($544+) Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Newark, NJ, runs anywhere from $544 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,661 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 781 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 $1,669, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,661 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,044 - $3,438, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $544 - $1,416.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Newark, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,192 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 Newark, NJ
Moving options from Chicago to Newark fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,192 - $5,690 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 74% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 781-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 781-mile route from Chicago to Newark, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,669 - $4,280 with full-service movers, $1,044 - $1,978 with a container, $544 - $973 with a rental truck, or $958 - $1,660 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,192 - $5,690 full-service, $1,409 - $2,717 by container, $576 - $1,277 by rental truck, or $1,030 - $2,195 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,600 - $7,661 full-service, $1,853 - $3,438 by container, $699 - $1,416 by rental truck, or $1,395 - $2,722 by freight.
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 Newark, NJ
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to Newark, New Jersey, costs between $1,669 and $7,661. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 781-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $353 - $2,352, 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 Newark. 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 Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,669 - $4,280
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,192 - $5,690
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,600 - $7,661
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 Newark.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Newark, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $588 - $5,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $235 - $1,411/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $353 - $2,822 |
| 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 | $1,176 - $3,528 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,940 - $11,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $881 - $1,673 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,176 - $2,940 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $941 - $4,116 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $353 - $1,764 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $764 - $2,352 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $353 - $17,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $353 - $4,116+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Newark?
New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New Jersey, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chicago, IL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Newark, New Jersey, cost between $1,044 and $3,438. 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 Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,044 - $1,978
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,409 - $2,717
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,853 - $3,438
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $823 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $88 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $176 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Newark, NJ, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to New Jersey 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 $1,044. 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 $1,409 - $2,717.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Newark?
- 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 Newark, NJ
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Newark, New Jersey, range from $544 - $1,416 for the 781-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $292 - $334
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- 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 Newark based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $544 - $973
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $576 - $1,277
- 4+ bedrooms: $699 - $1,416
Pro tip: The base rate of $544 - $1,416 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chicago to Newark. Fuel ($292 - $334), lodging at around $176/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $823.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $292 - $334 for the 781-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $71 and $382, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $176 per night for hotel stops on the 781-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $353 - $529.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Newark?
- 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 Newark, NJ
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 Newark, New Jersey. 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 $1,030 and $2,195.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $958 - $1,660
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,030 - $2,195
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,395 - $2,722
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $88 - $176 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 Chicago, Illinois, typically costs $823.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Newark?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Newark, 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 Newark, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Newark, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 135 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $2,300/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $335,418 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $48,416/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 13.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 76/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 24.76/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Newark, NJ 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 New Jersey, 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 781-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Chicago, IL, to Newark, NJ, 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 $1,669 - $7,661 on the 781-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,044 - $3,438 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $544 - $1,416 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,192 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 Panasonic Corporation of North America and Prudential Financial.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Newark, NJ
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($292 - $334), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $24) on top. Overnight stops can add another $176/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ?
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 $576 - $1,277. 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 Newark, NJ?
Costs on this route range from around $544 to $7,661, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,669 and $7,661, 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 Newark run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.