Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Illinois: Costs, Movers & What to Expect
If you're moving to Illinois from Chattanooga, you're looking at roughly 572 miles — far enough that this is a real interstate move, not just a border hop. Below I'll cover what it actually costs, which local movers I'd point you toward for this route, and what to expect once you get there.
Local Moving Companies in Chattanooga
Out of the Chattanooga movers I looked at that handle interstate work, five stand out for a Chattanooga-to-Illinois run:
- Good Guys Moving & Delivery — 4.64 / 5
- Bellhop Moving — 4.52 / 5
- All Out Moving & Storage — 4.50 / 5
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK — 4.50 / 5
- Elizabeth's Moving & Storage — 4.38 / 5
Good Guys Moving & Delivery
2000 Stuart Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406 | $130/hr | DOT #1906318 | 12 years in business
94% positive across 245 reviews — 27 on Yelp, 601 on Google, BBB Grade A+
Good Guys has the strongest satisfaction rate of any Chattanooga mover I reviewed for this route. Customers consistently praise their communication, punctuality, and careful handling — and a lot of them mention they'd refer friends and family. That word-of-mouth signal carries more weight with me than averages alone.
The minority of negative reviews cluster around damaged items and slow complaint resolution. If you have high-value or sentimental pieces, ask specifically about their claims process before you commit. Services include local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office moves, and storage.
Phone: (423) 531-3841
Bellhop Moving
1500 Chestnut St, Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37402 | DOT #2878240 | 14 years in business
89% positive across 946 reviews — 70 on Yelp, 819 on Google, BBB Grade C
An 89% positive rate across nearly a thousand reviews is credible. Crews get strong marks for professionalism, punctuality, and careful handling — the things that matter most on the day of a move. The BBB Grade C is worth noting; in my experience that grade usually reflects how a company handles disputes more than how they perform on moving day.
Recurring negatives: damaged items and a frustrating claims process, plus occasional billing surprises. If you're counting on strong insurance coverage for the Chattanooga-to-Illinois haul, push them specifically on that before signing anything. Services include local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, and storage.
Phone: (423) 805-9574
All Out Moving & Storage
1900 Daisy Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406 | DOT #3241000 | 6 years in business
85% positive across 238 reviews — 22 on Yelp, 684 on Google, BBB Grade F
The F from BBB is the first thing I notice, and I'm not going to wave it off. That said, the customer review pattern tells a more nuanced story: move-day performance earns consistent praise — crews are fast, careful, and competitively priced, often finishing under the estimated time. The problems pile up in the claims and billing phase, not on the truck.
If you go with All Out, photograph everything before it's loaded and keep that documentation handy. Their service list is strong: local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office moves, pianos, crating, fragile-only packing, and safes.
Phone: (423) 454-3957
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
5959 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 | DOT #2527384 | 25 years in business
76% positive across 246 reviews — 34 on Yelp, 681 on Google, BBB Grade A+
The Two Men and a Truck franchise in Chattanooga has a known brand and 25 years on the ground — both count for something. Crews consistently earn marks for efficiency, care, and professionalism. The 76% positive rate is lower than the others on this list, which isn't unusual for a high-volume franchise operation with a lot of reviews in the mix.
The concern: about one in five customers reported a significant problem — damaged items, unexpected charges, or delayed arrivals. That's a real pattern, not a one-off. Services include local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, pianos, storage, and safes.
Phone: (423) 201-4154
Elizabeth's Moving & Storage
3101 Alton Park Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37410 | DOT #2438253 | 14 years in business
93% positive across 95 reviews — 9 on Yelp, 76 on Google, BBB Grade A+
Elizabeth's has a 93% satisfaction rate — second-highest on this list — with a strong BBB grade to back it. The review count is smaller than some of the others, so I'd want more volume before calling it a definitive pick. But what's there is genuinely positive: professional crews, careful handling, efficient timelines.
A few reviewers mention misplaced items and difficulty getting the company on the phone during booking. Their specialty services make them a strong option for more delicate moves: art, antiques, crating, and fragile-only packing alongside the standard interstate and storage work.
