($635+) Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Hartford, CT, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $604 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,653 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 891 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 $1,858, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,653 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,209 - $3,755, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $604 - $1,732.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Hartford, CT, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,275 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Hartford to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,275 - $5,778 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 891-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 891-mile route from Hartford to Chicago, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,858 - $4,564 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,209 - $2,066), rental truck ($604 - $1,212), or freight trailer ($995 - $1,935). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,275 - $5,778 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,653.
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 Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL
For the 891-mile move from Hartford, Connecticut, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $1,858 and $7,653. 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 Hartford generally start around $300 plus $180 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Hartford to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,858 - $4,564
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,275 - $5,778
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,092 - $7,653
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 Hartford to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Connecticut 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 Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Hartford 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 ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $211 - $1,265/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $316 - $2,530 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% 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 items47% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,054 - $2,635 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $843 - $3,689 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling15% of local movers | $316 - $1,581 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Fallon Moving & Storage | $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 Hartford to Chicago?
Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Illinois, 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Hartford, CT, 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 Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Hartford, Connecticut, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,209 and $3,755. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Hartford costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Hartford to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,209 - $2,066
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,540 - $3,046
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,051 - $3,755
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 $738 in Hartford, CT. 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 $79 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $158 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 Chicago, IL, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Connecticut 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 $1,209. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,540 - $3,046, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Hartford 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 Hartford 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 Hartford:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- RT Relocation (4.8/5), 15 years in business
- Fallon Moving & Storage (4.1/5), 33 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 891-mile move from Hartford, Connecticut, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $604 and $1,732. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $299 - $341
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Hartford daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Hartford to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $604 - $1,212
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $692 - $1,482
- 4+ bedrooms: $808 - $1,732
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Hartford to Chicago starts at $604 - $1,732, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($299 - $341) , overnight lodging ($158/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $299 - $341 for the 891-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Hartford, Connecticut, for about 5 hours typically costs around $738.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 891-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $158 per night, adding $316 - $474 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $53 and $316.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Hartford 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 Hartford, CT 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 Hartford, Connecticut, 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 $1,208 and $2,413.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Hartford to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $995 - $1,935
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,208 - $2,413
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,560 - $3,222
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 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 $158.
- 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 Hartford, Connecticut, for roughly five hours typically average $738.
What are the best freight companies from Hartford 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.
- North Atlantic Trucking, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): North Atlantic Trucking, 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: 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: Hartford, CT vs Chicago, IL
Day-to-day costs in Chicago are close to what you're used to in Hartford: cost of living index of 106 versus 105, with average rent of $2,045/mo compared to $1,330/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 67/100 and 36.25/100 in Hartford versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Connecticut to Illinois over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 55 movers in our Connecticut network to compare for this 891-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 891-mile route from Hartford, CT, to Chicago, IL, run $1,858 - $7,653 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,209 - $3,755, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $604 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,275, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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 Hartford, CT, to Chicago, IL
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($299 - $341), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $158/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL?
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 $692 - $1,482. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,858 to $7,653, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,858 and $7,653, 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 3 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 Hartford?
Local movers based in Hartford typically start around $300 as a base rate, plus $180/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 Chicago run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Hartford movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Hartford handle piano moves, and 47% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.