($289+) Chicago, IL to Ann Arbor, MI Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Ann Arbor, MI, runs anywhere from $289 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $5,309 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 241 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 $892, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $5,309 or more.
- Moving containers run $804 - $2,541, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $289 - $709.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Ann Arbor, MI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,451 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Moving options from Chicago to Ann Arbor fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $1,451 - $4,165 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 26% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 80% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 241 miles and typically takes 1 to 2 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 241-mile route from Chicago to Ann Arbor, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $892 - $3,235, container $804 - $1,454, rental truck $289 - $509, freight trailer $701 - $1,257.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,451 - $4,165, container $1,079 - $2,036, rental truck $295 - $578, freight trailer $829 - $1,628.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $1,999 - $5,309, container $1,323 - $2,541, rental truck $357 - $709, freight trailer $1,114 - $1,913.
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 Ann Arbor, MI
Full-service movers for the 241-mile relocation from Chicago, Illinois, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, cost between $892 and $5,309. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $318 - $2,120, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Chicago typically charge a base rate around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $892 - $3,235
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,451 - $4,165
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,999 - $5,309
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 Ann Arbor.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Ann Arbor, MI
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Ann Arbor, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $530 - $5,300 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $212 - $1,272/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $318 - $2,544 |
| 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 | $1,060 - $3,180 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,650 - $10,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $794 - $1,508 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,060 - $2,650 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $848 - $3,710 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $318 - $1,590 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $689 - $2,120 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $318 - $15,900+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $318 - $3,710+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Ann Arbor?
Movers licensed to operate in Michigan are typically members of the Michigan Movers 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.
How much do local movers cost in Chicago, IL?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Chicago to Ann Arbor with a local mover averages $1,465 - $4,206. 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 (4.76/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Chicago, based on our analysis of feedback from 178 customers, 97.2% of which is positive.
Address: 1228 Humbracht Circle, Bartlett, IL, 60103 | Founded: 2022
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Ann Arbor, MI
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, cost between $804 and $2,541. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Chicago typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $804 - $1,454
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,079 - $2,036
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,323 - $2,541
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chicago, IL and Ann Arbor, MI. 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 $742 in Chicago, IL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $80 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $159 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.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Michigan 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 $804. 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 $1,079 - $2,036.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Ann Arbor?
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 241 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, running $289 - $709. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $81 - $93
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- 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 Ann Arbor based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $289 - $509
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $295 - $578
- 4+ bedrooms: $357 - $709
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to Ann Arbor starts at $289 - $709, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($81 - $93), overnight lodging ($159/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $159 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $742 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 241-mile drive falls between $81 and $93, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $53 and $318 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Ann Arbor?
- 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 Ann Arbor, MI
If you're moving a larger household from Chicago, Illinois, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $829 and $1,628.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Ann Arbor:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $701 - $1,257
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $829 - $1,628
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,114 - $1,913
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?
- 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 Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $742.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $80 and $159 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Ann Arbor?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Ann Arbor, MI
Day-to-day costs in Ann Arbor are close to what you're used to in Chicago: cost of living index of 106 versus 106, with average rent of $2,260/mo compared to $2,045/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago versus 52/100 and 79.18/100 in Ann Arbor.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Ann Arbor, MI to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Michigan, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Illinois alone has 314 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 241-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Ann Arbor, MI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $892 for a studio to $5,309 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 241-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $804 - $2,541. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $289 - $709, 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 $1,451 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include University of Michigan and NSK Americas, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Ann Arbor, MI
How walkable is Ann Arbor?
Ann Arbor has a walkability score of 52 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 71, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($81 - $93), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $159/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Michigan?
The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Ann Arbor, MI?
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 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.
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.