($723+) Austin, TX to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Austin, TX to Chicago, IL

Full-service movers for the 1,121-mile relocation from Austin, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $2,344 and $8,378. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $359 - $2,396, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Austin typically charge a base rate around $191 plus $90 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Austin to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,344 - $5,279
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,680 - $6,161
• 4+ bedrooms: $4,430 - $8,378

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 Austin to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Austin, TX to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market — 81% of Austin movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Austin 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Moving container costs from Austin, TX to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Austin, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,214 and $4,168. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Austin typically costs about $80/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Austin to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,214 - $2,432
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,596 - $3,157
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,267 - $4,168

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 Austin, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $839, 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 $90 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $180 per month.
• Access: Most major container companies serve both Austin, TX, 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.

What are the best moving containers Austin to Chicago?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Austin, TX to Chicago, IL

A rental truck for this 1,121-mile move from Austin, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $723 and $2,053. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

• Fuel for the drive: $427 - $488
• Daily insurance: $36/day
• Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
• Austin daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Austin to Chicago based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $723 - $1,362
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $814 - $1,619
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,013 - $2,053

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Austin, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $839.
• Gas: Fuel costs total $427 - $488 for the 1,121-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 $72 and $389, depending on what you need.
• Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
• Lodging: Budget around $180 per night for hotel stops on the 1,121-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $359 - $539.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Austin to Chicago?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 Austin, TX to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Austin, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,341 and $2,630.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Austin to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,138 - $2,146
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,341 - $2,630
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,761 - $3,438

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 $90 - $180 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 Austin, Texas, typically costs $839.

What are the best freight companies from Austin to Chicago?

1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
3. Molina Trucking (4.26/5 stars): Molina Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Cost of living: Austin, TX 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 Austin on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.