Birmingham, AL → Chicago, IL · Long-distance move

Movers from Birmingham to Chicago

About 680 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,730–$5,550, delivery in 2–5 days, 395 carriers on the Birmingham side and 2,923 in Chicago.

680 miroad distance
12 h 25 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,730–$5,5502-bedroom estimate

Photo: File:Chicago River ferry.jpg: John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: Birmingham, Alabama
To: Chicago, Illinois
Road distance: ≈ 680 miles (576 straight-line)
Drive time: 12 h 25 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 395 (208 interstate)
Movers at destination: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)

Reverse: Chicago → Birmingham

Moving from Birmingham to Chicago is a long-distance move of roughly 680 road miles, heading north from Alabama to Illinois.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $3,730 to $5,550 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 12 h 25 min.

On the Birmingham side there are 395 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (208 of them authorized for interstate work), and 2,923 around Chicago (2,209 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Chicago.

Birmingham has a population of about 195,893 and Chicago about 2.7 million. Chicago is the denser city (12,061 people per square mile versus 1,366 in Birmingham), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Illinois is a higher-cost state than Alabama, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Birmingham to Chicago

Full-service estimate for 680 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,490	$1,820	$2,220
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,240	$2,730	$3,330
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,730	$4,550	$5,550
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,970	$7,280	$8,890
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,210	$10,020	$12,220

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,000–$1,410

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,630–$2,390

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$3,730–$5,550

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Birmingham, AL → Chicago, IL. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Birmingham (origin)

Buddy Moore Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 843883
MC: 370920
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35222 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 359 trucks, 354 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (205) 949-2260 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dixie Trucking Company LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2263023
MC: 822669
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35217 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 117 trucks, 117 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (205) 841-1930 Route Verify on FMCSA

Deep South Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Tvs INC

USDOT: 273403
MC: 163871
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35204 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 109 trucks, 107 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (205) 326-0490 Route Verify on FMCSA

Americas Thrift Stores INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Alabama Thrift Stores INC

USDOT: 446588
MC: 656355
Based in: Irondale, AL 35210 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 71 trucks, 71 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (205) 856-1234 Route Verify on FMCSA

New Latitude Moving Admiral Movers Motivated Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Move & Store LLC

USDOT: 2179652
MC: 765956
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35211 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 52 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (855) 624-4537 Route Verify on FMCSA

U-Haul

Licensed interstate

Legal name: U-Haul Company Of Alabama INC

USDOT: 428450
MC: 881025
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35216 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (602) 263-6811 Route Verify on FMCSA

Associated Grocers Of The South INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 187921
MC: 432768
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35217 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (205) 808-4915 Route Verify on FMCSA

Thompson Delivery Services Colwright

Licensed interstate

Legal name: McCorquodale Transfer LLC

USDOT: 713589
MC: 352161
Based in: Birmingham, AL 35203 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 31 trucks, 35 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (205) 870-7474 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 395 movers in Birmingham

Near Chicago (destination)

Nova Lines INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2559423
MC: 892806
Based in: Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1,298 trucks, 1,298 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (847) 881-0432 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hmd Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 976560
MC: 415186
Based in: Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 409 trucks, 375 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (708) 398-6237 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cdn Logistics INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 781203
MC: 332177
Based in: Northlake, IL 60164 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 310 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (708) 344-5555 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hub Group

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hub Group Dedicated LLC

USDOT: 801828
MC: 357193
Based in: Oak Brook, IL 60523 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2,505 trucks, 3,194 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (630) 271-3600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fx

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Freight Exchange Of North America LLC

USDOT: 1194542
MC: 471387
Based in: Franklin Park, IL 60131 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 218 trucks, 219 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (312) 612-2200 Route Verify on FMCSA

New World Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 258748
MC: 162485
Based in: Chicago, IL 60646 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 204 trucks, 189 drivers
USDOT registered: 1985

Call (773) 509-5937 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liv Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2196716
MC: 762386
Based in: Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 201 trucks, 201 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (708) 401-7441 Route Verify on FMCSA

Celtic Cartage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1197429
MC: 476351
Based in: Palos Hills, IL 60465 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 185 trucks, 185 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (708) 974-1405 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 2,923 movers in Chicago

Related routes

Other destinations from Birmingham

Other origins to Chicago

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Birmingham to Chicago?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,490 to $2,220 for a studio, $2,240 to $3,330 for a one-bedroom, $3,730 to $5,550 for a two-bedroom, $5,970 to $8,890 for a three-bedroom and $8,210 to $12,220 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chicago from Birmingham?

About 680 road miles (576 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 12 h 25 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Alabama into Illinois makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Birmingham to Chicago?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,000 to $1,410 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,630 to $2,390. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Birmingham–Chicago corridor.