($629+) Chicago, IL to Garland, TX Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chicago, IL to Garland, TX

Moving from Chicago, IL, to Garland, TX, runs anywhere from $616 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,658 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 917 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 $1,962, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,658 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,175 - $3,801, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $616 - $1,770.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Garland, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,394 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Garland, TX

There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Garland: 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 $2,394 - $5,643. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 917 miles, expect 2 to 7 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 917-mile route from Chicago to Garland, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,962 - $4,527, container $1,175 - $2,045, rental truck $616 - $1,165, freight trailer $1,057 - $1,860.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,394 - $5,643, container $1,435 - $2,960, rental truck $721 - $1,442, freight trailer $1,269 - $2,392.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,202 - $7,658, container $2,052 - $3,801, rental truck $887 - $1,770, freight trailer $1,594 - $3,010.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Garland, TX

Full-service movers for the 917-mile relocation from Chicago, Illinois, to Garland, Texas, cost between $1,962 and $7,658. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $311 - $2,072, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Chicago typically charge a base rate around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Garland:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,962 - $4,527
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,394 - $5,643
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,202 - $7,658

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 Garland.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Texas. 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 Chicago, IL to Garland, TX

Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Garland, 94% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing99% of local movers$518 - $5,180
Storage in transitNew place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co.$207 - $1,243/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$311 - $2,486
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers$1,036 - $3,108
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,590 - $10,360
Car shippingSecond vehicle$776 - $1,474
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc$1,036 - $2,590
PianoAny piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc$829 - $3,626
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers$311 - $1,554
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic$673 - $2,072
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$311 - $15,540+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$311 - $3,626+

What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Garland?

All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas movers are affiliated with.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Chicago, IL. 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 Chicago, IL to Garland, TX

Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Garland, Texas, cost between $1,175 and $3,801. 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 Garland:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,175 - $2,045
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,435 - $2,960
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,052 - $3,801

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $155 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Garland, TX, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
  • Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $725 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Texas 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 $1,175. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,435 - $2,960, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Chicago to Garland?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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
  • H2H Movers Inc (4.9/5), 12 years in business
  • Stark Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 7 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Garland, TX

Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Garland, Texas, range from $616 - $1,770 for the 917-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $302 - $345
  • Daily insurance: $31/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chicago to Garland based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $616 - $1,165
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $721 - $1,442
  • 4+ bedrooms: $887 - $1,770

Pro tip: A rental truck from Chicago to Garland looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $616 - $1,770. But once you factor in fuel ($302 - $345) , overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

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 $725.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $302 - $345 for the 917-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 $62 and $337, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $155 per night for hotel stops on the 917-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $311 - $466.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Garland?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Garland, TX

For larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Garland, Texas.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,269 and $2,392.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Garland:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,057 - $1,860
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,269 - $2,392
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,594 - $3,010

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

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 $725.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $78 - $155 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 Garland?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
  3. Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to Garland. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Garland, TX

Day-to-day costs in Garland are close to what you're used to in Chicago: cost of living index of 100 versus 106, with average rent of $1,624/mo compared to $2,045/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 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago versus 40/100 and 62.87/100 in Garland.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Garland, TX to Chicago, IL guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Texas, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 103 movers licensed in Illinois, useful context for sizing up this 917-mile move.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Chicago, IL, to Garland, TX, 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 $1,962 - $7,658 on the 917-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,175 - $3,801 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $616 - $1,770 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,394 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Garland tend to point to quality education and diversity, though severe storms and extreme heat come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Garland Independent School District and City of Garland.

FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Garland, TX

Is Garland a safe place to live?

Garland has a safety index of 62.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 37.13, compared to 33.87 and 35.19 in Chicago. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

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 is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Garland, TX?

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. Texas also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?

In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($302 - $345), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $155/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 75% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.