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5.0 · 1,381 verified reviews

Movers from DC to Chicago We treat your belongings like our own

Embark on your new chapter with ease as we provide unparalleled moving services from DC to Chicago. Our reputation for trustworthiness and affordability precedes us.

All-inclusive Flat Rates 3 Days Fully Licensed and Insured
Verified & accredited Checked by people who check movers
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.
Jillian Langford google review avatar for WellKnown Moving Company Jillian Langford Our customer · Washington, DC VERIFIEDreal review
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WellKnown Moving Company will organize your move from Washington, D.C., to Chicago and ensure a smooth experience every step of the way. We’ll help you pack and load your belongings in Washington and deliver and unpack them in Chicago. We offer a flat rate with no hidden fees.

Thanks to our well-thought-out logistics and planning, most moves from Washington to Chicago take 2–3 days, depending on building access, scheduled time windows, and seasonal factors. Our company is registered with the FMCSA (U.S. DOT#: 4270220), fully licensed, and insured. We provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) upon request, and basic liability coverage is included in the price.

Experienced Movers from Washington to Chicago

Since we regularly handle moves between these cities, we plan every detail in advance—from parking permits in Washington to building requirements in Chicago—to avoid delays on moving day. In Washington, we start by arranging parking for the truck. DDOT specifies that a temporary parking permit is required for the move, and “No Parking” signs must be placed in advance to reserve the spot. It is especially important to reserve a spot in advance in areas like Capitol Hill or Dupont Circle, where streets are narrow and competition for parking is high. If this isn’t done in time, the moving truck will have to park farther away, which will increase the carrying distance and overall move time.

In Chicago, high-rise buildings present more challenges. In many residential buildings, you must coordinate the move with the property management company in advance. This may include reserving a freight elevator, providing a COI, and strictly adhering to entry time windows. In downtown areas, there are also daytime restrictions on large trucks if they obstruct traffic, so deliveries are often scheduled for specific times or made through loading zones.

Professional Team of Movers

Every move is carried out by a trained, background-checked team, led by an experienced foreman with at least three years of experience in long-distance moving. We have all the necessary professional equipment to ensure the safety of your belongings throughout the entire journey. Furniture is carefully packed, secured in the truck, and reassembled at the new location.

Personalized Approach to Every Move

Before your move, we’ll contact you to review your inventory, the type of residence, and any access issues. Moves from townhouses or single-family homes in Washington often involve narrow streets, limited parking, or the need to carry items a short distance if the truck cannot pull up directly to the house. In Chicago, especially when moving into apartments or condos, much depends on elevator availability and building rules, which we coordinate in advance. If needed, we can also provide storage services.

For small moves, such as from a studio or one-bedroom apartment, simply let us know about any large or fragile items. For more complex moves, we offer a virtual estimate. You’ll also have access to a personal account where you can track the status of your move and create an inventory, which helps helps improve estimate accuracy.

Flat-Rate and Transparent Pricing

For long-distance moves, we offer flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees. Additional charges may apply for the transport of oversized or specialty items, such as a piano. To reserve a date, we require a deposit, which is fully refundable if canceled at least 2 weeks prior to the move date.

Moving to Chicago

In Chicago, you can choose to live in high-rise buildings in downtown or in quieter residential neighborhoods. In popular neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park, you may encounter parking difficulties or stricter building regulations during the move. Parking is easier in the suburbs, but additional planning may be required due to distances and the layout of the area.

With proper preparation, moving from Washington to Chicago goes smoothly and predictably. WellKnown Moving Company takes care of all the details in advance—from permits in Washington to delivery access in Chicago—to ensure your move goes off without a hitch. You can learn more about Chicago on the city’s official website

Check out the blog for more moving tips. A moving checklist of things to do will be especially helpful.
3 DaysTypical transit
Flat rateNo hidden fees
LicensedInsured & bonded
PHOTO 01 / 01 on the job
WellKnown Movers in Chicago, IL
Washington, DC → Chicago, IL 01
Washington, DC 3 Days Chicago, IL
HOW YOUR MOVE WORKS / 05 STAGES

Washington, DC to Chicago, IL Moving Process

Same five stages on every job. Get a free estimate
01

Pre-move consultation

Same-day callback, priced from your real inventory.

