($952+) Chicago, IL to Missoula, MT Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Missoula, MT, runs anywhere from $982 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,777 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,588 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 $2,353, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,777 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,509 - $5,248, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $982 - $2,630.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Missoula, MT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,169 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Missoula, MT
Moving options from Chicago to Missoula 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 $3,169 - $7,145 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,588 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,588-mile route from Chicago to Missoula, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,353 - $5,147 with full-service movers, $1,509 - $2,835 with a container, $982 - $1,980 with a rental truck, or $1,397 - $2,601 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,169 - $7,145 full-service, $1,910 - $3,729 by container, $1,052 - $2,220 by rental truck, or $1,451 - $2,983 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,347 - $9,777 full-service, $2,472 - $5,248 by container, $1,339 - $2,630 by rental truck, or $2,185 - $3,991 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 Missoula, MT
Full-service movers for the 1,588-mile relocation from Chicago, Illinois, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $2,353 and $9,777. 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 $326 - $2,176, 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 Chicago typically charge a base rate around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,353 - $5,147
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,169 - $7,145
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,347 - $9,777
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 Missoula.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Montana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Missoula, MT
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Missoula, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $544 - $5,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $218 - $1,306/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $326 - $2,611 |
| 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 | $1,088 - $3,264 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,720 - $10,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $815 - $1,548 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,088 - $2,720 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $870 - $3,808 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $326 - $1,632 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $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 Missoula?
- 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 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 Missoula, MT
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Missoula, Montana, cost between $1,509 and $5,248. 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 Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,509 - $2,835
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,910 - $3,729
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,472 - $5,248
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 Missoula, MT, 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.
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 $1,509. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,910 - $3,729, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Missoula?
- 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 Missoula, MT
Renting a moving truck for the 1,588-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Missoula, Montana, costs between $982 and $2,630, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $550 - $628
- 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 Missoula based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $982 - $1,980
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,052 - $2,220
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,339 - $2,630
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chicago to Missoula looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $982 - $2,630. But once you factor in fuel ($550 - $628) , overnight lodging ($163/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $163 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 $71 and $354 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $550 - $628 in fuel for the 1,588-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $762 in Chicago, Illinois, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Missoula?
- 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 Missoula, MT
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 Missoula, Montana.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,451 and $2,983.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Missoula:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,397 - $2,601
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,451 - $2,983
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,185 - $3,991
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $762.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $82 and $163 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Missoula?
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to Missoula. 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 Missoula, MT
Chicago and Missoula land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 113 in Missoula, and rent tracks closely too ($2,045/mo vs. $1,322/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (77 vs 45) and safety scores (33.87 vs 66.73) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 1 quotes from Illinois to Montana, 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 103 movers in Illinois, so you have real options to compare for this 1,588-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,588-mile route from Chicago, IL, to Missoula, MT, run $2,353 - $9,777 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,509 - $5,248, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $982 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,169, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Walmart AT&T and Target.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Missoula, MT
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Missoula, MT?
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 $1,052 - $2,220. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Missoula a safe place to live?
Missoula has a safety index of 66.73 out of 100 and a crime index of 33.27, 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 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.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Missoula, MT?
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Montana?
In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT).
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.