South Bend, IN → Chicago, IL · Short-haul move

Movers from South Bend to Chicago

About 87 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $1,420–$2,110, delivery in 1–2 days, 173 carriers on the South Bend side and 2,923 in Chicago.

87 miroad distance
2 h 12 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$1,420–$2,1102-bedroom estimate

Photo: File:Chicago River ferry.jpg: John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: South Bend, Indiana
To: Chicago, Illinois
Road distance: ≈ 87 miles (74 straight-line)
Drive time: 2 h 12 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 173 (134 interstate)
Movers at destination: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)

Reverse: Chicago → South Bend

The route from South Bend, IN to Chicago, IL covers roughly 87 miles by road, a west-bound trip that falls into the short-haul move category for pricing purposes.

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 12 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $1,420 and $2,110, before packing or storage.

On the South Bend side there are 173 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (134 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.

South Bend has a population of about 103,201 and Chicago about 2.7 million. Chicago is the denser city (12,061 people per square mile versus 2,463 in South Bend), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Illinois is a higher-cost state than Indiana, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from South Bend to Chicago

Full-service estimate for 87 miles, by home size
Home size	Crew	Hours	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2 movers	3–5 h	$810	$990	$1,200
1 Bedroom	2 movers	4–6 h	$920	$1,120	$1,360
2 Bedrooms	3 movers	5–8 h	$1,420	$1,730	$2,110
3 Bedrooms	4 movers	7–10 h	$2,120	$2,590	$3,160
4+ Bedrooms	5 movers	9–13 h	$3,080	$3,760	$4,590

Rental truck (DIY)

$240–$340

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

Portable container

$1,100–$1,610

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

Full-service mover

$1,420–$2,110

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for South Bend, IN → Chicago, IL. 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 South Bend (origin)

K & B Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 75914
MC: 1184
Based in: Elkhart, IN 46517 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 55 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (574) 389-1986 Route Verify on FMCSA

C W Leasing And Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 573816
MC: 279857
Based in: South Bend, IN 46614 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 31 trucks, 31 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (574) 231-0881 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bettchers US Towing

Licensed interstate

Legal name: US Truck & Trailer Service INC

USDOT: 2102979
MC: 733462
Based in: Lakeville, IN 46536 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 31 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (574) 784-8264 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kovac Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1299125
MC: 504038
Based in: Mishawaka, IN 46544 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 29 trucks, 29 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (574) 234-4805 Route Verify on FMCSA

Five Star Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1473865
MC: 556503
Based in: New Carlisle, IN 46552 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 19 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (574) 654-8058 Route Verify on FMCSA

Golden Waffles

Licensed interstate

Legal name: New Carbon Company LLC

USDOT: 1486479
MC: 1700967
Based in: South Bend, IN 46628 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 18 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (574) 850-3609 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cobalt Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3600277
MC: 1222643
Based in: South Bend, IN 46637 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (574) 404-1710 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fire Bins

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Cbhim LLC

USDOT: 4437382
MC: 1746836
Based in: Granger, IN 46530 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 10 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (574) 532-4849 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 173 movers in South Bend

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

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

Tips for this move

For a move under about 150 miles you can often choose between an hourly and a flat rate—ask for both.
Confirm whether travel time between South Bend and Chicago is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Chicago with daylight to spare.
Check Indiana intrastate mover rules; many states require a state permit in addition to a USDOT number.

Near South Bend

Near Chicago

Related routes

Other destinations from South Bend

Other origins to Chicago

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from South Bend to Chicago?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $810 to $1,200 for a studio, $920 to $1,360 for a one-bedroom, $1,420 to $2,110 for a two-bedroom, $2,120 to $3,160 for a three-bedroom and $3,080 to $4,590 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chicago from South Bend?

About 87 road miles (74 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 2 h 12 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

For a move this short, loading and delivery normally happen on the same day. Most crews finish a two-bedroom home in 5 to 8 hours plus the drive.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Indiana 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 South Bend to Chicago?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $240 to $340 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,100 to $1,610. 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 South Bend–Chicago corridor.