- Road distance
- about 790 miles
- Usual corridor
- I-80 and I-90 through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana
- 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 New York 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 | $1,450 to $2,300 |
| 2 bedroom | about 5,500 lb | $2,650 to $4,250 |
| 3 bedroom | about 8,500 lb | $4,100 to $6,550 |
| 4 bedroom | about 12,000 lb | $5,800 to $9,250 |
Pickup access is usually what adds cost here. Walk-ups, long carries and shuttle trucks in New York should all be covered in your written estimate, so include your floor and the distance to the curb.
Leaving your New York building
Ask your building for its move-out rules in writing. Many require a certificate of insurance, a freight elevator booking and sometimes a deposit. Elevator slots often go early at month-end, so book as soon as your date is set.
If you are in a walk-up, measure stair turns before moving day. A sofa that came up in pieces should leave the same way.
Arriving in Chicago
Chicago has its own routine, and it helps to set it up before you leave New York:
- Elevator booking. Downtown and lakefront high-rises usually require a reservation and a certificate of insurance.
- Alley or street access. Many homes and two-flats load from the alley, and larger trucks can't always fit, so we check ahead.
- Parking. A long truck needs legal curb space. Our Chicago moving logistics page explains how that's handled.
- Lease dates. Many Chicago leases turn over on May 1 and October 1, and buildings get busy around those dates.
Fitting New York life into Chicago
You'll probably gain space: Chicago apartments and two-flats are often larger for the money. You don't need to buy everything before you arrive, though. Measure once you have keys.
Winter is the main adjustment. Trucks do run in Chicago winters, but keep flexible days from December through March, and read moving to Chicago for neighborhoods, taxes and parking rules.