($1,027+) Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL

Moving from Mesa, AZ, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $1,017 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,448 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,739 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 $2,344, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,448 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,516 - $5,535, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,017 - $2,875.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Mesa, AZ, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,176 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL

Moving options from Mesa to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,176 - $7,066 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 1,739 miles, this route usually takes 4 to 15 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,739-mile route from Mesa to Chicago, broken down by home size:

Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,344 - $5,267 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,516 - $2,860), rental truck ($1,017 - $2,119), or freight trailer ($1,350 - $2,705). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,176 - $7,066 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,448.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,739-mile move from Mesa, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $2,344 - $10,448. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $331 - $2,204 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Mesa and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Mesa movers tend to run around $175 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover, for comparison.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,344 - $5,267
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,176 - $7,066
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,729 - $10,448

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 Mesa to Chicago.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona to Illinois. 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 Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Mesa movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing98% of local movers$551 - $5,510
Storage in transitNew place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage$220 - $1,322/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$331 - $2,645
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers$1,102 - $3,306
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,755 - $11,020
Car shippingSecond vehicle$825 - $1,568
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage$1,102 - $2,755
PianoAny piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$882 - $3,857
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers$331 - $1,653
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage$716 - $2,204
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$331 - $16,530+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$331 - $3,857+

What are the best full-service movers from Mesa 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.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Mesa, 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 Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Mesa, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,516 and $5,535. 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 Mesa typically runs around $90/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,516 - $2,860
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,079 - $4,002
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,620 - $5,535

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 Mesa, AZ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $771, 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 $83 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $165 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Mesa, AZ, 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.

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 $1,516. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,079 - $4,002, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Mesa 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)

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 Mesa 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 Mesa:

  • Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
  • Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
  • Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL

A rental truck for this 1,739-mile move from Mesa, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,017 and $2,875. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $610 - $697
  • Daily insurance: $33/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • Mesa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,017 - $2,119
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,192 - $2,571
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,430 - $2,875

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,017 - $2,875 when pricing out a rental truck from Mesa to Chicago. Fuel alone runs ($610 - $697) , and overnight lodging ($165/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 $83 and $386.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $165.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $610 and $697 for the 1,739-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 $771 for 2 movers in Mesa, Arizona, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Mesa 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 Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Mesa, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $992 and $3,397.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,350 - $2,705
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,567 - $3,397
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,095 - $4,165

Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.

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 $83 and $165.
  • 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 Mesa, Arizona, for roughly five hours typically average $771.

What are the best freight companies from Mesa 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.
  3. Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport 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: 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: Mesa, AZ vs Chicago, IL

Good news for your budget: Chicago isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Mesa. Cost of living index runs 106 there against 113 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 38/100 and 55.33/100 here versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 there.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ guide.

Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:

In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Arizona to Illinois, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 97 movers in Arizona, so you have real options to compare for this 1,739-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Mesa, AZ, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,344 for a studio to $10,448 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,739-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,516 - $5,535. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,017 - $2,875, 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 $3,176 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live 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 Mesa, AZ, to Chicago, IL

What do local movers charge in Mesa?

Local movers based in Mesa typically start around $175 as a base rate, plus $85/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 Chicago run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?

In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.

What are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?

For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.

How walkable is Chicago?

Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 38 and 60 in Mesa. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

Is Chicago a safe place to live?

Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 55.33 and 44.67 in Mesa. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What percentage of Mesa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 77% of movers in Mesa handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.