($1,051+) Chicago, IL to Reno, NV Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Reno, NV, runs anywhere from $1,051 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,870 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,912 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,142, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,870 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,580 - $5,207, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,051 - $2,950.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Reno, NV. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,207 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 Reno, NV
Moving options from Chicago to Reno fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,207 - $7,237 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 40% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 62% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,912 miles, this route usually takes 5 to 16 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,912-mile route from Chicago to Reno, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,142 - $5,047 | $1,580 - $2,905 | $1,051 - $2,151 | $1,310 - $2,588 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,207 - $7,237 | $1,923 - $4,274 | $1,220 - $2,459 | $1,586 - $3,158 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,069 - $9,870 | $2,686 - $5,207 | $1,570 - $2,950 | $2,149 - $4,210 |
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 Chicago, IL to Reno, NV
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,912-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Reno, Nevada, with prices running from $2,142 - $9,870. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $334 - $2,224 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and Reno 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 Reno:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,142 - $5,047
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,207 - $7,237
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,069 - $9,870
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 Reno.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Reno, NV
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Reno, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $556 - $5,560 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $222 - $1,334/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $334 - $2,669 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,112 - $3,336 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,780 - $11,120 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $833 - $1,582 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,112 - $2,780 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $890 - $3,892 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $334 - $1,668 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $723 - $2,224 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $334 - $16,680+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $334 - $3,892+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Reno?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Chicago, IL. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Reno, NV
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Reno, Nevada, cost between $1,580 and $5,207. 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 Reno. 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 Reno:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,580 - $2,905
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,923 - $4,274
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,686 - $5,207
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 Chicago, IL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $778, 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 $83 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $167 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Chicago, IL, and Reno, NV, 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 Illinois to Nevada 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 $1,580. 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 $1,923 - $4,274.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Reno?
- 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
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Reno, NV
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,912 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Reno, Nevada, running $1,051 - $2,950. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $677 - $773
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Reno based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,051 - $2,151
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,459
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,570 - $2,950
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,051 - $2,950 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Reno. Fuel alone runs $677 - $773, and overnight lodging ($167/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $677 - $773 for the 1,912-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours typically costs around $778.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,912-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $167 per night, adding $334 - $500 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $56 and $334.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Reno?
- 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 Reno, NV
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 Chicago, Illinois, to Reno, Nevada. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,586 and $3,158.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Reno:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,310 - $2,588
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,586 - $3,158
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,149 - $4,210
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?
- 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 $83 and $167.
- 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 $778.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Reno?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Reno, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Reno, NV
Good news for your budget: Reno isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Chicago. Cost of living index runs 119 there against 106 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 77/100 and 33.87/100 here versus 40/100 and 53.74/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Reno, NV to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Nevada over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 314 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 1,912-mile move.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to Reno, NV, 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 $2,142 - $9,870 on the 1,912-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,580 - $5,207, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,051 - $2,950. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,207 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amerco and Trane.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Reno, NV
What are the best neighborhoods in Reno?
For families, South Reno, Northwest, and North Valleys are worth a look in Reno. If you're moving solo or without kids, South Reno, East Reno, and Old Northwest-west University tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Reno?
Reno has a walkability score of 40 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 52, 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.
Is Reno a safe place to live?
Reno has a safety index of 53.74 out of 100 and a crime index of 46.26, compared to 33.87 and 35.19 in Chicago. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to Reno, NV?
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 is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Reno, NV?
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 percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.