($529+) Chicago, IL to Baltimore, MD Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Baltimore, MD, runs anywhere from $529 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,897 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 703 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 $1,495, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,897 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,024 - $3,210, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $529 - $1,344.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Baltimore, MD. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,042 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 Baltimore, MD
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Baltimore: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,042 - $5,266. Moving containers run about 38% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 72% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 703-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 703-mile route from Chicago to Baltimore, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,495 - $4,056 | $1,024 - $1,859 | $529 - $963 | $922 - $1,622 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,042 - $5,266 | $1,275 - $2,654 | $565 - $1,098 | $1,041 - $2,060 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,773 - $7,897 | $1,832 - $3,210 | $728 - $1,344 | $1,466 - $2,811 |
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 Baltimore, MD
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 703-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Baltimore, Maryland, with costs ranging from $1,495 - $7,897. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $302 - $2,016. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chicago and Baltimore. 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 Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,495 - $4,056
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,042 - $5,266
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,773 - $7,897
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 Baltimore.
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 Baltimore, MD
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Baltimore, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $504 - $5,040 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $202 - $1,210/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $302 - $2,419 |
| 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 | $1,008 - $3,024 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,520 - $10,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $755 - $1,434 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,008 - $2,520 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $806 - $3,528 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $302 - $1,512 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $655 - $2,016 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $302 - $15,120+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $302 - $3,528+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Baltimore?
All three below meet the standards set by the Maryland Motor Truck Association, the group most Maryland 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 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 Baltimore, MD
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Baltimore, Maryland, cost between $1,024 and $3,210. 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 Baltimore. 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 Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,024 - $1,859
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,275 - $2,654
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,832 - $3,210
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $76 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $151 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $706 in Chicago, IL, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Baltimore, MD, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Maryland 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 $1,024. 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 $1,275 - $2,654.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Baltimore?
- 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 Baltimore, MD
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 703 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Baltimore, Maryland, running $529 - $1,344. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $225 - $258
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Baltimore based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $529 - $963
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $565 - $1,098
- 4+ bedrooms: $728 - $1,344
Pro tip: The base rate of $529 - $1,344 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chicago to Baltimore. Fuel ($225 - $258), lodging at around $151/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $151 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $66 and $328 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $225 - $258 in fuel for the 703-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $706 in Chicago, Illinois, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Baltimore?
- 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 Baltimore, MD
For larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Baltimore, Maryland.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,041 and $2,060.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Baltimore:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $922 - $1,622
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,041 - $2,060
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,466 - $2,811
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $76 - $151 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about five hours typically runs $706.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Baltimore?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to Baltimore. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Baltimore, MD
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Chicago and Baltimore to plan around. Cost of living index: 106 vs. 93. Average rent: $2,045/mo vs. $1,600/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 77 vs. 64. Safety index: 33.87 vs. 27.28.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Baltimore, MD to Chicago, IL guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Maryland, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 295 movers licensed in Illinois, useful context for sizing up this 703-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Chicago, IL, to Baltimore, MD, 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 $1,495 - $7,897 on the 703-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,024 - $3,210 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $529 - $1,344 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,042 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 Social Security Administration and Laureate International Universities.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Baltimore, MD
How do I know a mover is licensed in Maryland?
Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Baltimore, MD?
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Baltimore a safe place to live?
Baltimore has a safety index of 27.28 out of 100 and a crime index of 72.72, 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 Baltimore, MD?
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 $565 - $1,098. 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 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.