($822+) Albuquerque, NM to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Albuquerque, NM, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $822 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,004 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,337 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 $2,254, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,004 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,237 - $4,588, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $822 - $2,166.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Albuquerque, NM, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,112 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 Albuquerque, NM to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Albuquerque 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 $3,112 - $7,194. Moving containers run about 44% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 73% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,337-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 1,337-mile route from Albuquerque to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,254 - $5,590 | $1,237 - $2,426 | $822 - $1,477 | $1,113 - $2,226 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,112 - $7,194 | $1,745 - $3,317 | $853 - $1,886 | $1,303 - $2,708 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,181 - $10,004 | $2,233 - $4,588 | $1,151 - $2,166 | $1,786 - $3,600 |
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 Albuquerque, NM to Chicago, IL
For the 1,337-mile move from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $2,254 and $10,004. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $293 - $1,952 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Albuquerque generally start around $185 plus $80 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Albuquerque to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,254 - $5,590
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,112 - $7,194
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,181 - $10,004
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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque, NM to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Albuquerque 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 packing81% of local movers | $488 - $4,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $195 - $1,171/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,342 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $976 - $2,928 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,440 - $9,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $731 - $1,389 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Albuquerque NM Movers | $976 - $2,440 |
| Piano | Any piano type24% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $781 - $3,416 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $293 - $1,464 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: EXCEPTIONAL (NM) | $634 - $1,952 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,416+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Albuquerque 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Albuquerque, NM. 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 Albuquerque, NM to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,237 and $4,588. 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 Albuquerque costs roughly $65/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Albuquerque to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,237 - $2,426
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,745 - $3,317
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,233 - $4,588
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $73 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $146 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $683 in Albuquerque, NM, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Chicago, IL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Mexico 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 $1,237. 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 $1,745 - $3,317.
What are the best moving containers Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 9 years in business
- K & J'z Moving Inc (4.2/5), 28 years in business
- Mr. Move It All (5.0/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Albuquerque, NM to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $822 - $2,166 for the 1,337-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $415 - $475
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $822 - $1,477
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $853 - $1,886
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,151 - $2,166
Pro tip: The base rate of $822 - $2,166 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Albuquerque to Chicago. Fuel ($415 - $475), lodging at around $146/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $146 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 $63 and $317 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $415 - $475 in fuel for the 1,337-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $683 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque, NM 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 Albuquerque, New Mexico, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,303 and $2,708.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Albuquerque to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,113 - $2,226
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,303 - $2,708
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,786 - $3,600
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 Albuquerque, New Mexico, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $683.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $146 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque 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: Albuquerque, NM vs Chicago, IL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Albuquerque and Chicago to plan around. Cost of living index: 92 vs. 106. Average rent: $1,250/mo vs. $2,045/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 43 vs. 77. Safety index: 28.28 vs. 33.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Albuquerque, NM guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from New Mexico to Illinois, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 39 movers in New Mexico, so you have real options to compare for this 1,337-mile move.
Our take
A move from Albuquerque, NM, 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 $2,254 - $10,004 on the 1,337-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,237 - $4,588, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $822 - $2,166. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,112 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 Albuquerque, NM, to Chicago, IL
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.
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 28.28 and 71.72 in Albuquerque. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Albuquerque, NM 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 $853 - $1,886. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
How long does a move from Albuquerque, NM to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 3 to 8 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 percentage of Albuquerque movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 24% of movers in Albuquerque handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.