($732+) St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from St. Petersburg, FL, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $732 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,169 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $1,873, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,169 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,224 - $3,978, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $732 - $2,003.
- 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 $2,287 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. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,287 - $5,375 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 66% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,195 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
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 | $1,873 - $4,253 | $1,224 - $2,384 | $732 - $1,409 | $1,080 - $2,003 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,287 - $5,375 | $1,609 - $3,290 | $767 - $1,643 | $1,250 - $2,506 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,749 - $7,169 | $2,029 - $3,978 | $1,005 - $2,003 | $1,640 - $3,383 |
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 St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,873 and $7,169. 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: $1,873 - $4,253
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,287 - $5,375
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,749 - $7,169
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: 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 St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of St. Petersburg 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 packing75% of local movers | $521 - $5,210 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% 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 coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs52% 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 items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 3 Guys Moving | $1,042 - $2,605 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Let's Get Moving, Inc. | $834 - $3,647 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $313 - $1,563 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect10% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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?
Look for Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Illinois beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in St. Petersburg, FL. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,224 and $3,978. 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 St. Petersburg adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Petersburg to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,224 - $2,384
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,609 - $3,290
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,029 - $3,978
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In St. Petersburg, FL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $729, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $78 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $156 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Petersburg, FL, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,224. 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 $1,609 - $3,290.
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:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 9 years in business
- Strong College Students Moving (4.7/5), 21 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 3 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 1,195-mile move from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $732 and $2,003. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $732 - $1,409
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $767 - $1,643
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,005 - $2,003
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Petersburg to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $732 - $2,003. But once you factor in fuel ($396 - $453), overnight lodging ($156/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $396 - $453 for the 1,195-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 St. Petersburg, Florida, for about 5 hours typically costs around $729.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,195-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $156 per night, adding $313 - $469 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $52 and $313.
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
If you're moving a larger household from St. Petersburg, Florida, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,250 and $2,506.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Petersburg to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,080 - $2,003
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,250 - $2,506
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,640 - $3,383
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in St. Petersburg, Florida, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $729.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $156 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from St. Petersburg to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
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: St. Petersburg, FL vs Chicago, IL
Day-to-day costs in Chicago are close to what you're used to in St. Petersburg: cost of living index of 106 versus 103, with average rent of $2,045/mo compared to $2,075/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 43/100 and 60.46/100 in St. Petersburg versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Florida to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 885 movers based in Florida, handy for sizing up options on this 1,195-mile route.
Our take
The 1,195-mile move from St. Petersburg, FL, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,873 and $7,169 with full-service movers, $1,224 - $3,978 with a moving container, and $732 - $2,003 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,287 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 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 St. Petersburg, FL, to Chicago, IL
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($396 - $453), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $156/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.
What is the best time of year to move from St. Petersburg, FL 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 size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 60.46 and 39.54 in St. Petersburg. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of St. Petersburg movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in St. Petersburg handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.