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I cannot recommend WellKnown enough. The team arrived EARLY, packed quickly, and graciously moved all of my things into my new 5th floor walkup without a single complaint.
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Jillian Langford
Our Customer
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Moving from Chicago to NYC is a long distance multi-day move and we plan it as such from the first phone conversation. We frequently work in Chicago neighborhoods such as the Loop, River North, Streeterville, South Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park and Hyde Park (see our Chicago movers page) and serve all of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens including Midtown, the Financial District, Tribeca, Harlem, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, DUMBO, Astoria and Long Island City. We also service surrounding suburbs like Westchester County, and Nassau County on Long Island, and parts of North Jersey.

In Chicago, downtown pickups are about timing around the Kennedy and Dan Ryan (I-90/I-94), I-290, and the narrow one-way grid downtown — and securing legal curb space. In New York City, trucks are not permitted to leave the truck-route network, are banned from most parkways and have much more limited curb access in Manhattan and crowded portions of the boroughs. That’s why a transfer from Chicago to NYC has to be calculated based on the precise address, not just the city.

Moving Tip: If you’re doing a pickup on a busy street in Chicago, only the City can post enforceable curb space – under city ordinance, commercial movers get CDOT Temporary No Parking / Tow Zone signs through the Chicago Department of Transportation permit portal, posted at least 48 hours in advance (ward “courtesy” signs are not enforceable). There is no blanket citywide home moving permit for a typical move in New York City; your truck will obey the commercial loading and parking laws, and in the end, your building — not the city — will generally define the terms, via a necessary Certificate of Insurance and a reserved elevator window.

We tailor each relocation to your goods, access conditions and timetable, then provide you with a binding flat-rate estimate with no hidden fees. We do residential and commercial relocation – walk-up apartments, elevator buildings, brownstones and small offices – and we take care of fragile and big objects that need special handling. Please let us know in advance of any specific building requirements at either end so we may make provisions in advance.

You can depend on a crew that knows this route and the building access issues. Our skilled packers and loaders have experience with long distance moves and know how to carefully pack, load and transport your belongings whether they are fragile or bulky objects such as beds, pianos, mirrors and artwork. Our movers are firm employees, not day labor or gig contractors and they are background verified. WellKnown organizes its moving teams so that the main mover always has more than three years of moving expertise. Learn more about us.

🌟 Reviews: We have five star rating. See what people are saying about us.

The Specifics of Our Chicago to NYC Moving Services

We make the logistics of moving from Chicago to New York City easy as we run this route routinely. We know the realities on the origin side (CDOT curb permits, downtown rush-hour parking limits, high-rise loading docks) and the realities on the arrival side of NYC regulated buildings. So your move has less surprises at either end. We ship from our hub in Chicago, Illinois.

The drive from Chicago to New York City is around 790 miles traveling east on I-90, then I-80, with about 13-15 hours of driving for a loaded truck. That surpasses the federal 11 hour daily driving restriction for commercial drivers, and makes this corridor an obligatory multi-day route, the driver takes a compulsory rest before completing the leg. A Chicago to New York transfer will take an estimated 2 to 4 business days if you include loading, transit, unloading, and the scheduling of your NY building’s elevator and COI. Your flat rate quote assures that your move coordinator will confirm the particular delivery window in writing.

🔒 Protection: Move comes with Basic Released Value Protection at no additional charge, with upgrade options for Full Value Protection. Check out how coverage works and how to file claims on our Claims page.
❄️ Winter routing: Lake-effect snow belt along I-90 corridor (Cleveland, Erie and Buffalo area) can shut down the freeway and trigger commercial-truck prohibitions from December to March. We track state traveler systems like 511PA and 511NY and time our dispatch so your load keeps moving securely.

About New York City

New York City runs on managed buildings. The service entrance or freight elevator is typically off-limits to movers unless the building and its managing agent are named on a Certificate of Insurance (COI) which many co-ops, condos, doorman and professionally managed rentals require; they also assign elevator windows, usually 2-4 hour slots on weekdays booked days or weeks in advance, especially around the first and last of the month. Paperwork gives way to stairs and long carry in walk-ups and brownstones. There is less curb space and it is more expensive than in Chicago. Households moving just outside the city generally end up in Westchester, Nassau County on Long Island or North Jersey, where access is easier. Your coordinator will give you the COI for your individual building and will verify the elevator reservation prior to move day.

🌆 Learn more about the city: Learn more about NYC on the city’s official website. Learn more about moving and parking restrictions through NYC DOT.


