($565+) Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL Movers

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Moving from Atlanta, GA, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $543 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,189 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 717 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,747, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,189 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,040 - $3,399, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $543 - $1,481.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Atlanta, GA, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,366 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL

Moving options from Atlanta to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,366 - $6,272 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 717 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 717-mile route from Atlanta to Chicago, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,747 - $4,735 $1,040 - $1,868 $543 - $979 $966 - $1,699
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,366 - $6,272 $1,350 - $2,780 $568 - $1,151 $1,091 - $2,267
4+ bedrooms $4,112 - $8,189 $1,900 - $3,399 $741 - $1,481 $1,550 - $2,775

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 717-mile move from Atlanta, Georgia, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $1,747 - $8,189. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $331 - $2,204. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Atlanta and Chicago. Local movers in Atlanta typically start around $216 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Atlanta to Chicago:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,747 - $4,735
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,366 - $6,272
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,112 - $8,189

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 Atlanta to Chicago.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Georgia 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 Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Atlanta 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$551 - $5,510
Storage in transitNew place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Zip Moving And Storage, Inc.$220 - $1,322/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$331 - $2,645
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage27% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers$1,102 - $3,306
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,755 - $11,020
Car shippingSecond vehicle$825 - $1,568
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Zip Moving And Storage, Inc.$1,102 - $2,755
PianoAny piano type61% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Zip Moving And Storage, Inc.$882 - $3,857
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling31% of local movers$331 - $1,653
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect24% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: $716 - $2,204
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$331 - $16,530+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$331 - $3,857+

What are the best full-service movers from Atlanta to Chicago?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Atlanta, GA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.

Moving container costs from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Atlanta, Georgia, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,040 and $3,399. 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 Atlanta adds around $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Atlanta to Chicago:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $1,868
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,350 - $2,780
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,900 - $3,399

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 $771 in Atlanta, GA. 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 $83 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $165 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 Georgia 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 $1,040. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,350 - $2,780, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Atlanta to Chicago?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta:

  • Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.7/5), 11 years in business
  • Wirks Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 19 years in business
  • Flex Moving & Storage (4.5/5), 4 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 717 miles from Atlanta, Georgia, to Chicago, Illinois, running $543 - $1,481. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $251 - $287
  • Daily insurance: $33/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • Atlanta daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Atlanta to Chicago based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $543 - $979
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $568 - $1,151
  • 4+ bedrooms: $741 - $1,481

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Atlanta to Chicago starts at $543 - $1,481, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($251 - $287) , overnight lodging ($165/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $165 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 $72 and $358 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $251 - $287 in fuel for the 717-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $771 in Atlanta, Georgia, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Atlanta to Chicago?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL

For larger DIY moves from Atlanta, Georgia, 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 $1,091 and $2,267.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Atlanta to Chicago:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $966 - $1,699
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,267
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,550 - $2,775

Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.

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 $83 - $165 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 Atlanta, Georgia, typically costs $771.

What are the best freight companies from Atlanta to Chicago?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Bennett Motor Express, LLC (4.7/5 stars): Bennett Motor Express, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can 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: Atlanta, GA vs Chicago, IL

Atlanta and Chicago land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 113 in Atlanta and 106 in Chicago, and rent tracks closely too ($1,900/mo vs. $2,045/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (48 vs 77) and safety scores (35.77 vs 33.87) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Atlanta, GA guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from Georgia 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 89 movers in our Georgia network to compare for this 717-mile move.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 717-mile route from Atlanta, GA, to Chicago, IL, run $1,747 - $8,189 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,040 - $3,399, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $543 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,366, 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 Atlanta, GA, 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 ($251 - $287), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $165/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How long does a move from Atlanta, GA 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 is the best time of year to move from Atlanta, GA 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 Atlanta, GA 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 35.77 and 64.23 in Atlanta. 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 Atlanta movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 61% of movers in Atlanta handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.