($511+) Chicago, IL to Atlanta, GA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Atlanta, GA, runs anywhere from $548 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,557 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 716 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 $1,519, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,557 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,062 - $3,363, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $548 - $1,467.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Atlanta, GA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,364 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 Atlanta, GA
Moving options from Chicago to Atlanta fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,364 - $5,347 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 716 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 716-mile route from Chicago to Atlanta, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,519 - $4,334 | $1,062 - $2,045 | $548 - $989 | $1,015 - $1,734 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,364 - $5,347 | $1,363 - $2,862 | $609 - $1,247 | $1,147 - $2,158 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,031 - $7,557 | $1,900 - $3,363 | $741 - $1,467 | $1,565 - $2,917 |
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 Atlanta, GA
Full-service movers for the 716-mile relocation from Chicago, Illinois, to Atlanta, Georgia, cost between $1,519 and $7,557. 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 $326 - $2,176, 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 Atlanta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,519 - $4,334
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,364 - $5,347
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,031 - $7,557
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 Atlanta.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Georgia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Atlanta, GA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Atlanta, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $544 - $5,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $218 - $1,306/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $326 - $2,611 |
| 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 | $1,088 - $3,264 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,720 - $10,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $815 - $1,548 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,088 - $2,720 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $870 - $3,808 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $326 - $1,632 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $707 - $2,176 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $326 - $16,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $326 - $3,808+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Atlanta?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Georgia Movers 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 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 Atlanta, GA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Atlanta, Georgia, cost between $1,062 and $3,363. 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 Chicago costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Atlanta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,062 - $2,045
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,363 - $2,862
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,900 - $3,363
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $82 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $163 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Atlanta, GA, 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 $762 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 Georgia 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 $1,062. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,363 - $2,862, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Atlanta?
- 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 Atlanta, GA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 716 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Atlanta, Georgia, running $548 - $1,467. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $248 - $283
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Atlanta based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $548 - $989
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $609 - $1,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $741 - $1,467
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $548 - $1,467 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Atlanta. Fuel alone runs ($248 - $283) , and overnight lodging ($163/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $163 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $71 and $354 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $248 - $283 in fuel for the 716-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $762 in Chicago, Illinois, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Atlanta?
- 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 Atlanta, GA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Atlanta, Georgia, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,147 and $2,158.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Atlanta:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,015 - $1,734
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,147 - $2,158
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,565 - $2,917
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $82 and $163.
- 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 Chicago, Illinois, for roughly five hours typically average $762.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Atlanta?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: 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: Chicago, IL vs Atlanta, GA
Day-to-day costs in Atlanta are close to what you're used to in Chicago: cost of living index of 113 versus 106, with average rent of $1,900/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 48/100 and 35.77/100 in Atlanta.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Georgia, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Illinois alone has 103 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 716-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Atlanta, GA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,519 for a studio to $7,557 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 716-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,062 - $3,363. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $548 - $1,467, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,364 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Atlanta tend to point to ample economic opportunity and mild winters, though terrible traffic and urban sprawl come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Delta Air Lines and Emory University / Emory Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Atlanta, GA
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Atlanta, GA?
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 $609 - $1,247. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Atlanta a safe place to live?
Atlanta has a safety index of 35.77 out of 100 and a crime index of 64.23, 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 Atlanta, GA?
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. Georgia 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 Georgia?
Moving companies in Georgia are regulated by the the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS). Regulations include insurance requirements and the handling of consumer complaints.
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.