Moving from Tennesseeto Illinois
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Nashville and Chicago it is about 463 miles and about 8 hours; the 12 city pairs we price between the two states run from 345 to 569 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Nashville 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 Tennessee and Illinois.
Cost of moving from Tennessee to Illinois
At about 463 miles, full-service movers should land around $2,084 – $2,778 for a two-bedroom home and $2,396 – $3,195 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $1,500 – $2,000; a freight trailer is $1,000 – $1,333.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,563 – $2,084 | $1,125 – $1,500 | $750 – $1,000 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,875 – $2,500 | $1,350 – $1,800 | $900 – $1,200 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,084 – $2,778 | $1,500 – $2,000 | $1,000 – $1,333 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,396 – $3,195 | $1,725 – $2,300 | $1,150 – $1,533 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,709 – $3,611 | $1,950 – $2,600 | $1,300 – $1,733 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,125 – $4,167 | $2,250 – $3,000 | $1,500 – $2,000 |
Transport only, for an estimated 463 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 Tennessee to Illinois
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 4 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville to Springfield | ~345 mi | 1–3 days | $1,553 – $2,070 | $1,785 – $2,380 |
| Memphis to Springfield | ~376 mi | 1–3 days | $1,692 – $2,256 | $1,946 – $2,594 |
| Nashville to Peoria | ~406 mi | 3–7 days | $1,827 – $2,436 | $2,101 – $2,801 |
| Memphis to Peoria | ~448 mi | 3–7 days | $2,016 – $2,688 | $2,318 – $3,091 |
| Nashville to Chicago | ~463 mi | 3–7 days | $2,084 – $2,778 | $2,396 – $3,195 |
| Chattanooga to Springfield | ~473 mi | 3–7 days | $2,129 – $2,838 | $2,448 – $3,264 |
| Knoxville to Springfield | ~477 mi | 3–7 days | $2,147 – $2,862 | $2,468 – $3,291 |
| Knoxville to Peoria | ~523 mi | 3–7 days | $2,354 – $3,138 | $2,707 – $3,609 |
| Chattanooga to Peoria | ~530 mi | 3–7 days | $2,385 – $3,180 | $2,743 – $3,657 |
| Knoxville to Chicago | ~530 mi | 3–7 days | $2,385 – $3,180 | $2,743 – $3,657 |
| Memphis to Chicago | ~563 mi | 3–7 days | $2,534 – $3,378 | $2,914 – $3,885 |
| Chattanooga to Chicago | ~569 mi | 3–7 days | $2,561 – $3,414 | $2,945 – $3,926 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
What the interstate rules give you
A licensed carrier. Active interstate operating authority (an MC number) and a USDOT number, both checkable on the FMCSA register. A company that offers neither is a broker at best.
A written estimate before loading. Binding fixes the price for the listed inventory; non-binding follows the weighed shipment. The carrier cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with the balance billed within 30 days. Ask for binding not-to-exceed by name, after a survey.
Valuation. Released-value protection is included at 60 cents per pound per item; full-value protection is the upgrade worth buying for 463 miles of handling.
A delivery window, in writing. If it is on the bill of lading, missing it entitles you to delay costs. If it is not, it entitles you to an apology.
Interstate movers based in Tennessee
274 household-goods carriers in Tennessee are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Colonial Van Lines Inc, Clarkrange · USDOT 4071435 · 24 trucks
- Big League Movers Inc, Memphis · USDOT 1999318 · 20 trucks
- Lanigan Worldwide Moving & Warehousing Inc, Memphis · USDOT 296790 · 20 trucks
- Rowe Transfer Inc, Knoxville · USDOT 1079919 · 17 trucks
- Guardian Moving Systems Inc, Memphis · USDOT 534684 · 17 trucks
At the Illinois end
351 household-goods carriers are based in Illinois — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Chicago runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $2,084 – $2,778 | $2,605 – $3,473 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,396 – $3,195 | $2,995 – $3,994 |
Transit is 3 to 7 days. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer. Trailers on this corridor fill faster in summer, but crews and trucks are stretched, so windows get wider, not shorter.
Other moves from Tennessee
Tennessee to Illinois moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Tennessee to Illinois?
Between the two states' main cities, Nashville and Chicago, the distance is about 463 miles. From our model that is $2,084 – $2,778 for a two-bedroom home and $2,396 – $3,195 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $1,500 – $2,000 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $1,000 – $1,333. Across the 12 city pairs we price between Tennessee and Illinois, distances run from 345 to 569 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Tennessee to Illinois take?
Nashville to Chicago is about 8 hours. 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 Tennessee to Illinois?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Tennessee into Illinois is regulated by the FMCSA, and the carrier must hold active interstate operating authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. Check both on the FMCSA register before you sign. Interstate carriers must give you a written estimate, the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and access to an arbitration programme, and cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate before releasing your goods.
What is the cheapest way to move from Tennessee to Illinois?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $1,000 – $1,333 for a two-bedroom home over 463 miles against $2,084 – $2,778 with full-service movers. A container splits the difference and gives you days to load. On any of them, moving between October and April, mid-month and mid-week, is worth another 20 to 30 percent — a peak-season date puts the three-bedroom figure at $2,995 – $3,994 rather than $2,396 – $3,195.