Topeka, KS

Chicago, IL → Topeka, KS · Long-distance move

Movers from Chicago to Topeka

About 547 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,460–$5,150, delivery in 2–5 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 37 in Topeka.

  • 547 miroad distance
  • 10 h 8 mindriving time
  • 2–5 daysdelivery window
  • $3,460–$5,1502-bedroom estimate
Photo: Srudisell · CC BY-SA 4.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 547 miles (463 straight-line)
Drive time
10 h 8 min
Delivery window
2–5 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
2,923 (2,209 interstate)
Movers at destination
37 (23 interstate)

Reverse: Topeka → Chicago

Topeka sits about 547 miles west of Chicago, which makes this an interstate relocation from Illinois to Kansas that most movers classify as a 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 $3,460 to $5,150 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 10 h 8 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 37 around Topeka (23 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 Topeka.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Topeka about 125,795. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 2,062), 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 Kansas 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 Topeka

Full-service estimate for 547 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,390 $1,690 $2,060
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,080 $2,530 $3,090
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $3,460 $4,220 $5,150
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $5,540 $6,760 $8,250
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $7,620 $9,290 $11,340

Rental truck (DIY)

$860–$1,220

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

Portable container

$1,510–$2,220

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

Full-service mover

$3,460–$5,150

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chicago, IL → Topeka, KS. 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 Topeka (destination)

Savannah Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
684806
MC
318425
Based in
Topeka, KS 66618 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 25 drivers
USDOT registered
1997

Johnson Storage & Moving

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2269408
MC
774930
Based in
Topeka, KS 66608 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
12 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2012

College Hunks Hauling Junk And Moving

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3286258
MC
1425657
Based in
Topeka, KS 66609 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
8 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered
2019

Tmw Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3635353
MC
1247092
Based in
Topeka, KS 66612 (1 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2021

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3563094
MC
1197430
Based in
Topeka, KS 66618 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered
2021

Marty Grist Demolition

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
948131
MC
406456
Based in
Topeka, KS 66609 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2001

Techno Movers LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2478715
MC
939555
Based in
Topeka, KS 66614 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Jbt Williams

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4521199
MC
1791387
Based in
Topeka, KS 66604 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2026

All 37 movers in Topeka

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,390 to $2,060 for a studio, $2,080 to $3,090 for a one-bedroom, $3,460 to $5,150 for a two-bedroom, $5,540 to $8,250 for a three-bedroom and $7,620 to $11,340 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Topeka from Chicago?

About 547 road miles (463 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 10 h 8 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 Illinois into Kansas 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 Topeka?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $860 to $1,220 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,510 to $2,220. 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–Topeka corridor.