($768+) St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from St. Petersburg, FL, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $761 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,523 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,195 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 $1,906, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,523 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,285 - $4,528, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $761 - $2,102.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Petersburg, FL, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,499 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
Moving options from St. Petersburg to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,499 - $6,106 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,195-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 1,195-mile route from St. Petersburg to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,906 - $4,418 | $1,285 - $2,384 | $761 - $1,479 | $1,204 - $2,167 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,499 - $6,106 | $1,740 - $3,253 | $856 - $1,689 | $1,365 - $2,630 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,059 - $7,523 | $2,151 - $4,528 | $1,012 - $2,102 | $1,775 - $3,552 |
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 St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,906 and $7,523. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,195-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $313 - $2,084, 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 St. Petersburg and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in St. Petersburg tend to start around $318 plus $185/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 St. Petersburg to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,906 - $4,418
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,499 - $6,106
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,059 - $7,523
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 St. Petersburg to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Florida to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of St. Petersburg 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 | $521 - $5,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $208 - $1,250/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $313 - $2,501 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage31% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $1,042 - $3,126 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,605 - $10,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $780 - $1,483 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $1,042 - $2,605 |
| Piano | Any piano type74% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $834 - $3,647 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers | $313 - $1,563 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect31% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Big Man's Moving Company, LLC | $677 - $2,084 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $313 - $15,630+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $313 - $3,647+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Petersburg to Chicago?
Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Illinois, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in St. Petersburg, FL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,285 and $4,528. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in St. Petersburg runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Petersburg to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,285 - $2,384
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,740 - $3,253
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,151 - $4,528
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 $729 in St. Petersburg, FL. 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 $78 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $156 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 Florida 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 $1,285. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,740 - $3,253, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg:
- Big Man's Moving Company, LLC (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
Renting a moving truck for the 1,195-mile move from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $761 and $2,102, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $396 - $453
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- St. Petersburg daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Petersburg to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $761 - $1,479
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $856 - $1,689
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,012 - $2,102
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $761 - $2,102 does not include fuel ($396 - $453) , lodging ($156/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Petersburg 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 $156 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 $68 and $339 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $396 - $453 in fuel for the 1,195-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $729 in St. Petersburg, Florida, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,365 and $2,630.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Petersburg to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,204 - $2,167
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,365 - $2,630
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,775 - $3,552
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 $78 - $156 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 St. Petersburg, Florida, typically costs $729.
What are the best freight companies from St. Petersburg 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.
- Quality Carriers (4.42/5 stars): Quality Carriers is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
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: St. Petersburg, FL vs Chicago, IL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between St. Petersburg and Chicago to plan around. Cost of living index: 103 vs. 106. Average rent: $2,075/mo vs. $2,045/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 43 vs. 77. Safety index: 60.46 vs. 33.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Florida 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 229 movers licensed in Florida, useful context for sizing up this 1,195-mile move.
Our take
A move from St. Petersburg, FL, 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 $1,906 - $7,523 on the 1,195-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,285 - $4,528, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $761 - $2,102. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,499 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 St. Petersburg, FL, to Chicago, IL
How long does a move from St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 St. Petersburg?
Local movers based in St. Petersburg typically start around $318 as a base rate, plus $185/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 St. Petersburg, FL 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,906 to $7,523, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,906 and $7,523, 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 43 and 59 in St. Petersburg. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of St. Petersburg movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 74% of movers in St. Petersburg handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
