($1,040+) Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $1,040 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,257 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,740 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 $2,325, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,257 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,532 - $5,427, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,040 - $2,740.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Scottsdale 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 - $7,150 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% 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 1,740 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,740-mile route from Scottsdale to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,325 - $5,224 | $1,532 - $2,615 | $1,040 - $1,941 | $1,366 - $2,353 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,121 - $7,150 | $1,791 - $3,813 | $1,124 - $2,355 | $1,523 - $3,081 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,744 - $10,257 | $2,471 - $5,427 | $1,417 - $2,740 | $1,997 - $4,135 |
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 Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $2,325 and $10,257. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,740-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $331 - $2,204, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Scottsdale and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in Scottsdale tend to start around $155 plus $85/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Scottsdale to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,325 - $5,224
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,121 - $7,150
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,744 - $10,257
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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Scottsdale 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: Mentors 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 lbs53% 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: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,102 - $2,755 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,532 and $5,427. 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 Scottsdale costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Scottsdale to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,532 - $2,615
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,791 - $3,813
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,471 - $5,427
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, 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 $1,532. 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 $1,791 - $3,813.
What are the best moving containers Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL
Renting a moving truck for the 1,740-mile move from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,040 and $2,740, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $610 - $697
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $1,941
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,124 - $2,355
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,417 - $2,740
Pro tip: A rental truck from Scottsdale to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,040 - $2,740. But once you factor in fuel ($610 - $697), overnight lodging ($165/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 1,740-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 Scottsdale, Arizona, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, 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 $1,523 and $3,081.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Scottsdale to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,366 - $2,353
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,523 - $3,081
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,997 - $4,135
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $83 - $165 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Scottsdale, Arizona, typically costs $771.
What are the best freight companies from Scottsdale 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: 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: Scottsdale, AZ vs Chicago, IL
Day-to-day costs in Chicago are close to what you're used to in Scottsdale: cost of living index of 106 versus 113, with average rent of $2,045/mo compared to $3,300/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 32/100 and 74.2/100 in Scottsdale versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Scottsdale, 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 1,740-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Scottsdale, AZ, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,325 for a studio to $10,257 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,740-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,532 - $5,427. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,040 - $2,740, 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 $3,121 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 Scottsdale, AZ, to Chicago, IL
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 32 and 56 in Scottsdale. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,040 to $10,257, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,325 and $10,257, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Scottsdale, 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.
What do local movers charge in Scottsdale?
Local movers based in Scottsdale typically start around $155 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 long does a move from Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Scottsdale handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.