($1,042+) Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Mesa, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,042 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,680 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,740 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,283, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,680 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,432 - $5,178, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,042 - $2,973.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Mesa, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,156 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 Mesa, AZ
Moving options from Chicago to Mesa 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 $3,156 - $6,750 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 67% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,740 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,740-mile route from Chicago to Mesa, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,283 - $4,980, container $1,432 - $2,841, rental truck $1,042 - $1,905, freight trailer $1,302 - $2,582.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,156 - $6,750, container $1,832 - $3,781, rental truck $1,049 - $2,314, freight trailer $1,480 - $3,118.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,530 - $9,680, container $2,735 - $5,178, rental truck $1,421 - $2,973, freight trailer $2,167 - $4,310.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,740-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Mesa, Arizona, with costs ranging from $2,283 - $9,680. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $326 - $2,176. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chicago and Mesa. 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 Mesa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,283 - $4,980
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,156 - $6,750
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,530 - $9,680
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 Mesa.
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 Mesa, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Mesa, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $544 - $5,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $218 - $1,306/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $326 - $2,611 |
| 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 | $1,088 - $3,264 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,720 - $10,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $815 - $1,548 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,088 - $2,720 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $870 - $3,808 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $326 - $1,632 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $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 Mesa?
Arizona Moving Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Arizona, 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 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 Mesa, AZ
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Mesa, Arizona, cost between $1,432 and $5,178. 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 Mesa. 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 Mesa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,432 - $2,841
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,832 - $3,781
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,735 - $5,178
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 Mesa, AZ, 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 Arizona 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 $1,432. 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 $1,832 - $3,781.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Mesa?
- 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 Mesa, AZ
A rental truck for this 1,740-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Mesa, Arizona, costs between $1,042 and $2,973. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $602 - $688
- 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 Mesa based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,042 - $1,905
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,049 - $2,314
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,421 - $2,973
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to Mesa starts at $1,042 - $2,973, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($602 - $688), overnight lodging ($163/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $82 and $381.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $163.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $602 and $688 for the 1,740-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 $762 for 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Mesa?
- 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 Mesa, AZ
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Mesa, Arizona, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,480 and $3,118.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Mesa:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,302 - $2,582
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,480 - $3,118
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,167 - $4,310
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $82 - $163 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Chicago, Illinois, typically costs $762.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Mesa?
- 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: 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 Mesa, AZ
Chicago and Mesa land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 113 in Mesa, and average rent is $2,045/mo vs. $1,786/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 77 vs 38 and safety scores are 33.87 vs 55.33.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Illinois to Arizona, 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 295 movers in Illinois, so you have real options to compare for this 1,740-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Chicago, IL, to Mesa, AZ, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,283 - $9,680 on the 1,740-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,432 - $5,178 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,042 - $2,973 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,156 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Mesa tend to point to bountiful outdoor activities and beautiful nature, though terrible traffic and tourists come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Banner Health System and Mesa Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Mesa, AZ
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($602 - $688), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $163/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ?
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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Mesa a safe place to live?
Mesa has a safety index of 55.33 out of 100 and a crime index of 44.67, 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 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 40% and 26% nationally.