($635+) Chicago, IL to Mobile, AL Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Mobile, AL, runs anywhere from $654 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,057 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 917 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 $2,021, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,057 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,140 - $3,840, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $654 - $1,805.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Mobile, AL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,345 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 Chicago, IL to Mobile, AL
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Mobile: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,345 - $5,940. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 917-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 917-mile route from Chicago to Mobile, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,021 - $4,807 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,140 - $2,196), rental truck ($654 - $1,165), or freight trailer ($1,057 - $1,860). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,345 - $5,940 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,057.
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 Chicago, IL to Mobile, AL
For the 917-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Mobile, Alabama, full-service movers cost between $2,021 and $8,057. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $292 - $1,944 (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 Chicago generally start around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Mobile:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,021 - $4,807
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,345 - $5,940
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,998 - $8,057
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 Chicago to Mobile.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Alabama. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Mobile, AL
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Mobile, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $486 - $4,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $194 - $1,166/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $292 - $2,333 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $972 - $2,916 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,430 - $9,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $728 - $1,383 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $972 - $2,430 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $778 - $3,402 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $292 - $1,458 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $632 - $1,944 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $292 - $14,580+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $292 - $3,402+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Mobile?
Movers licensed to operate in Alabama are typically members of the Alabama Trucking Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Chicago, IL. 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 Chicago, IL to Mobile, AL
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Mobile, Alabama, cost between $1,140 and $3,840. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Chicago typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Mobile:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,140 - $2,196
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,586 - $2,990
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,113 - $3,840
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chicago, IL and Mobile, AL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $680 in Chicago, IL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $73 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $146 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Alabama 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 $1,140. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,586 - $2,990, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Mobile?
- 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 Chicago 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 Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- H2H Movers Inc (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Stark Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Mobile, AL
A rental truck for this 917-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Mobile, Alabama, costs between $654 and $1,805. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $284 - $324
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Chicago to Mobile based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $654 - $1,165
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $693 - $1,514
- 4+ bedrooms: $904 - $1,805
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chicago to Mobile looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $654 - $1,805. But once you factor in fuel ($284 - $324) , overnight lodging ($146/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $680.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $284 - $324 for the 917-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 $58 and $316, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $146 per night for hotel stops on the 917-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $292 - $437.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Mobile?
- 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 Chicago, IL to Mobile, AL
For larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, 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 Mobile, Alabama.
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 $1,148 and $2,511.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Mobile:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,057 - $1,860
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,148 - $2,511
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,643 - $3,261
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Chicago, Illinois, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $680.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $73 - $146 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 Chicago to Mobile?
- 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.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
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 Mobile 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: Chicago, IL vs Mobile, AL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Mobile, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Mobile, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 84 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $168,803 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $51,090/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 6.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 5.0% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 32/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 35.05/100 |
| 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 Mobile, AL to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Illinois to Alabama, 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 103 movers in Illinois, so you have real options to compare for this 917-mile move.
Our take
The 917-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Mobile, AL, costs between $2,021 and $8,057 with full-service movers, $1,140 - $3,840 with a moving container, and $654 - $1,805 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 $2,345 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Infirmary Health and Austal.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Mobile, AL
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 3 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 Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Mobile run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Alabama?
To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience.
What are the best neighborhoods in Mobile?
For families, Point Clear, Saraland, and Loxley are worth a look in Mobile. If you're moving solo or without kids, Spanish Fort, Point Clear, and Tillmans Corner tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Mobile?
Mobile has a walkability score of 32 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 34, compared to 77 and 72 in Chicago. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
