($1,001+) Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Mesa, AZ, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $1,001 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,668 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,353, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,668 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,403 - $5,231, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,001 - $2,944.
- 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 $3,127 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 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,127 - $6,674 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 64% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,739 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,739-mile route from Mesa to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,353 - $4,975 | $1,403 - $2,785 | $1,001 - $1,964 | $1,262 - $2,381 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,127 - $6,674 | $1,889 - $4,054 | $1,127 - $2,220 | $1,587 - $3,212 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,526 - $9,668 | $2,475 - $5,231 | $1,393 - $2,944 | $2,000 - $4,101 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers for the 1,739-mile relocation from Mesa, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $2,353 and $9,668. 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 Mesa typically charge a base rate around $175 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Mesa to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,353 - $4,975
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,127 - $6,674
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,526 - $9,668
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.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Mesa 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: A to Z Valley Wide Movers LLC | $1,102 - $2,755 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers40% 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 Mesa to Chicago?
Look for Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Illinois beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
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 $1,403 and $5,231. 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 Mesa costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Mesa to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,403 - $2,785
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,889 - $4,054
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,475 - $5,231
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 $1,403. 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 $1,889 - $4,054.
What are the best moving containers Mesa 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 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:
- 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 Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,739 miles from Mesa, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, running $1,001 - $2,944. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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 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 Mesa to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,001 - $1,964
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,127 - $2,220
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,393 - $2,944
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Mesa to Chicago starts at $1,001 - $2,944, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($610 - $697), overnight lodging ($165/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
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 Mesa, Arizona, usually costs about $771 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,739-mile drive falls between $610 and $697, 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 Mesa 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 Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Mesa, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,587 and $3,212.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Mesa to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,262 - $2,381
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,587 - $3,212
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,000 - $4,101
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?
- 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 Mesa, 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 Mesa to Chicago?
- 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: 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: Mesa, AZ vs Chicago, IL
Mesa and Chicago land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 113 in Mesa and 106 in Chicago, and average rent is $1,786/mo vs. $2,045/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 38 vs 77 and safety scores are 55.33 vs 33.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Illinois, 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. Arizona alone has 228 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,739-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Mesa, AZ, to Chicago, IL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,353 - $9,668 on the 1,739-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,403 - $5,231 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,001 - $2,944 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,127 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 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.
FAQs: Moving from Mesa, AZ, to Chicago, IL
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.
How much does it cost to move from Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,001 to $9,668, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,353 and $9,668, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Mesa, 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 $1,127 - $2,220. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($610 - $697), 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.
How long does a move from Mesa, 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 percentage of Mesa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Mesa handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.