($482+) Rochester, NY to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Rochester, NY to Chicago, IL

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 603-mile move from Rochester, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $1,179 - $6,616. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $287 - $1,916 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Rochester and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Rochester movers tend to run around $294 as a base rate plus $216/hour per mover, for comparison.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,179 - $3,612
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,909 - $4,557
• 4+ bedrooms: $3,425 - $6,616

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 Rochester to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Rochester, NY to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 71% of Rochester 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 Rochester 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.

Moving container costs from Rochester, NY to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Rochester, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,002 and $3,198. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Rochester costs roughly $100/month if you need it.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,002 - $1,753
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,208 - $2,400
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,715 - $3,198

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Rochester, NY, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $671, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $72 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $144 per month.
• Access: Most major container companies serve both Rochester, NY, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
• Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

What are the best moving containers Rochester 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 Rochester, NY to Chicago, IL

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 603 miles from Rochester, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, running $482 - $1,254. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

• Fuel for the drive: $184 - $210
• Daily insurance: $29/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
• Rochester daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $482 - $840
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $476 - $1,018
• 4+ bedrooms: $637 - $1,254

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
• Lodging: Budget around $144 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 Rochester, New York, usually costs about $671 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
• Gas: Fuel for the 603-mile drive falls between $184 and $210, 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 $48 and $287 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Rochester 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 Rochester, NY to Chicago, IL

If you're moving a larger household from Rochester, New York, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Chicago, Illinois.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,038 and $1,980.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $866 - $1,642
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,038 - $1,980
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,318 - $2,482

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 $72 - $144 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 Rochester, New York, typically costs $671.

What are the best freight companies from Rochester to Chicago?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: Rochester, NY 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 Rochester 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

The 603-mile move from Rochester, NY, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,179 and $6,616 with full-service movers, $1,002 - $3,198 with a moving container, and $482 - $1,254 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,909 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 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.