− 3 weeks · 20 min
02

Plan & packing

Every material included, labeled room by room.

− 2 weeks · 1–2 days
03

Loading & transport

Signed inventory, then GPS the whole way down.

Day 1 · 6–8 hrs
04

Delivery & unpacking

Placed and reassembled; boxes hauled on request.

Day 2–4 · half day
05

Post-move support

Follow-up call, and claims handled in-house.

+ 48 hrs · same number

How much does it cost to move from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL?

STARTING AT $1,800 flat

Our pricing is based on a flat rate, which depends on the size of your move and the distance. The minimum rate starts at $1,800, with an average cost of $3,200 to move a one-bedroom apartment from Washington, D.C., to Chicago. Our flat rate includes professional movers, a fully equipped truck, fuel, tolls, mileage, basic insurance, and no hidden fees. We also offer additional services such as packing and storage to accommodate your specific needs.

Pick your move size
Starting flat rate Route Washington, DC → Chicago, IL
$1,800 Studio / 1 bedroom starting rate — not a quote
$0 $2.5k $5k $7.5k $10k
Starting prices, not a quote.

These are the lowest rates we have booked on this route — best case: flexible dates, shared truck space, easy access at both ends. Your price is set by your own inventory, access, stairs and dates, so most quotes come in above these numbers. Only the written quote we send you is binding.

What’s included in the rate

All of it inside your rate — no add-ons
Movers loading and unloading with equipment Included

Loading & unloading

dollies, straps, ramps
Furniture wrapped and protected during moving Included

Protection for furniture

blankets, wrap, corners
Moving truck transporting belongings Included

Transportation

truck, driver, mileage
Included

Furniture assembly & disassembly

beds always, more on request
Included

Liability coverage

no paperwork to chase
Included

Gas & tolls

even the turnpike
Quoted separately — only if you ask
Packing materials & labor Storage Specialty crating

You approve each one in writing before anything starts, and every estimate lists the six lines above as included beside your flat rate.

Get your itemized estimate
Two ZIPs and a date — that’s the whole quote

Written flat rate for your Washington, DC to Chicago, IL move. Takes about 30 seconds.

  • No deposit to hold your date
  • A real dispatcher calls back, same day
  • No obligation — we never sell your details

From real moves. Pinned to the wall.

5.0 1,381 reviews
Pin yours

Ismail and his partner were amazing Ismail and his partner were amazing. They worked very hard, communicated very well and went above and beyond to make moving as care free as possible. I would strongly recommend.

Ismail was great Ismail was great! Very quick with moving things and took great care of my things. He was communicative and very helpful.

Ismail and WellKnown Moving are the best! Ismail went above and beyond to deliver quality moving services for two separate moves. His work was so thorough the first time I booked with WellKnown Moving that I wanted him to be present for my second move and luckily, he was able to follow through with my request. Booking with WellKnown Moving was super easy and more affordable compared to other moving companies. If I ever move again in the future, I will definitely be using WellKnown Moving.

No Stress Move MD to NY I cannot give Ismael and his team at well known a better review. Professional team, planning, packing and moving. Every time I tried to help, I was told “we got that don’t worry.” Thank you so much and will recommend/use again!

Great experience with WellKnown Moving… Great experience with WellKnown Moving Company for my DC to NYC move! Ismail and his team were on time, efficient, and handled everything with care. Communication leading up to the move was easy, helpful, and transparent — I could text any questions and get a quick response. Pricing was very fair, especially including packing services, and they also handled furniture disassembly and reassembly. I highly recommend WellKnown Moving Company!

Great and smooth moving experience Great and smooth moving experience! Ismail was very accommodating and quick! Will definitely look to WellKnown Moving in the future!

Ismael and his team were fantastic Ismael and his team were fantastic; excelent service. They were on time, super organized and everything was packed perfect. Our daughter used their services twice and recommended us to see if they could help us with our move....great idea. I share with all my VA family and friends their phone number and if its possible to request Ismael and his team.5 stars

Ismail is the best Ismail is the best, everything went perfectly.

