Grand Rapids, MI

Chicago, IL → Grand Rapids, MI · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Chicago to Grand Rapids

About 153 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,150–$3,200, delivery in 1–2 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 322 in Grand Rapids.

  • 153 miroad distance
  • 3 h 20 mindriving time
  • 1–2 daysdelivery window
  • $2,150–$3,2002-bedroom estimate
Photo: WMrapids · CC0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 153 miles (129 straight-line)
Drive time
3 h 20 min
Delivery window
1–2 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
2,923 (2,209 interstate)
Movers at destination
322 (185 interstate)

Reverse: Grand Rapids → Chicago

Moving from Chicago to Grand Rapids is a regional long-distance move of roughly 153 road miles, heading northeast from Illinois to Michigan.

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 $2,150 to $3,200 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 3 h 20 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 322 around Grand Rapids (185 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 Grand Rapids.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Grand Rapids about 201,183. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 4,440), 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 Grand Rapids

Full-service estimate for 153 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,240 $1,520 $1,850
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $1,290 $1,570 $1,920
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $2,150 $2,620 $3,200
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $3,440 $4,200 $5,120
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $4,730 $5,770 $7,040

Rental truck (DIY)

$310–$430

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

Portable container

$1,160–$1,700

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

Full-service mover

$2,150–$3,200

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chicago, IL → Grand Rapids, 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

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

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

Hub Group

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
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

Fx

Licensed interstate
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

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

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

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

All 2,923 movers in Chicago

Near Grand Rapids (destination)

Sweet Express LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1128178
MC
459522
Based in
Grand Rapids, MI 49512 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
429 trucks, 325 drivers
USDOT registered
2003

Mdv Spartannash LLC

Interstate carrier
USDOT
2552754
Based in
Grand Rapids, MI 49518 (0 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
278 trucks, 278 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

M C Van Kampen Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
169993
MC
147601
Based in
Wyoming, MI 49548 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
196 trucks, 196 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Spartannash

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
238700
MC
166314
Based in
Grand Rapids, MI 49518 (0 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
187 trucks, 200 drivers
USDOT registered
1983

Van Eerden Trucking Company INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
179734
MC
150247
Based in
Byron Center, MI 49315 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
175 trucks, 193 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Holland Special Delivery

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2839570
MC
950826
Based in
Hudsonville, MI 49426 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
172 trucks, 196 drivers
USDOT registered
2016

Split Rock

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
473115
MC
251709
Based in
Grand Rapids, MI 49508 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
108 trucks, 87 drivers
USDOT registered
1992

Jvc Enterprises LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1260191
MC
492555
Based in
Byron Center, MI 49315 (12 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
96 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered
2004

All 322 movers in Grand Rapids

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Grand Rapids?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,240 to $1,850 for a studio, $1,290 to $1,920 for a one-bedroom, $2,150 to $3,200 for a two-bedroom, $3,440 to $5,120 for a three-bedroom and $4,730 to $7,040 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Grand Rapids from Chicago?

About 153 road miles (129 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 20 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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 Grand Rapids?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $310 to $430 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,160 to $1,700. 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–Grand Rapids corridor.