Moving from Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL
About 563 miles across a state line, from Tennessee 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 Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL covers about 563 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,534 – $3,378 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 489 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 563 miles between Tennessee 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 $2,534 – $3,378 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 10 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Memphis to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,900 – $2,534 | $1,368 – $1,824 | $912 – $1,216 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,280 – $3,040 | $1,642 – $2,189 | $1,094 – $1,459 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,534 – $3,378 | $1,824 – $2,432 | $1,216 – $1,621 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,914 – $3,885 | $2,098 – $2,797 | $1,398 – $1,865 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,294 – $4,391 | $2,371 – $3,162 | $1,581 – $2,108 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $3,800 – $5,067 | $2,736 – $3,648 | $1,824 – $2,432 |
Transport only, for an estimated 563 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, Memphis to Chicago
563 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $2,815. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,534 to $3,378, 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 Memphis to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 489 people a year (±211) moved from Shelby County, TN, home to Memphis, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 607 people a year (±382). Movers from Shelby County make up 0.4% 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 3,992 people a year (±1,354) moving from Tennessee to Illinois and about 10,866 people a year (±3,232) from Illinois to Tennessee — a net gain for Tennessee of about 6,874 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DeSoto County, MS | 3,849 ±780 |
| Davidson County, TN | 1,795 ±546 |
| Tipton County, TN | 1,536 ±551 |
| Fayette County, TN | 1,060 ±318 |
| Knox County, TN | 699 ±232 |
| 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
33 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Memphis (45 counting those licensed only inside Tennessee). 20 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 21.3% of their 80 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanigan Worldwide Moving & Warehousing IncUSDOT 296790 | Memphis · 5 mi | 20 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Big League Movers IncUSDOT 1999318 | Memphis · 10 mi | 20 trucks | 31 | 15.0% of 20 |
| Guardian Moving Systems IncUSDOT 534684 | Memphis · 14 mi | 17 trucks | 3 | 100.0% of 1 |
| Cooper & Cooper Moving IncUSDOT 501893 | Memphis · 11 mi | 13 trucks | 7 | 33.3% of 6 |
| Ewing Moving Service IncUSDOT 435272 | Memphis · 9 mi | 11 trucks | 9 | 33.3% of 6 |
| My Town Movers IncUSDOT 2434252 | Collierville · 23 mi | 10 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 4 |
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 Tennessee 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 Memphis 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 563 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 Memphis
All routes from Memphis, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis to Little Rock, AR | ~151 mi | $680 – $906 |
| Memphis to Jackson, MS | ~229 mi | $1,031 – $1,374 |
| Memphis to Nashville, TN | ~230 mi | $1,035 – $1,380 |
| Memphis to Huntsville, AL | ~231 mi | $1,040 – $1,386 |
| Memphis to Birmingham, AL | ~253 mi | $1,139 – $1,518 |
| Memphis to Chattanooga, TN | ~313 mi | $1,409 – $1,878 |
| Memphis to Louisville, KY | ~374 mi | $1,683 – $2,244 |
| Memphis to Baton Rouge, LA | ~386 mi | $1,737 – $2,316 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Memphis to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Memphis to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 563 miles cost about $1,900 – $2,534 for a studio, $2,534 – $3,378 for a two-bedroom home and $2,914 – $3,885 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Memphis to Chicago take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 10 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 Memphis to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,216 – $1,621 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,534 – $3,378 with full-service movers; a moving container is $1,824 – $2,432.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Memphis to Chicago?
Yes. Memphis is in Tennessee and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 33 listed movers within 30 miles of Memphis hold it.
How many people move from Memphis to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 489 people a year (margin of error ±211) moved from Shelby County, which contains Memphis, 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.