($482+) Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL Movers
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Moving from Arlington, VA, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $482 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,350 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 701 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 $1,521, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,350 or more.
- Moving containers run $971 - $3,439, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $482 - $1,328.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,184 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Arlington to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,184 - $4,993 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 41% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 74% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 701 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 701-mile route from Arlington to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,521 - $4,083, container $971 - $1,855, rental truck $482 - $904, freight trailer $920 - $1,619.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,184 - $4,993, container $1,299 - $2,648, rental truck $558 - $1,130, freight trailer $997 - $2,159.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,688 - $7,350, container $1,669 - $3,439, rental truck $692 - $1,328, freight trailer $1,378 - $2,564.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 12, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
For the 701-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $1,521 and $7,350. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $422 - $2,816 (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 Arlington generally start around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,521 - $4,083
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,184 - $4,993
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,688 - $7,350
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 Arlington to Chicago.
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 Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington 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 packing80% of local movers | $704 - $7,040 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $282 - $1,690/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $422 - $3,379 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,408 - $4,224 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,520 - $14,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,055 - $2,004 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,408 - $3,520 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,126 - $4,928 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $422 - $2,112 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $915 - $2,816 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $422 - $21,120+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $422 - $4,928+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Chicago?
Look for Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Illinois beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against 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 Arlington, VA. 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 Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $971 and $3,439. 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 Chicago. If you go over that window, storage in Arlington adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $971 - $1,855
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,299 - $2,648
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,669 - $3,439
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Arlington, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $986, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $106 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $211 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Arlington, VA, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $971. 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 $1,299 - $2,648.
What are the best moving containers Arlington 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Bookstore Movers, LLC (4.8/5), 20 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 701-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $482 and $1,328. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $314 - $359
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Arlington to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $482 - $904
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $558 - $1,130
- 4+ bedrooms: $692 - $1,328
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $482 - $1,328 when pricing out a rental truck from Arlington to Chicago. Fuel alone runs $314 - $359, and overnight lodging ($211/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 $314 - $359 for the 701-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 Arlington, Virginia, for about 5 hours typically costs around $986.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 701-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $211 per night, adding $422 - $634 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $70 and $422.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington 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 Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL
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 Arlington, Virginia, to Chicago, Illinois. 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 $997 and $2,159.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $920 - $1,619
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $997 - $2,159
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,378 - $2,564
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 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 $106 and $211.
- 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 Arlington, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $986.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
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: Arlington, VA vs Chicago, IL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 106 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Chicago, IL to Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Illinois, 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. Virginia alone has 304 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 701-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Arlington, VA, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,521 for a studio to $7,350 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 701-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $971 - $3,439. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $482 - $1,328, 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 $2,184 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 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 Arlington, VA, to Chicago, IL
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 do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/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 Chicago run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?
For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 71 and 72 in Arlington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.