($1,179+) Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Seattle, WA, runs anywhere from $1,179 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,686 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,069 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 $2,309, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,686 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,598 - $5,576, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,179 - $3,417.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Seattle, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,285 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 Seattle, WA
Moving options from Chicago to Seattle fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,285 - $7,111 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 37% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 62% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,069-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,069-mile route from Chicago to Seattle, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,309 - $4,850 with full-service movers, $1,598 - $3,158 with a container, $1,179 - $2,253 with a rental truck, or $1,510 - $2,733 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,285 - $7,111 full-service, $2,067 - $4,385 by container, $1,264 - $2,736 by rental truck, or $1,703 - $3,577 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,159 - $10,686 full-service, $2,748 - $5,576 by container, $1,532 - $3,417 by rental truck, or $2,289 - $4,829 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 Seattle, WA
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to Seattle, Washington, costs between $2,309 and $10,686. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,069-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $380 - $2,536, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Chicago and Seattle. For a rough baseline, movers based in Chicago tend to start around $220 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,309 - $4,850
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,285 - $7,111
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,159 - $10,686
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 Seattle.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Seattle, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $634 - $6,340 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $254 - $1,522/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $380 - $3,043 |
| 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 | $1,268 - $3,804 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,170 - $12,680 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $950 - $1,804 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,268 - $3,170 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,014 - $4,438 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $380 - $1,902 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $824 - $2,536 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $380 - $19,020+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $380 - $4,438+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Seattle?
Movers licensed to operate in Washington are typically members of the Washington Movers Conference, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chicago, IL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Seattle, Washington, cost between $1,598 and $5,576. 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 Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,598 - $3,158
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,067 - $4,385
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,748 - $5,576
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $95 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $190 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 $888 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 Seattle, WA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Washington 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 $1,598. 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 $2,067 - $4,385.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Seattle?
- 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 Seattle, WA
Plan on $1,179 - $3,417 for a rental moving truck on the 2,069-mile route from Chicago, Illinois, to Seattle, Washington. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $835 - $954
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- 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 Seattle based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,179 - $2,253
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,264 - $2,736
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,532 - $3,417
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,179 - $3,417 does not include fuel ($835 - $954), lodging ($190/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Chicago to Seattle typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $835 - $954 for the 2,069-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours typically costs around $888.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 2,069-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $190 per night, adding $380 - $571 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $63 and $380.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Seattle?
- 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 Seattle, WA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Seattle, Washington, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,703 and $3,577.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Seattle:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,510 - $2,733
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,703 - $3,577
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,289 - $4,829
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Chicago, Illinois, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $888.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $95 - $190 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Seattle?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to Seattle. 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 Seattle, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Seattle, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 158 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,975/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $911,938 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $121,984/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 4.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | None |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 74/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 49.23/100 |
| 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 Seattle, WA 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 Washington, 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 314 movers licensed in Illinois, useful context for sizing up this 2,069-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Seattle, WA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,309 for a studio to $10,686 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,069-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,598 - $5,576. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,179 - $3,417, 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 $3,285 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Seattle tend to point to beautiful nature and ample economic opportunity, though high cost of living and rainy weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Amazon.com and Starbucks.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Seattle, WA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($835 - $954), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $190/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Seattle?
Seattle has a walkability score of 74 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 71, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,179 to $10,686, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,309 and $10,686, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
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 Seattle run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.