Phone: (423) 531-6672
Local Moving Services in Chattanooga, TN
A snapshot of specialty services across the six Chattanooga movers I evaluated:
| Service | Providers Available | % of 6 Reviewed |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 5 | 83% |
| Small moves | 3 | 50% |
| Pianos | 2 | 33% |
| Fragile-only packing | 2 | 33% |
| Antiques | 1 | 17% |
| Art | 1 | 17% |
If you have a piano or high-value fragile items, your options narrow fast. Plan that into your shortlist early.
Cost to Move from Chattanooga, TN to Illinois
Here's the real range of what this move costs, organized by home size and method:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | $1,123 – $3,130 | $676 – $1,644 | $397 – $816 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,032 – $5,202 | $1,243 – $2,273 | $438 – $969 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,875 – $7,656 | $1,547 – $3,019 | $557 – $1,091 |
Estimates based on a ~572-mile move from Chattanooga to Illinois, as of January 2026. Your actual cost depends on home size, add-on services, access conditions, fuel rates, and timing.
Use our moving cost calculator to dial in a tighter estimate for your specific situation — home size, services needed, and timing all move the number meaningfully.
Cost to Hire Movers from Chattanooga to Illinois
Full-service long-distance movers will run $1,123–$3,130 for a studio or one-bedroom on this route. A two- or three-bedroom move lands in the $2,032–$5,202 range, and four-plus bedrooms typically falls between $3,875 and $7,656. That spread is real — packing services, stairs, elevator access, and how far in advance you book all push it around.
Cost of Moving Containers from Chattanooga to Illinois
Moving containers split the difference between full-service and pure DIY: someone else drives, you handle the packing. A studio or one-bedroom runs $676–$1,644; two to three bedrooms will be $1,243–$2,273; and a larger household lands at $1,547–$3,019. For a deeper look at pricing, our moving cost guide breaks down how these numbers vary by provider.
Cost of Moving Truck Rentals from Chattanooga to Illinois
A rental truck is the lowest-cost option if you're willing to do the driving and labor. A studio or one-bedroom haul runs $397–$816; two to three bedrooms comes in at $438–$969; and a large home is around $557–$1,091. Fuel costs are included in those estimates. The real cost is your time — 572 miles is a full day behind the wheel.
Factors That Influence Moving Costs from Chattanooga to IL
The ranges above are wide because several variables are in play:
- Move size: A studio and a four-bedroom home aren't close to the same number — that gap spans thousands of dollars.
- Time of year: Summer is peak season and prices reflect demand. Fall and winter moves typically cost less.
- DIY vs. professional: The more labor you hand off, the higher the cost — but also the lower your physical and logistical burden on move day.
What You Should Know Before Moving from Chattanooga to IL
Compare Cost of Living: Chattanooga vs. Illinois
| Chattanooga, TN | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,475 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $302,565 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $60,164 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 90 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 0% | 4.95% |
Chattanooga sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Illinois sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
Here's what those numbers mean in practice:
- Rent: Illinois runs about 20% cheaper than Chattanooga — real monthly savings, especially outside of Chicago proper.
- Home prices: Illinois homes cost roughly 18% less on average. If you're buying, your mortgage should come down.
- Income: Per capita earnings in Illinois run about 30% higher than Chattanooga — a meaningful gap if you're landing a new job there.
- Cost of living index: Identical at 90. The overall financial adjustment won't be dramatic.
- Job market: Unemployment rates are within half a point. You're not walking into a fundamentally different labor environment.
- Income tax: This one needs flagging. Tennessee has no state income tax. Illinois charges 4.95%. On an $78,000 salary, that's roughly $3,900 less in annual take-home pay. Factor that into your budget before you get too excited about the salary comparison.
How Life Is Different in Illinois vs. Chattanooga
| Chattanooga, TN | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 181,099 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Republican (53.8–44.1) | Democratic (55–45) |
| Summer high | 89°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 28°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 51″ | 40″ |
| Annual snow | 2″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 53.89 | 19.7 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270toWin, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia
A few things worth paying attention to:
- Winters: This is the adjustment most people underestimate. Illinois lows hit 17°F versus Chattanooga's 28°F, and you're looking at 22 inches of snow annually compared to basically none. Budget for a solid winter wardrobe, winter tires, and noticeably higher heating bills.
