Shipping Cost from Chicago, Illinois to Iowa City, Iowa

Get the best January 2026 prices to anywhere in the US or anywhere in the world. Looking for the cheapest way to ship from Chicago, Illinois to Iowa City, Iowa? The distance is approximately 279 miles. Shipping via ORD airport.

Select Item(s):

Mini Box

12" x 12" x 12"

Size Details

13 lbs / 6 kg

Small Box

15" x 15" x 15"

Size Details

25 lbs / 11 kg

Standard Box

18" x 18" x 18"

Size Details

42 lbs / 19 kg

Large Box

20" x 20" x 20"

Size Details

60 lbs / 27 kg

X Large Box

22" x 22" x 22"

Size Details

75 lbs / 34 kg

Enter Your Box Weight And Size

Width
Height
Length

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Distance

279 miles

Transit Time

2 business days via Freight Partners

Route Type

domestic

Available Shipping Options

Cheapest Option

$48.43 via Freight Partners

Fastest Option

2 days via UPS

Freight Partners

Recommended

Ground Freight

Transit Time

2 days

Price

$48.43

UPS

Ground

Transit Time

2 days

Price

$50.85

FedEx

Ground

Transit Time

3 days

Price

$53.27

Estes Express

LTL Economy

Transit Time

4 days

Price

$94.23

Old Dominion

LTL Freight

Transit Time

3 days

Price

$101.73

XPO Logistics

LTL Freight

Transit Time

3 days

Price

$107.09

About Shipping from Chicago, Illinois to Iowa City, Iowa

When shipping from Chicago, Illinois to Iowa City, Iowa, you have several carrier options to choose from. The best choice depends on your priorities - whether you want the cheapest rate or the fastest delivery.

For this domestic route under 500 miles, ground freight is typically the most cost-effective option, with transit times of 2-3 business days.

Drop-off Locations in Chicago, Illinois

Find FedEx, UPS, and DHL drop-off locations near you for convenient package drop-off.

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Instant Pricing

What Can You Ship from Chicago, Illinois to Iowa City, Iowa?

We offer specialized shipping services for a variety of items. Select a service below to get a customized quote.

Specialized Shipping from Chicago, Illinois to Iowa City, Iowa

Car Delivery Options

Get Car/Vehicle Quote: Chicago, IllinoisIowa City, Iowa
Q:Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car?
Budget: The shorter the distance, the more cost-effective it is to drive instead of ship your car. Regardless of the total distance, look at your total moving budget and how much you can afford to spend on car shipping services compared to a cross-country drive.
Q:What is the cheapest way to ship a car across state?
Selecting an open transport carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car. It costs an average of $0.93 less per mile compared to a closed carrier. Booking at least two weeks in advance can help you get the best price because it allows more drivers to bid on your job.
Q:Is it cheaper to ship a car by train or truck?
If you need to ship your car to the other side of the country – train shipping will be more economical. If you need fast delivery right to your place – shipping by truck will be your best option.

Furniture Transport Options

Get Furniture Quote: Chicago, IllinoisIowa City, Iowa
Q:How expensive is it to ship a piece of furniture?
Check with a local pro for your specific job. The cost to move furniture depends on the type and weight of your belongings, the distance you're moving, and the shipment method you choose. Local shipping costs between $300 and $800 per piece, while international rates range from $1,000 to $4,500 per item.
Q:What is the cheapest way to send a piece of furniture?
The cheapest way to ship furniture often involves Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight for larger items or sharing space, using bus freight for distance savings if it fits rules, or trying ride-share apps (Dolly, GoShare) for local moves ; for very tight budgets, DIY with a rental truck/U-Haul, or even selling & repurchasing might beat shipping costs. Proper packaging with cardboard, moving blankets, and corner protectors is crucial to avoid damage, which drastically increases costs.
Q:How can I ship a large piece of furniture?
LTL freight shipping LTL stands for "less than truckload." LTL furniture shipping is a cost-effective way to ship freight items that don't require a full truckload. It's suitable for transporting furniture that is too large for parcel carriers like UPS and FedEx but doesn't require the space of a full truck.

