($459+) Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Little Rock, AR, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $459 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,197 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 653 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,554, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,197 or more.
- Moving containers run $981 - $3,250, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $459 - $1,337.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Little Rock, AR, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,161 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 Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Little Rock to Chicago: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,161 - $5,667. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 75% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 653 miles, expect 1 to 6 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 653-mile route from Little Rock to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,554 - $4,149 | $981 - $1,793 | $459 - $886 | $946 - $1,598 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,161 - $5,667 | $1,271 - $2,608 | $537 - $1,116 | $997 - $1,966 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,915 - $8,197 | $1,752 - $3,250 | $664 - $1,337 | $1,429 - $2,678 |
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 Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,554 and $8,197. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 653-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $273 - $1,820, 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 Little Rock and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in Little Rock tend to start around $100 plus $94/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 Little Rock to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,554 - $4,149
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,161 - $5,667
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,915 - $8,197
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 Little Rock to Chicago.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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 Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 48% of Little Rock 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 packing67% of local movers | $455 - $4,550 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready48% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $182 - $1,092/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $273 - $2,184 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage6% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% of local movers | $910 - $2,730 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,275 - $9,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $682 - $1,295 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items11% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $910 - $2,275 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $728 - $3,185 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $273 - $1,365 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $592 - $1,820 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $273 - $13,650+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $273 - $3,185+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Little Rock 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Little Rock, AR. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $981 and $3,250. 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 Little Rock runs about $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Little Rock to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $981 - $1,793
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,271 - $2,608
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,752 - $3,250
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 $637 in Little Rock, AR. 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 $68 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $137 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 Chicago, IL, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arkansas 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 $981. 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 $1,271 - $2,608.
What are the best moving containers Little Rock 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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 17 years in business
- You Move Me (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- StoneBrook Moving
Moving truck rental costs from Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL
Renting a moving truck for the 653-mile move from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $459 and $1,337, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $189 - $216
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Little Rock daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 Little Rock to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $459 - $886
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $537 - $1,116
- 4+ bedrooms: $664 - $1,337
Pro tip: The base rate of $459 - $1,337 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Little Rock to Chicago. Fuel ($189 - $216), lodging at around $137/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $137 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 Little Rock, Arkansas, usually costs about $637 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 653-mile drive falls between $189 and $216, 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 $46 and $273 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Little Rock 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 Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Chicago, Illinois, 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 $997 and $1,966.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Little Rock to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $946 - $1,598
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $997 - $1,966
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,429 - $2,678
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 $68 - $137 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Little Rock, Arkansas, for about five hours typically runs $637.
What are the best freight companies from Little Rock to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Little Rock 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: Little Rock, AR 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 Little Rock on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Little Rock, AR | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 81 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,100/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $220,588 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $60,583/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 2.0% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 33/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 39.94/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Little Rock, AR guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Arkansas to Illinois, 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 70 movers licensed in Arkansas, useful context for sizing up this 653-mile move.
Our take
A move from Little Rock, AR, to Chicago, IL, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,554 - $8,197 on the 653-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $981 - $3,250, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $459 - $1,337. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,161 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock 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 Little Rock, AR, to Chicago, IL
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($189 - $216), daily insurance ($27/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $18) on top. Overnight stops can add another $137/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Little Rock, AR to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 Little Rock, AR 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 Little Rock, AR 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.
Is Chicago a safe place to live?
Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 39.94 and 60.06 in Little Rock. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Little Rock movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Little Rock handle piano moves, and 11% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.