($784+) Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to St. Petersburg, FL, runs anywhere from $792 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,191 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,194 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,249, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,191 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,246 - $4,528, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $792 - $2,080.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to St. Petersburg, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,640 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Moving options from Chicago to St. Petersburg fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,640 - $6,205 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,194-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,194-mile route from Chicago to St. Petersburg, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,249 - $4,960 | $1,246 - $2,360 | $792 - $1,420 | $1,180 - $2,253 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,640 - $6,205 | $1,723 - $3,253 | $847 - $1,866 | $1,312 - $2,818 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,556 - $8,191 | $2,377 - $4,528 | $1,023 - $2,080 | $1,739 - $3,516 |
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 St. Petersburg, FL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,194-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Petersburg, Florida, with prices running from $2,249 - $8,191. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $314 - $2,096 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,249 - $4,960
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,640 - $6,205
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,556 - $8,191
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 St. Petersburg.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Florida. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 St. Petersburg, FL
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Petersburg, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $524 - $5,240 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $210 - $1,258/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $314 - $2,515 |
| 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 | $1,048 - $3,144 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,620 - $10,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $785 - $1,491 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,048 - $2,620 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $838 - $3,668 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $314 - $1,572 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $681 - $2,096 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $314 - $15,720+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $314 - $3,668+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to St. Petersburg?
Professional Movers Association of Florida membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Florida, on top of the picks below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 St. Petersburg, FL
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $1,246 and $4,528. 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 St. Petersburg. 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 St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,246 - $2,360
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,723 - $3,253
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,377 - $4,528
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $734 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $79 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $157 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your St. Petersburg, FL, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Florida 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 $1,246. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,723 - $3,253, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to St. Petersburg?
- 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Renting a moving truck for the 1,194-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Petersburg, Florida, costs between $792 and $2,080, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $398 - $455
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- 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 St. Petersburg based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $792 - $1,420
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $847 - $1,866
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,023 - $2,080
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to St. Petersburg starts at $792 - $2,080, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($398 - $455) , overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $157 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 $734 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,194-mile drive falls between $398 and $455, 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 $52 and $314 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to St. Petersburg?
- 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Petersburg, Florida, 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 $1,312 and $2,818.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,180 - $2,253
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,312 - $2,818
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,739 - $3,516
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $79 and $157.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly five hours typically average $734.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to St. Petersburg?
- 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.
- 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.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to St. Petersburg. 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Chicago and St. Petersburg land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 103 in St. Petersburg, and rent tracks closely too ($2,045/mo vs. $2,075/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (77 vs 43) and safety scores (33.87 vs 60.46) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Florida, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Illinois alone has 103 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,194-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to St. Petersburg, FL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,249 for a studio to $8,191 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,194-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,246 - $4,528. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $792 - $2,080, 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 $2,640 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 Jabil and FADV Holdings.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to St. Petersburg, FL
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL?
Costs on this route range from around $2,249 to $8,191, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,249 and $8,191, 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.
How walkable is St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 59, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($398 - $455), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $157/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Florida?
Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services.
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.
