Moving from Dallas, TX to Chicago, IL
969 miles across a state line, from Texas into Illinois, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Dallas, TX to Chicago, IL covers 969 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,361 – $5,814 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 771 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 969 miles between Texas 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 $4,361 – $5,814 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 18 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Dallas to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,270 – $4,361 | $2,355 – $3,140 | $1,570 – $2,093 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,924 – $5,233 | $2,826 – $3,767 | $1,884 – $2,512 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,361 – $5,814 | $3,140 – $4,186 | $2,093 – $2,791 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,015 – $6,686 | $3,610 – $4,814 | $2,407 – $3,209 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,669 – $7,558 | $4,081 – $5,442 | $2,721 – $3,628 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,541 – $8,721 | $4,709 – $6,279 | $3,140 – $4,186 |
Transport only, for 969 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, Dallas to Chicago
969 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,845. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,361 to $5,814, 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 Dallas to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 771 people a year (±237) moved from Dallas County, TX, home to Dallas, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 1,175 people a year (±297). Movers from Dallas County make up 0.6% 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 18,189 people a year (±3,474) moving from Texas to Illinois and about 23,509 people a year (±4,417) from Illinois to Texas — a net gain for Texas of about 5,320 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Tarrant County, TX | 20,890 ±2,269 |
| Denton County, TX | 19,351 ±2,002 |
| Collin County, TX | 18,851 ±1,674 |
| Kaufman County, TX | 5,155 ±1,265 |
| Harris County, TX | 3,868 ±820 |
| 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
120 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Dallas (671 counting those licensed only inside Texas). 63 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 21.6% of their 232 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suddath Moving & StorageUSDOT 1038245 | Coppell · 17 mi | 65 trucks | 1 | — |
| Armstrong RelocationUSDOT 449294 | Carrollton · 14 mi | 54 trucks | 6 | 16.7% of 6 |
| Santana Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 3901949 | Fate · 24 mi | 42 trucks | 0 | — |
| Two Men and A TruckUSDOT 3051005 | Arlington · 17 mi | 22 trucks | 17 | 7.7% of 13 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage of Dallas LLCUSDOT 923537 | Carrollton · 17 mi | 21 trucks | 12 | 12.5% of 8 |
| Texas Moving Co IncUSDOT 220940 | The Colony · 22 mi | 19 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
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 Texas 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 Dallas 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 969 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 Dallas
All routes from Dallas, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas to Arlington, TX | ~21 mi | $445 – $733 |
| Dallas to McKinney, TX | ~35 mi | $445 – $733 |
| Dallas to Austin, TX | 196 mi | $882 – $1,176 |
| Dallas to Oklahoma City, OK | ~223 mi | $1,004 – $1,338 |
| Dallas to Houston, TX | 239 mi | $1,076 – $1,434 |
| Dallas to Tulsa, OK | ~277 mi | $1,247 – $1,662 |
| Dallas to San Antonio, TX | 293 mi | $1,319 – $1,758 |
| Dallas to Little Rock, AR | ~341 mi | $1,535 – $2,046 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Dallas to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Dallas to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over 969 miles cost about $3,270 – $4,361 for a studio, $4,361 – $5,814 for a two-bedroom home and $5,015 – $6,686 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Dallas to Chicago take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 18 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 Dallas to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,093 – $2,791 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,361 – $5,814 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,140 – $4,186.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Dallas to Chicago?
Yes. Dallas is in Texas and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 120 listed movers within 30 miles of Dallas hold it.
How many people move from Dallas to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 771 people a year (margin of error ±237) moved from Dallas County, which contains Dallas, 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.