Chicago, IL

Tampa, FL → Chicago, IL · Long-distance move

Movers from Tampa to Chicago

About 1,183 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,250–$7,820, delivery in 3–7 days, 1,059 carriers on the Tampa side and 2,923 in Chicago.

  • 1,183 miroad distance
  • 21 h 6 mindriving time
  • 3–7 daysdelivery window
  • $5,250–$7,8202-bedroom estimate
Photo: File:Chicago River ferry.jpg: John Picken derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 1,183 miles (1,002 straight-line)
Drive time
21 h 6 min
Delivery window
3–7 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
1,059 (368 interstate)
Movers at destination
2,923 (2,209 interstate)

Reverse: Chicago → Tampa

The route from Tampa, FL to Chicago, IL covers roughly 1,183 miles by road, a north-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

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 $5,250 to $7,820 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 21 h 6 min.

On the Tampa side there are 1,059 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (368 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.

Tampa has a population of about 413,554 and Chicago about 2.7 million. Chicago is the denser city (12,061 people per square mile versus 3,377 in Tampa), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Note that Illinois does collect a state income tax, unlike Florida, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Tampa to Chicago

Full-service estimate for 1,183 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $2,100 $2,560 $3,130
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $3,150 $3,840 $4,690
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $5,250 $6,410 $7,820
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $8,410 $10,250 $12,510
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $11,560 $14,100 $17,200

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,670–$2,350

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

Portable container

$2,080–$3,050

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

Full-service mover

$5,250–$7,820

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Tampa, FL → 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 Tampa (origin)

Pods

Interstate carrier
USDOT
1397252
Based in
Clearwater, FL 33762 (13 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
1,324 trucks, 1,100 drivers
USDOT registered
2005

Countrywide Logistics

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1073995
MC
447175
Based in
Tampa, FL 33610 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
154 trucks, 300 drivers
USDOT registered
2002

Ltl

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2519126
MC
885234
Based in
Tampa, FL 33602 (2 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
150 trucks, 212 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Smith-Cargo Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
929285
MC
400706
Based in
Riverview, FL 33578 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
77 trucks, 75 drivers
USDOT registered
2001

Mtc Freight LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2979890
MC
15958
Based in
Clearwater, FL 33759 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
60 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered
2017

First Class Moving Systems INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
944759
MC
405647
Based in
Tampa, FL 33619 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
50 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered
2001

Keynnect Logistics INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2845444
MC
717403
Based in
Tampa, FL 33609 (3 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
40 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered
2016

Xpoint Transportation

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4336828
MC
1693955
Based in
Tampa, FL 33612 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
33 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered
2024

All 1,059 movers in Tampa

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 Tampa to Chicago?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,100 to $3,130 for a studio, $3,150 to $4,690 for a one-bedroom, $5,250 to $7,820 for a two-bedroom, $8,410 to $12,510 for a three-bedroom and $11,560 to $17,200 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chicago from Tampa?

About 1,183 road miles (1,002 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 21 h 6 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 Florida 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 Tampa to Chicago?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,670 to $2,350 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,080 to $3,050. 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 Tampa–Chicago corridor.