($707+) Denver, CO to Chicago, IL Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL

Moving from Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $721 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,138 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,005 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,276, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,138 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,170 - $4,026, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $721 - $1,980.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,695 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL

There are 3 main ways to move from Denver to Chicago: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,695 - $6,728. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,005 miles, expect 2 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,005-mile route from Denver to Chicago, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,276 - $5,331 $1,170 - $2,133 $721 - $1,290 $1,119 - $1,980
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,695 - $6,728 $1,600 - $3,029 $741 - $1,579 $1,318 - $2,547
4+ bedrooms $4,196 - $8,138 $2,222 - $4,026 $912 - $1,980 $1,761 - $3,450

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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL

For the 1,005-mile move from Denver, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $2,276 and $8,138. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $358 - $2,384 (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 Denver generally start around $262 plus $115 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,276 - $5,331
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,695 - $6,728
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,196 - $8,138

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 Denver to Chicago.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Colorado 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of Denver 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 packing100% of local movers$596 - $5,960
Storage in transitNew place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Skyline Moving Company$238 - $1,430/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$358 - $2,861
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage37% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs54% of local movers$1,192 - $3,576
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,980 - $11,920
Car shippingSecond vehicle$893 - $1,696
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items52% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Homegrown Moving Company, LLC$1,192 - $2,980
PianoAny piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Homegrown Moving Company, LLC$954 - $4,172
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling30% of local movers$358 - $1,788
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Moving Proz$775 - $2,384
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$358 - $17,880+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$358 - $4,172+

What are the best full-service movers from Denver to Chicago?

Movers licensed to operate in Illinois are typically members of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Denver, CO. 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Denver, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,170 and $4,026. 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 Denver typically runs around $80/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,170 - $2,133
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,600 - $3,029
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,222 - $4,026

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 $834 in Denver, CO. 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 $89 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $179 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 Colorado 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 $1,170. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,600 - $3,029, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver:

  • Skyline Moving Company (4.9/5), 10 years in business
  • Local Moving LLC (4.9/5), 14 years in business
  • Moving Proz (4.8/5), 13 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL

Truck rentals from Denver, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $721 - $1,980 for the 1,005-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $381 - $436
  • Daily insurance: $36/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
  • Denver daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
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 Denver to Chicago based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $721 - $1,290
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $741 - $1,579
  • 4+ bedrooms: $912 - $1,980

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $721 - $1,980 does not include fuel ($381 - $436) , lodging ($179/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Denver to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $179 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $77 and $387 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $381 - $436 in fuel for the 1,005-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $834 in Denver, Colorado, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Denver 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL

If you're moving a larger household from Denver, Colorado, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Chicago, Illinois.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,318 and $2,547.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,119 - $1,980
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,318 - $2,547
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,761 - $3,450

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

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 $89 - $179 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 Denver, Colorado, typically costs $834.

What are the best freight companies from Denver to Chicago?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Apex Transportation, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): Apex Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Denver 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: Denver, CO vs Chicago, IL

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Denver on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Denver, CO Chicago, IL
Cost of living index128106
Average rent$1,900/mo$2,045/mo
Median home value$586,595$317,509
Average income$91,681/yr$75,134/yr
Unemployment rate7.1%9.0%
State income taxUp to 5.49%Up to 4.95%
Walkability score95/10077/100
Safety index52.16/10033.87/100
Air qualityModerateGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

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

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Colorado 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 81 movers licensed in Colorado, useful context for sizing up this 1,005-mile move.

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Our take

A move from Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,276 - $8,138 on the 1,005-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,170 - $4,026, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $721 - $1,980. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,695 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock 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 Denver, CO, 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 walkable is Chicago?

Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 95 and 96 in Denver. 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 52.16 and 47.84 in Denver. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Denver, CO 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 is the best time of year to move from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL?

Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

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

About 67% of movers in Denver handle piano moves, and 52% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.