($365+) Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Minneapolis, MN, runs anywhere from $365 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,838 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 414 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 $1,044, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,838 or more.
- Moving containers run $867 - $2,747, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $365 - $924.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Minneapolis, MN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,799 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 Minneapolis, MN
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Minneapolis: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $1,799 - $4,925. Containers cost roughly 38% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 78% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 414 miles, expect 1 to 4 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 414-mile route from Chicago to Minneapolis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,044 - $3,574 | $867 - $1,577 | $365 - $670 | $821 - $1,462 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,799 - $4,925 | $1,111 - $2,107 | $392 - $778 | $962 - $1,668 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,759 - $6,838 | $1,488 - $2,747 | $468 - $924 | $1,214 - $2,355 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN
Full-service movers for the 414-mile relocation from Chicago, Illinois, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $1,044 and $6,838. 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 $319 - $2,128, 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 Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,044 - $3,574
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,799 - $4,925
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,759 - $6,838
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 Minneapolis.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Minneapolis, 69% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $532 - $5,320 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $213 - $1,277/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $319 - $2,554 |
| 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 | $1,064 - $3,192 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,660 - $10,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $797 - $1,514 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,064 - $2,660 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $851 - $3,724 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $319 - $1,596 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $692 - $2,128 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $319 - $15,960+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $319 - $3,724+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Minneapolis?
Movers licensed to operate in Minnesota are typically members of the Minnesota Transport Services Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- 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 Minneapolis with a local mover averages $1,816 - $4,974. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Chicago, IL often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
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 Minneapolis, MN
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $867 and $2,747. 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 Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $867 - $1,577
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,111 - $2,107
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,488 - $2,747
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $80 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $160 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $745 in Chicago, IL, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Minneapolis, MN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Minnesota 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 $867. 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 $1,111 - $2,107.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Minneapolis?
- 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 Minneapolis, MN
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, range from $365 - $924 for the 414-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $140 - $160
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- 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 Minneapolis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $365 - $670
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $392 - $778
- 4+ bedrooms: $468 - $924
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to Minneapolis starts at $365 - $924, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($140 - $160), overnight lodging ($160/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $80 and $372.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $160.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $140 and $160 for the 414-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $745 for 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Minneapolis?
- 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 Minneapolis, MN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 $958 and $1,668.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Minneapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $821 - $1,462
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $962 - $1,668
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,214 - $2,355
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Chicago, Illinois, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $745.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $80 - $160 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Minneapolis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis, MN
Good news for your budget: Minneapolis isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Chicago. Cost of living index runs 107 there against 106 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 77/100 and 33.87/100 here versus 71/100 and 43.94/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Minneapolis, MN to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Minnesota, 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. Illinois alone has 314 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 414-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Chicago, IL, to Minneapolis, MN, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,044 - $6,838 on the 414-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $867 - $2,747 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $365 - $924 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,799 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Aeon and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Minneapolis, MN
What are the best neighborhoods in Minneapolis?
For families, Diamond Lake, Fulton, and Kenny are worth a look in Minneapolis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Linden Hills, Loring Park, and Northeast Minneapolis tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN?
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 $392 - $778. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Minneapolis a safe place to live?
Minneapolis has a safety index of 43.94 out of 100 and a crime index of 56.06, compared to 33.87 and 35.19 in Chicago. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Minneapolis, MN?
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 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 41% and 26% nationally.