($923+) Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Salt Lake City, UT, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $861 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,622 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,398 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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 $2,318, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,622 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,376 - $5,059, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $861 - $2,492.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Salt Lake City, UT, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,897 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Salt Lake City to Chicago: 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 $2,897 - $6,591. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,398-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 1,398-mile route from Salt Lake City to Chicago, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,318 - $5,311 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,376 - $2,644), rental truck ($861 - $1,631), or freight trailer ($1,300 - $2,310). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,897 - $6,591 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,622.
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 Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,398-mile move from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $2,318 - $9,622. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $345 - $2,300 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Salt Lake City and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Salt Lake City movers tend to run around $340 as a base rate plus $137/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Salt Lake City to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,318 - $5,311
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,897 - $6,591
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,262 - $9,622
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 Salt Lake City to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Utah to Illinois. 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.
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 Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of Salt Lake City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $575 - $5,750 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Best Of Utah Moving Company LLC | $230 - $1,380/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $345 - $2,760 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs78% of local movers | $1,150 - $3,450 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,875 - $11,500 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $861 - $1,636 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items61% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Best Of Utah Moving Company LLC | $1,150 - $2,875 |
| Piano | Any piano type74% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Best Of Utah Moving Company LLC | $920 - $4,025 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $345 - $1,725 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Moving Connections | $748 - $2,300 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $345 - $17,250+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $345 - $4,025+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Salt Lake City to Chicago?
Movers licensed to operate in Illinois are typically members of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Salt Lake City, UT. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,376 and $5,059. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Salt Lake City costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Salt Lake City to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,376 - $2,644
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,881 - $3,800
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,312 - $5,059
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $86 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $173 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Chicago, IL, 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 $805 in Salt Lake City, UT. 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.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Utah to Illinois 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 $1,376. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,881 - $3,800, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Salt Lake City to Chicago?
- 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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City:
- Best Of Utah Moving Company LLC (5.0/5), 10 years in business
- Moving Connections (4.9/5), 27 years in business
- Kellogg Movers (4.9/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $861 - $2,492 for the 1,398-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $512 - $585
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Salt Lake City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.29
| 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 Salt Lake City to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $861 - $1,631
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $931 - $2,122
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,221 - $2,492
Pro tip: The base rate of $861 - $2,492 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Salt Lake City to Chicago. Fuel ($512 - $585) , lodging at around $173/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Salt Lake City, Utah, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $805.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $512 - $585 for the 1,398-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $69 and $374, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $173 per night for hotel stops on the 1,398-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $345 - $518.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Salt Lake City to Chicago?
- 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Salt Lake City, Utah, 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 Chicago, Illinois.
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 $1,447 and $2,838.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Salt Lake City to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,300 - $2,310
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,447 - $2,838
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,985 - $4,047
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 Salt Lake City, Utah, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $805.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $86 and $173 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Salt Lake City to Chicago?
- 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.
- Savage Services Corporation (4.76/5 stars): Savage Services Corporation is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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 Chicago 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: Salt Lake City, UT vs Chicago, IL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Salt Lake City on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Salt Lake City, UT | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 121 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,495/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $495,721 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $74,925/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 59/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 65.36/100 | 33.87/100 |
| 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 Chicago, IL to Salt Lake City, UT guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Utah to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 32 movers based in Utah, handy for sizing up options on this 1,398-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Salt Lake City, UT, to Chicago, IL, 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 $2,318 - $9,622 on the 1,398-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,376 - $5,059 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $861 - $2,492 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,897 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Salt Lake City, UT, to Chicago, IL
How much does it cost to move from Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $2,318 to $9,622, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,318 and $9,622, 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 Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL?
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 Salt Lake City?
Local movers based in Salt Lake City typically start around $340 as a base rate, plus $137/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 Chicago run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?
For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Salt Lake City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 74% of movers in Salt Lake City handle piano moves, and 61% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
