Chicago, IL

Dover, DE → Chicago, IL · Long-distance move

Movers from Dover to Chicago

About 784 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,250–$6,320, delivery in 2–5 days, 143 carriers on the Dover side and 2,923 in Chicago.

  • 784 miroad distance
  • 14 h 13 mindriving time
  • 2–5 daysdelivery window
  • $4,250–$6,3202-bedroom estimate
Photo: File:Chicago River ferry.jpg: John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 784 miles (665 straight-line)
Drive time
14 h 13 min
Delivery window
2–5 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
143 (103 interstate)
Movers at destination
2,923 (2,209 interstate)

Reverse: Chicago → Dover

Moving from Dover to Chicago is a long-distance move of roughly 784 road miles, heading west from Delaware to Illinois.

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 $4,250 to $6,320 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 14 h 13 min.

On the Dover side there are 143 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (103 of them authorized for interstate work), and 2,923 around Chicago (2,209 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 Chicago.

Dover has a population of about 40,000 and Chicago about 2.7 million. Chicago is the denser city (12,061 people per square mile versus 1,654 in Dover), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Dover to Chicago

Full-service estimate for 784 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,700 $2,070 $2,530
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,550 $3,110 $3,790
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $4,250 $5,180 $6,320
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $6,800 $8,290 $10,120
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $9,350 $11,400 $13,910

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,110–$1,560

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

Portable container

$1,720–$2,530

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

Full-service mover

$4,250–$6,320

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Dover, DE → Chicago, IL. 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 Dover (origin)

Em Way INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1934741
MC
690698
Based in
Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
100 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered
2009

Tri-Coast Carriers LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1510668
MC
566208
Based in
Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
66 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered
2006

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2546977
MC
886752
Based in
Dover, DE 19901 (3 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
17 trucks, 24 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Collett & Son Welding INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
872818
MC
903323
Based in
Smyrna, DE 19977 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
15 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered
2000

Mom Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3876998
MC
1421184
Based in
Dover, DE 19901 (3 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered
2022

Benjamin Mast

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4262251
MC
1653912
Based in
Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
9 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered
2024

A & D Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3100720
MC
77314
Based in
Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2018

R Gill USA Corporation

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3621695
MC
1237363
Based in
Smyrna, DE 19977 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered
2021

All 143 movers in Dover

Near Chicago (destination)

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

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,700 to $2,530 for a studio, $2,550 to $3,790 for a one-bedroom, $4,250 to $6,320 for a two-bedroom, $6,800 to $10,120 for a three-bedroom and $9,350 to $13,910 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chicago from Dover?

About 784 road miles (665 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 14 h 13 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 Delaware into Illinois 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 Dover to Chicago?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,110 to $1,560 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,720 to $2,530. 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 Dover–Chicago corridor.