Shipping Cost from Iowa City, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois

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

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 Iowa City, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois

When shipping from Iowa City, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois, 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 Iowa City, Iowa

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

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

Specialized Shipping from Iowa City, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois

Car Delivery Options

Get Car/Vehicle Quote: Iowa City, IowaChicago, Illinois
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:How much does it cost to ship a car to Chicago?
Shipping a car to Chicago costs $650–$1,300, with open carrier rates averaging $0.60–$1.00 per mile. Average transit time to Chicago ranges from 3–8 days, depending on origin city, route congestion, and transport type.

Furniture Transport Options

Get Furniture Quote: Iowa City, IowaChicago, Illinois
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 to ship furniture inexpensively?
You have a few options for freight shipping your furniture. The cheapest option is less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, which is when your items share trailer space with other shipments. This might be your best option if you don't have much to move.

Major Appliance Transport

Get Appliances Quote: Iowa City, IowaChicago, Illinois
Q:How much does it cost to ship appliances?
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 much does it cost to ship a piece of furniture?
Shipping furniture costs vary widely, from $50-$200 for small items via parcel, to $300-$600+ for large items across the country, with specialty "white glove" services costing more, all depending on size, weight, distance, and service level. Local moves are cheaper ($75-$250), while coast-to-coast or international shipments for large pieces can hit $1,500 or more, often using LTL freight or specialized movers.

Piano Shipping Services

Get Piano Quote: Iowa City, IowaChicago, Illinois
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 much to transport an upright piano?
Moving an upright piano typically costs $150–$650 for local moves (under 50 miles, often with stairs) and $500–$2,500 for long-distance moves, depending heavily on stairs, distance, and piano size, with specialist movers charging more for complex jobs involving multiple flights or challenging terrain. Expect $150-$350 locally and $500-$800 for longer distances for standard uprights, but be prepared for higher costs with difficult access or larger, heavier pianos.

Exercise Machine Transport

Get Gym Equipment Quote: Iowa City, IowaChicago, Illinois
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?
Moving a treadmill typically costs $70 to $300 for local moves, depending on size and complexity, with larger or commercial models costing more, while long-distance moves can range from $400-$700+. Costs vary by service (local movers vs. apps like Airtasker ), whether disassembly/reassembly is included, and if stairs are involved.

Mattress Moving Options

Get Mattress Quote: Iowa City, IowaChicago, Illinois
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:How to ship furniture from one state to another?
Parcel Shipping for Small Pieces. ... DIY Rental Moving Truck. ... Portable Moving Containers. ... Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Freight. ... Full Truckload Freight. ... White-Glove Moving Services. ... Distance & Timeline. ... Budget Constraints.
Q:What is the cheapest way to ship a 20 pound package?
For a 20 lb package, the cheapest option is usually USPS Ground Advantage, especially if it's a non-urgent, slower delivery (2-5 days), but UPS Ground or FedEx Ground can sometimes beat it by a few dollars, particularly when using online discount platforms like Pirate Ship or Easyship. Always compare rates for your specific dimensions and destination on platforms like Pirate Ship for best results, as costs vary, but USPS is often the budget leader for heavier items.

Related Shipping Options