Chicago, IL → Detroit, MI · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Chicago to Detroit

About 281 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,620–$3,900, delivery in 1–3 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 1,435 in Detroit.

281 miroad distance
5 h 33 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,620–$3,9002-bedroom estimate

Photo: TheWxResearcher · CC0

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Route summary

From: Chicago, Illinois
To: Detroit, Michigan
Road distance: ≈ 281 miles (238 straight-line)
Drive time: 5 h 33 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)
Movers at destination: 1,435 (656 interstate)

Reverse: Detroit → Chicago

The route from Chicago, IL to Detroit, MI covers roughly 281 miles by road, a east-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

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 $2,620 to $3,900 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 5 h 33 min.

On the Chicago side there are 2,923 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (2,209 of them authorized for interstate work), and 1,435 around Detroit (656 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 Detroit.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Detroit about 649,095. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 4,608), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Michigan than in Illinois, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Chicago to Detroit

Full-service estimate for 281 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,240	$1,520	$1,850
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,570	$1,920	$2,340
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,620	$3,190	$3,900
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,190	$5,110	$6,230
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,760	$7,020	$8,570

Rental truck (DIY)

$440–$620

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

Portable container

$1,270–$1,870

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

Full-service mover

$2,620–$3,900

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

Moving cost calculator

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

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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 Chicago (origin)

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

Near Detroit (destination)

Corrigan Moving Systems Premier Relocations

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Corrigan Moving & Storage Company

USDOT: 153343
MC: 41608
Based in: Dearborn, MI 48124 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 245 trucks, 215 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (313) 278-3064 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alden Logistics INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 888722
MC: 387036
Based in: Melvindale, MI 48122 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 193 trucks, 95 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (313) 388-9700 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lk Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Lk Transport LLC

USDOT: 3349817
MC: 1070757
Based in: Garden City, MI 48135 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 131 trucks, 131 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (313) 454-6063 Route Verify on FMCSA

Universal

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Universal Intermodal Services INC

USDOT: 1162977
MC: 468507
Based in: Warren, MI 48089 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 124 trucks, 116 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (800) 233-9445 Route Verify on FMCSA

Standard Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2512112
MC: 871317
Based in: Hamtramck, MI 48212 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 110 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (800) 982-5240 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rzs Express LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3171509
MC: 118718
Based in: Warren, MI 48093 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 110 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (586) 343-8680 Route Verify on FMCSA

A & S Express Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2950753
MC: 999060
Based in: Melvindale, MI 48122 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 90 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (313) 406-5818 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mm Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2455228
MC: 848013
Based in: Westland, MI 48186 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 88 trucks, 88 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (734) 725-5196 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,435 movers in Detroit

Related routes

Other destinations from Chicago

Other origins to Detroit

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,240 to $1,850 for a studio, $1,570 to $2,340 for a one-bedroom, $2,620 to $3,900 for a two-bedroom, $4,190 to $6,230 for a three-bedroom and $5,760 to $8,570 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Detroit from Chicago?

About 281 road miles (238 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 33 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Illinois into Michigan 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 Chicago to Detroit?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $440 to $620 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,270 to $1,870. 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 Chicago–Detroit corridor.