($653+) Fort Collins, CO to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $653 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,136 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 984 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,205, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,136 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,184 - $4,021, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $653 - $1,884.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fort Collins, CO, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,803 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 Fort Collins, CO to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Fort Collins 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 $2,803 - $6,107. 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 984 miles, expect 2 to 7 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 984-mile route from Fort Collins to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,205 for a studio up to $8,136 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,184 - $4,021 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $653 - $1,884, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,043 - $3,410, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Fort Collins, CO to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 984-mile move from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $2,205 - $8,136. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $336 - $2,240. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Fort Collins and Chicago. Local movers in Fort Collins typically start around $301 as a base rate plus $120/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fort Collins to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,205 - $4,916
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,803 - $6,107
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,527 - $8,136
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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins, CO to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Fort Collins 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 packing100% of local movers | $560 - $5,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $224 - $1,344/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $336 - $2,688 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,120 - $3,360 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,800 - $11,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $839 - $1,594 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,120 - $2,800 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $896 - $3,920 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $336 - $1,680 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $728 - $2,240 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $336 - $16,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $336 - $3,920+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fort Collins 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Fort Collins, CO. 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 Fort Collins, CO to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,184 and $4,021. 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 Fort Collins costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Collins to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,184 - $2,266
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,524 - $3,120
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,032 - $4,021
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $84 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $168 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 $784 in Fort Collins, 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 $1,184. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,524 - $3,120, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins:
- Exodus Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- Johnson Storage & Moving (4.7/5), 126 years in business
- Choice Moving Company (4.9/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fort Collins, CO to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $653 - $1,884 for the 984-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $351 - $401
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $653 - $1,251
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $765 - $1,488
- 4+ bedrooms: $885 - $1,884
Pro tip: A rental truck from Fort Collins to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $653 - $1,884. But once you factor in fuel ($351 - $401) , overnight lodging ($168/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Fort Collins, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $784.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $351 - $401 for the 984-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 $67 and $364, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $168 per night for hotel stops on the 984-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $336 - $504.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins, CO to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Fort Collins, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,306 and $2,496.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Collins to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,043 - $1,940
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,306 - $2,496
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,676 - $3,410
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 Fort Collins, Colorado, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $784.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $84 - $168 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 Fort Collins to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Sutherland Trucking (4.34/5 stars): Sutherland Trucking is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chicago fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Fort Collins, CO vs Chicago, IL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Fort Collins and Chicago to plan around. Cost of living index: 116 vs. 106. Average rent: $1,750/mo vs. $2,045/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 37 vs. 77. Safety index: 72.86 vs. 33.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, 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 984-mile move.
Our take
A move from Fort Collins, 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 $2,205 - $8,136 on the 984-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,184 - $4,021, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $653 - $1,884. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,803 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 Fort Collins, CO, to Chicago, IL
What is the best time of year to move from Fort Collins, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Fort Collins, 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.
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 72.86 and 17.0 in Fort Collins. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 37 and 78 in Fort Collins. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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.
What percentage of Fort Collins movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Fort Collins handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
