Leaving Illinois for warmer weather, more space, and no state income tax? Quick Ship Van Lines coordinates Illinois to Texas moves every week with licensed, insured carriers, a dedicated relocation coordinator, and clear cubic-footage pricing — from Chicago, the suburbs, and across the state to Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and beyond. Most moves run a 4–11 day delivery window. Get a free, no-obligation quote in 30–60 minutes, or call (833) 627-1754.
Distance
965–1,120 mi
Transit time
4–11 days
Service
Weekly
No obligation · Response in 30–60 minutes
Overview
Illinois to Texas is one of the biggest Midwest-to-Sun-Belt moves in the country, and Quick Ship Van Lines runs it weekly. We coordinate full-service moves from Chicago and its suburbs to every major Texas metro, matching you with licensed, carefully selected carriers who know both ends: Chicago two-flats, walk-ups, and high-rises plus Naperville and Schaumburg homes on pickup, and Texas suburbs, downtown apartments, and new-build communities on delivery. You get upfront cubic-footage pricing, one coordinator from quote to delivery, and a realistic delivery window. Texas has no state income tax, so this move can change your paycheck as well as your weather. See your price now with a free quote in 30–60 minutes.
Popular Routes
We run weekly service on the busiest Illinois to Texas city lanes. Pick your route for city-specific pricing, transit times, neighborhoods, and FAQs:
| Route | Distance | Transit | From |
| Chicago to Dallas | 965 mi | 4–7 days | $1,700 |
| Chicago to Houston | 1,083 mi | 7–11 days | $2,000 |
| Chicago to Austin | 1,120 mi | 5–8 days | $1,900 |
Route Details
965–1,120 miles (depending on origin and destination)
4–11 business days
I-57 and I-55 S through southern Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas, then I-40 / I-30 W to Dallas; I-35 S continues to Austin, and I-30 / I-45 S leads to Houston
Illinois · Missouri · Arkansas · Texas
Central → Central (no change)
May – September (summer rush and Chicago’s May 1 lease turnover)
Summer is the busiest window, and many Chicago leases turn over around May 1, so late April and early May fill fast. Fall is often the sweet spot — mild weather at both ends and better rates. Winter moves are cheaper, but Chicago snow and ice on the first leg can slow pickup, so your coordinator builds in a buffer. Book a mid-month weekday 2–3 weeks ahead to lock in your date and price.
Both states have high property taxes, but Texas has no state income tax. Here’s how they compare on what affects your budget:
Factor | Illinois | Texas |
Income tax | 4.95% flat state rate (no Chicago city income tax) | None — no state income tax |
Property tax | Among the highest in the U.S. | Also high — budget for it if you buy |
Sales tax | 10.25% in Chicago | 6.25% state + up to 2% local (8.25% max) |
Housing costs | High in Chicago and the close-in suburbs | Lower in most Texas metros, with more new construction |
Climate | Cold, snowy winters; warm summers | Long, hot summers; mild winters |
Note: dropping Illinois’ 4.95% income tax is a real saving for most households, but property taxes stay high in Texas, so compare home prices and tax rates together. A tax professional can run your numbers. Your moving cost itself is based on inventory and distance.
Pricing
Real-world estimates by home size, based on the cubic footage your inventory takes on the truck. Get an accurate upfront quote in about 60 seconds.
$1,700 – $3,500
~250 cubic ft of inventory
$2,900 – $6,000
Couple or small family
Most common
$4,300 – $8,200
Average family home
$6,200 – $11,000+
Larger homes / specialty items
What affects your Illinois to Texas 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.
Megan
Move
River North, Chicago, IL → Las Colinas, Irving, TX
Inventory
Queen bed, sofa, desk, 22 boxes — a typical 1-bedroom
$2,300
5 days
“Moved with her company’s Texas office; coordinator handled the River North high-rise COI and freight-elevator booking.”
