Leaving Florida

Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Chicago, IL

Compare licensed Florida movers for the Fort Lauderdale–Chicago route. Get realistic cost estimates, route-specific tips, and a free no-obligation quote in under 2 minutes.

Distance

1360 mi

Transit

4–7 days

2BR avg

$3,300–$4,800

Best season

Oct–Apr

Get a Free Quote See cost breakdown

4.9 / 52,800+ verified customer reviews

FMCSA LicensedUSDOT 3214567

MC NumberMC-1098432

FL Mover LicenseFL IM3221

Family-OwnedSince 2014

Pricing

Fort Lauderdale → Chicago cost estimates

Estimates reflect off-peak season (Oct–Apr). Peak season (Jun–Sep) pricing is typically 25% higher.

1360 mi · 4–7 days

Home Size	Est. Weight	Off-Peak (Oct–Apr)	Peak (Jun–Sep)
Studio / 1BR	≤ 3,500 lb	$2,310–$3,360	$2,888–$4,200
2-BedroomMost common	5,000–7,000 lb	$3,300–$4,800	$4,125–$6,000
3-Bedroom	8,000–10,000 lb	$4,455–$6,480	$5,569–$8,100
4-Bedroom+	10,000+ lb	$5,775–$8,400	$7,219–$10,500

Estimates assume full-service moves with FMCSA-licensed long-distance carriers. Actual costs vary by date, access (stairs, long carries), packing material, and add-on services. Quotes from 3 carriers recommended.

Compare

4 ways to move Fort Lauderdale → Chicago

Pricing scales with how much labor you take on. Cost shown is the off-peak range for a 2-bedroom move.

Full-Service Move

Option 1

$3,300–$4,800

Crew packs, loads, drives, and unloads. Fastest and lowest hands-on effort.

Best for: Time-poor movers, families, and long-distance relocations.

Moving Container

Option 2

$2,145–$3,120

Container is dropped at your home; you load on your timeline. Carrier drives.

Best for: Budget-focused movers comfortable with a few days of packing.

Rental Truck

Option 3

$1,485–$2,160

You rent and drive a moving truck. Cheapest option but highest effort.

Best for: DIY movers with help and flexibility on dates.

Loading Labor Only

Option 4

$990–$1,440

Crew loads/unloads your rented truck or container. No driving included.

Best for: Hybrid DIY moves where the lifting is the painful part.

Where to live

Best neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale combines Miami-quality beaches with a more laid-back, boating-oriented lifestyle. Inland canals weave through residential neighborhoods, Las Olas Boulevard offers walkable dining, and the metro feeds into Miami without the same cost pressure. New residents should expect tropical humidity year-round and budget for hurricane preparation.

Las Olas Isles

Luxury Waterfront

Finger-island neighborhoods with private docks, mid-century estates, and walking access to Las Olas Boulevard. The most desirable single-family market in the city.

Victoria Park

Walkable & Mixed

Tree-lined streets, walking distance to downtown, and a mix of bungalows, townhomes, and new construction. Strong rental market for young professionals.

Wilton Manors

Vibrant & LGBTQ+

Independent city within Fort Lauderdale with a thriving LGBTQ+ community, walkable Wilton Drive, and strong civic engagement.

Coral Ridge

Family Waterfront

Established residential area near Bayview Elementary (one of Broward's top public schools) and the Intracoastal. Mid-century homes and good lot sizes.

Rio Vista

Quiet & Upscale

Just south of Las Olas, mature trees, large lots, and quiet streets. Family-friendly but with downtown access.

Tarpon River

Up-and-Coming

Walkable neighborhood west of downtown with new condos and rehabs. Cheaper entry point than Victoria Park or Las Olas.

Best for Families

Coral Ridge, Rio Vista, Imperial Point

Best for Young pros

Victoria Park, Flagler Village, Wilton Manors

Best for Retirees

Coral Ridge, Galt Ocean Mile, Sailboat Bend

Best for Budget

Tarpon River, Lauderhill, Oakland Park periphery

Insider tips

7 tips for leaving Fort Lauderdale, FL

What changes the moment you leave Florida. Lease, homestead, tax withholding, and the climate adjustment most movers underestimate.

