($604+) New Haven, CT to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from New Haven, CT, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $604 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,216 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 868 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 $1,626, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,216 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,086 - $3,643, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $604 - $1,503.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from New Haven, CT, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,256 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 New Haven, CT to Chicago, IL
Moving options from New Haven to Chicago 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 $2,256 - $5,467 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 37% 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 868 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 868-mile route from New Haven to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,626 - $4,381 with full-service movers, $1,086 - $2,027 with a container, $604 - $1,085 with a rental truck, or $978 - $1,841 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,256 - $5,467 full-service, $1,424 - $2,675 by container, $640 - $1,290 by rental truck, or $1,140 - $2,316 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,803 - $7,216 full-service, $1,914 - $3,643 by container, $747 - $1,503 by rental truck, or $1,486 - $2,944 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 New Haven, CT to Chicago, IL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 868-mile move from New Haven, Connecticut, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $1,626 - $7,216. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $323 - $2,156 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between New Haven and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, New Haven movers tend to run around $324 as a base rate plus $180/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from New Haven to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,626 - $4,381
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,256 - $5,467
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,803 - $7,216
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 New Haven to Chicago.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from New Haven, CT to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 67% of New Haven movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $539 - $5,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready67% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Hands On Moving | $216 - $1,294/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $323 - $2,587 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers | $1,078 - $3,234 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,695 - $10,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $807 - $1,534 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: RT Relocation | $1,078 - $2,695 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Hands On Moving | $862 - $3,773 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling3% of local movers | $323 - $1,617 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $701 - $2,156 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $323 - $16,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $323 - $3,773+ |
What are the best full-service movers from New Haven to Chicago?
Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Illinois, 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 almost always better priced than local movers in New Haven, CT. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from New Haven, CT to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from New Haven, Connecticut, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,086 and $3,643. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in New Haven typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from New Haven to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,086 - $2,027
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,424 - $2,675
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,914 - $3,643
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 $755 in New Haven, CT. 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 $81 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $162 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 Chicago, IL, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Connecticut to Illinois 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 $1,086. 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 $1,424 - $2,675.
What are the best moving containers New Haven to Chicago?
- 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 New Haven 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 New Haven:
- Collegian Movers (5.0/5), 37 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 5 years in business
- A Plus Moving, LLC (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from New Haven, CT to Chicago, IL
Renting a moving truck for the 868-mile move from New Haven, Connecticut, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $604 and $1,503, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $298 - $340
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- New Haven daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.99
| 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 New Haven to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $604 - $1,085
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $640 - $1,290
- 4+ bedrooms: $747 - $1,503
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $604 - $1,503 does not include fuel ($298 - $340), lodging ($162/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from New Haven to Chicago typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $81 and $377.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $162.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $298 and $340 for the 868-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $755 for 2 movers in New Haven, Connecticut, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from New Haven to Chicago?
- 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 New Haven, CT to Chicago, IL
If you're moving a larger household from New Haven, Connecticut, 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 Chicago, Illinois.
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 $1,140 and $2,316.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from New Haven to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $978 - $1,841
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,140 - $2,316
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,486 - $2,944
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 $81 and $162.
- 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 New Haven, Connecticut, for roughly five hours typically average $755.
What are the best freight companies from New Haven to Chicago?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chicago fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: New Haven, CT vs Chicago, IL
Good news for your budget: Chicago isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than New Haven. Cost of living index runs 106 there against 109 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 68/100 and 41.8/100 here versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to New Haven, CT guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Connecticut to Illinois, 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 120 movers in Connecticut, so you have real options to compare for this 868-mile move.
Our take
The 868-mile move from New Haven, CT, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,626 and $7,216 with full-service movers, $1,086 - $3,643 with a moving container, and $604 - $1,503 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 $2,256 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from New Haven, CT, to Chicago, IL
How much does it cost to move from New Haven, CT to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $604 to $7,216, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,626 and $7,216, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 68 and 66 in New Haven. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($298 - $340), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $162/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.
What is the best time of year to move from New Haven, CT to Chicago, IL?
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.
What percentage of New Haven movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in New Haven handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.