($879+) Chicago, IL to Miami, FL Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Miami, FL, runs anywhere from $879 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,549 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,380 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,080, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,549 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,376 - $4,317, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $879 - $2,444.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Miami, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,816 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 Miami, FL
Moving options from Chicago to Miami fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,816 - $6,164 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 39% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 69% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,380 miles, this route usually takes 3 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,380-mile route from Chicago to Miami, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,080 - $5,004 with full-service movers, $1,376 - $2,519 with a container, $879 - $1,619 with a rental truck, or $1,156 - $2,113 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,816 - $6,164 full-service, $1,707 - $3,482 by container, $878 - $1,849 by rental truck, or $1,351 - $2,595 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,769 - $8,549 full-service, $2,272 - $4,317 by container, $1,095 - $2,444 by rental truck, or $1,873 - $3,526 by freight.
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 Miami, FL
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to Miami, Florida, costs between $2,080 and $8,549. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,380-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $334 - $2,224, 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 Chicago and Miami. For a rough baseline, movers based in Chicago tend to start around $220 plus $100/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 Chicago to Miami:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,080 - $5,004
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,816 - $6,164
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,769 - $8,549
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 Miami.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Miami, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Miami, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $556 - $5,560 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $222 - $1,334/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $334 - $2,669 |
| 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 | $1,112 - $3,336 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,780 - $11,120 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $833 - $1,582 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,112 - $2,780 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $890 - $3,892 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $334 - $1,668 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $723 - $2,224 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $334 - $16,680+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $334 - $3,892+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Miami?
Professional Movers Association of Florida membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Florida, on top of the picks below.
- 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Chicago, IL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Miami, FL
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Miami, Florida, cost between $1,376 and $4,317. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Chicago runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Miami:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,376 - $2,519
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,707 - $3,482
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,272 - $4,317
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 $778 in Chicago, IL. 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 $83 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $167 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 Miami, FL, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Florida 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 $1,376. 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 $1,707 - $3,482.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Miami?
- 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 Miami, FL
Renting a moving truck for the 1,380-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Miami, Florida, costs between $879 and $2,444, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $488 - $558
- 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 Miami based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $879 - $1,619
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $878 - $1,849
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,095 - $2,444
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $879 - $2,444 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Miami. Fuel alone runs $488 - $558, and overnight lodging ($167/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $488 - $558 for the 1,380-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 $778.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,380-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $167 per night, adding $334 - $500 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $56 and $334.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Miami?
- 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 Miami, FL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Chicago, Illinois, to Miami, Florida. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,351 and $2,595.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Miami:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,156 - $2,113
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,351 - $2,595
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,873 - $3,526
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $778.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $83 - $167 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 Miami?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Miami quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Miami, FL
Good news for your budget: Miami isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Chicago. Cost of living index runs 119 there against 106 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 77/100 and 33.87/100 here versus 77/100 and 47.46/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Miami, FL to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Florida over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 314 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 1,380-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Miami, FL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,080 for a studio to $8,549 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,380-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,376 - $4,317. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $879 - $2,444, 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 $2,816 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Royal Bank of Canada and Navarro Discount Pharmacy.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Miami, FL
How walkable is Miami?
Miami has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 64, 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 Miami?
For families, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, and Kendall are worth a look in Miami. If you're moving solo or without kids, Coral Gables, Brickell, and Little Havana tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Florida?
Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services.
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 Miami run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 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.