($569+) Augusta, GA to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Augusta, GA, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $569 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,979 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 861 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 $1,891, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,979 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,064 - $3,715, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $569 - $1,645.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Augusta, GA, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,518 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 Augusta, GA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Augusta to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,518 - $6,103 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 45% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 75% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 861 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 861-mile route from Augusta to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,891 for a studio up to $7,979 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,064 - $3,715 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $569 - $1,645, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $948 - $2,944, 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 November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Augusta, GA to Chicago, IL
For the 861-mile move from Augusta, Georgia, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $1,891 and $7,979. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $271 - $1,808 (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 Augusta generally start around $365 plus $95 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Augusta to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,891 - $4,704
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,518 - $6,103
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,203 - $7,979
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 Augusta to Chicago.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Augusta, GA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Augusta 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 | $452 - $4,520 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $181 - $1,085/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $271 - $2,170 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $904 - $2,712 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,260 - $9,040 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $677 - $1,286 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items45% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $904 - $2,260 |
| Piano | Any piano type50% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $723 - $3,164 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $271 - $1,356 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $588 - $1,808 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $271 - $13,560+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $271 - $3,164+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Augusta 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 Augusta, GA, 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 Augusta, GA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Augusta, Georgia, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,064 and $3,715. 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 Augusta adds around $50/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Augusta to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,064 - $2,086
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,396 - $2,757
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,802 - $3,715
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 Augusta, GA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $633, 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 $68 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $136 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Augusta, GA, 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 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 $1,064. 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 $1,396 - $2,757.
What are the best moving containers Augusta 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 Augusta 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 Augusta:
- Budget Movers of Augusta Inc. (4.3/5), 21 years in business
- Apple Moving (3.3/5), 26 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 32 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Augusta, GA to Chicago, IL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 861 miles from Augusta, Georgia, to Chicago, Illinois, running $569 - $1,645. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $248 - $283
- Daily insurance: $27/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Augusta daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $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 Augusta to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $569 - $1,064
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $621 - $1,238
- 4+ bedrooms: $786 - $1,645
Pro tip: The base rate of $569 - $1,645 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Augusta to Chicago. Fuel ($248 - $283), lodging at around $136/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 Augusta, Georgia, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $633.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $248 - $283 for the 861-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 $54 and $294, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $136 per night for hotel stops on the 861-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $271 - $407.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Augusta 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 Augusta, GA to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Augusta, Georgia, to Chicago, Illinois. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,151 and $2,206.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Augusta to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $948 - $1,859
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,151 - $2,206
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,456 - $2,944
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Augusta, Georgia, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $633.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $68 - $136 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 Augusta 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: If speed matters on your move from Augusta 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: Augusta, GA vs Chicago, IL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Augusta on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Augusta, GA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 80 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $161,772 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $53,134/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.49% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 22/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 51.54/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Augusta, GA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Georgia 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 256 movers licensed in Georgia, useful context for sizing up this 861-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Augusta, GA, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,891 for a studio to $7,979 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 861-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,064 - $3,715. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $569 - $1,645, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,518 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live 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 Augusta, GA, to Chicago, IL
How much does it cost to move from Augusta, GA to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $569 to $7,979, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,891 and $7,979, 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.
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.
What do local movers charge in Augusta?
Local movers based in Augusta typically start around $365 as a base rate, plus $95/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.
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 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 Augusta movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 50% of movers in Augusta handle piano moves, and 45% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.