Moving from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
About 690 miles across a state line, from Virginia 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 Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL covers about 690 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,105 – $4,140 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 282 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 690 miles between Virginia 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 $3,105 – $4,140 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 13 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Arlington to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,329 – $3,105 | $1,677 – $2,236 | $1,118 – $1,490 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,795 – $3,726 | $2,012 – $2,683 | $1,341 – $1,788 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,105 – $4,140 | $2,236 – $2,981 | $1,490 – $1,987 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,571 – $4,761 | $2,571 – $3,428 | $1,714 – $2,285 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,037 – $5,382 | $2,906 – $3,875 | $1,938 – $2,583 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,658 – $6,210 | $3,353 – $4,471 | $2,236 – $2,981 |
Transport only, for an estimated 690 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, Arlington to Chicago
690 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,450. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,105 to $4,140, 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 Arlington to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 282 people a year (±123) moved from Arlington County, VA, home to Arlington, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 285 people a year (±171). Movers from Arlington County make up 0.2% 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 4,974 people a year (±2,291) moving from Virginia to Illinois and about 6,488 people a year (±1,960) from Illinois to Virginia — a net gain for Virginia of about 1,514 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Fairfax County, VA | 7,362 ±894 |
| District of Columbia, DC | 2,881 ±512 |
| Alexandria City, VA | 2,663 ±484 |
| Montgomery County, MD | 1,264 ±374 |
| Prince George's County, MD | 916 ±364 |
| 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
297 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Arlington (477 counting those licensed only inside Virginia). 165 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 16.8% of their 924 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JK Moving ServicesUSDOT 1065394 | Sterling · 21 mi | 173 trucks | 107 | 12.3% of 57 |
| Eagle Van Lines IncUSDOT 388638 | Temple Hills · 9 mi | 72 trucks | 94 | 37.7% of 53 |
| Town and Country Movers IncUSDOT 418499 | Gaithersburg · 20 mi | 64 trucks | 75 | 18.9% of 53 |
| A&A Transfer LLCUSDOT 503883 | Chantilly · 23 mi | 62 trucks | 9 | 33.3% of 3 |
| MG Moving ServicesUSDOT 2455961 | Sterling · 21 mi | 58 trucks | 38 | 11.1% of 18 |
| Executive Moving Systems IncUSDOT 487595 | Woodbridge · 20 mi | 34 trucks | 20 | 33.3% of 12 |
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 Virginia 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 Arlington 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 690 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 Arlington
All routes from Arlington, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington to Washington, DC | ~4 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Arlington to Annapolis, MD | ~38 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Arlington to Baltimore, MD | ~45 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Arlington to Dover, DE | ~101 mi | $455 – $606 |
| Arlington to Richmond, VA | ~110 mi | $495 – $660 |
| Arlington to Harrisburg, PA | ~113 mi | $509 – $678 |
| Arlington to Philadelphia, PA | ~148 mi | $666 – $888 |
| Arlington to Virginia Beach, VA | ~178 mi | $801 – $1,068 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Arlington to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Arlington, VA to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 690 miles cost about $2,329 – $3,105 for a studio, $3,105 – $4,140 for a two-bedroom home and $3,571 – $4,761 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Arlington, VA to Chicago take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 13 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 Arlington, VA to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,490 – $1,987 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,105 – $4,140 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,236 – $2,981.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Arlington, VA to Chicago?
Yes. Arlington is in Virginia and Chicago is in Illinois, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 297 listed movers within 30 miles of Arlington hold it.
How many people move from Arlington, VA to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 282 people a year (margin of error ±123) moved from Arlington County, which contains Arlington, 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.