($314+) Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL

Hiring full-service movers from Cleveland, Ohio, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,019 and $6,229. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 344-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $277 - $1,844, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Cleveland and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in Cleveland tend to start around $185 plus $75/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Cleveland to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,019 - $3,547
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,645 - $4,717
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,735 - $6,229

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 Cleveland to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Cleveland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Cleveland to Chicago?

Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Illinois, on top of the picks below.

1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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.
3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with 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 Cleveland, OH?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Cleveland to Chicago with a local mover averages $1,645 - $4,717. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Cleveland, OH 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.

Moving container costs from Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Cleveland, Ohio, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $854 and $2,643. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Cleveland runs about $80/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Cleveland to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $854 - $1,542
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,048 - $2,017
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,444 - $2,643

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $69 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $138 per month.
• Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Chicago, IL, 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 $645 in Cleveland, OH. 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.

What are the best moving containers Cleveland to Chicago?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL

A rental truck for this 344-mile move from Cleveland, Ohio, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $314 and $845. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

• Fuel for the drive: $101 - $115
• Daily insurance: $28/day
• Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
• Cleveland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Cleveland to Chicago based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $314 - $590
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $344 - $727
• 4+ bedrooms: $427 - $845

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Gas: Fuel adds $101 - $115 for the 344-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
• Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Cleveland, Ohio, for about 5 hours typically costs around $645.
• Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
• Lodging: The 344-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $138 per night, adding $277 - $415 in hotel costs total.
• Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $46 and $277.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Cleveland to Chicago?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Cleveland, Ohio, to Chicago, Illinois. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $830 and $1,765.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Cleveland to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $784 - $1,416
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $847 - $1,765
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,144 - $2,157

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $69 - $138 to your final bill.
• Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
• Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Cleveland, Ohio, typically costs $645.

What are the best freight companies from Cleveland to Chicago?

1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.

Cost of living: Cleveland, OH vs Chicago, IL

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Cleveland on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

For a move from Cleveland, OH, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,019 for a studio to $6,229 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 344-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $854 - $2,643. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $314 - $845, 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 $1,645 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.