($969+) Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Gilbert, AZ, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $969 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,156 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,741 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 $2,165, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,156 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,518 - $4,962, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $969 - $2,853.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Gilbert, AZ, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,121 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 Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Gilbert to Chicago 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 $3,121 - $7,081 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 65% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,741 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,741-mile route from Gilbert to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,165 - $5,326 | $1,518 - $2,615 | $969 - $1,902 | $1,313 - $2,526 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,121 - $7,081 | $1,848 - $3,928 | $1,102 - $2,240 | $1,553 - $2,958 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,631 - $10,156 | $2,625 - $4,962 | $1,431 - $2,853 | $1,955 - $3,970 |
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 Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers for the 1,741-mile relocation from Gilbert, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $2,165 and $10,156. 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 $331 - $2,204, 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 Gilbert typically charge a base rate around $140 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Gilbert to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,165 - $5,326
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,121 - $7,081
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,631 - $10,156
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 Gilbert to Chicago.
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 Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Gilbert movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $551 - $5,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $220 - $1,322/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $331 - $2,645 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers | $1,102 - $3,306 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,755 - $11,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $825 - $1,568 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,102 - $2,755 |
| Piano | Any piano type36% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $882 - $3,857 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $331 - $1,653 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $716 - $2,204 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $331 - $16,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $331 - $3,857+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Gilbert 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Gilbert, AZ. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Gilbert, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,518 and $4,962. 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 Gilbert costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Gilbert to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,518 - $2,615
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,848 - $3,928
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,625 - $4,962
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Gilbert, AZ 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 $771 in Gilbert, AZ, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $83 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $165 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 Arizona 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 $1,518. 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 $1,848 - $3,928.
What are the best moving containers Gilbert 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 Gilbert 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 Gilbert:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 1,741-mile move from Gilbert, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $969 and $2,853. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $610 - $698
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Gilbert daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Gilbert to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $969 - $1,902
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,102 - $2,240
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,431 - $2,853
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $969 - $2,853 does not include fuel ($610 - $698), lodging ($165/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Gilbert to Chicago typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $165 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 Gilbert, Arizona, usually costs about $771 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,741-mile drive falls between $610 and $698, 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 $55 and $331 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Gilbert 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 Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL
If you're moving a larger household from Gilbert, Arizona, 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 Chicago, Illinois.
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 $1,553 and $2,958.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Gilbert to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,313 - $2,526
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,553 - $2,958
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,955 - $3,970
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 Gilbert, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $771.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $83 and $165 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Gilbert to Chicago?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chicago fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Gilbert, AZ vs Chicago, IL
Day-to-day costs in Chicago are close to what you're used to in Gilbert: cost of living index of 106 versus 113, with average rent of $2,045/mo compared to $2,250/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 29/100 and 85.23/100 in Gilbert versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Gilbert, AZ guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona 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 242 movers in our Arizona network to compare for this 1,741-mile move.
Our take
The 1,741-mile move from Gilbert, AZ, to Chicago, IL, costs between $2,165 and $10,156 with full-service movers, $1,518 - $4,962 with a moving container, and $969 - $2,853 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,121 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 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 Gilbert, AZ, to Chicago, IL
What is the best time of year to move from Gilbert, AZ 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 long does a move from Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($610 - $698), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $165/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Gilbert, AZ 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 $1,102 - $2,240. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $969 to $10,156, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,165 and $10,156, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Gilbert movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 36% of movers in Gilbert handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.