MovingRated Guide
Moving from Illinois to Tennessee: cost, timeline, and what to know (2026)
Moving from Illinois to Tennessee costs about $3,433 to $7,065 for a full-service move of a 3-bedroom home, covering roughly 333 miles. A rental truck you drive yourself runs far less at about $397 to $1,180, and a "you pack, they drive" hybrid is about $1,400 to $2,932. Home size, exact addresses, season, and shipment weight set the final price.
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Illinois-to-Tennessee moving cost by home size
Illinois to Tennessee is a long-distance move of roughly 333 miles, so the distance component matters and shipment weight scales the total by home size. The full-service ranges below cover a professional crew that loads, drives, and unloads.
These figures are modeled from real distance plus a per-state labor index based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for moving labor (SOC 53-7062). Illinois has been one of the heaviest outbound states in the country for years, and Tennessee - with no state income tax and lower housing - is a frequent landing spot, especially Nashville and Memphis. Get several written quotes.
| Home size | Full-service cost (typical) |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | $2,083-$4,365 |
| 2-bedroom | $2,683-$5,565 |
| 3-bedroom | $3,433-$7,065 |
| 4+ bedroom | $4,333-$8,865 |
Cheaper ways to move: DIY vs hybrid vs full-service
At about 406 road miles this is roughly a day of driving, so DIY and hybrid moves remain practical. A Chicago-to-Nashville move runs down Interstate 57 to Interstate 24; a move to Memphis is Interstate 57 to Interstate 55.
The table compares all three for a typical 3-bedroom Illinois-to-Tennessee move. Your destination shifts the total: Nashville is the longer of the two main lanes, while Memphis sits closer to the Illinois line on the western route.
| Service level | 3-bedroom cost (typical) |
|---|---|
| Rental truck (DIY) | $397-$1,180 |
| Hybrid (you pack, they drive) | $1,400-$2,932 |
| Full-service movers | $3,433-$7,065 |
How long the Illinois-to-Tennessee move takes
The straight-line distance is about 333 miles; by road it is roughly 406 miles, about a day of driving. From Chicago, a Nashville move is Interstate 57 south to Interstate 24 through the southern tip of Illinois and across Kentucky; a Memphis move is Interstate 57 to Interstate 55 south.
Winter weather is mainly an Illinois-leg concern from December through February. The corridor is well-traveled with frequent services, and full-service van lines may quote a multi-day delivery window because shipments are consolidated.
Licensing: an Illinois-to-Tennessee move is interstate (FMCSA)
An Illinois-to-Tennessee move crosses several states, so the line-haul is interstate and federally regulated by the FMCSA. Any mover must hold active FMCSA operating authority with a valid USDOT number and give you a written estimate. Verify any company at the FMCSA SAFER database (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov).
State authority covers the local legs. Illinois requires intrastate movers to hold a Household Goods License and file a tariff with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC); verify one at icc.illinois.gov. Tennessee requires intrastate operating authority from the Department of Revenue (TDOR) Motor Carrier Division through its TNTAP system, while separate consumer-protection rules for estimates and claims handling are set by the Department of Safety under Rule 1340-06-01. Both states let you confirm a mover before you book.
How to lower your Illinois-to-Tennessee moving cost
Unlike a move between two no-income-tax states, leaving Illinois for Tennessee is a genuine tax-and-cost move, so weigh the ongoing savings against the one-time moving bill when you choose a service level. On the move itself, DIY or hybrid and a mid-month date are the biggest levers, with decluttering to cut weight close behind.
Start with the cost calculator for your home size, then weigh three written estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Tennessee?
A full-service 3-bedroom move from Illinois to Tennessee runs about $3,433 to $7,065 over roughly 333 miles. A DIY rental truck is about $397 to $1,180, and a hybrid "you pack, they drive" option is about $1,400 to $2,932. Final price depends on home size, addresses, season, and weight.
How long does it take to move from Illinois to Tennessee?
The drive is roughly 406 road miles, about a day. From Chicago, Nashville is Interstate 57 to Interstate 24, and Memphis is Interstate 57 to Interstate 55. Full-service carriers may quote a multi-day delivery window because of consolidation.
What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Tennessee?
A rental truck you drive yourself is cheapest at about $397 to $1,180 for a 3-bedroom load, and the roughly one-day drive keeps DIY practical. A hybrid service is about $1,400 to $2,932. Compare three written estimates first.
Is moving from Illinois to Tennessee a tax move?
For many people, yes. Illinois has a flat state income tax, while Tennessee has no state income tax at all - so unlike a Texas-to-Tennessee move, where both states are already no-income-tax, leaving Illinois is a genuine tax-and-cost change. Weigh the ongoing savings against the one-time cost of the move.
Do I need a licensed mover to move from Illinois to Tennessee?
Yes. The move is interstate, so any mover must be FMCSA-registered with active USDOT and MC numbers and must give you a written estimate. Verify the company at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Illinois licenses movers through the ICC and Tennessee through the Department of Revenue Motor Carrier Division for the in-state legs.
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