($1,093+) Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL Movers

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

Moving from Phoenix, AZ, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $1,137 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,205 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,752 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,524, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,205 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,590 - $5,417, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,137 - $2,972.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Phoenix, AZ, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,233 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL

Moving options from Phoenix to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,233 - $7,026 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,752-mile route typically takes 5 to 16 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,752-mile route from Phoenix to Chicago, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,524 - $5,714, container $1,590 - $2,941, rental truck $1,137 - $2,124, freight trailer $1,472 - $2,647.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,233 - $7,026, container $1,953 - $4,075, rental truck $1,196 - $2,429, freight trailer $1,562 - $3,194.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,967 - $10,205, container $2,833 - $5,417, rental truck $1,404 - $2,972, freight trailer $2,200 - $4,466.

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 Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL

Full-service movers for the 1,752-mile relocation from Phoenix, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $2,524 and $10,205. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix to Chicago:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,524 - $5,714
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,233 - $7,026
  • 4+ bedrooms: $5,967 - $10,205

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 Phoenix 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: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.

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Specialty moving services from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Phoenix 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: Camelback Moving$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: NorthStar Moving Company $1,102 - $2,755
PianoAny piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company $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 Phoenix 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.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Phoenix, AZ. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.

Moving container costs from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Phoenix, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,590 and $5,417. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Phoenix runs about $90/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,590 - $2,941
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,953 - $4,075
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,833 - $5,417

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $771 in Phoenix, AZ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
  • Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $83 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $165 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
  • Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Chicago, IL, destination before booking.

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 $1,590. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,953 - $4,075, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix:

  • Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business
  • Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
  • Budget Movers (4.6/5), 32 years in business

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

Renting a moving truck for the 1,752-mile move from Phoenix, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,137 and $2,972, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $614 - $702
  • Daily insurance: $33/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • Phoenix 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 Phoenix to Chicago based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,137 - $2,124
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,196 - $2,429
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,404 - $2,972

Pro tip: The base rate of $1,137 - $2,972 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Phoenix to Chicago. Fuel ($614 - $702) , lodging at around $165/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Phoenix, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $771.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $614 - $702 for the 1,752-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $66 and $358, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $165 per night for hotel stops on the 1,752-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $331 - $496.

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

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Phoenix, 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 $3,194.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,472 - $2,647
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,562 - $3,194
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,200 - $4,466

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?

  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Phoenix, Arizona, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $771.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $83 - $165 per additional foot to your total.
  • Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.

What are the best freight companies from Phoenix to Chicago?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. Empire Transport (4.84/5 stars): Empire Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Phoenix to Chicago. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Phoenix, AZ vs Chicago, IL

Good news for your budget: Chicago isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Phoenix. 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 - 41/100 and 46.94/100 here versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 there.

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

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 97 movers based in Arizona, handy for sizing up options on this 1,752-mile route.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 1,752-mile route from Phoenix, AZ, to Chicago, IL, run $2,524 - $10,205 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,590 - $5,417, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,137 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,233, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

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 Phoenix, AZ, to Chicago, IL

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 long does a move from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 do local movers charge in Phoenix?

Local movers based in Phoenix typically start around $140 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.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL?

Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.

How much does it cost to move from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL?

Costs on this route range from around $2,524 to $10,205, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,524 and $10,205, 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 Phoenix movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

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