($553+) Chicago, IL to Wilmington, DE Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Wilmington, DE, runs anywhere from $553 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,584 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 752 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 $1,577, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,584 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,044 - $3,462, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $553 - $1,483.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Wilmington, DE. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,148 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 Chicago, IL to Wilmington, DE
Moving options from Chicago to Wilmington 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 $2,148 - $5,382 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 34% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 72% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 752 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 752-mile route from Chicago to Wilmington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,577 - $3,984 | $1,044 - $1,860 | $553 - $1,050 | $911 - $1,675 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,148 - $5,382 | $1,407 - $2,606 | $596 - $1,235 | $1,126 - $2,169 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,581 - $7,584 | $1,707 - $3,462 | $726 - $1,483 | $1,438 - $2,770 |
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 Chicago, IL to Wilmington, DE
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 752-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Wilmington, Delaware, with costs ranging from $1,577 - $7,584. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $316 - $2,104. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chicago and Wilmington. Local movers in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Wilmington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,577 - $3,984
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,148 - $5,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,581 - $7,584
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 Wilmington.
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 Wilmington, DE
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Wilmington, 53% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $526 - $5,260 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $210 - $1,262/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $316 - $2,525 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,052 - $3,156 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,630 - $10,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $788 - $1,497 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,052 - $2,630 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $842 - $3,682 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $316 - $1,578 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $684 - $2,104 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $316 - $15,780+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $316 - $3,682+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Wilmington?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chicago, IL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Wilmington, DE
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Wilmington, Delaware, cost between $1,044 and $3,462. 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 Wilmington. If you go over that window, storage in Chicago adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Wilmington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,044 - $1,860
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,407 - $2,606
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,707 - $3,462
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chicago, IL and Wilmington, DE. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $736 in Chicago, IL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $79 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $158 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Delaware 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 $1,044. 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 $1,407 - $2,606.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Wilmington?
- 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
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Wilmington, DE
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Wilmington, Delaware, range from $553 - $1,483 for the 752-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $252 - $288
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- 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 Wilmington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $553 - $1,050
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $596 - $1,235
- 4+ bedrooms: $726 - $1,483
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to Wilmington starts at $553 - $1,483, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($252 - $288), overnight lodging ($158/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $252 - $288 for the 752-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 Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours typically costs around $736.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 752-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $158 per night, adding $316 - $473 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 Chicago to Wilmington?
- 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 Wilmington, DE
If you're moving a larger household from Chicago, Illinois, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Wilmington, Delaware.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,126 and $2,169.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Wilmington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $911 - $1,675
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,126 - $2,169
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,438 - $2,770
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?
- 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 Chicago, Illinois, for roughly five hours typically average $736.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Wilmington?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
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 Wilmington, DE
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Chicago and Wilmington to plan around. Cost of living index: 106 vs. 104. Average rent: $2,045/mo vs. $1,812/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 77 vs. 74. Safety index: 33.87 vs. 32.68.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Wilmington, DE to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Illinois to Delaware, 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 314 movers in Illinois, so you have real options to compare for this 752-mile move.
Our take
The 752-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Wilmington, DE, costs between $1,577 and $7,584 with full-service movers, $1,044 - $3,462 with a moving container, and $553 - $1,483 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 $2,148 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 Nestle and DuPont.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Wilmington, DE
Is Wilmington a safe place to live?
Wilmington has a safety index of 32.68 out of 100 and a crime index of 67.32, 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.
How walkable is Wilmington?
Wilmington has a walkability score of 74 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 52, compared to 77 and 72 in Chicago. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Wilmington?
For families, Forty Acres, Happy Valley, and Trolley Square are worth a look in Wilmington. If you're moving solo or without kids, Trolley Square, Happy Valley, and Midtown Brandywine tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Delaware?
Movers headquartered in Delaware that offer local and intrastate moving services don’t need to be licensed. Still, they must comply with Delaware Department of Transportation (DDOT) regulations on insurance and commercial vehicle safety.
What do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Wilmington run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.