($323+) Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Lexington, KY, runs anywhere from $323 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,071 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 372 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $967, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,071 or more.
- Moving containers run $901 - $2,692, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $323 - $891.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Lexington, KY. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,668 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY
Moving options from Chicago to Lexington fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,668 - $4,490 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 35% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 79% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 372-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 372-mile route from Chicago to Lexington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $967 - $3,652 | $901 - $1,630 | $323 - $628 | $819 - $1,396 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,668 - $4,490 | $1,085 - $2,115 | $352 - $708 | $877 - $1,674 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,568 - $6,071 | $1,421 - $2,692 | $454 - $891 | $1,136 - $2,175 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY
Full-service movers for the 372-mile relocation from Chicago, Illinois, to Lexington, Kentucky, cost between $967 and $6,071. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $300 - $2,000, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Chicago typically charge a base rate around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Lexington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $967 - $3,652
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,668 - $4,490
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,568 - $6,071
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Chicago to Lexington.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Lexington, 64% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $500 - $5,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $200 - $1,200/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $300 - $2,400 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $749 - $1,423 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $800 - $3,500 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $300 - $1,500 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $650 - $2,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $300 - $15,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $300 - $3,500+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Lexington?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Chicago, IL?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Chicago to Lexington with a local mover averages $1,602 - $4,311. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Chicago, IL can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
Mighty Moving & Storage (4.76/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Chicago, based on our analysis of feedback from 178 customers, 97.2% of which is positive.
Address: 1228 Humbracht Circle, Bartlett, IL, 60103 | Founded: 2022
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Lexington, Kentucky, cost between $901 and $2,692. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Chicago typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Lexington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $901 - $1,630
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,085 - $2,115
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,421 - $2,692
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $75 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $150 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Lexington, KY, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $700 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Kentucky move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $901. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,085 - $2,115.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Lexington?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Chicago to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY
Renting a moving truck for the 372-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Lexington, Kentucky, costs between $323 and $891, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $118 - $135
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chicago to Lexington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $323 - $628
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $352 - $708
- 4+ bedrooms: $454 - $891
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to Lexington starts at $323 - $891, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($118 - $135), overnight lodging ($150/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $150 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $700 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 372-mile drive falls between $118 and $135, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $50 and $300 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Lexington?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Lexington, Kentucky, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $877 and $1,674.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Lexington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $819 - $1,396
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $877 - $1,674
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,136 - $2,175
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $75 - $150 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about five hours typically runs $700.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Lexington?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to Lexington. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Lexington, KY
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Lexington, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Lexington, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 91 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,345/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $272,002 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $67,631/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 4.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 4.0% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 90/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 49.12/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Kentucky in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 295 movers based in Illinois, handy for sizing up options on this 372-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Lexington, KY, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $967 for a studio to $6,071 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 372-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $901 - $2,692. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $323 - $891, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,668 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include A&W Restaurants and University of Kentucky.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Lexington, KY
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $352 - $708. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($118 - $135), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $150/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.