($604+) Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Hartford, CT, runs anywhere from $598 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,294 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 892 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 $1,974, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,294 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,162 - $3,910, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $598 - $1,732.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Hartford, CT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,371 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT
Moving options from Chicago to Hartford fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,371 - $5,842 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 892-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 892-mile route from Chicago to Hartford, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,974 - $4,800 with full-service movers, $1,162 - $2,172 with a container, $598 - $1,236 with a rental truck, or $1,005 - $1,935 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,371 - $5,842 full-service, $1,450 - $2,957 by container, $712 - $1,383 by rental truck, or $1,172 - $2,342 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,018 - $8,294 full-service, $2,031 - $3,910 by container, $868 - $1,732 by rental truck, or $1,560 - $3,036 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT
For the 892-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Hartford, Connecticut, full-service movers cost between $1,974 and $8,294. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $317 - $2,112 (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 Chicago generally start around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Hartford:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,974 - $4,800
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,371 - $5,842
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,018 - $8,294
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 Hartford.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Connecticut. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Hartford, 94% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $528 - $5,280 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $211 - $1,267/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $317 - $2,534 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $1,056 - $3,168 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,640 - $10,560 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $791 - $1,503 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,056 - $2,640 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $845 - $3,696 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $317 - $1,584 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $686 - $2,112 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $317 - $15,840+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $317 - $3,696+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Hartford?
All three below meet the standards set by the Movers & Warehousemen’s Association of Connecticut, the group most Connecticut movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Chicago, IL. 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 Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Hartford, Connecticut, cost between $1,162 and $3,910. 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 Hartford:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,162 - $2,172
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,450 - $2,957
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,031 - $3,910
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $79 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $158 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Hartford, CT, 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 $739 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 Connecticut 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 $1,162. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,450 - $2,957, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Hartford?
- 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
- H2H Movers Inc (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Stark Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT
Plan on $598 - $1,732 for a rental moving truck on the 892-mile route from Chicago, Illinois, to Hartford, Connecticut. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $300 - $343
- 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 Hartford based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $598 - $1,236
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $712 - $1,383
- 4+ bedrooms: $868 - $1,732
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $598 - $1,732 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Hartford. Fuel alone runs ($300 - $343) , and overnight lodging ($158/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $739.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $300 - $343 for the 892-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $63 and $343, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $158 per night for hotel stops on the 892-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $317 - $475.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Hartford?
- 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 Hartford, CT
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Hartford, Connecticut. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $950 and $2,342.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Hartford:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $1,935
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,172 - $2,342
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,560 - $3,036
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $79 - $158 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about five hours typically runs $739.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Hartford?
- 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.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
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 Hartford, CT
Chicago and Hartford land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 105 in Hartford, and rent tracks closely too ($2,045/mo vs. $1,330/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (77 vs 67) and safety scores (33.87 vs 36.25) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Hartford, CT to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Connecticut 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 103 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 892-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Chicago, IL, to Hartford, CT, 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 $1,974 - $8,294 on the 892-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,162 - $3,910 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $598 - $1,732 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,371 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Aetna and Prudential Retirement Insurance And Annuity Co.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Hartford, CT
How do I know a mover is licensed in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) regulates in-state moving companies and taxi, trucking, and bus companies. In addition, customers are also protected from scam movers by regulations set forth by the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT?
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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Hartford a safe place to live?
Hartford has a safety index of 36.25 out of 100 and a crime index of 63.75, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Hartford, CT?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $712 - $1,383. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
