($744+) Tampa, FL to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Tampa, FL, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $744 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,634 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,172 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 $1,890, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,634 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,180 - $4,402, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $744 - $2,012.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tampa, FL, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,390 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Tampa, FL to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Tampa 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 $2,390 - $5,576. Containers cost roughly 35% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 68% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,172 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 1,172-mile route from Tampa to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,890 - $4,381 with full-service movers, $1,180 - $2,163 with a container, $744 - $1,388 with a rental truck, or $1,094 - $2,048 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,390 - $5,576 full-service, $1,551 - $3,297 by container, $772 - $1,701 by rental truck, or $1,304 - $2,588 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,786 - $7,634 full-service, $2,184 - $4,402 by container, $1,020 - $2,012 by rental truck, or $1,696 - $3,186 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tampa, FL to Chicago, IL
For the 1,172-mile move from Tampa, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $1,890 and $7,634. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $314 - $2,096 (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 Tampa generally start around $266 plus $84 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tampa to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,890 - $4,381
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,390 - $5,576
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,786 - $7,634
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 Tampa to Chicago.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Tampa, FL to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Tampa 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 | $524 - $5,240 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Golden Movers LLC | $210 - $1,258/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $314 - $2,515 |
| 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 | $1,048 - $3,144 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,620 - $10,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $785 - $1,491 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items30% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Strong College Students Moving | $1,048 - $2,620 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Golden Movers LLC | $838 - $3,668 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $314 - $1,572 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $681 - $2,096 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $314 - $15,720+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $314 - $3,668+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tampa 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Tampa, 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 Tampa, FL to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Tampa, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,180 and $4,402. 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 Tampa typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tampa to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,180 - $2,163
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,551 - $3,297
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,184 - $4,402
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $79 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $157 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 $734 in Tampa, FL, 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 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 $1,180. 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 $1,551 - $3,297.
What are the best moving containers Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa:
- Strong College Students Moving (4.7/5), 21 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 13 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 4 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tampa, FL to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Tampa, Florida, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $744 - $2,012 for the 1,172-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $391 - $447
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Tampa daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.60 - $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 Tampa to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $744 - $1,388
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $772 - $1,701
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,020 - $2,012
Pro tip: The base rate of $744 - $2,012 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tampa to Chicago. Fuel ($391 - $447), lodging at around $157/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Tampa, Florida, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $734.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $391 - $447 for the 1,172-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 $63 and $341, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $157 per night for hotel stops on the 1,172-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $314 - $472.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tampa 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 Tampa, FL to Chicago, IL
If you're moving a larger household from Tampa, 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 $1,304 and $2,588.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tampa to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,094 - $2,048
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,304 - $2,588
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,696 - $3,186
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 Tampa, Florida, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $734.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $79 and $157 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Tampa 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Tampa to Chicago, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Tampa, FL vs Chicago, IL
Good news for your budget: Chicago isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Tampa. Cost of living index runs 106 there against 104 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 51/100 and 53.85/100 here versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Tampa, FL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Florida to Illinois, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 803 movers in Florida, so you have real options to compare for this 1,172-mile move.
Our take
The 1,172-mile move from Tampa, FL, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,890 and $7,634 with full-service movers, $1,180 - $4,402 with a moving container, and $744 - $2,012 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 $2,390 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 Tampa, FL, to Chicago, IL
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 53.85 and 46.15 in Tampa. 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 51 and 51 in Tampa. 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.
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 do local movers charge in Tampa?
Local movers based in Tampa typically start around $266 as a base rate, plus $84/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 percentage of Tampa movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Tampa handle piano moves, and 30% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.