Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Chicago, IL
About 826 miles across a state line, from New Jersey 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 Jersey City, NJ to Chicago, IL covers about 826 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,717 – $4,956 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 164 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 826 miles between New Jersey 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 $3,717 – $4,956 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 15 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Jersey City to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,788 – $3,717 | $2,007 – $2,676 | $1,338 – $1,784 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,345 – $4,460 | $2,409 – $3,211 | $1,606 – $2,141 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,717 – $4,956 | $2,676 – $3,568 | $1,784 – $2,379 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,275 – $5,699 | $3,078 – $4,104 | $2,052 – $2,736 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,832 – $6,443 | $3,479 – $4,639 | $2,319 – $3,093 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $5,576 – $7,434 | $4,014 – $5,352 | $2,676 – $3,568 |
Transport only, for an estimated 826 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, Jersey City to Chicago
826 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,130. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,717 to $4,956, 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 Jersey City to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 164 people a year (±147) moved from Hudson County, NJ, home to Jersey City, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 65 people a year (±35). Movers from Hudson 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 2,490 people a year (±788) moving from New Jersey to Illinois and about 2,836 people a year (±1,283) from Illinois to New Jersey — a net gain for New Jersey of about 346 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Bergen County, NJ | 5,699 ±939 |
| Essex County, NJ | 3,452 ±721 |
| Middlesex County, NJ | 3,213 ±778 |
| Union County, NJ | 2,930 ±718 |
| New York County, NY | 2,368 ±577 |
| 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
521 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Jersey City (937 counting those licensed only inside New Jersey). 319 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 15.0% of their 1,843 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piece of Cake MovingUSDOT 3066988 | New York City · 4 mi | 340 trucks | 383 | 10.2% of 246 |
| Roadway MovingUSDOT 1854436 | New York City · 12 mi | 190 trucks | 236 | 12.0% of 166 |
| Budd Van Lines IncUSDOT 185771 | Somerset · 30 mi | 124 trucks | 107 | 7.1% of 56 |
| Great Moving IncUSDOT 2180117 | Staten Island · 7 mi | 70 trucks | 5 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Great Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 3547419 | South Plainfiel · 22 mi | 70 trucks | 20 | 21.4% of 14 |
| Oz Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 1058063 | Yonkers · 18 mi | 35 trucks | 27 | 13.3% of 15 |
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 Jersey 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 Jersey City 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 826 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 Jersey City
All routes from Jersey City, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey City to New York City, NY | ~3 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Jersey City to Newark, NJ | ~8 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Jersey City to Paterson, NJ | ~17 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Jersey City to Mount Vernon, NY | ~20 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Jersey City to Bridgeport, CT | ~64 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Jersey City to Philadelphia, PA | ~92 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Jersey City to Wilmington, DE | ~121 mi | $545 – $726 |
| Jersey City to Providence, RI | ~183 mi | $824 – $1,098 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Jersey City to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Jersey City to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 826 miles cost about $2,788 – $3,717 for a studio, $3,717 – $4,956 for a two-bedroom home and $4,275 – $5,699 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Jersey City to Chicago take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 15 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 Jersey City to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,784 – $2,379 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,717 – $4,956 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,676 – $3,568.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Jersey City to Chicago?
Yes. Jersey City is in New Jersey and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 521 listed movers within 30 miles of Jersey City hold it.
How many people move from Jersey City to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 164 people a year (margin of error ±147) moved from Hudson County, which contains Jersey City, 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.