($95+) Milwaukee, WI to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Milwaukee, WI to Chicago, IL

For the 91-mile move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $535 and $3,713. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $286 - $1,904 (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 Milwaukee generally start around $349 plus $105 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Milwaukee to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $535 - $2,587
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,049 - $3,270
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,445 - $3,713

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 Milwaukee to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Milwaukee, WI to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Milwaukee movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Milwaukee to Chicago?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.

1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

How much do local movers cost in Milwaukee, WI?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Milwaukee to Chicago with a local mover averages $997 - $3,107. A local mover in Milwaukee, WI is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.

Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.

Moving container costs from Milwaukee, WI to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $616 and $1,856. 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 Milwaukee costs roughly $90/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Milwaukee to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $616 - $1,021
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $834 - $1,519
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,015 - $1,856

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Access: Most major container brands operate in both Milwaukee, WI and Chicago, IL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
• Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $666 in Milwaukee, WI, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $71 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $143 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
• Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

What are the best moving containers Milwaukee to Chicago?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee, WI to Chicago, IL

A rental truck for this 91-mile move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $95 and $173. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

• Fuel for the drive: $28 - $32
• Daily insurance: $29/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
• Milwaukee daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.69

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee to Chicago based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $95 - $137
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $102 - $159
• 4+ bedrooms: $117 - $173

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 $71 and $333.
• Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $143.
• Gas: Expect fuel to run between $28 and $32 for the 91-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 $666 for 2 movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for about 5 hours.
• Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Milwaukee to Chicago?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 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 $0 and $0.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Milwaukee to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $0 - $0
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $0 - $0
• 4+ bedrooms: $0 - $0

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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $666.
• More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $71 and $143 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Milwaukee to Chicago?

1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.

Cost of living: Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Milwaukee, WI, 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 $535 - $3,713 on the 91-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $616 - $1,856 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $95 - $173 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,049 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.