Moving from Illinois to Connecticut ($2,750-$6,750)
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The cost to move from Illinois to Connecticut ranges from $2,750 to $6,750 with full-service movers, based on 557 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Distance, home size, and move date all move the needle on price, which is why our moving cost calculator weighs them together for this specific Illinois to Connecticut route instead of quoting a flat average. This 987-mile route guide draws on our review of 100 movers based in Illinois.
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Connecticut?
The average cost of moving from Illinois to Connecticut with full-service movers typically ranges between $2,750 to $6,750 for a 2-3 bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 557 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 987 miles.
The final price of your Illinois to Connecticut move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,250 - $5,500 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,750 - $6,750 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,500 - $8,250 |
How much do moving containers cost from Illinois to Connecticut?
A moving container from Illinois to Connecticut costs between $1,000 and $4,500, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,750 to $3,500, roughly 50% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 987-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,000 - $2,250 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,750 - $3,500 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,250 - $4,500 |
How much does a rental truck cost from Illinois to Connecticut?
A rental truck from Illinois to Connecticut costs between $750 and $2,025. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $775 to $1,600, about 75% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Illinois averaging $3.19 per gallon, fuel for the 987-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $750 - $1,425 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $775 - $1,600 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $950 - $2,025 |
Add-on costs for an Illinois to Connecticut move
The figures above are linehaul: crew time on both ends plus 987 miles of transport. Accessorial charges are quoted separately, and on an Illinois to Connecticut route they commonly add 10% to 22% to the final invoice.
At 987 miles, an Illinois to Connecticut move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Connecticut. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Connecticut's cost of living runs about 11% above Illinois's, so destination-side charges on this route price above national averages, including shuttle service, long carries, and storage near Waterbury. Origin-side labor in Illinois is the cheaper end of this move.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Illinois to Connecticut) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $950 - $2,500 |
| Packing materials only | $125 - $375 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $850 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $75 - $250 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $175 - $425 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $200 - $575 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $550 - $850 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 987-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Illinois to Connecticut estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
Our recommended Illinois to Connecticut Movers
Compare movers for your Illinois to Connecticut move
Get quotes from a few of these before deciding: the long-distance movers serving Illinois that our reviews rank highest for moves headed to Connecticut:
1228 Humbracht Circle, Bartlett, IL 60103
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL 60077
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
2325 N Clark St #300, Chicago, IL 60614
2627 Kaneville Ct, Geneva, IL 60134
Alternate Illinois to Connecticut moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on an Illinois to Connecticut move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 50% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 75% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Illinois run $61 - $80 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Connecticut end.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Illinois on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Connecticut for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $322 - $835 to rent in Illinois, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 557 real quotes from Illinois to Connecticut, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Connecticut to Illinois guide.
Illinois to Connecticut cost of living comparison
Every state-to-state move comes down to a similar set of questions: what will it cost to live there, what's the job market like, and how affordable is housing? Using the moving trends we track nationwide, here's how Illinois and Connecticut compare:
| Factor | Illinois | Connecticut |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 100 |
| Average household income | $78,433 | $90,213 |
| Median home value | $249,224 | $405,595 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 3.0% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 3.0% |
Connecticut has a higher cost of living than Illinois, so most people moving in this direction are doing so for career, family, or lifestyle reasons rather than affordability. Budget for higher housing costs and day-to-day expenses compared to what you're used to in Illinois.
Getting to know Connecticut
Connecticut is nicknamed the Constitution State. People who've made this move point to bountiful recreational opportunities, diverse lifestyle options, and great outdoor environment as the biggest draws. In 1937, Connecticut became the first state to issue permanent license plates to cars.
Connecticut has decent weather, is familiar to any east coast native. In the North, there tend to be cold winters with moderate snowfall and hot, humid summers. In the South, there are cool winters with a mix of rain and infrequent snow, and hot humid summers.
And in case you're feeling nostalgic once you're settled: In 1905, president of the Chicago Cubs filed charges against a fan in the bleachers for catching a fly ball and keeping it.
Moving from Illinois to Connecticut FAQs
How long does it take to move from Illinois to Connecticut?
Full-service Illinois to Connecticut moves generally take 2 - 7 days door to door. That range reflects the distance involved along with your mover's routing and whether your shipment shares space with other loads.
Moving containers take longer than full-service, typically 1 - 2 weeks from when you finish loading to delivery at your new home, because they ship by ground freight on a scheduled run. Rental trucks give you the most control over timing since you drive directly to Connecticut, but add 1 - 2 days of driving depending on the distance.
Should I ship my car when moving from Illinois to Connecticut?
Before you decide whether to drive or ship your vehicle, weigh the distance involved, how much time you have, and how many cars are making the trip. Auto transport for an Illinois to Connecticut move typically costs $600 - $1,500 depending on distance and vehicle type, with open transport on the lower end and enclosed transport for higher-value vehicles running more.
Most people shipping their car on a long-distance move do so when the drive would take more than 2 days, they're relocating more than 1 vehicle, or they'd rather fly directly to Connecticut and start settling in without a multi-day drive. If you can make the drive in a day, driving yourself is usually cheaper.
See our Illinois car shipping guide for vetted auto transport companies and current pricing for this route.
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
Book your 987-mile Illinois to Connecticut move 4 - 8 weeks in advance for off-season dates (October - April), and 8 - 12 weeks in advance for peak season dates (mid-May - mid-September). Booking earlier gives you better availability, lower rates, and more flexibility on pickup and delivery dates.
Peak season demand drives both rates and crew availability tighter industry-wide, so movers book up faster between mid-May and mid-September regardless of destination. For off-season moves, 4 weeks is usually enough notice for most full-service movers, but earlier booking still gives you more pricing leverage.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves (any move that crosses state lines, like an Illinois to Connecticut relocation) are regulated federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every interstate mover needs a valid USDOT number — verify one for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool, and report violations to FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
In Illinois: In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current. In Connecticut: The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) regulates in-state moving companies and taxi, trucking, and bus companies. In addition, customers are also protected from scam movers by regulations set forth by the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection.
Are full-service movers worth it for an Illinois to Connecticut move?
People making the Illinois to Connecticut move are often chasing natural beauty in Connecticut — the kind of move worth protecting with professional handling rather than risking on a DIY haul.
Full-service movers are worth it for an Illinois to Connecticut move when any of the following apply: you're moving a large home (3+ bedrooms), your timeline is tight, you have high-value or fragile items that need professional handling, or you can't take time away from work to manage the logistics of a multi-day drive across state lines.
DIY options make more sense when you're moving a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms), cost is the primary constraint, and you have the time and physical capacity to handle loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Moving containers, about 50% less than full-service, are the best middle-ground for people who want to skip the drive but still save significantly over full-service pricing.
Popular Illinois to Connecticut moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Illinois to Connecticut corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Illinois to Connecticut: the bottom line
The cost to move from Illinois to Connecticut ranges from $2,750 - $6,750 for a 2-3 bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 50% - 75% less for the same move. For most people making this 987-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
