($570+) Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Wilmington, DE, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $542 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,640 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 752 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 $1,702, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,640 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,096 - $3,671, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $542 - $1,512.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wilmington, DE, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,341 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 Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Wilmington to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,341 - $5,808 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 752 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 752-mile route from Wilmington to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,702 - $4,137 | $1,096 - $1,972 | $542 - $1,092 | $956 - $1,739 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,341 - $5,808 | $1,350 - $2,763 | $620 - $1,322 | $1,148 - $2,121 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,987 - $7,640 | $1,905 - $3,671 | $793 - $1,512 | $1,448 - $2,995 |
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 Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 752-mile move from Wilmington, Delaware, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $1,702 - $7,640. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $314 - $2,096. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Wilmington and Chicago. Local movers in Wilmington typically start around $334 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wilmington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,702 - $4,137
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,341 - $5,808
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,987 - $7,640
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 Wilmington to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Delaware to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Wilmington 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 packing97% of local movers | $524 - $5,240 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $210 - $1,258/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $314 - $2,515 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers | $1,048 - $3,144 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,620 - $10,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $785 - $1,491 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items63% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC | $1,048 - $2,620 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC | $838 - $3,668 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $314 - $1,572 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move Crew LLC | $681 - $2,096 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $314 - $15,720+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $314 - $3,668+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Wilmington to Chicago?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Wilmington, DE, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Wilmington, Delaware, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,096 and $3,671. 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 Chicago. If you go over that window, storage in Wilmington adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wilmington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,096 - $1,972
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,350 - $2,763
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,905 - $3,671
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 Wilmington, DE, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $734, 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 $79 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $157 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Wilmington, DE, 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.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Delaware 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 $1,096. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,350 - $2,763, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Move Crew LLC (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- Bayshore Transportation System, Inc. (4.5/5), 53 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 752 miles from Wilmington, Delaware, to Chicago, Illinois, running $542 - $1,512. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $251 - $287
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Wilmington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Wilmington to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $542 - $1,092
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $620 - $1,322
- 4+ bedrooms: $793 - $1,512
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $542 - $1,512 does not include fuel ($251 - $287) , lodging ($157/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Wilmington to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $734.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $251 - $287 for the 752-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 $63 and $341, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $157 per night for hotel stops on the 752-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $314 - $472.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Wilmington 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 Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL
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 Wilmington, Delaware, to Chicago, Illinois. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,148 and $2,121.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wilmington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $956 - $1,739
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,148 - $2,121
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,448 - $2,995
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $79 and $157.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Wilmington, Delaware, for roughly five hours typically average $734.
What are the best freight companies from Wilmington to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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 Chicago 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: Wilmington, DE vs Chicago, IL
Good news for your budget: Chicago isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Wilmington. Cost of living index runs 106 there against 104 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 - 74/100 and 32.68/100 here versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Wilmington, DE guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Delaware to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 9 movers based in Delaware, handy for sizing up options on this 752-mile route.
Our take
A move from Wilmington, DE, to Chicago, IL, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,702 - $7,640 on the 752-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,096 - $3,671, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $542 - $1,512. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,341 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live 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 Wilmington, DE, to Chicago, IL
What is the best time of year to move from Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL?
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 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($251 - $287), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $157/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 74 and 52 in Wilmington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,702 to $7,640, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,702 and $7,640, 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 percentage of Wilmington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Wilmington handle piano moves, and 63% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
