How Much Does Out-of-State Long-Distance Moving Cost Chicago in Chicago, IL? [2026 Data]

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Cost Insights
  • An out-of-state move in Chicago, IL, costs $5,066 on average, depending on your home's total size.

  • The total distance of your relocation and the overall weight of your belongings significantly impact final prices.

  • Hiring full-service movers costs $1,460 to $10,100, and adding specialty packing supplies increases your overall budget.

  • Hiring a long-distance moving pro in Chicago, IL provides reliable help with relocation and saves you effort.

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by an Angi Editor in accordance with our AI policy.

Out-of-state long-distance moving from Chicago, IL, costs $5,066 on average, and ranges from $2,931 to $7,220. Your final price depends on the total weight of your belongings and the exact mileage to your new destination. Understanding these expenses ahead of time allows you to build a realistic budget for your upcoming relocation.

Out-of-State Long-Distance Moving Cost Factors

Planning a relocation from Chicago, IL, requires a clear understanding of the expenses involved. When you hire out-of-state movers, several key details dictate your final budget, from the total mileage to the size of your household.

Distance and Location

The total mileage between your old home and your new destination serves as the primary baseline for your moving estimate. Movers charge based on the distance traveled, factoring in fuel, tolls, and the time required to complete the journey. Leaving Chicago, IL, for a different region means the exact route heavily influences your rate. Overall, homeowners spend an average of $5,066 for a long-distance relocation. For example, a full-service route from the East Coast to the West Coast ranges from $4,770 to $10,700 per move, while traveling from the East Coast to the South East Coast costs $3,110 to $8,290 per move.

Moving RouteLocal Full-Service Moving CostNational Full-Service Moving Cost
East Coast to West Coast$4,770–$10,700$4,600–$10,300
East Coast to South East Coast$3,110–$8,290$3,000–$8,000
North East Coast to South East Coast$3,110–$8,290$3,000–$8,000
South East Coast to West Coast$4,870–$9,740$4,700–$9,400

Home Size

The square footage and number of bedrooms in your current residence directly impact the volume of items you need to transport. Larger homes require more labor, larger trucks, and longer loading times, which increases the overall price. Whether you are packing up a high-rise condo or a sprawling house in Chicago, IL, your bedroom count sets the stage for the estimate. Most people find their total falls between $2,931 and $7,220 depending on the size of the property. Moving a two-bedroom home costs between $1,040 and $7,260 per project, whereas a four-bedroom house ranges from $1,870 to $10,400 per project.

Number of BedroomsLocal Cost to Move Cross CountryNational Cost to Move Cross Country
Studio/1$730–$3,110$700–$3,000
2$1,040–$7,260$1,000–$7,000
3$1,460–$8,290$1,400–$8,000
4$1,870–$10,400$1,800–$10,000
5$3,110–$12,500$3,000–$12,000
6$4,150–$15,600$4,000–$15,000

Transportation Types

The method you choose to transport your belongings offers flexibility for different budgets and comfort levels with heavy lifting. Handling the driving yourself reduces expenses, while hiring a dedicated team provides a hands-off experience. Navigating a large rental truck through the busy streets of Chicago, IL, takes patience, making full-service options highly appealing. Renting a moving truck costs $1,250 to $2,180 per trip, while hiring full-service movers ranges from $1,460 to $10,100 per trip.

Transportation TypeLocal Average CostNational Average Cost
Moving Rental Truck$1,250-$2,180$1,200-$2,100
Moving Container$730-$3,320$700-$3,200
Full-Service Movers$1,460-$10,100$1,400-$9,700

Weight of Your Items

Moving companies weigh their trucks before and after loading your household goods to determine the exact weight of your shipment. Heavier loads require more fuel and labor, making weight the second-largest contributor to your final bill. Downsizing your belongings before leaving Chicago, IL, is a smart way to shed excess pounds and lower your quote. Transporting 5,000 pounds of belongings costs $2,590 to $4,150 per move, while a 10,000-pound load ranges from $5,180 to $8,290 per move.

Weight of BelongingsLocal Cost Range for Moving Across CountryNational Cost Range for Moving Across Country
500 pounds$260–$415$250–$400
1,000 pounds$520–$830$500–$800
2,000 pounds$1,040–$1,660$1,000–$1,600
5,000 pounds$2,590–$4,150$2,500–$4,000
10,000 pounds$5,180–$8,290$5,000–$8,000
15,000 pounds$7,770–$12,500$7,500–$12,000

Buildings and Parking

The physical layout of your property and the availability of parking dictate how easily the crew loads and unloads the truck. Long carrying distances, multiple flights of stairs, and elevator restrictions add time and labor fees to the project. Securing a parking permit for a large truck in Chicago, IL, is essential to avoid delays and extra charges. Navigating icy walkways or shoveling snow during brutal winter blizzards also slows down the loading process, leading to increased labor time. If your building requires it, you must coordinate elevator access or hire a professional for furniture disassembly to fit large pieces through narrow doorways.

Packing Supply Cost

Securing your fragile items and everyday goods requires a variety of sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and protective blankets. Purchasing these materials out of pocket adds up quickly, especially for larger households. Sourcing recycled boxes from local stores in Chicago, IL, helps offset the expense of brand-new supplies. If you prefer a hands-off approach, you pay the packing services cost to have the pros box up your entire home.

Cost of Add-On Moving Services

Relocating involves extra tasks that streamline the transition from one residence to the next. Adding professional help for cleaning, packing, or temporary holding facilities increases your total but significantly reduces your workload. If your new home is not quite ready when you leave Chicago, IL, you need to arrange for a secure place to keep your items. Booking a move-out cleaning ensures you leave your old place spotless, while paying the storage unit rental cost provides a safe spot for your boxes during a delayed move.

Additional Moving Services

Specialty items that require extra care, custom crating, or unique equipment demand separate handling fees. Moving heavy, delicate, or oversized possessions involves specialized training to prevent damage during transit. Transporting a grand piano or a valuable antique collection out of Chicago, IL, requires a dedicated crew with the right tools. You must factor in the piano moving price to ensure these items arrive safely.

Time of Year

The season and the specific day of the week you choose to relocate influence the rates offered by moving companies. Peak summer months experience the highest demand, which drives up prices and limits availability. Scheduling your departure from Chicago, IL, during the off-season yields better rates, though you must prepare for the region's frigid, snowy winters. Severe weather, such as a polar vortex or heavy flooding, causes travel delays that extend the duration of the trip.

Moving Pro Costs

Hiring professional movers in Chicago, IL, ensures your belongings stay safe during a long journey. When you hire a full-service team, expect to pay $1,460 to $10,100 per trip, depending on the distance and weight of your items. If you are packing up a standard two-bedroom home in Chicago, IL, the total runs between $1,040 and $7,260 per project. We recommend booking your moving team early to secure great rates and avoid severe winter weather.

Why You Should Hire a Long-Distance Moving Professional

Hiring a long-distance moving professional in Chicago, IL provides excellent value by keeping your belongings secure and freeing up your schedule.

  • Pros bring heavy-duty equipment, like appliance dollies and custom crates, to transport oversized furniture.

  • A Chicago, IL moving crew manages complex interstate logistics, including route planning and weigh station compliance.

  • Expert packers maximize truck space with precise loading techniques, preventing items from shifting in transit.

  • Licensed interstate movers provide comprehensive liability coverage to protect your household goods across state lines.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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