($444+) Chicago, IL to Chattanooga, TN Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Chattanooga, TN, runs anywhere from $444 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,193 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 601 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 $1,335, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,193 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,029 - $3,286, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $444 - $1,276.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Chattanooga, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,034 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 Chattanooga, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Chattanooga: 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 $2,034 - $5,058. Containers cost roughly 35% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 77% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 601 miles, expect 1 to 6 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 601-mile route from Chicago to Chattanooga, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,335 for a studio up to $7,193 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,029 - $3,286 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $444 - $1,276, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $865 - $2,402, 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 Chattanooga, TN
For the 601-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, full-service movers cost between $1,335 and $7,193. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $299 - $1,992 (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 Chicago generally start around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,335 - $3,848
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,034 - $5,058
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,613 - $7,193
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 Chattanooga.
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 Chattanooga, TN
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chattanooga, 45% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $498 - $4,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $199 - $1,195/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $299 - $2,390 |
| 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 | $996 - $2,988 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,490 - $9,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $746 - $1,417 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $996 - $2,490 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $797 - $3,486 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $299 - $1,494 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $647 - $1,992 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $299 - $14,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $299 - $3,486+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Chattanooga?
- 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 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 Chattanooga, TN
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $1,029 and $3,286. 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 Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,029 - $1,855
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,319 - $2,567
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,745 - $3,286
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $75 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $149 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $697 in Chicago, IL, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Chattanooga, TN, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Tennessee 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 $1,029. 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 $1,319 - $2,567.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga, TN
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, range from $444 - $1,276 for the 601-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $190 - $218
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Chattanooga based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $444 - $890
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $475 - $1,026
- 4+ bedrooms: $587 - $1,276
Pro tip: The base rate of $444 - $1,276 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chicago to Chattanooga. Fuel ($190 - $218), lodging at around $149/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 $697.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $190 - $218 for the 601-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 $60 and $324, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $149 per night for hotel stops on the 601-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $299 - $448.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga, TN
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 Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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 $975 and $1,917.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $865 - $1,543
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $975 - $1,917
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,369 - $2,402
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Chicago, Illinois, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $697.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $75 - $149 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 Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, TN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chattanooga, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Chattanooga, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 90 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,475/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $259,125 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $61,028/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | None |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 29/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 46.11/100 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Illinois to Tennessee, 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 601-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 601-mile route from Chicago, IL, to Chattanooga, TN, run $1,335 - $7,193 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,029 - $3,286, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $444 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,034, 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 Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Chattanooga, TN
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Chattanooga, TN?
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 $475 - $1,026. 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 Chattanooga, TN?
Costs on this route range from around $444 to $7,193, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,335 and $7,193, 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 Chattanooga run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Tennessee?
Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
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.