($680+) Denver, CO to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $680 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,076 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,146, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,076 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,115 - $4,029, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $680 - $1,813.
- 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 $2,568 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Denver to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,568 - $6,407 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 45% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 73% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,005-mile route typically takes 2 to 8 days door to door.
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:
- Full-service movers: $2,146 for a studio up to $8,076 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,115 - $4,029 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $680 - $1,813, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $983 - $3,006, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers for the 1,005-mile relocation from Denver, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $2,146 and $8,076. 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 $358 - $2,384, 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 Denver typically charge a base rate 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: $2,146 - $4,833
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,568 - $6,407
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,041 - $8,076
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.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 48% of Denver 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 packing70% of local movers | $596 - $5,960 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready48% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $238 - $1,430/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $358 - $2,861 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,192 - $3,576 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,980 - $11,920 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $893 - $1,696 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items19% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $1,192 - $2,980 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving Brothers LLC | $954 - $4,172 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $358 - $1,788 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationally | $775 - $2,384 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $358 - $17,880+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $358 - $4,172+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Denver to Chicago?
All three below meet the standards set by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Illinois movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Denver, CO. 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Denver, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,115 and $4,029. 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 Denver costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Denver to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,115 - $2,182
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,406 - $2,915
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,976 - $4,029
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $89 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $179 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $834 in Denver, CO, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Chicago, IL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,115. 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 $1,406 - $2,915.
What are the best moving containers Denver 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 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
- Moving Brothers LLC (4.9/5), 13 years in business
- Moving Proz (4.8/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 1,005-mile move from Denver, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $680 and $1,813. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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 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 Denver to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $680 - $1,217
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $706 - $1,519
- 4+ bedrooms: $878 - $1,813
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $680 - $1,813 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 more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $179 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 Denver, Colorado, usually costs about $834 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,005-mile drive falls between $381 and $436, 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 $60 and $358 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Denver 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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Denver, Colorado, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Chicago, Illinois.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,136 and $2,238.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Denver to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $983 - $1,849
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,136 - $2,238
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,517 - $3,006
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Denver, Colorado, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $834.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $89 - $179 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 Denver 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: 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 index | 128 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,900/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $586,595 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $91,681/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.49% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 95/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 52.16/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
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 use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Colorado 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 278 movers in our Colorado network to compare for this 1,005-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,005-mile route from Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL, run $2,146 - $8,076 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,115 - $4,029, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $680 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,568, 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 Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL
What is the cheapest way to move from Denver, CO 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 $706 - $1,519. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 Denver, CO to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 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 do local movers charge in Denver?
Local movers based in Denver typically start around $262 as a base rate, plus $115/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 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 percentage of Denver movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Denver handle piano moves, and 19% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.