($198+) Chicago, IL to Fort Wayne, IN Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Fort Wayne, IN, runs anywhere from $192 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $4,552 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 162 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $767, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $4,552 or more.
- Moving containers run $771 - $2,262, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $192 - $448.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Fort Wayne, IN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,212 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 Fort Wayne, IN
Moving options from Chicago to Fort Wayne fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,212 - $3,885 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 162 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 2 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 162-mile route from Chicago to Fort Wayne, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $767 - $3,213 with full-service movers, $771 - $1,407 with a container, $192 - $319 with a rental truck, or $701 - $1,146 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,212 - $3,885 full-service, $972 - $1,867 by container, $194 - $368 by rental truck, or $793 - $1,463 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $1,695 - $4,552 full-service, $1,293 - $2,262 by container, $243 - $448 by rental truck, or $1,044 - $1,774 by freight.
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 Chicago, IL to Fort Wayne, IN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 162-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, with costs ranging from $767 - $4,552. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $289 - $1,928. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chicago and Fort Wayne. Local movers in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Fort Wayne:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $767 - $3,213
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,212 - $3,885
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,695 - $4,552
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 Fort Wayne.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Indiana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Fort Wayne, IN
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Fort Wayne, 67% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $482 - $4,820 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $193 - $1,157/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $289 - $2,314 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $964 - $2,892 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,410 - $9,640 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $722 - $1,372 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $964 - $2,410 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $771 - $3,374 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $289 - $1,446 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $627 - $1,928 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $289 - $14,460+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $289 - $3,374+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Fort Wayne?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Chicago, IL?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Chicago to Fort Wayne with a local mover averages $1,224 - $3,923. A local mover in Chicago, IL 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.
Mighty Moving & Storage (4.7/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Chicago, based on our analysis of feedback from 88 customers, 94.3% of which is positive.
Address: 1228 Humbracht Circle, Bartlett, IL, 60103 | Founded: 2023
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Fort Wayne, IN
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, cost between $771 and $2,262. 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 Chicago runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Fort Wayne:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $771 - $1,407
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $972 - $1,867
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,293 - $2,262
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 $675 in Chicago, IL. 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 $72 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $145 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 Fort Wayne, IN, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Indiana 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 $771. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $972 - $1,867, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Fort Wayne?
- 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
- H2H Movers Inc (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Stark Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Fort Wayne, IN
Renting a moving truck for the 162-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, costs between $192 and $448, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $50 - $57
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- 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 Fort Wayne based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $192 - $319
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $194 - $368
- 4+ bedrooms: $243 - $448
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $192 - $448 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Fort Wayne. Fuel alone runs ($50 - $57) , and overnight lodging ($145/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
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 $72 and $337.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $145.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $50 and $57 for the 162-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 $675 for 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Fort Wayne?
- 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 Fort Wayne, IN
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $793 and $1,463.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Fort Wayne:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $701 - $1,146
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $793 - $1,463
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,044 - $1,774
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Chicago, Illinois, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $675.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $72 - $145 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Fort Wayne?
- 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.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne, IN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Fort Wayne, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Fort Wayne, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 82 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,163/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $168,966 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $60,293/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 3.15% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 32/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 59.1/100 |
| Air quality | Good | 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 Fort Wayne, IN to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Indiana 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 103 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 162-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 162-mile route from Chicago, IL, to Fort Wayne, IN, run $767 - $4,552 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $771 - $2,262, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $192 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,212, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Steel Dynamics and Franklin Electric.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Fort Wayne, IN
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 do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Fort Wayne run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Indiana?
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulate movers operating within Indiana and issue moving companies Indiana Households Goods Carriers Numbers. Check to make sure prospective movers have one and that it’s up to date.
What are the best neighborhoods in Fort Wayne?
For families, Pine Valley, Aboite Township, and Cherry Hill are worth a look in Fort Wayne. If you're moving solo or without kids, West Central, North Anthony, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Fort Wayne?
Fort Wayne has a walkability score of 32 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, 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.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