WellKnown Movers in New York City
WellKnown Movers in New York City
WellKnown Movers in New York City
WellKnown Movers in New York City
WellKnown Movers in New York City
Our Services

Services Offered for a move to New York City

Moving with Wellknown

Our Moving Process from Chicago to New York City

Pre-Move Consultation

The first step is to fill out the form. After that, our manager will contact you for a free consultation and estimated cost. Our long-distance moves are priced on a flat-rate basis, so your quote will not change if the job takes more or less time. Learn More About our Pricing

Plan and Customize Your Move

We develop a customized long-distance moving plan and determine the timing of the move. At this stage you need to decide whether you are doing the packing yourself or using our professional packing service. If you need additional services, we’ll discuss them during the call.

Loading and Transportation

On the appointed day and time, we arrive at the location in Chicago. If packing is included, we can do it on moving day or one to several days in advance. We recommend that the customer be present during this stage.

Arrange On-Time Delivery & Unpacking

Then we move straight to the final location in New York City or stop at the storage facility, if this service has been purchased. We carefully unload all your belongings, place items in the agreed locations and reassemble the furniture. If arranged, we help unpack all items.

Post-Move Support

After the move, we’re available to answer questions and provide support. If anything is missing or damaged, contact us as soon as possible and we’ll work with you to resolve the issue.

Reviews & Testimonials

From real moves. Pinned to the wall.

5.0 1,300 reviews
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Had Aibek and Vlad do my move, they were very fast and careful with all my stuff. They also packed everything into storage very neatly 5/5

Adam and Tim were absolutely amazing. They took care of our move from Philly to New York. They communicated through every step, were efficient, professional and accommodating. Highly recommend. Thank you!

Aibek and his team were wonderful! Super quick with helping us move everything, furniture assembly/dissembly. Couldn’t recommend enough!

They were nothing but fantastic! Super professional and quick. Aibek and team were amazing so I highly recommend them!

Adam and Miras were phenomenal and so quick.

Aibek and Nick were great! I highly recommend!

Excellent work - used them to move from Texas to Colorado; got a dedicated 26 foot truck and a great driver - Eugene and his crew were very efficient, hard working, careful and pleasant to work with. 10/10 recommend.

Ismail and Farhad were fantastic! Ismail and Farhad were fantastic!! Careful, quick, and professional from start to finish. They made our move from VA to NC as smooth as possible. Highly recommend using this crew!

Ismail and Farhad were fantastic! Ismail and Farhad were fantastic!! Careful, quick, and professional from start to finish. They made our move from VA to NC as smooth as possible. Highly recommend using this crew!

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Our Awards

Licensed & Award Winning Moving Services

Choose an Easy Move!

WellKnown Moving Company is a team of professionals who can take care of your move smoothly. Our movers are experienced and trained to handle a wide range of moving needs.

Request your Free Quote Now!

What’s included in the rate

All the essentials are already in your rate — labor, protection, transport, fuel, and tolls. No hidden fees.

Loading & Unloading

Our movers handle all loading and unloading and bring the necessary equipment. Belongings are placed in the agreed locations.

Furniture Assembly/
Disassembly

Beds covered—others as needed, no extra charge.

Protection for
Furniture

Wrapped & protected furniture for you.

Liability Coverage

Basic Liability Coverage (Released Value Protection) is included at no extra cost.

Transportation

Moving truck and transportation to the destination (or destinations) are included in the rate.

Gas, Tolls

Included in our service—no hidden fees.

Why us?

Why us?

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  • Experience that is centered on the route. This move is conducted out of our Chicago hub and scheduled around both Chicago curb permissions and New York City building access, so pickup and delivery is handled by a crew that runs this route.
  • Flat-rate pricing pledge. Your price is in written before the move and it doesn’t change if the task takes longer or shorter, no last-minute add-ons, no bait-and-switch.
  • House crews with background checks. Trained, uniformed and employed movers, supervised by a dedicated lead mover who takes complete ownership of the job from start to finish, working out of our own fully equipped fleet.
  • NYC COI and elevator coordination. We provide you with the Certificate of Insurance that your co-op, condo or doorman building demands and we will check the freight-elevator window before we get there so that the team is not sent away at the door.
  • Verified by federal authority. We have Two FMCSA Interstate Authorities. USDOT# 4224986, MC-1633615 and USDOT #4270220, MC-1658288. Check any mover with FMCSA’s Protect Your Move, and check out our BBB profile.
  • No supercharge on evening, weekend and holiday scheduling. If your Chicago lease finishes on the 31st and it’s a Sunday, or you’re closing on a Manhattan co-op in the middle of the week, we load and deliver on your schedule, not just Monday to Friday.
  • Gentle handling of fragile and large goods. Pianos, artwork, mirrors, safes and enormous furniture get the proper staff, padding and equipment. Just let us know in advance.

