Moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Chicago, IL
About 476 miles across a state line, from Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Chicago, IL covers about 476 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,142 – $2,856 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 685 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 476 miles between Pennsylvania 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 $2,142 – $2,856 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 9 hours
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Pittsburgh to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,607 – $2,142 | $1,157 – $1,542 | $771 – $1,028 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,928 – $2,570 | $1,388 – $1,851 | $925 – $1,234 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,142 – $2,856 | $1,542 – $2,056 | $1,028 – $1,371 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,463 – $3,284 | $1,774 – $2,365 | $1,182 – $1,577 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,785 – $3,713 | $2,005 – $2,673 | $1,337 – $1,782 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,213 – $4,284 | $2,313 – $3,084 | $1,542 – $2,056 |
Transport only, for an estimated 476 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, Pittsburgh to Chicago
476 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,380. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,142 to $2,856, 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 Pittsburgh to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 685 people a year (±280) moved from Allegheny County, PA, home to Pittsburgh, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 512 people a year (±213). Movers from Allegheny County make up 0.5% 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 4,420 people a year (±1,679) moving from Pennsylvania to Illinois and about 5,267 people a year (±1,510) from Illinois to Pennsylvania — a net gain for Pennsylvania of about 847 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Westmoreland County, PA | 3,747 ±578 |
| Washington County, PA | 3,204 ±590 |
| Beaver County, PA | 2,589 ±467 |
| Butler County, PA | 2,538 ±394 |
| Berks County, PA | 1,862 ±649 |
| 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
29 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Pittsburgh (50 counting those licensed only inside Pennsylvania). 17 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 12.5% of their 72 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Hills Movers IncUSDOT 98045 | Bethel Park · 8 mi | 42 trucks | 26 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Weleski Transfer IncUSDOT 681016 | Tarentum · 17 mi | 36 trucks | 7 | 0.0% of 4 |
| George Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 880213 | Freedom · 20 mi | 32 trucks | 14 | 0.0% of 8 |
| Parks Moving & Storage IncUSDOT 46028 | Warrendale · 17 mi | 31 trucks | 0 | — |
| Forest Hills Transfer & Storage IncUSDOT 85531 | Greensburg · 26 mi | 25 trucks | 35 | 15.0% of 20 |
| Don Farr Moving & StorageUSDOT 345157 | West Mifflin · 8 mi | 19 trucks | 12 | 33.3% of 6 |
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh 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 476 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 Pittsburgh
All routes from Pittsburgh, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh to Akron, OH | ~106 mi | $477 – $636 |
| Pittsburgh to Cleveland, OH | ~134 mi | $603 – $804 |
| Pittsburgh to Erie, PA | ~136 mi | $612 – $816 |
| Pittsburgh to Frederick, MD | ~180 mi | $810 – $1,080 |
| Pittsburgh to Columbus, OH | ~188 mi | $846 – $1,128 |
| Pittsburgh to Harrisburg, PA | ~192 mi | $864 – $1,152 |
| Pittsburgh to Arlington, VA | ~220 mi | $990 – $1,320 |
| Pittsburgh to Washington, DC | ~222 mi | $999 – $1,332 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Pittsburgh to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Pittsburgh to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 476 miles cost about $1,607 – $2,142 for a studio, $2,142 – $2,856 for a two-bedroom home and $2,463 – $3,284 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Pittsburgh to Chicago take?
The drive is about 9 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 Pittsburgh to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,028 – $1,371 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,142 – $2,856 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,542 – $2,056.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Pittsburgh to Chicago?
Yes. Pittsburgh is in Pennsylvania and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 29 listed movers within 30 miles of Pittsburgh hold it.
How many people move from Pittsburgh to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 685 people a year (margin of error ±280) moved from Allegheny County, which contains Pittsburgh, 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.