Milwaukee, WI

Joliet, IL → Milwaukee, WI · Short-haul move

Movers from Joliet to Milwaukee

About 126 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,050–$3,060, delivery in 1–2 days, 694 carriers on the Joliet side and 604 in Milwaukee.

  • 126 miroad distance
  • 2 h 52 mindriving time
  • 1–2 daysdelivery window
  • $2,050–$3,0602-bedroom estimate
Photo: Bfkenney · CC BY-SA 4.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 126 miles (107 straight-line)
Drive time
2 h 52 min
Delivery window
1–2 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
694 (561 interstate)
Movers at destination
604 (360 interstate)

Reverse: Milwaukee → Joliet

Milwaukee sits about 126 miles north of Joliet, which makes this an interstate relocation from Illinois to Wisconsin that most movers classify as a short-haul move.

Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 2 h 52 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,050 and $3,060, before packing or storage.

On the Joliet side there are 694 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (561 of them authorized for interstate work), and 604 around Milwaukee (360 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 Milwaukee.

Joliet has a population of about 152,241 and Milwaukee about 562,407. Milwaukee is the denser city (6,000 people per square mile versus 2,331 in Joliet), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Labor and living costs run lower in Wisconsin 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 Joliet to Milwaukee

Full-service estimate for 126 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,240 $1,520 $1,850
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $1,240 $1,520 $1,850
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $2,050 $2,500 $3,060
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $3,290 $4,010 $4,890
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $4,520 $5,510 $6,720

Rental truck (DIY)

$280–$390

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

Portable container

$1,130–$1,670

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

Full-service mover

$2,050–$3,060

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Joliet, IL → Milwaukee, WI. 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 Joliet (origin)

Forsage INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2588231
MC
907486
Based in
Channahon, IL 60410 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
600 trucks, 600 drivers
USDOT registered
2015

Em Cargo LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3073738
MC
62685
Based in
Lemont, IL 60439 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
260 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered
2017

Legacy Express Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1744355
MC
772181
Based in
Joliet, IL 60435 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
205 trucks, 165 drivers
USDOT registered
2008

Vynera Transportation INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1585417
MC
586954
Based in
Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
185 trucks, 185 drivers
USDOT registered
2006

Prima Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1313194
MC
527982
Based in
Joliet, IL 60432 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
165 trucks, 150 drivers
USDOT registered
2004

Tva Logistics INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2555496
MC
890930
Based in
Plainfield, IL 60544 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
150 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Road King Express INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2578534
MC
902373
Based in
Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
138 trucks, 124 drivers
USDOT registered
2015

Zmile INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3342792
MC
1067250
Based in
Romeoville, IL 60446 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
120 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered
2019

All 694 movers in Joliet

Near Milwaukee (destination)

Mc Rae'S U S Mail Service INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
484946
MC
689891
Based in
West Allis, WI 53227 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
190 trucks, 307 drivers
USDOT registered
1992

Tax Airfreight INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
153935
MC
164888
Based in
Milwaukee, WI 53207 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
180 trucks, 189 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

Schroeder Moving Systems

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
512549
MC
240916
Based in
New Berlin, WI 53151 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
78 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered
1993

Tnt Express INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2986605
MC
16916
Based in
Oak Creek, WI 53154 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
68 trucks, 71 drivers
USDOT registered
2017

Star Line Trucking Or Star Line

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
46587
MC
124383
Based in
New Berlin, WI 53146 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
56 trucks, 51 drivers
USDOT registered
1974

North Express

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2054977
MC
719609
Based in
Milwaukee, WI 53207 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
54 trucks, 56 drivers
USDOT registered
2010

New Ram Express LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2057147
MC
729143
Based in
Milwaukee, WI 53221 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
53 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered
2010

Pc Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
2013895
MC
807165
Based in
Oak Creek, WI 53154 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
39 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered
2010

All 604 movers in Milwaukee

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Joliet to Milwaukee?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,240 to $1,850 for a studio, $1,240 to $1,850 for a one-bedroom, $2,050 to $3,060 for a two-bedroom, $3,290 to $4,890 for a three-bedroom and $4,520 to $6,720 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Milwaukee from Joliet?

About 126 road miles (107 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 52 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 Wisconsin 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 Joliet to Milwaukee?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $280 to $390 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,130 to $1,670. 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 Joliet–Milwaukee corridor.