($1,169+) Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL Movers
The cost to move from Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL ranges from $1,250 to $11,520, with an average cost of $4,000. Moves can be as low as $1,169 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,128 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Oakland to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,250 - $11,520 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,000, and movers handle 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 particular route covers 2,128 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,128-mile route from Oakland to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,250 for a studio up to $11,520 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,564 - $5,648 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,169 - $3,257, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,496 - $4,519, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers for the 2,128-mile relocation from Oakland, California, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,250 and $11,520. 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 $480 - $3,200, 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 Oakland typically charge a base rate around $281 plus $147 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Oakland to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,250 - $5,249
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,528 - $7,216
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,104 - $11,520
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 Oakland to Chicago.
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 Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 53% of Oakland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing76% of local movers | $800 - $8,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready53% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $320 - $1,920/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $480 - $3,840 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% of local movers | $1,600 - $4,800 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,000 - $16,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,198 - $2,277 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Pure Moving Company | $1,600 - $4,000 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Got2Move | $1,280 - $5,600 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $480 - $2,400 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $1,040 - $3,200 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $480 - $24,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $480 - $5,600+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Oakland to Chicago?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Oakland, CA. 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 Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Oakland, California, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,564 and $5,648. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Oakland typically costs about $120/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Oakland to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,564 - $3,227
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,214 - $4,221
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,777 - $5,648
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Oakland, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $1,120, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $120 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $240 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Oakland, CA, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $1,564. 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 $2,214 - $4,221.
What are the best moving containers Oakland 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 Oakland 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 Oakland:
- Sweet Lemon Moving Services (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- Got2Move (4.8/5), 19 years in business
- 680 Movers (4.8/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Oakland, California, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $1,169 - $3,257 for the 2,128-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,083 - $1,238
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- Oakland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.39
| 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 Oakland to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,169 - $2,209
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,344 - $2,796
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,613 - $3,257
Pro tip: A rental truck from Oakland to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,169 - $3,257. But once you factor in fuel ($1,083 - $1,238), overnight lodging ($240/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $240 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 $104 and $520 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,083 - $1,238 in fuel for the 2,128-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $1,120 in Oakland, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Oakland 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 Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL
If you're moving a larger household from Oakland, California, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Chicago, Illinois.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,772 and $3,411.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Oakland to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,496 - $2,876
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,772 - $3,411
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,269 - $4,519
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $120 - $240 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Oakland, California, for about five hours typically runs $1,120.
What are the best freight companies from Oakland to Chicago?
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Oakland to Chicago. 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: Oakland, CA 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 Oakland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Oakland, CA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 196 | 106 |
| Average rent | $2,200/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $925,411 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $97,369/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 75/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 31.38/100 | 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 Oakland, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California 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 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 2,128-mile route.
Our take
The 2,128-mile move from Oakland, CA, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,250 and $11,520 with full-service movers, $1,564 - $5,648 with a moving container, and $1,169 - $3,257 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,528 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer 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 Oakland, CA, to Chicago, IL
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.
What do local movers charge in Oakland?
Local movers based in Oakland typically start around $281 as a base rate, plus $147/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.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,169 to $11,520, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,250 and $11,520, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL?
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 $1,344 - $2,796. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Oakland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Oakland handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.