Chicago, IL → Iowa City, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Chicago to Iowa City

About 234 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,400–$3,570, delivery in 1–2 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 43 in Iowa City.

234 miroad distance
4 h 44 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,400–$3,5702-bedroom estimate

Photo: Stevat20 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Chicago, Illinois
To: Iowa City, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 234 miles (199 straight-line)
Drive time: 4 h 44 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)
Movers at destination: 43 (28 interstate)

Reverse: Iowa City → Chicago

Iowa City sits about 234 miles west of Chicago, which makes this an interstate relocation from Illinois to Iowa that most movers classify as a regional long-distance move.

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 $2,400 to $3,570 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 4 h 44 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 43 around Iowa City (28 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 Iowa City.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Iowa City about 75,000. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 2,904), 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 Iowa 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 Iowa City

Full-service estimate for 234 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,220	$1,490	$1,810
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,440	$1,760	$2,140
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,400	$2,930	$3,570
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,840	$4,680	$5,710
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,280	$6,440	$7,850

Rental truck (DIY)

$390–$550

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

Portable container

$1,230–$1,810

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

Full-service mover

$2,400–$3,570

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chicago, IL → Iowa City, IA. 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 Iowa City (destination)

Adamantine Spine Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Adamantine Spine Moving INC

USDOT: 1471037
MC: 556716
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52240 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 37 trucks, 41 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (319) 325-6683 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bolton Logistics LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4766652
Based in: Solon, IA 52333 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 24 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (319) 210-4857 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bolton Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2471478
MC: 61612
Based in: Solon, IA 52333 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (319) 624-2086 Route Verify on FMCSA

Slager Appliances

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2028718
MC: 1754363
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52246 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (319) 337-3800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Asap Towing

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Iowa City Auto Sales LLC

USDOT: 1352324
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52240 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (319) 330-1629 Route Verify on FMCSA

Stannard Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 228904
MC: 166228
Based in: Iowa City, IA 52246 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1983

Call (319) 351-1552 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bee'S Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Brendan Daryl Beachy

USDOT: 2821656
MC: 1068797
Based in: Kalona, IA 52247 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (319) 530-1197 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hardy Concierge Services LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4222688
Based in: North Liberty, IA 52317 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (319) 382-0721 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 43 movers in Iowa City

Related routes

Other destinations from Chicago

Other origins to Iowa City

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Iowa City?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,220 to $1,810 for a studio, $1,440 to $2,140 for a one-bedroom, $2,400 to $3,570 for a two-bedroom, $3,840 to $5,710 for a three-bedroom and $5,280 to $7,850 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Iowa City from Chicago?

About 234 road miles (199 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 4 h 44 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 Iowa 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 Iowa City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $390 to $550 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,230 to $1,810. 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–Iowa City corridor.