – $2,760 |
| Saint Paul to Chicago | ~405 mi | 3–7 days | $1,823 – $2,430 | $2,096 – $2,794 |
| Minneapolis to Peoria | ~408 mi | 3–7 days | $1,836 – $2,448 | $2,111 – $2,815 |
| Minneapolis to Chicago | ~414 mi | 3–7 days | $1,863 – $2,484 | $2,142 – $2,857 |
| Saint Paul to Springfield | ~463 mi | 3–7 days | $2,084 – $2,778 | $2,396 – $3,195 |
| Minneapolis to Springfield | ~469 mi | 3–7 days | $2,111 – $2,814 | $2,427 – $3,236 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in Minnesota
61 of the 92 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 1,807 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 199 of 939 vehicle inspections (21.2%), above the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 44 of 1,807 driver inspections (2.4%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay and BayEagan, MN · USDOT 125630 | 954 | 80 of 507 | 12 of 954 |
| Manning Transfer IncBlaine, MN · USDOT 116111 | 104 | 12 of 51 | 1 of 104 |
| C T XRush City, MN · USDOT 493429 | 87 | 24 of 43 | 1 of 87 |
| Polman Transfer IncWadena, MN · USDOT 116195 | 81 | 8 of 31 | 0 of 81 |
| Berger Transfer & Storage IncSaint Paul, MN · USDOT 125665 | 63 | 5 of 36 | 5 of 63 |
| Cool Fuel TransportationClearwater, MN · USDOT 242597 | 60 | 4 of 25 | 0 of 60 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
273 listed household-goods carriers are based in Minnesota, 92 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the Minnesota directory ranks them. At the Illinois end, 341 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Illinois, moving costs in Illinois, or the reverse trip, Illinois to Minnesota. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from Minnesota
Minnesota to Illinois moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Minnesota to Illinois?
Between the two states' main cities, Minneapolis and Chicago, the distance is about 414 miles. From our model that is $1,863 – $2,484 for a two-bedroom home and $2,142 – $2,857 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $1,341 – $1,788 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $894 – $1,192. Across the 9 city pairs we price between Minnesota and Illinois, distances run from 318 to 469 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Minnesota to Illinois take?
Minneapolis to Chicago is about 8 hours. The move itself typically takes 3 to 7 days, because at this distance it usually travels on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Minnesota to Illinois?
Yes. A move from Minnesota into Illinois is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 273 listed movers based in Minnesota, 92 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within Minnesota.
What is the cheapest way to move from Minnesota to Illinois?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $894 – $1,192 for a two-bedroom home over 414 miles against $1,863 – $2,484 with full-service movers. A container, about $1,341 – $1,788, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from Minnesota to Illinois each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 4,471 people (±1,583) moved from Minnesota to Illinois that year, against about 5,140 (±1,386) from Illinois to Minnesota. That makes Minnesota the 15th-largest source of new residents for Illinois among the states.