Major Appliance Transport

Get Appliances Quote: Chicago, IllinoisIowa City, Iowa
Q:How much does it cost to ship an appliance?
How Much Does It Cost To Ship Appliances? In general, for an appliance shipping service, you can expect to pay around $1.81 per mile for shorter trips and $0.59 per mile for longer journeys.
Q:How to ship a large appliance?
Defrost refrigerators at least 24 hours ahead of time. Remove and pack all shelves and drawers separately. Clean and pack ovens, all racks, knobs, and grills separately. Washers and dryers should have their hoses removed and packed by themselves — with the dryer's drum properly secured.
Q:How can I ship a refrigerator?
To ship a refrigerator, first empty, defrost, and thoroughly clean it, removing shelves and securing doors with tape or cords, then wrap it in blankets and bubble wrap, and secure it upright on a pallet for LTL freight, ensuring it's professionally crated for long distances to protect the compressor and cooling lines, and always keep it upright if possible, waiting several hours before plugging it in at its destination.

Piano Shipping Services

Get Piano Quote: Chicago, IllinoisIowa City, Iowa
Q:What is the average cost to move a piano?
Moving a piano costs about $400 on average. However, costs vary depending on several factors, such as cost per mile (the starting price is about $50), the type of piano (a grand piano is typically high-priced), height and weight, ease of access, and the need for disassembly and reassembly.
Q:Is a piano dolly better than hiring movers?
Lifting such a monstrous piece of equipment is back-breaking work, even if you're only lifting it onto a dolly. Many times, confident homeowners attempt to lift a piano and not only damage the instrument but injure themselves. Next time, err on the side of caution: let professionals handle the heavy lifting instead.
Q:How do I ship my piano to another state?
To ship a piano to another state, hire professional long-distance piano movers for specialized handling, as DIY is risky; they'll typically use custom crating, moving blankets, and climate-controlled trucks, costing $450 to over $2,000+ depending on distance, piano type, and service level, with options for White Glove service or fitting into portable containers like PODS. Key steps involve choosing a specialized mover, getting insurance, crating/blanketing the piano, and arranging for secure transport and delivery.

Exercise Machine Transport

Get Gym Equipment Quote: Chicago, IllinoisIowa City, Iowa
Q:What is the best way to transport gym equipment?
But make sure they do not get exposed on the trunk. Moving tip protect any moving parts anything that could actually move when it's already put on the truck. Remember not following this tip.
Q:What can I use to move heavy gym equipment?
Furniture sliders are great if you're just trying to get something from one end of a room to another. Moving dollies can be helpful if you're moving a lot of equipment, as this gives you more control and helps you limit damage.
Q:How much would it cost to move a treadmill?
The cost to move a treadmill depends on size and weight, typically starting at $70 and up. Do you need to transport a treadmill? Considering its heavy weight (up to 350 lbs.) and electronic components, the easiest and most reliable way to move it is by hiring professionals.

Mattress Moving Options

Get Mattress Quote: Chicago, IllinoisIowa City, Iowa
Q:How much does a 50 lb package cost to ship?
Shipping a 50 lb package typically costs anywhere from $40 to over $100, depending heavily on distance, speed, and carrier, with FedEx/UPS Ground being cheapest for long hauls (~$75-$85), USPS Ground Advantage for regional/short distances (~$38-$128 depending on zone/service), and faster services like FedEx 2Day costing around $65+. For heavy boxes, carriers apply extra fees, so compare FedEx Ground, UPS Ground, and USPS Ground Advantage, plus consider flat-rate options if the box is compact.
Q:What's the best way to ship a mattress?
Ground shipping from couriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx is the best way to ship a mattress. On average, mattresses weigh anywhere between 50 to 150 pounds and come in a variety of sizes.
Q:Will FedEx ship my mattress?
Can I ship a mattress through FedEx? Yes, you can. If you're shipping a mattress, you must pack it in a mattress shipping box. We also recommend that you pack it in heavy-duty plastic before you box and ship it.

Related Shipping Options