($642+) Chicago, IL to Dallas, TX Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Dallas, TX, runs anywhere from $642 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,752 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 926 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 $1,875, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,752 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,107 - $3,553, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $642 - $1,739.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Dallas, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,281 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 Dallas, TX
Moving options from Chicago to Dallas fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,281 - $5,583 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 71% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 926 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 926-mile route from Chicago to Dallas, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,875 - $4,229 | $1,107 - $1,970 | $642 - $1,204 | $1,037 - $1,865 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,281 - $5,583 | $1,395 - $2,794 | $653 - $1,376 | $1,185 - $2,190 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,790 - $7,752 | $1,840 - $3,553 | $837 - $1,739 | $1,611 - $2,933 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Better Moves Project: Read about Kylie M.'s moving experience from Chicago, IL to Dallas, TX.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Dallas, TX
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to Dallas, Texas, costs between $1,875 and $7,752. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 926-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $311 - $2,072, 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 Chicago and Dallas. For a rough baseline, movers based in Chicago tend to start around $220 plus $100/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 Chicago to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,875 - $4,229
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,281 - $5,583
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,790 - $7,752
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 Dallas.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Dallas, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Dallas, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $518 - $5,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $207 - $1,243/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $311 - $2,486 |
| 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 | $1,036 - $3,108 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,590 - $10,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $776 - $1,474 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,036 - $2,590 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $829 - $3,626 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $311 - $1,554 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $673 - $2,072 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $311 - $15,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $311 - $3,626+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Dallas?
All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas 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 Chicago, IL. 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 Chicago, IL to Dallas, TX
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Dallas, Texas, cost between $1,107 and $3,553. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Chicago typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,107 - $1,970
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,395 - $2,794
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,840 - $3,553
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 $725, 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 $78 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $155 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Chicago, IL, and Dallas, TX, 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 Texas 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 $1,107. 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 $1,395 - $2,794.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Dallas?
- 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 Dallas, TX
A rental truck for this 926-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Dallas, Texas, costs between $642 and $1,739. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $305 - $349
- Daily insurance: $31/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 Dallas based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $642 - $1,204
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $653 - $1,376
- 4+ bedrooms: $837 - $1,739
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chicago to Dallas looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $642 - $1,739. But once you factor in fuel ($305 - $349), overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. 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 $78 and $363.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $155.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $305 and $349 for the 926-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 $725 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 Dallas?
- 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 Dallas, TX
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Chicago, Illinois, to Dallas, Texas. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,185 and $2,190.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,037 - $1,865
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,185 - $2,190
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,611 - $2,933
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 $725.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $78 - $155 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 Dallas?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Dallas, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Dallas, TX
Day-to-day costs in Dallas are close to what you're used to in Chicago: cost of living index of 100 versus 106, with average rent of $1,774/mo compared to $2,045/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago versus 46/100 and 48.6/100 in Dallas.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Dallas, TX 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 Texas, 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 926-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Dallas, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,875 for a studio to $7,752 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 926-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,107 - $3,553. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $642 - $1,739, 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 $2,281 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 Dallas tend to point to ample economic opportunity and fabulous weather, though high housing costs and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and American Airlines Group, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Dallas, TX
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Dallas, TX?
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 $653 - $1,376. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Dallas, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $642 to $7,752, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,875 and $7,752, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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 do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Dallas run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
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.