- Rain: Illinois is actually drier — 40 inches per year versus 51 in Chattanooga. More sun on average.
- Crime: Illinois's statewide crime index (19.7) is significantly lower than Chattanooga's (53.89). That said, crime varies enormously by neighborhood — a state average shouldn't make the decision for you.
- Scale: Chattanooga has 181,000 people. Illinois has 12.5 million. If Chicago is the destination, you're adjusting to an entirely different urban scale.
- Politics: Illinois leans Democratic at the state level; Chattanooga trends Republican. Depending on where you land, local politics can feel quite different.
Other Considerations When Moving to Illinois
A few logistics that can create real problems if you don't handle them before move day:
- HOA rules: Some neighborhoods restrict which days or times moves can happen. Confirm with your HOA before scheduling.
- Elevator reservations: In multi-unit buildings, elevator booking is often required and slots fill up. Check well in advance.
- Truck parking permits: Some Illinois municipalities require a permit for moving trucks parked on public streets. Verify this before move day.
- State licensing: Illinois movers operating intrastate must hold a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Confirm your mover's license is current before signing a contract.
- State regulator: You can verify an Illinois moving company license through the official Illinois Commerce Commission website.
- Moving permits: Illinois doesn't require a general moving permit, but local parking ordinances still apply — check your destination city.
- Change of address: File your USPS change-of-address form at least a week before you move, with your exact move date, so mail starts forwarding without a gap.
- Moving insurance: Movers default to Released Value Protection — 60 cents per pound — which barely covers anything of real value. For furniture or electronics worth protecting, ask about Full Value Protection or price out a third-party policy.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to make sure nothing falls through the cracks before the truck shows up.
Things to Do in Illinois
Whatever you're into, Illinois has options.
Museums in Illinois
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Caterpillar Visitors Center
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Museum of Hummels
Parks in Illinois
- Starved Rock State Park
- Matthiessen State Park
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Pere Marquette State Park
- Kankakee River State Park
Sports Teams in Illinois
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Sky (WNBA)
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
Universities in Illinois
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Northwestern University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Northern Illinois University
FAQ
How long does a move from Chattanooga to Illinois take?
Typically one to six days, depending on the company and service type. Summer moves can stretch longer due to tighter schedules across the industry. Ask your mover to put the delivery window in writing before you book — a vague answer there is a red flag.
Can I find movers in Chattanooga that build custom crates?
Yes — two of the five movers reviewed above offer custom crating. It's worth asking about if you have artwork, antiques, or anything fragile enough that standard blanket-wrapping makes you nervous. When you request quotes, ask specifically about crate construction, interior padding, and lead time so there are no surprises.
What's the best way to get a car from Chattanooga to Illinois?
Auto transport is worth considering for a 572-mile move, particularly if you're not driving everything yourself. See our guide to the best car shipping companies to compare options for getting a vehicle from Tennessee to Illinois.
Why are people moving from Chattanooga to Illinois?
Chicago is a major economic hub, and Illinois as a whole offers higher average incomes and a broader job market. That 30% per capita income gap is a real pull factor for a lot of people making this move.
Where do I find long-distance movers in Chattanooga?
The five companies reviewed above are my top picks for interstate moves out of Chattanooga. If you want to compare more options, our best long-distance movers guide covers what to look for when evaluating companies for a move of this distance.
Can I pay for my Chattanooga-to-Illinois move with cash?
None of the Chattanooga movers I reviewed accept cash payments. Most carriers require traceable payment methods — card, ACH, or cashier's check. You'll typically put down a deposit to lock in your date, then pay the remaining balance at pickup or delivery depending on the company's policy. Ask upfront exactly when each payment is due.
Compare quotes from multiple Chattanooga movers before you commit. On a 572-mile run, the spread between companies is wide enough that getting at least three estimates side by side is worth the time.