Moving from South Dakota to Illinois
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Sioux Falls and Chicago it is about 555 miles and 2 days on the road (about 10 hours of driving); the 6 city pairs we price between the two states run from 484 to 935 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.
- ~555 miSioux Falls → Chicago
- 3–7 daysTypical transit
- $2,498+2-bedroom, movers
- 6City routes priced
In short
About 343 people moved from South Dakota to Illinois in 2024 (Census estimate, ±284), and about 349 went the other way. Between Sioux Falls and Chicago it is about 555 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $2,498 – $3,330 in our model, delivered in 3–7 days. 12 movers based in South Dakota hold interstate authority.
Who moves from South Dakota to Illinois
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 343 people a year (±284), against about 349 (±290) from Illinois to South Dakota, so Illinois loses about 6 people a year on this exchange. South Dakota is the 44th-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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | DuPage County | 59 ±104* |
| Marshall County | Fulton County | 59 ±66* |
| Yankton County | Williamson County | 51 ±75* |
| Minnehaha County | McLean County | 50 ±76* |
| Lincoln County | Cook County | 42 ±46* |
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.
Sioux Falls 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 South Dakota and Illinois.
Cost of moving from South Dakota to Illinois
At about 555 miles, full-service movers should land around $2,498 – $3,330 for a two-bedroom home and $2,872 – $3,830 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $1,798 – $2,398; a freight trailer is $1,199 – $1,598.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,873 – $2,498 | $1,349 – $1,798 | $899 – $1,199 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,248 – $2,997 | $1,618 – $2,158 | $1,079 – $1,439 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,498 – $3,330 | $1,798 – $2,398 | $1,199 – $1,598 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,872 – $3,830 | $2,068 – $2,757 | $1,379 – $1,838 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,247 – $4,329 | $2,338 – $3,117 | $1,558 – $2,078 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,746 – $4,995 | $2,697 – $3,596 | $1,798 – $2,398 |
Transport only, for an estimated 555 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 South Dakota to Illinois
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 1 has a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls to Peoria | ~484 mi | 3–7 days | $2,178 – $2,904 | $2,505 – $3,340 |
| Sioux Falls to Springfield | ~522 mi | 3–7 days | $2,349 – $3,132 | $2,701 – $3,602 |
| Sioux Falls to Chicago | ~555 mi | 3–7 days | $2,498 – $3,330 | $2,872 – $3,830 |
| Rapid City to Peoria | ~855 mi | 3–7 days | $3,848 – $5,130 | $4,425 – $5,899 |
| Rapid City to Springfield | ~883 mi | 3–7 days | $3,974 – $5,298 | $4,570 – $6,093 |
| Rapid City to Chicago | ~935 mi | 3–7 days | $4,208 – $5,610 | $4,839 – $6,452 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in South Dakota
11 of the 12 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 27 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 5 of 17 vehicle inspections (29.4%), above the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 3 of 27 driver inspections (11.1%, against 13.0%). With fewer than 30 vehicle inspections, a single out-of-service order moves that rate by several points, so treat it as a small sample. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide Transfer IncSioux Falls, SD · USDOT 1741852 | 8 | 0 of 6 | 0 of 8 |
| Advanced Moving LLCDell Rapids, SD · USDOT 961086 | 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 4 |
| Thomas & Sons Moving Company LLCRapid City, SD · USDOT 2997736 | 3 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
| ParkerSioux Falls, SD · USDOT 945 | 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 3 |
| Green's Moving & Storage IncRapid City, SD · USDOT 207599 | 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 |
| Double Duty Movers & Portable StorageAberdeen, SD · USDOT 2251443 | 2 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 2 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
19 listed household-goods carriers are based in South Dakota, 12 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the South Dakota 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 South Dakota. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from South Dakota
South Dakota to Illinois moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from South Dakota to Illinois?
Between the two states' main cities, Sioux Falls and Chicago, the distance is about 555 miles. From our model that is $2,498 – $3,330 for a two-bedroom home and $2,872 – $3,830 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $1,798 – $2,398 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $1,199 – $1,598. Across the 6 city pairs we price between South Dakota and Illinois, distances run from 484 to 935 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from South Dakota to Illinois take?
Sioux Falls to Chicago is 2 days on the road (about 10 hours of driving). 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 South Dakota to Illinois?
Yes. A move from South Dakota into Illinois is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 19 listed movers based in South Dakota, 12 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within South Dakota.
What is the cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Illinois?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $1,199 – $1,598 for a two-bedroom home over 555 miles against $2,498 – $3,330 with full-service movers. A container, about $1,798 – $2,398, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from South Dakota to Illinois each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 343 people (±284) moved from South Dakota to Illinois that year, against about 349 (±290) from Illinois to South Dakota. That makes South Dakota the 44th-largest source of new residents for Illinois among the states.