($992+) Boise, ID to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Boise, ID, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $1,034 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,477 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,693 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,706, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $12,477 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,525 - $5,547, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,034 - $3,036.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Boise, ID, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,724 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 Boise, ID to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Boise to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,724 - $8,834 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,693-mile route typically takes 4 to 15 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,693-mile route from Boise to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,706 for a studio up to $12,477 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,525 - $5,547 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,034 - $3,036, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,331 - $4,438, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Boise, ID to Chicago, IL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,693-mile move from Boise, Idaho, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $2,706 - $12,477. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $341 - $2,276 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Boise and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Boise movers tend to run around $229 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Boise to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,706 - $6,041
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,724 - $8,834
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,678 - $12,477
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 Boise to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Idaho to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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.
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 Boise, ID to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of Boise 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 packing100% of local movers | $569 - $5,690 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 208 Moving Company | $228 - $1,366/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $341 - $2,731 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage27% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs45% of local movers | $1,138 - $3,414 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,845 - $11,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $852 - $1,619 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Merchant Moving & Storage, LLC | $1,138 - $2,845 |
| Piano | Any piano type91% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 208 Moving Company | $910 - $3,983 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $341 - $1,707 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $740 - $2,276 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $341 - $17,070+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $341 - $3,983+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Boise to Chicago?
Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Illinois, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Boise, ID. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Boise, ID to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Boise, Idaho, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,525 and $5,547. 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 Boise typically costs about $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Boise to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,525 - $2,871
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,969 - $4,098
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,794 - $5,547
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 Boise, ID, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $797, 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 $85 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $171 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Boise, ID, 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 Idaho 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 $1,525. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,969 - $4,098, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Boise 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 Boise 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 Boise:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- Vantage Moving Solutions, LLC (4.7/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Boise, ID to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 1,693-mile move from Boise, Idaho, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,034 and $3,036. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $613 - $701
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Boise daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Boise to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,034 - $2,026
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,106 - $2,458
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,467 - $3,036
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,034 - $3,036 does not include fuel ($613 - $701) , lodging ($171/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Boise to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Boise, Idaho, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $797.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $613 - $701 for the 1,693-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $68 and $370, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $171 per night for hotel stops on the 1,693-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $341 - $512.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Boise 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 Boise, ID to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Boise, Idaho, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Chicago, Illinois.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,638 and $3,182.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Boise to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,331 - $2,688
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,638 - $3,182
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,063 - $4,438
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $85 - $171 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Boise, Idaho, typically costs $797.
What are the best freight companies from Boise to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Frasier Transport, Inc. (4.62/5 stars): Frasier Transport, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Boise 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: Boise, ID vs Chicago, IL
Boise and Chicago land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 119 in Boise and 106 in Chicago, and rent tracks closely too ($1,495/mo vs. $2,045/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (88 vs 77) and safety scores (65.01 vs 33.87) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Boise, ID guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Idaho to Illinois 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 22 movers in our Idaho network to compare for this 1,693-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Boise, ID, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,706 for a studio to $12,477 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,693-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,525 - $5,547. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,034 - $3,036, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,724 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live 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 Boise, ID, to Chicago, IL
What is the cheapest way to move from Boise, ID 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 $1,106 - $2,458. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 65.01 and 34.99 in Boise. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Boise, ID 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.
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 percentage of Boise movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 91% of movers in Boise handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
