Moving from Illinois to Colorado ($1,220-$5,910)
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The cost to move from Illinois to Colorado ranges from $1,220 to $5,910 with full-service movers, based on 1,113 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects this specific Illinois to Colorado route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Colorado?
The average cost of moving from Illinois to Colorado with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,220 to $5,910 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 1,113 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 1,010 miles.
The final price of your Illinois to Colorado move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,220 - $4,680 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,490 - $5,910 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,290 - $7,910 |
How much do moving containers cost from Illinois to Colorado?
A moving container from Illinois to Colorado costs between $880 and $4,110, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,600 to $3,060, roughly 45% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 1,010-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $880 - $2,110 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,600 - $3,060 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,010 - $4,110 |
34% of movers in Illinois offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Illinois to Colorado?
A rental truck from Illinois to Colorado costs between $680 and $1,810. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $790 to $1,610, about 75% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Illinois averaging $3.19 per gallon, fuel for the 1,010-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $680 - $1,290 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $790 - $1,610 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $980 - $1,810 |
Add-on costs for an Illinois to Colorado move
Most Illinois to Colorado estimates start as a base transport figure and climb from there as accessorials get attached. Knowing which ones actually apply to a 1,010-mile move is the difference between a quote that holds and one that moves on delivery day.
At 1,010 miles, an Illinois to Colorado move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Colorado. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Cost of living is close between Illinois and Colorado, so accessorial pricing on this route lands near national averages at both ends. Distance, not local labor rates, is what drives the numbers below.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Illinois to Colorado) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $960 - $2,500 |
| Packing materials only | $140 - $380 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $290 - $810 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $90 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $70 - $230 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $160 - $390 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $180 - $520 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $550 - $820 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 1,010-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Illinois to Colorado estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
69% of movers in Illinois handle piano moves, 27% handle pool tables, and 41% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 21% of Illinois movers require a deposit to book, and 32% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Illinois to Colorado Movers
These movers average a 82% positive review rate among Illinois movers we track.
Compare movers for your Illinois to Colorado move
Get quotes from a few of these before deciding: the long-distance movers serving Illinois that our reviews rank highest for moves headed to Colorado:
52% of Illinois movers we track offer instant online quotes, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
1228 Humbracht Circle, Bartlett, IL 60103
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL 60077
2627 Kaneville Ct, Geneva, IL 60134
4250 N Marine Dr Aparment #1136, Chicago, IL 60613
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
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Alternate Illinois to Colorado moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on an Illinois to Colorado move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 45% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 75% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Illinois run $59 - $81 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Colorado end. 60% of movers in Illinois offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Illinois on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Colorado for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $319 - $819 to rent in Illinois, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1,113 real quotes from Illinois to Colorado, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Colorado to Illinois guide.
Illinois to Colorado cost of living comparison
Every state-to-state move comes down to a similar set of questions: what will it cost to live there, what's the job market like, and how affordable is housing? Using the moving trends we track nationwide, here's how Illinois and Colorado compare:
| Factor | Illinois | Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 91 |
| Average household income | $78,433 | $87,598 |
| Median home value | $249,224 | $541,072 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 5.49% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,179 | $1,594 |
| Average sales tax | 8.82% | 7.81% |
| Crime index | 19.7 | 36.4 |
| College graduation rate | 37.14% | 44.42% |
| Population | 12,549,689 | 5,877,610 |
The cost of living in Colorado is comparable to Illinois, so most people making this move are driven by career, family, or personal reasons rather than cost differences. Day-to-day expenses should feel familiar after you settle in.
Colorado's largest industries are Real estate and rental and leasing ($74.1 billion), Professional and business services ($72.8 billion), and Manufacturing ($63.3 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from Illinois to Colorado
What's the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Colorado?
A rental truck is cheapest: $790 - $1,610 for a 2-3 bedroom move, about 75% less than full-service. At 1,010 miles, that's 3 days behind the wheel, plus around $381 in fuel. Moving containers ($1,600 - $3,060, about 45% less than full-service) skip the drive entirely. Use our moving cost calculator to compare all 3 for your move size.
How do I get a moving quote from Illinois to Colorado?
Use our moving cost calculator for an instant estimate on this 1,010-mile route. Full-service runs $1,220-$5,910, or a rental truck starts at $680. Take a room-by-room inventory of your furniture and bulky items so your quote matches your final bill. Then collect a few real quotes and confirm whether each is binding or non-binding — moveBuddha has reviewed 103 movers in Illinois alone.
How long does it take to move from Illinois to Colorado?
A full-service Illinois to Colorado move typically takes 2 - 8 days from pickup to delivery, depending on distance, your mover's routing, and whether your shipment is consolidated with others. Moving containers take longer, typically 1 - 2 weeks from loading to delivery since they ship by scheduled ground freight. Rental trucks give you the most control since you drive directly, but add 1 - 2 days depending on distance.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA. Verify your mover's USDOT number for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool. Report violations at 1-888-368-7238. You can also look up licensed movers in Illinois at Illinois's official regulatorandin Colorado at Colorado's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for an Illinois to Colorado move?
People making this move are often chasing ample economic opportunity in Colorado.Full-service makes sense for a large home (3+ bedrooms), a tight timeline, or high-value items. DIY fits a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms) when cost matters most and you have time to spare. Moving containers, about 45% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
Popular Illinois to Colorado moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Illinois to Colorado corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Illinois to Colorado: the bottom line
The cost to move from Illinois to Colorado ranges from $1,220 - $5,910 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 45% - 75% less for the same move. For most people making this 1,010-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
