Moving from Minnesota to Illinois ($2,500-$6,250)
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The cost to move from Minnesota to Illinois ranges from $2,500 to $6,250 with full-service movers, based on 681 real quotes from moveBuddha users. A flat average only tells part of the story — our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date to price this specific Minnesota to Illinois route. This 624-mile route guide draws on our review of 49 movers based in Minnesota.
How much does it cost to move from Minnesota to Illinois?
The average cost of moving from Minnesota to Illinois with full-service movers typically ranges between $2,500 to $6,250 for a 2-3 bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 681 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 624 miles.
The final price of your Minnesota to Illinois 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 | $1,500 - $4,000 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,500 - $6,250 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,500 - $9,750 |
How much do moving containers cost from Minnesota to Illinois?
A moving container from Minnesota to Illinois costs between $750 and $3,750, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,500 to $2,750, roughly 55% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 624-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $750 - $1,750 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,500 - $2,750 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,000 - $3,750 |
How much does a rental truck cost from Minnesota to Illinois?
A rental truck from Minnesota to Illinois costs between $500 and $1,425. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $550 to $1,175, about 80% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Minnesota averaging $2.87 per gallon, fuel for the 624-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $500 - $975 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $550 - $1,175 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $675 - $1,425 |
Add-on costs for a Minnesota to Illinois move
Most Minnesota to Illinois estimates start as a base transport figure and climb from there as accessorials get attached. Knowing which ones actually apply to a 624-mile move is the difference between a quote that holds and one that moves on delivery day.
At 624 miles, a Minnesota to Illinois 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 Illinois. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Cost of living is close between Minnesota and Illinois, so accessorial pricing on this route lands near national averages at both ends. Distance, not local labor rates, is what drives the numbers below.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Minnesota to Illinois) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $525 - $1,350 |
| Packing materials only | $150 - $400 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $825 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $75 - $225 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $150 - $375 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $175 - $525 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $350 - $550 |
| 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 624-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Minnesota to Illinois estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
Our recommended Minnesota to Illinois Movers
Compare movers for your Minnesota to Illinois move
We track and rate long-distance movers based in Minnesota year-round — here's how the top options for a Illinois move stack up against each other:
949 Schaller Dr, S Maplewood, MN 55119
121 N Washington Ave Suite 229, Minneapolis, MN 55401
290 Chester St, St. Paul, MN 55107
4121 US-14, Rochester, MN 55901
417 Poplar St, Mankato, MN 56001
Alternate Minnesota to Illinois moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Minnesota to Illinois move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 55% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 80% 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 Minnesota run $61 - $79 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Illinois end.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Minnesota on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Illinois for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $317 - $828 to rent in Minnesota, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 681 real quotes from Minnesota to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Illinois to Minnesota guide.
Minnesota to Illinois cost of living comparison
Moving from Minnesota to Illinois means adjusting to a different cost of living, job market, and housing landscape. Our moving trends data across major U.S. routes shows these are the factors that most commonly shape a relocation like this one:
| Factor | Minnesota | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 94 | 90 |
| Average household income | $84,313 | $78,433 |
| Median home value | $334,119 | $249,224 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 9.85% | 4.95% |
The cost of living in Illinois is comparable to Minnesota, so most people making this move are driven by career, family, or personal reasons rather than cost differences. Day-to-day expenses should feel familiar after you settle in.
Getting to know Illinois
Illinois is nicknamed the Land of Lincoln (aka the Prairie State). People who've made this move point to bountiful recreational opportunities, delicious food, and world-class sports culture as the biggest draws. In 1905, president of the Chicago Cubs filed charges against a fan in the bleachers for catching a fly ball and keeping it.
Coming from Minnesota, where winters average 2°F, expect winters in Illinois to run about 15° milder. Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"
And in case you're feeling nostalgic once you're settled: The oldest human remains found in the region date back to 7,000 BC. These remains were found in 1933 near Browns Valley, east of the state of Minnesota; hence, the name of Man of Browns Valley. Human presence in the region could be before the date thanks to the discovery.
Moving from Minnesota to Illinois FAQs
What should I know before moving to Illinois?
Before your Minnesota to Illinois move, plan for these practical steps:
- Update your driver's license: Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.
- Vehicle registration and inspection: In Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.
- Handle voter registration early for Illinois — it's easy to forget once the move is underway.
- Utilities can lag: budget 1 - 2 weeks for electricity, gas, internet, and water to be transferred or turned on.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance carriers, and the IRS within the first month.
How do I get a moving quote from Minnesota to Illinois?
Getting an accurate quote for your 624-mile move from Minnesota to Illinois takes four steps.
- Get a ballpark with a cost calculator. Plug your home size and dates into our moving cost calculator for an instant estimate across all three move types on this 624-mile route. Most Minnesota to Illinois moves take 1-6 days from packing to delivery.
- Decide on your type of mover. Use that ballpark to pick a lane: full-service movers (they load, drive, and unload), moving containers (you pack, they haul), or a rental truck (cheapest, but you drive). A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,500-$6,250, while rental trucks start around $500.
- Take a moving survey. Go room by room and list your furniture, boxes, and anything bulky (appliances, a piano, a safe). The more detail you give each company up front, the closer your quote will be to your final bill.
- Get quotes and choose your mover. Collect a few real quotes within your chosen lane and ask each company whether the estimate is binding or non-binding. Compare them across packing, access fees, storage, and the 1-6-day delivery window, not just the bottom line. moveBuddha has reviewed 49 movers based in Minnesota alone, so you have a real pool to compare against before booking.
How long does it take to move from Minnesota to Illinois?
Plan for 1 - 6 days in transit on a full-service Minnesota to Illinois move. Distance sets the baseline, and your final timing depends on your mover's routing schedule and whether your shipment travels solo or gets consolidated 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 Illinois, but add 1 - 2 days of driving depending on the distance.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves (any move that crosses state lines, like a Minnesota to Illinois 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 Minnesota: To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT. 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.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Minnesota to Illinois move?
People making the Minnesota to Illinois move are often chasing home of Chicago in Illinois — the kind of move worth protecting with professional handling rather than risking on a DIY haul.
Full-service movers are worth it for a Minnesota to Illinois 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 55% 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 Minnesota to Illinois moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Minnesota to Illinois 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 Minnesota to Illinois: the bottom line
The cost to move from Minnesota to Illinois ranges from $2,500 - $6,250 for a 2-3 bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 55% - 80% less for the same move. For most people making this 624-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.