The Kowalski Family
Move
Naperville, IL → Cypress, TX (Houston area)
Inventory
3-bedroom home — full household, kids’ rooms, 70+ boxes
$6,900
8 days
“Swapped a two-story colonial for a newer home with a pool; delivery timed to the August school start.”
Sam & Priya
Move
Logan Square, Chicago, IL → Round Rock, TX (Austin area)
Inventory
2-bedroom — curated furniture, 45 boxes, partial pack
$4,600
6 days
“An alley pickup behind a three-flat; the crew carried down three flights and delivered to a new build near Austin.”
Texas has been a top landing spot for people leaving Illinois for years. The reasons are practical: no state income tax, newer and roomier homes, strong job growth, and no more shoveling snow in March. Several major companies have moved their headquarters from Illinois to Texas, and Dallas, Houston, and Austin keep adding jobs in finance, energy, healthcare, and tech. Comparing other moves from Chicago? See our Illinois to Florida movers page. Coming from the West Coast instead? Our California to Texas movers page covers that corridor.
Good to Know
Three things every Illinois to Texas mover should know before pickup day.
Texas gives new residents 30 days to register their vehicles and 90 days to get a Texas driver’s license. Texas ended the annual safety inspection for personal vehicles in 2025, but an emissions test is still required before registration in some counties. Those include the Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin areas, plus Bexar County (San Antonio), which began testing on November 1, 2026. Keep records of your move date in case Illinois asks you to show you changed your residence for state income tax.
You’ll trade lake-effect winters for long, hot summers, with highs in the mid-to-upper 90s °F from June through September. Crews load early in summer and protect heat-sensitive items. North Texas sees spring hail and storms, and Houston sits in the Gulf hurricane zone from June to November. No time zone change — Chicago and Texas’s big cities are all on Central Time.
Chicago pickups take some planning. Two-flats and three-flats usually load from the back alley, courtyard buildings and walk-ups mean long carries and stairs, and downtown high-rises need a certificate of insurance (COI) and a reserved freight elevator. On busy streets, a city permit for temporary no-parking signs keeps a spot open for the truck. Suburban homes are usually simple driveway loads. Tell your coordinator your building type early and we’ll handle the paperwork.
More Ways We Help
Many people drive the two-day trip, but we can ship one or two cars. Open transport on Illinois to Texas lanes typically runs $650 – $1,000 and enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs $1,050 – $1,600, with vehicle transit usually 3–7 days.
Full or partial packing is available, along with short-term storage if your Texas closing falls after your Illinois lease ends.
Pianos, pool tables, antiques, artwork, home-gym equipment, and gun safes are handled by experienced crews, with custom crating available for fragile or high-value pieces.
Why Quick Ship
Reviews
Rated 4.9★ by 500+ verified customers who chose Quick Ship Van Lines for professional, stress-free moves.
FAQs
Full-service moves typically range from about $1,700 for a studio to $11,000+ for a 4+ bedroom home, based on the cubic footage of your inventory and your route. Chicago to Dallas sits at the low end. Get an exact number with a free quote in 30–60 minutes.
Plan on 4–11 business days depending on your Texas city and whether your items travel on a dedicated or consolidated truck. Your coordinator confirms a delivery window before pickup.
You’ll stop paying Illinois’ 4.95% state income tax, since Texas has none. Both states have high property taxes, so a tax professional can tell you what you’ll actually save.
Dallas–Fort Worth suits corporate and finance careers and is the shortest drive, Houston leads in energy and medicine, and Austin is the tech and music hub. See “Popular Routes We Cover” above for each city.
No. Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Austin are all on Central Time.
Not a safety inspection — Texas ended those for personal vehicles in 2025. You will need an emissions test in counties such as Dallas, Harris, and Travis, and you have 30 days to register.
Yes. We plan alley loading, stair carries, and parking permits, and we handle COIs and freight elevators for high-rises. Share your building details when you book.
Mid-month weekday dates outside summer usually cost the least. Avoid the days around May 1 if you can, when Chicago lease turnover peaks.
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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