File homestead exemption removal
If you've claimed Florida homestead exemption on your Fort Lauderdale home, file removal paperwork with the county appraiser before close. Failing to do so triggers back-tax penalties when discovered.
Cancel SunPass or Florida tolls properly
Don't just toss your SunPass transponder — close the account online and refund the remaining balance. If you leave it active, tolls may keep posting to your old address.
Time around hurricane season
Leaving Fort Lauderdale between June and November risks an evacuation-order disruption. Crews are also fully booked, so quote prices spike. Aim for an October departure if your timing is flexible.
Prepare for Illinois winter
Average winter temperature in Chicago is 25°F. If you've been in Florida 2+ years, your cold-weather wardrobe and gear are likely insufficient. Plan to shop on arrival.
Document Florida home wear
Salt air, humidity, and UV exposure damage Florida homes faster than buyers expect. Photograph and itemize before crews pack — this protects you from damage claims attributed to your move.
Budget for Illinois state income tax
Illinois has a state income tax of up to 4.95%, which Florida does not. Adjust withholding and budgeting to absorb the change starting your first Chicago paycheck.
Coordinate broker, lease, and HOA timelines
Florida lease breaks typically require 60 days written notice. HOA move-out approval can require 7–14 days notice and a deposit. Submit paperwork the day you sign a lease or contract elsewhere.

Plan ahead

Move-day countdown timeline

Use this as your week-by-week checklist. Every step assumes a typical full-service move; intra-state moves can compress most of these into 4 weeks.

Research and quote
8 weeks out
Get 3+ written estimates from FMCSA-licensed carriers. Confirm USDOT numbers.
Book your mover
6 weeks out
Lock in dates and binding estimate. Reserve early for May–September peak season.
Inventory and declutter
5 weeks out
Photograph valuables. Sell or donate items you won't move — lighter loads cost less.
Notify schools, doctors, employer
4 weeks out
Request records transfers, update HR with new address, schedule final medical visits.
Set up Illinois utilities
3 weeks out
Activate utilities at your Chicago address. File homestead-removal paperwork in FL.
Confirm logistics and packing
2 weeks out
Confirm crew, parking permits, elevator reservations, COI documents for buildings.
Final FL admin
1 week out
USPS forwarding, SunPass cancellation, homestead removal — clear FL admin before pickup.
Establish Illinois residency
Arrival week
Update license, vehicle, and voter registration in Illinois per local DMV timeline.

FAQ

Frequently asked

How much does it cost to move from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Chicago?

A 2-bedroom off-peak move runs $3,300–$4,800. Studio: $2,310–$3,360. 3-bedroom: $4,455–$6,480. Peak summer rates run 20–25% higher.

How do I break my Florida lease before moving?

Most Florida residential leases require 60 days written notice. Some allow early-termination buyouts of 1–2 months rent. Read your lease carefully; military and active-duty PCS orders trigger separate SCRA protections.

When should I cancel my FL homestead exemption?

File homestead-removal paperwork with your county property appraiser as soon as you sign a contract elsewhere. Failing to do so triggers back-tax penalties when the appraiser discovers the move (typically within 12 months).

What's the tax impact of leaving Florida for Illinois?

Illinois has a state income tax of up to 4.95%. On a $150K household income, expect $4,000–$15,000 more in annual state tax versus Florida's 0%.

Should I move my outdoor furniture and beach gear?

Generally, no. FL-rated outdoor furniture is cheap to buy locally and expensive to ship. Sell on Facebook Marketplace or donate. Keep grills, smokers, and bikes — those have universal value.

How do I cancel my SunPass?

Log in to sunpass.com, close the account, and request a refund of the remaining balance. Don't just throw away the transponder — tolls can keep posting until the account is officially closed.

When's the worst time to leave Florida?

August and September — peak hurricane risk, peak lease-turnover demand, and lowest crew availability. Aim for October departure if your dates are flexible.

Do I need to forward my mail before leaving Florida?

Yes. File a change-of-address with USPS 2 weeks before your move at usps.com/move. Mail forwarding lasts up to 12 months, which gives you time to update accounts.

Free quote

Get 3 quotes in under 2 minutes

No spam, no obligation. We'll match you with FMCSA-licensed movers serving the Fort Lauderdale–Chicago corridor. Your details are sent only to vetted carriers.