($553+) Montgomery, AL to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Montgomery, AL to Chicago, IL

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 750-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $1,723 - $7,878. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $269 - $1,796 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Montgomery and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Montgomery movers tend to run around $462 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover, for comparison.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,723 - $4,664
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,323 - $5,589
• 4+ bedrooms: $3,954 - $7,878

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 Montgomery to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,086 and $3,599. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Chicago. If you go over that window, storage in Montgomery adds around $70/month.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,086 - $1,993
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,273 - $2,659
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,725 - $3,599

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 Montgomery, AL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $629, 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 $67 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $135 per month.
• Access: Most major container companies serve both Montgomery, AL, 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.

What are the best moving containers Montgomery 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 Montgomery, AL to Chicago, IL

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 750 miles from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chicago, Illinois, running $553 - $1,454. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

• Fuel for the drive: $214 - $245
• Daily insurance: $27/day
• Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
• Montgomery daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $553 - $950
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $556 - $1,176
• 4+ bedrooms: $733 - $1,454

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
• Lodging: Budget around $135 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 Montgomery, Alabama, usually costs about $629 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
• Gas: Fuel for the 750-mile drive falls between $214 and $245, 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 $45 and $269 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery 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 Montgomery, AL to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Montgomery, Alabama, to Chicago, Illinois, 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. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,105 and $2,043.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $902 - $1,777
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,105 - $2,043
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,409 - $2,633

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $67 and $135.
• Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
• Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly five hours typically average $629.

What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Chicago?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: Montgomery, AL 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 Montgomery 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

A move from Montgomery, AL, 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 $1,723 - $7,878 on the 750-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,086 - $3,599, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $553 - $1,454. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,323 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.