($675+) Fort Worth, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Fort Worth, TX, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $655 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,725 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 950 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,095, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,725 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,257 - $3,933, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $655 - $1,828.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fort Worth, TX, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,619 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 Fort Worth, TX to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Fort Worth to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,619 - $6,263 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 950 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 950-mile route from Fort Worth to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,095 - $5,166 | $1,257 - $2,287 | $655 - $1,214 | $1,120 - $2,077 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,619 - $6,263 | $1,539 - $3,026 | $758 - $1,458 | $1,256 - $2,494 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,460 - $8,725 | $2,116 - $3,933 | $905 - $1,828 | $1,660 - $3,274 |
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 Fort Worth, TX to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 950-mile move from Fort Worth, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $2,095 - $8,725. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $311 - $2,072. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Fort Worth and Chicago. Local movers in Fort Worth typically start around $216 as a base rate plus $80/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fort Worth to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,095 - $5,166
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,619 - $6,263
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,460 - $8,725
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 Fort Worth to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Fort Worth, TX to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Fort Worth 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 packing98% of local movers | $518 - $5,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage | $207 - $1,243/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $311 - $2,486 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage27% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs70% of local movers | $1,036 - $3,108 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,590 - $10,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $776 - $1,474 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage | $1,036 - $2,590 |
| Piano | Any piano type62% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage | $829 - $3,626 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $311 - $1,554 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage | $673 - $2,072 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $311 - $15,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $311 - $3,626+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fort Worth to Chicago?
Look for Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Illinois beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Fort Worth, TX. 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 Fort Worth, TX to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Fort Worth, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,257 and $3,933. 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 Chicago. If you go over that window, storage in Fort Worth adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Worth to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,257 - $2,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,539 - $3,026
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,116 - $3,933
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $155 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 $725 in Fort Worth, TX. 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 Texas 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 $1,257. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,539 - $3,026, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth:
- Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 24 years in business
- Olde World Movers (4.9/5), 38 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fort Worth, TX to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Fort Worth, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $655 - $1,828 for the 950-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $313 - $358
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Fort Worth daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Fort Worth to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $655 - $1,214
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $758 - $1,458
- 4+ bedrooms: $905 - $1,828
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $655 - $1,828 does not include fuel ($313 - $358) , lodging ($155/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Fort Worth to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $78 and $363.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $155.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $313 and $358 for the 950-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $725 for 2 movers in Fort Worth, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth, TX to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Fort Worth, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,256 and $2,494.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Worth to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,120 - $2,077
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,256 - $2,494
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,660 - $3,274
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?
- 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 Fort Worth, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $725.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $155 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Fort Worth 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.
- Hazel's Expedited Freight (4.62/5 stars): Hazel's Expedited Freight 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: Fort Worth, TX vs Chicago, IL
Good news for your budget: Chicago isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Fort Worth. Cost of living index runs 106 there against 102 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 35/100 and 56.81/100 here versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Fort Worth, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 289 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 950-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Fort Worth, TX, 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 $2,095 - $8,725 on the 950-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,257 - $3,933 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $655 - $1,828 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,619 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 Fort Worth, TX, to Chicago, IL
What is the cheapest way to move from Fort Worth, TX 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 $758 - $1,458. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($313 - $358), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $155/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Fort Worth, TX 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 is the best time of year to move from Fort Worth, TX to Chicago, IL?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Fort Worth, TX 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 percentage of Fort Worth movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 62% of movers in Fort Worth handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