The moving company was amazing The moving company was so professional. I was always in communication with them. The movers that came to my house to move my daughter working incredible. They were professional respectful on time and I will be recommending your moving company based on these three movers that came today and my experience to anyone that is moving. I've already recommended you to one of my friends and they are using you. Thank you so much for making the move today so easy.

See all 1,381

Why people pick WellKnown for this route

A local company, not a broker

Years out of Washington, DC, running the Chicago, IL corridor every week — dispatched by people who know both ends.

A fixed price, agreed up front

Quoted flat-rate with no hidden fees — full service, or just the heavy lifting, shaped to your budget.

Homes, offices, and the awkward stuff

Apartments, houses, storefronts, and specialty equipment all move on the same contract.

Short-notice moves

Closing moved, lease fell through, job starts Monday — if we have a truck on the corridor, we’ll take it.

Request an estimate usually answered the same day
WellKnown movers shrink-wrapping a sofa in Washington, DC
wrapped before it's carried 01
Two WellKnown movers loading the truck in Washington, DC
same crew, every trip 02
Furniture padded and secured in the truck in Washington, DC
padded before it moves 03

Predictable Scheduling and Clear Communication

From the moment you book your move, you receive a clear timeline, a confirmed delivery window, and direct communication with your coordinator. This makes it easier to plan around your move, especially when coordinating building access, travel, or work schedules.

Flexible Moving Times

We offer evening and weekend availability when possible, which helps you work around building restrictions and avoid peak traffic. This flexibility is especially important for moves into buildings with strict move-in hours.

Consistent Service Standards

Every move follows the same proven process, regardless of size. Our crews are trained to handle packing, loading, and delivery with consistency, reducing the risk of delays, miscommunication, or damage during long-distance transport.

Easy Move Management

You’ll have access to a personal account where you can track your move, organize your inventory, and keep everything in one place. This makes the entire process more structured and easier to manage from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still stuck? Call the dispatch line — a real person picks up.

Straight answers about cost, timing, and what Chicago, IL is actually like once the truck is unloaded. No fine print games.

What additional costs does Wellknown have?

Moving to Chicago with us ensures that your moving plan includes all the essential costs required by the movers. There's no need to worry about separate charges for the truck, tools, furniture assembly or disassembly, or even moving heavy items – it's all covered. We also offer flexibility with additional services: you can supply your own packing materials, or we can provide them. Plus, if you prefer, we can handle packing for specific items only. Visit our pricing page to learn more! 

What do I need to do before calling Wellknown?

Make a list of special items (or just memorize them) that movers need to pay attention to. First of all, these are heavy items (e.g. a piano, a bed, a big dresser). We need to know at least the approximate dimensions and weight. In the second place are fragile and valuable items, antiques, paintings, TV set, etc. This will help us to be better prepared. We also recommend that you clearly define whether you need additional services. If you are not sure yet, we will be happy to advise you. 

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Washington, DC?

In general, Chicago is more affordable than Washington, DC. Housing costs in DC are typically higher, especially for rent and home prices. Chicago still offers big-city living, but with lower average rent, more space for the price, and slightly lower overall living expenses. However, costs can vary depending on the neighborhood and lifestyle. 

Is Chicago worth moving to?

Yes, Chicago is a popular destination for relocation thanks to its strong job market, diverse neighborhoods, and vibrant city life. It offers a mix of urban living and more relaxed residential areas, along with access to parks, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Many people choose Chicago for its balance between career opportunities and a relatively more affordable cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities. 

What is a comfortable salary to live in Chicago?

A comfortable salary in Chicago typically starts around $70,000–$90,000 per year for a single person, depending on lifestyle and neighborhood. This range usually allows for rent, transportation, groceries, and some savings or entertainment. For families or those living in more expensive areas, a higher income may be needed to maintain the same level of comfort. 
Field notes 05 guides

Moving tips from the crew

Every guide is written by the crew who runs this route — not a content team. Questions they don’t cover go straight to dispatch.

Get a free estimate

Please contact us if anything is unclear

WellKnown Moving Company Licensed, insured & bonded

WellKnown Moving Company 3537 S George Mason Dr, Alexandria, VA 22302
(610) 477-6644