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How much does it cost to move from Chicago to New York City?

How much does it cost to move from Chicago to New York City?

Our rates for relocating from Chicago to New York City are a fixed flat charge that is binding — stated in writing at the time you book and will not change if the task takes longer or is shorter. The fee is based on our crew-and-truck time starting at $120 an hour including travel, and scaled to the approximately 790-mile interstate distance, and the access conditions at both ends (stairs, elevators, long carries). Studios can start about $2,200 and most one-bedroom moves average about $3,400. Your exact price depends on number of products, building needs and any additional services.

A move into a doorman condo in Midtown is not the same as a fourth floor walkup in Brooklyn with a tight COI and elevator window. We price the particulars of your relocation, not just the distance. The final count can also be affected by packing, storage, lengthy hauls and heavy or fragile objects. That’s why we price your relocation for what your move actually is.

Your fixed charge covers the in-house staff, vehicle, fuel, tolls, mileage, loading, transport, unloading, room placement, basic furniture disassembly and reassembly, quilt-pad wrapping and floor protection and Basic Released Value Protection. You can add packing and unpacking or storage and personalize it to your needs, for example you can pack only your kitchen or only fragile stuff. Learn more about long distance moving and price.

Move Size Price Range Average Price
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,200 - $4,800 $3,400
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,200 - $8,800 $6,300
4+ bedrooms $7,500 - $14,500 $10,500
Small Commercial Office $4,500 - $9,500 $6,800
Medium Commercial Office $8,000 - $16,000 $11,500
Large Commercial Office $14,000 - $30,000 $21,000

Learn More about Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The price depends on the size of your relocation, access at both ends, building requirements in New York City and any additional services you might need such as packing or storage. Studio moves might start at roughly $2,200, with one-bedroom moves averaging around $3,400 on this corridor. Your quote is a binding flat rate, fixed in writing before the move, so it doesn’t change if the task takes longer or shorter. Get a free quote on the exact price of your move or visit our pricing page

The travel is around 790 miles on I-90 and I-80, or around 13 to 15 hours with a loaded truck. It’s a multi-day route because it’s more than 11 hours of driving in a day — the federal maximum for commercial drivers — which means the driver must stop and rest before completing the trip. From Chicago to NYC, a relocation usually takes 2 to 4 business days, considering loading, transit, unloading, and the elevator and COI scheduling of your New York building. Your move coordinator will confirm the exact stated delivery window in your flat-rate quote. If you are going in summer plan around 4 weeks ahead. Mid-week and off peak (winter and early spring) times are generally easier to book. 

Probably yeah. Many NYC co-ops, condos, doorman buildings and professionally managed rentals will require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming the building and its managing agent before movers can use the service entrance or freight elevator, and will assign elevator windows that need to be booked in advance — often days or weeks ahead near the first and last of the month. We also confirm the elevator reservation before move day so your staff doesn’t get delayed or denied access. We provide the COI for your individual building at no additional cost. If you’re not sure what your building needs we will assist you find out. You can also see the city’s guidelines at NYC DOT

None are cloaked. Your flat charge covers the truck, fuel, tolls, mileage, the in-house crew, loading and unloading, room arrangement, basic furniture disassembly and reassembly, quilt-pad wrapping, floor protection and Basic Released Value Protection. You don’t pay extra for regular heavy item handling or the COI your NYC building requires. There’s also flexibility: you can offer your own packaging materials or have us pack only particular goods. Full Value Protection is available to add. Check out the pricing page for more. 

We are a moving business thus we transport your stuff, not you. Here are the normal possibilities for getting yourself there: Fly: around 2.5 hours from O’Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW) to the New York airports (LGA, JFK, or EWR) – usually the fastest option. Train (Amtrak Lake Shore Limited or Cardinal): ~19-22 hours; check current tickets and schedules at Amtrak. Bus (Greyhound, FlixBus): This is usually an overnight trip. Compare prices on Wanderu or Rome2Rio. Drive: ~790 miles, ~12-13 hours in a passenger car via I-90/I-80. Check for current conditions at 511PA and 511NY. Pick the one that fits your budget and schedule.

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WellKnown Moving Company


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