The complete Chicago-to-Austin move: ~1,150 miles down I-55 and I-35, the lifestyle shift from deep-dish to barbecue, costs and neighborhoods.
Trading the Windy City for the Live Music Capital has become one of the most popular moves in America, and Illinois Movers Inc runs the ~1,150-mile corridor constantly. The drive drops south on I-55 toward St. Louis, picks up I-44 through Missouri, then rides I-35 the rest of the way down through Oklahoma City and Dallas before landing in the Texas Hill Country. It's a 2–3 day transit on a dedicated truck — and because we never broker, the crew that loads your Lincoln Park walk-up is the crew that unloads in Austin.
People leave Chicago for Austin to escape Illinois income and property taxes, brutal lake-effect winters, and a cost of living that no longer matches the paycheck. Texas has no state income tax, and while Austin isn't cheap by Texas standards, your dollar stretches further than it does in Cook County — especially once a January heating bill becomes a thing of the past.
📏 ~1,150 mi⏱ 2–3 days🛣 I-55 → I-44 → I-35⭐ 4.9/5 (300+ reviews)
Chicago is dense, walkable and seasonal — you measure the year in four hard-edged seasons and a CTA commute. Austin is sprawling, warm and car-dependent, with 300 days of sun, a tech economy nicknamed Silicon Hills, and summers that routinely clear 100°F. Expect to swap your snow shovel for a good AC system and sunscreen.
Pickup across Chicagoland: Chicago, Naperville, Oak Park, Evanston, Schaumburg, Wood Dale.
Delivery across Greater Austin: Downtown / South Congress, East Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, The Domain.
| Leg | Approx. distance / time |
|---|---|
| Chicago → St. Louis (I-55) | ~300 mi / 4.5 hrs |
| St. Louis → Oklahoma City (I-44) | ~500 mi / 7 hrs |
| Oklahoma City → Austin (I-35) | ~360 mi / 5 hrs |
| Total transit (loaded) | ~1,150 mi / 2–3 days |
Austin is a mid-long haul, so ranges sit between our neighbor-state moves and our true coast-to-coast relocations. Your binding quote is based on actual weight and services — not a padded estimate.
| Home Size | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | $2,800 – $4,200 |
| 2 BR | $4,200 – $6,200 |
| 3 BR | $6,200 – $9,000 |
| 4+ BR | $9,000 – $13,500 |
On a dedicated truck, expect 2–3 days of transit across the ~1,150-mile I-55/I-44/I-35 corridor.
Yes — we deliver throughout Greater Austin, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander and Georgetown.
Winter and early spring are off-peak with better rates and no triple-digit heat on loading day — a smart window if your dates are flexible.
Yes. We crate and move pianos, Pelotons, safes and other bulky items; just flag them when you request your quote.
Free binding quote from licensed long-distance specialists who run this route every week.
