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Lake Charles, LA

Chicago, IL → Lake Charles, LA · Long-distance move

Movers from Chicago to Lake Charles

About 1,016 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,620–$6,870, delivery in 3–7 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 25 in Lake Charles.

  • 1,016 miroad distance
  • 18 h 13 mindriving time
  • 3–7 daysdelivery window
  • $4,620–$6,8702-bedroom estimate
Photo: Downtown Lake Charles.JPG by CTtcg L'Auberge du Lac Casino.JPG by CTtcg Bulber.jpg by Kingfish27 John McNeese.jpg by Kin · CC-BY-SA-4.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 1,016 miles (861 straight-line)
Drive time
18 h 13 min
Delivery window
3–7 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
2,923 (2,209 interstate)
Movers at destination
25 (18 interstate)

Reverse: Lake Charles → Chicago

Moving from Chicago to Lake Charles is a long-distance move of roughly 1,016 road miles, heading southwest from Illinois to Louisiana.

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 $4,620 to $6,870 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 18 h 13 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 25 around Lake Charles (18 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 Lake Charles.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Lake Charles about 80,000. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 1,788), 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 Louisiana 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 Lake Charles

Full-service estimate for 1,016 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,850 $2,250 $2,750
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,770 $3,380 $4,120
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $4,620 $5,630 $6,870
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $7,390 $9,010 $10,990
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $10,150 $12,380 $15,110

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,490–$2,110

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

Portable container

$1,930–$2,830

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

Full-service mover

$4,620–$6,870

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chicago, IL → Lake Charles, LA. 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 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 Lake Charles (destination)

Lake City Trucking

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: James G Gobert INC

USDOT
319385
MC
211234
Based in
Lake Charles, LA 70615 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
42 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered
1988
Call (337) 494-6900 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Lake Charles

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Cbl Jones LLC

USDOT
2944986
MC
996676
Based in
Lake Charles, LA 70605 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered
2016
Call (337) 656-4938 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pappillion Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1227886
MC
485326
Based in
Lake Charles, LA 70615 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2004
Call (337) 494-3894 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hr Express Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
7409267
MC
97081033
Based in
Lake Charles, LA 70605 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
3 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2026
Call (337) 730-1207 Route Verify on FMCSA

Drive Max Trucking

Interstate carrier
USDOT
4284072
Based in
Lake Charles, LA 70601 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2024
Call (225) 371-8581 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dredging Contractor Firm

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Mike Hooks LLC

USDOT
107462
Based in
Westlake, LA 70669 (5 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
1974
Call (337) 436-6693 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fmtransport11 LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3156355
MC
108062
Based in
Lake Charles, LA 70605 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2018
Call (337) 499-7171 Route Verify on FMCSA

J K Malveaux Transport LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3686835
MC
1284622
Based in
Lake Charles, LA 70605 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2021
Call (337) 802-0370 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 25 movers in Lake Charles

Related routes

Other destinations from Chicago

Other origins to Lake Charles

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Lake Charles?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,850 to $2,750 for a studio, $2,770 to $4,120 for a one-bedroom, $4,620 to $6,870 for a two-bedroom, $7,390 to $10,990 for a three-bedroom and $10,150 to $15,110 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Lake Charles from Chicago?

About 1,016 road miles (861 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 18 h 13 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 Louisiana 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 Lake Charles?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,490 to $2,110 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,930 to $2,830. 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–Lake Charles corridor.