Moving from Manchester, NH to Chicago, IL
About 964 miles across a state line, from New Hampshire 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 Manchester, NH to Chicago, IL covers about 964 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,338 – $5,784 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 111 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 964 miles between New Hampshire 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 $4,338 – $5,784 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 Manchester to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,254 – $4,338 | $2,343 – $3,123 | $1,562 – $2,082 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,904 – $5,206 | $2,811 – $3,748 | $1,874 – $2,499 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,338 – $5,784 | $3,123 – $4,164 | $2,082 – $2,776 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,989 – $6,652 | $3,592 – $4,789 | $2,395 – $3,193 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,639 – $7,519 | $4,060 – $5,414 | $2,707 – $3,609 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,507 – $8,676 | $4,685 – $6,247 | $3,123 – $4,164 |
Transport only, for an estimated 964 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, Manchester to Chicago
964 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,820. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,338 to $5,784, 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 Manchester to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 111 people a year (±91) moved from Hillsborough County, NH, home to Manchester, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 104 people a year (±103). Movers from Hillsborough County 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 95 people a year (±136) moving from New Hampshire to Illinois and about 328 people a year (±377) from Illinois to New Hampshire — a net gain for New Hampshire of about 233 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Merrimack County, NH | 2,643 ±580 |
| Rockingham County, NH | 2,367 ±521 |
| Middlesex County, MA | 1,699 ±362 |
| Strafford County, NH | 842 ±235 |
| New Hanover County, NC | 805 ±1,083 |
| 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
28 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Manchester (34 counting those licensed only inside New Hampshire). 17 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 15.0% of their 40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trend Moving & StorageUSDOT 3092893 | Londonderry · 9 mi | 17 trucks | 22 | 10.0% of 10 |
| 3-E Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 750245 | North Chelmsford · 25 mi | 12 trucks | 9 | 75.0% of 4 |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk & MovingUSDOT 3429495 | Lowell · 26 mi | 12 trucks | 8 | 25.0% of 4 |
| Ray the MoverUSDOT 2724757 | Manchester · 4 mi | 10 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Able Moving & StorageUSDOT 42189 | Amherst · 11 mi | 9 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 3 |
| Harrington Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 709082 | Andover · 28 mi | 5 trucks | 3 | 0.0% of 2 |
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 New Hampshire 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 Manchester 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 964 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 Manchester
All routes from Manchester, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester to Worcester, MA | ~63 mi | $495 – $803 |
| Manchester to Portland, ME | ~88 mi | $495 – $803 |
| Manchester to Wilmington, DE | ~360 mi | $1,620 – $2,160 |
| Manchester to Raleigh, NC | ~733 mi | $3,299 – $4,398 |
| Manchester to Columbia, SC | ~942 mi | $4,239 – $5,652 |
| Manchester to Gainesville, FL | ~1,282 mi | $5,769 – $7,692 |
| Manchester to Tallahassee, FL | ~1,304 mi | $5,868 – $7,824 |
| Manchester to Cape Coral, FL | ~1,488 mi | $6,696 – $8,928 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Manchester to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Manchester to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 964 miles cost about $3,254 – $4,338 for a studio, $4,338 – $5,784 for a two-bedroom home and $4,989 – $6,652 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Manchester 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 Manchester to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,082 – $2,776 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,338 – $5,784 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,123 – $4,164.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Manchester to Chicago?
Yes. Manchester is in New Hampshire and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 28 listed movers within 30 miles of Manchester hold it.
How many people move from Manchester to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 111 people a year (margin of error ±91) moved from Hillsborough County, which contains Manchester, 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.