- Road distance
- about 985 miles
- Usual corridor
- I-90 the whole way
- Driving alone
- at least 2 days for a loaded truck
- Chicago delivery
- Parking, elevator and building rules settled before the truck arrives
What it costs to move from Boston to Chicago
| Home | Typical weight | Linehaul planning range |
|---|---|---|
| Few items | about 1,200 lb | $1,100 to $1,750 |
| Studio | about 2,000 lb | $1,100 to $1,750 |
| 1 bedroom | about 3,000 lb | $1,550 to $2,500 |
| 2 bedroom | about 5,500 lb | $2,850 to $4,550 |
| 3 bedroom | about 8,500 lb | $4,400 to $7,050 |
| 4 bedroom | about 12,000 lb | $6,200 to $9,950 |
Boston walk-ups and long carries can add to the bill. Share details of your floor and the distance from the street, and they'll be built into your estimate.
Pickup in Greater Boston
- Street space. Boston, Cambridge and Somerville have their own rules for reserving curb space for a moving truck. Check with your city well ahead, since a truck without legal parking loses time.
- Low bridges. Storrow Drive and some other local roads are famous for trapping tall trucks, so routes are planned around them.
- Triple-deckers. Tight stairs and narrow turns are common, so measure large furniture.
- September 1. Many area leases turn over on this date, and streets and trucks are at their busiest. If you can leave a week or two either side, do it.
Delivery in Chicago
Your new home may feel familiar: Chicago has two-flats and three-flats with tight back stairs, and alleys that give better access than Boston streets often do. Downtown and lakefront towers require elevator reservations and insurance certificates.
Our Chicago moving logistics page explains the routine, and moving to Chicago covers neighborhoods and taxes.