($588+) Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Hartford, CT, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $588 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,583 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $1,770, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,583 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,096 - $3,797, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $588 - $1,569.
- 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 $2,301 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 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. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,301 - $5,234 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 38% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 72% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 891 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 891-mile route from Hartford to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,770 for a studio up to $7,583 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,096 - $3,797 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $588 - $1,569, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $998 - $2,980, 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 Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from Hartford, Connecticut, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,770 and $7,583. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 891-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $316 - $2,108, 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 Hartford and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in Hartford tend to start around $300 plus $180/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 Hartford to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,770 - $4,093
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,301 - $5,234
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,525 - $7,583
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.
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 Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 67% of Hartford movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $527 - $5,270 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: RT Relocation | $211 - $1,265/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $316 - $2,530 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage9% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% 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 items17% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: RT Relocation | $1,054 - $2,635 |
| Piano | Any piano type46% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $843 - $3,689 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $316 - $1,581 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect16% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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?
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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Hartford, CT. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Hartford, Connecticut, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,096 and $3,797. 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 Hartford adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Hartford to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,096 - $2,089
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,424 - $2,705
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,840 - $3,797
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 $1,096. 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 $1,424 - $2,705.
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
- Two Brothers Moving (4.7/5), 18 years in business
- Fresh Start-The Moving Crew (4.9/5), 15 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 $588 and $1,569. 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: $588 - $1,165
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $646 - $1,345
- 4+ bedrooms: $779 - $1,569
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $588 - $1,569 does not include fuel ($299 - $341), lodging ($158/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Hartford to Chicago typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $158 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Hartford, Connecticut, usually costs about $738 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 891-mile drive falls between $299 and $341, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $53 and $316 to your total.
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 solid option for larger DIY moves from Hartford, Connecticut, to Chicago, Illinois. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $949 and $2,186.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Hartford to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $998 - $1,843
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,139 - $2,186
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,517 - $2,980
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 Hartford, Connecticut, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $738.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $79 - $158 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 Hartford to Chicago?
- 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chicago fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Hartford, CT vs Chicago, IL
Good news for your budget: Chicago isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Hartford. Cost of living index runs 106 there against 105 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 67/100 and 36.25/100 here versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Connecticut to Illinois, 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 120 movers in Connecticut, so you have real options to compare for this 891-mile move.
Our take
A move from Hartford, CT, 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 $1,770 - $7,583 on the 891-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,096 - $3,797, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $588 - $1,569. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,301 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 Hartford, CT, to Chicago, IL
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 is the best time of year to move from Hartford, CT 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 ($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.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 67 and 54 in Hartford. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Hartford movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 46% of movers in Hartford handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.