($1,181+) Chicago, IL to Portland, OR Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Portland, OR, runs anywhere from $1,181 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,011 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,119 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,397, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,011 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,602 - $5,897, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,181 - $3,323.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Portland, OR. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,213 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 Portland, OR
Moving options from Chicago to Portland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,213 - $7,346 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 32% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,119 miles, this route usually takes 6 to 17 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,119-mile route from Chicago to Portland, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,397 - $4,909 with full-service movers, $1,602 - $3,204 with a container, $1,181 - $2,210 with a rental truck, or $1,529 - $2,634 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,213 - $7,346 full-service, $2,178 - $4,105 by container, $1,291 - $2,603 by rental truck, or $1,659 - $3,629 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,148 - $11,011 full-service, $2,815 - $5,897 by container, $1,694 - $3,323 by rental truck, or $2,275 - $4,671 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Portland, OR
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,119-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Portland, Oregon, with prices running from $2,397 - $11,011. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $344 - $2,296 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and Portland are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chicago movers tend to run around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,397 - $4,909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,213 - $7,346
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,148 - $11,011
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 Portland.
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.
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 Portland, OR
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Portland, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $574 - $5,740 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $230 - $1,378/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $344 - $2,755 |
| 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 | $1,148 - $3,444 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,870 - $11,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $860 - $1,634 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,148 - $2,870 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $918 - $4,018 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $344 - $1,722 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $746 - $2,296 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $344 - $17,220+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $344 - $4,018+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Portland?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Oregon Moving & Storage Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Chicago, IL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Portland, OR
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Portland, Oregon, cost between $1,602 and $5,897. 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 Portland. 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 Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,602 - $3,204
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,178 - $4,105
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,815 - $5,897
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $86 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $172 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 $804 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 Portland, OR, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Oregon 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 $1,602. 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 $2,178 - $4,105.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Portland?
- 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 Portland, OR
Renting a moving truck for the 2,119-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Portland, Oregon, costs between $1,181 and $3,323, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $774 - $885
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Portland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,181 - $2,210
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,291 - $2,603
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,694 - $3,323
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chicago to Portland looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,181 - $3,323. But once you factor in fuel ($774 - $885), overnight lodging ($172/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $172 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $804 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 2,119-mile drive falls between $774 and $885, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $57 and $344 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Portland?
- 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 Portland, OR
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Portland, Oregon. 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 $1,033 and $3,629.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Portland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,529 - $2,634
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,659 - $3,629
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,275 - $4,671
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?
- 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 $86 - $172 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 $804.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Portland?
- 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Portland quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Portland, OR
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Portland, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Portland, OR |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 128 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,530/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $556,420 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $88,792/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 6.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 9.9% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 81/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 42.63/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Portland, OR to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Oregon 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 314 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 2,119-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Portland, OR, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,397 for a studio to $11,011 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,119-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,602 - $5,897. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,181 - $3,323, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,213 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include KinderCare Learning Centers and Daimler Trucks North America.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Portland, OR
How walkable is Portland?
Portland has a walkability score of 81 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 92, compared to 77 and 72 in Chicago. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Portland?
For families, Forest Park, Hillsdale, and Irvington are worth a look in Portland. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Northwest, and Buckman tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Oregon?
Moving companies headquartered in Oregon must possess an up-to-date USDOT Number as well as a license issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
What do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Portland run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.
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 41% and 26% nationally.