($604+) Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $635 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,421 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 898 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,952, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,421 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,128 - $3,794, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $635 - $1,681.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,299 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Virginia Beach to Chicago: 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 $2,299 - $5,550. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 898 miles, expect 2 to 7 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 898-mile route from Virginia Beach to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,952 - $4,567 | $1,128 - $2,172 | $635 - $1,188 | $1,089 - $1,954 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,299 - $5,550 | $1,495 - $3,105 | $672 - $1,355 | $1,232 - $2,413 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,135 - $7,421 | $1,991 - $3,794 | $842 - $1,681 | $1,657 - $3,160 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL
For the 898-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $1,952 and $7,421. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $316 - $2,108 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Virginia Beach generally start around $183 plus $97 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Virginia Beach to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,952 - $4,567
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,299 - $5,550
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,135 - $7,421
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 Virginia Beach to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Virginia Beach movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $527 - $5,270 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $211 - $1,265/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $316 - $2,530 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage45% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs60% of local movers | $1,054 - $3,162 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,635 - $10,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $789 - $1,500 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Atlantic Beach Movers | $1,054 - $2,635 |
| Piano | Any piano type85% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $843 - $3,689 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $316 - $1,581 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: | $685 - $2,108 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $316 - $15,810+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $316 - $3,689+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Virginia Beach to Chicago?
All three below meet the standards set by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Illinois movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Virginia Beach, VA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,128 and $3,794. 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 Virginia Beach typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Virginia Beach to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,128 - $2,172
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,495 - $3,105
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,991 - $3,794
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $79 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $158 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 $738 in Virginia Beach, VA. 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 Virginia to Illinois 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 $1,128. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,495 - $3,105, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Virginia Beach to Chicago?
- 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 12 years in business
- Atlantic Beach Movers (4.7/5), 20 years in business
- A Friendly & Affordable Mover (4.8/5), 28 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $635 - $1,681 for the 898-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $301 - $344
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Virginia Beach daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Virginia Beach to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $635 - $1,188
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $672 - $1,355
- 4+ bedrooms: $842 - $1,681
Pro tip: A rental truck from Virginia Beach to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $635 - $1,681. But once you factor in fuel ($301 - $344) , overnight lodging ($158/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $79 and $369.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $158.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $301 and $344 for the 898-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 $738 for 2 movers in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Virginia Beach to Chicago?
- 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 Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Chicago, Illinois, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,232 and $2,413.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Virginia Beach to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,089 - $1,954
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,232 - $2,413
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,657 - $3,160
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $79 - $158 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for about five hours typically runs $738.
What are the best freight companies from Virginia Beach to Chicago?
- 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.
- Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. (4.58/5 stars): Sysco Hampton Roads, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Virginia Beach, VA vs Chicago, IL
Good news for your budget: Chicago isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Virginia Beach. Cost of living index runs 106 there against 105 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 33/100 and 58.0/100 here versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Virginia Beach, VA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Illinois, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 104 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 898-mile move.
Our take
The 898-mile move from Virginia Beach, VA, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,952 and $7,421 with full-service movers, $1,128 - $3,794 with a moving container, and $635 - $1,681 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 $2,299 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.
FAQs: Moving from Virginia Beach, VA, to Chicago, IL
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL?
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.
Is Chicago a safe place to live?
Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 58.0 and 42.0 in Virginia Beach. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 33 and 42 in Virginia Beach. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?
For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.
What percentage of Virginia Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 85% of movers in Virginia Beach handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
