($707+) Chicago, IL to Denver, CO Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Denver, CO, runs anywhere from $721 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,388 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,002 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,144, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,388 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,170 - $3,944, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $721 - $1,903.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Denver, CO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,489 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 Denver, CO
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Denver: 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 $2,489 - $5,913. 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 1,002 miles, expect 2 to 8 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 1,002-mile route from Chicago to Denver, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,144 - $4,926 | $1,170 - $2,223 | $721 - $1,251 | $1,075 - $2,061 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,489 - $5,913 | $1,569 - $2,997 | $779 - $1,642 | $1,217 - $2,373 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,079 - $8,388 | $2,201 - $3,944 | $988 - $1,903 | $1,778 - $3,122 |
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 Chicago, IL to Denver, CO
For the 1,002-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Denver, Colorado, full-service movers cost between $2,144 and $8,388. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $344 - $2,296 (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 Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,144 - $4,926
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,489 - $5,913
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,079 - $8,388
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 Denver.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Colorado. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Denver, CO
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Denver, 87% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $574 - $5,740 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $230 - $1,378/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $344 - $2,755 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $1,148 - $3,444 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,870 - $11,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $860 - $1,634 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,148 - $2,870 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $918 - $4,018 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $344 - $1,722 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $746 - $2,296 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $344 - $17,220+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $344 - $4,018+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Denver?
- 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 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 Denver, CO
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Denver, Colorado, cost between $1,170 and $3,944. 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 Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,170 - $2,223
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,569 - $2,997
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,201 - $3,944
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $86 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $172 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 $804 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 Denver, CO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Colorado 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 $1,170. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,569 - $2,997, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Denver?
- 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
- 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 Denver, CO
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Denver, Colorado, range from $721 - $1,903 for the 1,002-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $366 - $418
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Denver based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $721 - $1,251
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $779 - $1,642
- 4+ bedrooms: $988 - $1,903
Pro tip: The base rate of $721 - $1,903 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chicago to Denver. Fuel ($366 - $418) , lodging at around $172/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $172 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 Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $804 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,002-mile drive falls between $366 and $418, 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 $57 and $344 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Denver?
- 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 Denver, CO
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Denver, Colorado. 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 $1,033 and $2,373.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,075 - $2,061
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,217 - $2,373
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,778 - $3,122
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $86 - $172 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Chicago, Illinois, typically costs $804.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Denver?
- 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.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Denver, 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 Denver, CO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Denver, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 128 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,900/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $586,595 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $91,681/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 5.49% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 95/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 52.16/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Colorado 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 103 movers based in Illinois, handy for sizing up options on this 1,002-mile route.
Our take
The 1,002-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Denver, CO, costs between $2,144 and $8,388 with full-service movers, $1,170 - $3,944 with a moving container, and $721 - $1,903 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,489 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Re/max and DaVita.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Denver, CO
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO?
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 long does a move from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($366 - $418), daily insurance ($34/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $172/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Denver, CO?
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 $779 - $1,642. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.