($517+) Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Wichita, KS, runs anywhere from $517 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,878 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 707 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,508, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,878 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,073 - $3,272, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $517 - $1,411.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Wichita, KS. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,230 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 Wichita, KS
Moving options from Chicago to Wichita fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,230 - $5,521 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 41% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 75% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 707 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 707-mile route from Chicago to Wichita, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,508 for a studio up to $7,878 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,073 - $3,272 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $517 - $1,411, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $911 - $2,671, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Wichita, KS
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 707-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Wichita, Kansas, with prices running from $1,508 - $7,878. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $290 - $1,936 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and Wichita are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chicago movers tend to run around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Wichita:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,508 - $4,008
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,230 - $5,521
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,839 - $7,878
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 Wichita.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Wichita, 64% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $484 - $4,840 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $194 - $1,162/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $290 - $2,323 |
| 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 | $968 - $2,904 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,420 - $9,680 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $725 - $1,377 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $968 - $2,420 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $774 - $3,388 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $290 - $1,452 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $629 - $1,936 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $290 - $14,520+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $290 - $3,388+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Wichita?
Kansas Motor Carriers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Kansas, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Chicago, IL. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Wichita, Kansas, cost between $1,073 and $3,272. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Wichita. If you go over that window, storage in Chicago adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Wichita:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,073 - $1,818
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,325 - $2,699
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,722 - $3,272
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 Chicago, IL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $678, 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 $73 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $145 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Chicago, IL, and Wichita, KS, 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.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Kansas 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 $1,073. 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 $1,325 - $2,699.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Wichita?
- 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 Wichita, KS
Plan on $517 - $1,411 for a rental moving truck on the 707-mile route from Chicago, Illinois, to Wichita, Kansas. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $218 - $249
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- 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 Wichita based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $517 - $981
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $547 - $1,130
- 4+ bedrooms: $705 - $1,411
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $517 - $1,411 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Wichita. Fuel alone runs $218 - $249, and overnight lodging ($145/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $145 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 $678 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 707-mile drive falls between $218 and $249, 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 $290 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Wichita?
- 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 Wichita, KS
If you're moving a larger household from Chicago, Illinois, 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 Wichita, Kansas.
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 $1,039 and $1,974.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Wichita:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $911 - $1,669
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,039 - $1,974
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,420 - $2,671
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $678.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $145 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Wichita?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Wichita quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Wichita, KS
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Wichita, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Wichita, KS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 83 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $930/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $179,630 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $63,072/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 5.7% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 50.81/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Wichita, KS to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Illinois to Kansas, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 314 movers in Illinois, so you have real options to compare for this 707-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 707-mile route from Chicago, IL, to Wichita, KS, run $1,508 - $7,878 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,073 - $3,272, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $517 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,230, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Koch Industries and Spirit AeroSystems.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Wichita, KS
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS?
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 $547 - $1,130. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Wichita a safe place to live?
Wichita has a safety index of 50.81 out of 100 and a crime index of 49.19, 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 Wichita, KS?
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Kansas?
In Kansas, the Transportation Division of the Kansas Corporation Commission monitors, licenses, and regulates intrastate motor carriers like movers. The state’s Corporation Commission issues moving companies operating authority in the form of KCC Numbers, which customers can verify online here before hiring a mover.
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.