Tuscaloosa, AL → Chicago, IL · Long-distance move

Movers from Tuscaloosa to Chicago

About 701 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,780–$5,630, delivery in 2–5 days, 80 carriers on the Tuscaloosa side and 2,923 in Chicago.

701 miroad distance
12 h 47 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,780–$5,6302-bedroom estimate

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

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Route summary

From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
To: Chicago, Illinois
Road distance: ≈ 701 miles (594 straight-line)
Drive time: 12 h 47 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 80 (39 interstate)
Movers at destination: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)

Reverse: Chicago → Tuscaloosa

The route from Tuscaloosa, AL to Chicago, IL covers roughly 701 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 $3,780 to $5,630 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 12 h 47 min.

On the Tuscaloosa side there are 80 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (39 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.

Tuscaloosa has a population of about 114,316 and Chicago about 2.7 million. Chicago is the denser city (12,061 people per square mile versus 1,609 in Tuscaloosa), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Illinois is a higher-cost state than Alabama, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Tuscaloosa to Chicago

Full-service estimate for 701 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,510	$1,850	$2,250
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,270	$2,770	$3,380
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,780	$4,610	$5,630
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,050	$7,380	$9,010
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,320	$10,150	$12,390

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,020–$1,440

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

Portable container

$1,650–$2,420

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

Full-service mover

$3,780–$5,630

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Tuscaloosa, AL → 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 Tuscaloosa (origin)

Awesome Moving Services

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4357625
MC: 1704689
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10,014 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (205) 413-5196 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Of Tuscaloosa

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jst INC

USDOT: 1310877
MC: 652647
Based in: Northport, AL 35473 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (205) 247-5050 Route Verify on FMCSA

Brittain Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 362876
MC: 214146
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 14 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 1989

Call (205) 345-0115 Route Verify on FMCSA

B & V Wrecker Service INC

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Cbs Leasing LLC

USDOT: 911424
MC: 606283
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (205) 345-5511 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cp Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3060563
MC: 72972907
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (205) 826-5463 Route Verify on FMCSA

West Alabama Postal Express INC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 301906
Based in: Cottondale, AL 35453 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Route Verify on FMCSA

Kmc Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2348521
MC: 803764
Based in: Cottondale, AL 35453 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (205) 764-0499 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grs Logistics LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4492165
MC: 1775920
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (205) 534-2027 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 80 movers in Tuscaloosa

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

Related routes

Other destinations from Tuscaloosa

Other origins to Chicago

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,510 to $2,250 for a studio, $2,270 to $3,380 for a one-bedroom, $3,780 to $5,630 for a two-bedroom, $6,050 to $9,010 for a three-bedroom and $8,320 to $12,390 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Chicago from Tuscaloosa?

About 701 road miles (594 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 12 h 47 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 Alabama 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 Tuscaloosa to Chicago?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,020 to $1,440 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,650 to $2,420. 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 Tuscaloosa–Chicago corridor.