Moving from Richmond, VA to Chicago, IL
About 721 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 Richmond, VA to Chicago, IL covers about 721 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $3,245 – $4,326 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 140 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 721 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 $3,245 – $4,326 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 Richmond to Chicago
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,433 – $3,245 | $1,752 – $2,336 | $1,168 – $1,557 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,920 – $3,893 | $2,102 – $2,803 | $1,402 – $1,869 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,245 – $4,326 | $2,336 – $3,115 | $1,557 – $2,076 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,731 – $4,975 | $2,686 – $3,582 | $1,791 – $2,388 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,218 – $5,624 | $3,037 – $4,049 | $2,025 – $2,699 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,867 – $6,489 | $3,504 – $4,672 | $2,336 – $3,115 |
Transport only, for an estimated 721 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, Richmond to Chicago
721 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,605. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $3,245 to $4,326, 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 Richmond to Chicago
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 140 people a year (±132) moved from Richmond city, VA, home to Richmond, to Cook County, IL, home to Chicago. Going the other way: about 147 people a year (±129). Movers from Richmond city make up 0.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| Henrico County, VA | 5,086 ±908 |
| Chesterfield County, VA | 3,271 ±716 |
| Hanover County, VA | 791 ±299 |
| Fairfax County, VA | 630 ±182 |
| Petersburg City, VA | 429 ±275 |
| 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
21 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Richmond (46 counting those licensed only inside Virginia). 12 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 22.8% of their 92 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stewart Moving and StorageUSDOT 1194537 | Midlothian · 13 mi | 95 trucks | 102 | 26.0% of 50 |
| RCS MovingUSDOT 805773 | Richmond · 4 mi | 31 trucks | 10 | 0.0% of 5 |
| D1 MovingUSDOT 3013397 | Richmond · 4 mi | 22 trucks | 28 | 21.1% of 19 |
| Dunmar Moving SystemUSDOT 392896 | Richmond · 10 mi | 20 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Worth Moving LLCUSDOT 2574535 | Richmond · 3 mi | 14 trucks | 9 | 16.7% of 6 |
| Bold Moving and Storage LLCUSDOT 3139358 | Richmond · 6 mi | 11 trucks | 14 | 37.5% of 8 |
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 Richmond 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 721 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 Richmond
All routes from Richmond, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond to Norfolk, VA | ~92 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Richmond to Chesapeake, VA | ~100 mi | $465 – $761 |
| Richmond to Virginia Beach, VA | ~109 mi | $491 – $654 |
| Richmond to Arlington, VA | ~110 mi | $495 – $660 |
| Richmond to Washington, DC | ~112 mi | $504 – $672 |
| Richmond to Baltimore, MD | ~150 mi | $675 – $900 |
| Richmond to Raleigh, NC | ~162 mi | $729 – $972 |
| Richmond to Harrisburg, PA | ~223 mi | $1,004 – $1,338 |
Also moving to Chicago: from Milwaukee, WI, from Madison, WI, from Grand Rapids, MI, from Peoria, IL.
Richmond to Chicago moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Richmond to Chicago?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 721 miles cost about $2,433 – $3,245 for a studio, $3,245 – $4,326 for a two-bedroom home and $3,731 – $4,975 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Richmond 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 Richmond to Chicago?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,557 – $2,076 for a two-bedroom home, against $3,245 – $4,326 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,336 – $3,115.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Richmond to Chicago?
Yes. Richmond 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. 21 listed movers within 30 miles of Richmond hold it.
How many people move from Richmond to Chicago each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 140 people a year (margin of error ±132) moved from Richmond city, which contains Richmond, 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.