Florida is one of the top destinations for Illinoisans leaving the state — Illinois lost more than 100,000 residents to Florida in just a few years. We run this corridor weekly from Chicago and across Illinois to Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and the Gulf Coast, with licensed, insured carriers, transparent cubic-footage pricing, and a dedicated relocation coordinator from estimate to delivery.
Distance
~1,060–1,400 mi
Transit time
7–12 days
Service
Weekly
No obligation · Response in 30–60 minutes
Overview
Moving from Illinois to Florida is one of the strongest Midwest-to-Sun-Belt flows in the country, driven by Florida’s zero income tax, far lower property taxes, and an escape from Chicago winters. It’s a long-haul move of roughly 1,060–1,400 miles depending on your Florida destination. Quick Ship Van Lines coordinates this corridor weekly with licensed, carefully selected carriers who handle both ends — Chicago high-rise move-outs with certificate-of-insurance and freight-elevator rules (and winter weather) on the pickup side, and Florida high-rises, master-planned communities, and Gulf Coast retirement towns on delivery. Whether you’re relocating a Lincoln Park one-bedroom to Tampa or a Naperville family home to Naples, you get upfront cubic-footage pricing, a dedicated coordinator, and a realistic delivery window. Most quote requests get a response in 30–60 minutes.
Popular Routes
We move to every major Florida metro. Distances and transit windows vary by destination:
Route | Approx. distance | Est. transit |
Chicago → Tampa / St. Petersburg | 1,100 mi | 7–11 days |
Chicago → Orlando | 1,133 mi | 7–11 days |
Chicago → Miami | 1,380 mi | 8–12 days |
Chicago → Fort Lauderdale | 1,300 mi | 8–12 days |
Chicago → Naples / Fort Myers | 1,350–1,400 mi | 8–12 days |
Chicago → Jacksonville | 1,060 mi | 6–10 days |
Route Details
~1,060–1,400 miles depending on your Florida destination
7–12 business days
I-65 / I-57 S to I-75 S through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee & Georgia into Florida
Illinois · Indiana · Kentucky · Tennessee · Georgia · Florida
Central → Eastern (+1 hour) for most of Florida (Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville)
October – April (winter “snowbird” demand into Florida)
Demand into Florida peaks October through April with snowbird season, and the national summer rush (June–August) can add 20% or more to base rates. The sweet spots for value are typically March–May and September–November. Winter pickups in Chicago also carry snow-and-ice considerations, so build in a little schedule flexibility. Booking 3–4 weeks ahead secures preferred dates on this long-haul lane.
Pricing
Real-world estimates by home size, based on the cubic footage your inventory takes on the truck. South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale) runs a bit higher than North/Central Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando), and Chicago high-rise access can affect the low end. Get an accurate upfront quote in about 60 seconds.
$2,100 – $3,900
~250 cubic ft of inventory
$3,500 – $6,000
Couple or small family
Most common
$5,000 – $8,400
Average family home
$7,200 – $11,500+
Larger homes / specialty items
What affects your Illinois to Florida moving cost
Final pricing may vary if inventory or service requirements change prior to pickup.
Real-World Examples
Three representative scenarios based on typical moves on this route.
Derek
Move
Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL → Tampa, FL
Inventory
Queen bed, sofa, home office, 22 boxes — a typical 1-bedroom
$3,100
8 days
“A no-income-tax move powered by remote work; coordinator handled the Chicago high-rise COI and elevator reservation.“
The Novak Family
Move
Naperville, IL → Orlando, FL
Inventory
3-bedroom home — full household, kids’ rooms, 70+ boxes
$7,000
9 days
“Traded suburban Chicago property taxes for a Florida home with a pool; delivery timed to the school-year start.“
Jerry & Pam
Move
Evanston, IL → Naples, FL
Inventory
2-bedroom — curated furniture, 45 boxes, no specialty items
$5,600
9 days
“A classic Midwest-to-Gulf-Coast retirement; coordinator planned floor protection for a cold, wet Chicago pickup and timed both ends around the closing.“
Good to Know
Three things every Illinois to Florida mover should know before pickup day.
Florida requires you to register your vehicle and transfer your driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency. There’s no state income tax to file, but budget for registration fees and tolls — a SunPass transponder is worth setting up early. If you plan to claim the Florida homestead exemption, file with your county to lock in the lower property-tax rate.
You’re trading cold winters for year-round warmth, high humidity, and hot summers. Wood furniture, leather, electronics, and paper goods benefit from humidity-aware packing. Hurricane season runs June through November and can occasionally affect delivery scheduling — your coordinator monitors the forecast and adjusts as needed.
On income tax alone, a $100,000 earner saves about $4,950 a year moving from Illinois to Florida. Add the property-tax gap — often $5,000–$7,500 a year on a typical home — and the combined savings are among the largest of any Midwest-to-Florida move. Florida’s trade-off to budget for is home insurance, which runs higher across much of the state, especially near the coast.
More Ways We Help
Rather than drive 1,000+ miles, many customers ship a car alongside the household move — handy for snowbirds bringing a second vehicle. Open transport on this route typically runs $800–$1,200 and enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs $1,300–$1,900, with vehicle transit usually 5–8 days.
Full or partial packing is available, along with climate-controlled short-term storage if your Florida move-in date falls after your Illinois move-out date. Ask your coordinator to build either into your quote.
Pianos, pool tables, antiques, artwork, and gun safes are handled by experienced crews, with custom crating available for fragile or high-value pieces. Flag any specialty items when you request your quote so the right equipment and team are scheduled.
Why Quick Ship
Reviews
FAQs
Full-service moves typically range from $2,100 for a studio to $11,500+ for a 4+ bedroom home, based on the cubic footage of your inventory. South Florida runs a bit higher than North/Central Florida, and Chicago high-rise access can affect the low end. Get an exact number with a free quote in 30–60 minutes.
Plan on 7–12 business days depending on your destination — Jacksonville and Orlando are quicker than Miami or Naples — and whether your items travel on a dedicated or consolidated truck. Your coordinator confirms a delivery window before pickup.
Florida has no state income tax versus Illinois’s flat 4.95% — about $4,950 a year saved at $100,000 income — plus far lower property taxes, often another $5,000–$7,500 a year on a typical home. Budget for higher home insurance in Florida, especially near the coast.
Tampa and St. Pete for Gulf beaches and value, Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota for snowbird and retirement living, Orlando for family-friendly affordability, and Miami or Fort Lauderdale for city energy. We serve them all.
Yes, a small one. Chicago is Central Time and most of Florida — Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville — is Eastern Time, so you’ll move one hour ahead. (The western Florida Panhandle is Central.)
Often, yes. Many Chicago high-rise and downtown buildings require a certificate of insurance on file plus a reserved freight elevator and loading dock, and the city requires parking arrangements for moving trucks in many neighborhoods. Share the building details ahead of pickup and we’ll arrange it.
Yes. Open transport typically costs $800–$1,200, enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs $1,300–$1,900, and vehicle transit is usually 5–8 days — popular with snowbirds bringing a second car. We can bundle it with your household move.
March–May and September–November are the best-value windows, avoiding both the October–April snowbird peak into Florida and the June–August national summer rush. Mid-month dates are typically cheaper than month-end.
Join 1,000+ families who chose Quick Ship Van Lines for a stress-free move. Request a quote and we’ll get back to you in 30–60 minutes with a free, no-obligation estimate.
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