Moving from Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
About 405 miles across a state line, from Minnesota 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 Saint Paul, MN to Chicago, IL covers about 405 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $1,823 – $2,430 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 459 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 405 miles between Minnesota 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 $1,823 – $2,430 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 7 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Saint Paul to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,367 – $1,823 | $984 – $1,312 | $656 – $875 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,640 – $2,187 | $1,181 – $1,575 | $787 – $1,050 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,823 – $2,430 | $1,312 – $1,750 | $875 – $1,166 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,096 – $2,794 | $1,509 – $2,012 | $1,006 – $1,341 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,369 – $3,159 | $1,706 – $2,274 | $1,137 – $1,516 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $2,734 – $3,645 | $1,968 – $2,624 | $1,312 – $1,750 |
Transport only, for an estimated 405 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, Saint Paul to Chicago
405 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,025. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $1,823 to $2,430, 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 Saint Paul to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 459 people a year (±235) moved from Ramsey County, MN, home to Saint Paul, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 886 people a year (±412). Movers from Ramsey County 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 4,471 people a year (±1,583) moving from Minnesota to Illinois and about 5,140 people a year (±1,386) from Illinois to Minnesota — a net gain for Minnesota of about 669 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Hennepin County, MN | 11,373 ±1,074 |
| Washington County, MN | 5,509 ±880 |
| Dakota County, MN | 4,375 ±634 |
| Anoka County, MN | 3,828 ±574 |
| St. Louis County, MN | 927 ±244 |
| 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
56 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Saint Paul (184 counting those licensed only inside Minnesota). 34 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.9% of their 679 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay and BayUSDOT 125630 | Eagan · 8 mi | 360 trucks | 954 | 15.8% of 507 |
| Berger Transfer & Storage IncUSDOT 125665 | Saint Paul · 5 mi | 221 trucks | 63 | 13.9% of 36 |
| Manning Transfer IncUSDOT 116111 | Blaine · 16 mi | 60 trucks | 104 | 23.5% of 51 |
| AAA Movers IncUSDOT 1140502 | Brooklyn Park · 18 mi | 44 trucks | 7 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Matt's Moving LLCUSDOT 1704106 | Saint Paul · 1 mi | 32 trucks | 15 | 25.0% of 4 |
| Twin Cities Moving Systems IncUSDOT 1273556 | Prior Lake · 24 mi | 30 trucks | 47 | 25.0% of 24 |
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 Minnesota 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 Saint Paul 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 405 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 Saint Paul
All routes from Saint Paul, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul to Minneapolis, MN | ~10 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Saint Paul to Rochester, MN | ~83 mi | $535 – $873 |
| Saint Paul to Sioux Falls, SD | ~238 mi | $1,071 – $1,428 |
| Saint Paul to Fargo, ND | ~259 mi | $1,166 – $1,554 |
| Saint Paul to Madison, WI | ~263 mi | $1,184 – $1,578 |
| Saint Paul to Des Moines, IA | ~273 mi | $1,229 – $1,638 |
| Saint Paul to Milwaukee, WI | ~338 mi | $1,521 – $2,028 |
| Saint Paul to Omaha, NE | ~341 mi | $1,535 – $2,046 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Saint Paul to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Saint Paul to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 405 miles cost about $1,367 – $1,823 for a studio, $1,823 – $2,430 for a two-bedroom home and $2,096 – $2,794 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Saint Paul to Chicago take?
The drive is about 7 hours, 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 Saint Paul to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $875 – $1,166 for a two-bedroom home, against $1,823 – $2,430 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,312 – $1,750.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Saint Paul to Chicago?
Yes. Saint Paul is in Minnesota and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 56 listed movers within 30 miles of Saint Paul hold it.
How many people move from Saint Paul to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 459 people a year (margin of error ±235) moved from Ramsey County, which contains Saint Paul, 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.