Chicago, IL → Traverse City, MI · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Chicago to Traverse City

About 268 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,570–$3,820, delivery in 1–3 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 53 in Traverse City.

268 miroad distance
5 h 19 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,570–$3,8202-bedroom estimate

Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Route summary

From: Chicago, Illinois
To: Traverse City, Michigan
Road distance: ≈ 268 miles (227 straight-line)
Drive time: 5 h 19 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)
Movers at destination: 53 (19 interstate)

Reverse: Traverse City → Chicago

Moving from Chicago to Traverse City is a regional long-distance move of roughly 268 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 $2,570 to $3,820 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 19 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 53 around Traverse City (19 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 Traverse City.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Traverse City about 16,000. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 1,894), 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 Traverse City

Full-service estimate for 268 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	$1,540	$1,880	$2,290
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,570	$3,140	$3,820
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,110	$5,020	$6,120
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,660	$6,900	$8,410

Rental truck (DIY)

$430–$600

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

Portable container

$1,260–$1,850

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

Full-service mover

$2,570–$3,820

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chicago, IL → Traverse City, 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 Traverse City (destination)

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Nordic Movers INC

USDOT: 1469296
MC: 554951
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (231) 947-8880 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denoyer Brothers Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 381828
MC: 134935
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (231) 946-4550 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cj Schueller LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 886575
MC: 1652579
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (231) 313-6085 Route Verify on FMCSA

Reliance Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2414628
MC: 831188
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (231) 403-9030 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bayside Moving & Storage

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Able Forwarders INC

USDOT: 882204
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (231) 946-4593 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alfarhan Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4172233
MC: 1604996
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (313) 398-8488 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grey Kitty Labs LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4312292
MC: 1681000
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (425) 698-8595 Route Verify on FMCSA

Willow Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4051865
MC: 1535580
Based in: Interlochen, MI 49643 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (231) 632-7020 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 53 movers in Traverse City

Tips for this move

Get three written estimates; at this distance quotes can vary by a third for the same inventory.
Ask whether the carrier will use one truck end to end or transfer your goods at a terminal.
Weigh the cost of full-value protection against the released-value default of 60 cents per pound.
Book four to six weeks out for summer dates on the Chicago–Traverse City corridor.

Near Chicago

Near Traverse City

Related routes

Other destinations from Chicago

Other origins to Traverse City

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,240 to $1,850 for a studio, $1,540 to $2,290 for a one-bedroom, $2,570 to $3,820 for a two-bedroom, $4,110 to $6,120 for a three-bedroom and $5,660 to $8,410 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Traverse City from Chicago?

About 268 road miles (227 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 19 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 Traverse City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $430 to $600 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,260 to $1,850. 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–Traverse City corridor.