($1,017+) Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $1,124 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,555 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 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 $2,441, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,555 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,547 - $5,370, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,124 - $2,935.
- 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 $3,143 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. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,143 - $7,360 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 1,740 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 1,740-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 | $2,441 - $5,158 | $1,547 - $2,947 | $1,124 - $2,016 | $1,323 - $2,600 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,143 - $7,360 | $1,959 - $4,247 | $1,192 - $2,375 | $1,599 - $3,267 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,909 - $10,555 | $2,620 - $5,370 | $1,459 - $2,935 | $2,117 - $4,253 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL
For the 1,740-mile move from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $2,441 and $10,555. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $331 - $2,204 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Scottsdale generally start around $155 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Scottsdale to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,441 - $5,158
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,143 - $7,360
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,909 - $10,555
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.
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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 85% of Scottsdale 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 packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $551 - $5,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready85% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Camelback Moving | $220 - $1,322/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $331 - $2,645 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% 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 items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Gilbert Moving & Storage | $1,102 - $2,755 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $882 - $3,857 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers | $331 - $1,653 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $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?
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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Scottsdale, AZ. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,547 and $5,370. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Chicago. If you go over that window, storage in Scottsdale adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Scottsdale to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,547 - $2,947
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,959 - $4,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,620 - $5,370
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 Scottsdale, 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 $1,547. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,959 - $4,247, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
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:
- Camelback Moving (4.8/5), 21 years in business
- Gilbert Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 9 years in business
- Mentors Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL
Plan on $1,124 - $2,935 for a rental moving truck on the 1,740-mile route from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $1,124 - $2,016
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,192 - $2,375
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,459 - $2,935
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,124 - $2,935 does not include fuel ($610 - $697) , lodging ($165/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Scottsdale to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $610 - $697 for the 1,740-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Scottsdale, Arizona, for about 5 hours typically costs around $771.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,740-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $165 per night, adding $331 - $496 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $55 and $331.
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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,599 and $3,267.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Scottsdale to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,323 - $2,600
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,599 - $3,267
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,117 - $4,253
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale to Chicago?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Chicago quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Scottsdale, AZ vs Chicago, IL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Scottsdale and Chicago to plan around. Cost of living index: 113 vs. 106. Average rent: $3,300/mo vs. $2,045/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 32 vs. 77. Safety index: 74.2 vs. 33.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Scottsdale, AZ guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Illinois, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 97 movers licensed in Arizona, useful context for sizing up 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 $2,441 for a studio to $10,555 for a 4 - 5 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 $1,547 - $5,370. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,124 - $2,935, 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 $3,143 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
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.
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.
How much does it cost to move from Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $2,441 to $10,555, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,441 and $10,555, 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.
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.
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.
What percentage of Scottsdale movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Scottsdale handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
