($1,102+) Chicago, IL to Scottsdale, AZ Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Scottsdale, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,081 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,653 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,742 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,298, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,653 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,501 - $5,699, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,081 - $3,025.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Scottsdale, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,274 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Scottsdale, AZ
Moving options from Chicago to Scottsdale fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,274 - $7,284 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 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,742 miles, this route usually takes 4 to 15 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,742-mile route from Chicago to Scottsdale, 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 $2,298 - $5,269 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,501 - $2,772), rental truck ($1,081 - $2,119), or freight trailer ($1,406 - $2,600). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,274 - $7,284 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,653.
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 Scottsdale, AZ
For the 1,742-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Scottsdale, Arizona, full-service movers cost between $2,298 and $10,653. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $326 - $2,176 (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 Scottsdale:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,298 - $5,269
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,274 - $7,284
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,562 - $10,653
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 Scottsdale.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Arizona. 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 Chicago, IL to Scottsdale, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Scottsdale, 85% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $544 - $5,440 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $218 - $1,306/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $326 - $2,611 |
| 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 | $1,088 - $3,264 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,720 - $10,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $815 - $1,548 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,088 - $2,720 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $870 - $3,808 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $326 - $1,632 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $707 - $2,176 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $326 - $16,320+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $326 - $3,808+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Scottsdale?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Arizona Moving Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Chicago, IL. 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 Chicago, IL to Scottsdale, AZ
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Scottsdale, Arizona, cost between $1,501 and $5,699. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Chicago runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Scottsdale:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,501 - $2,772
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,979 - $4,287
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,783 - $5,699
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chicago, IL and Scottsdale, AZ. 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 $762 in Chicago, IL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $82 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $163 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 Arizona 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 $1,501. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,979 - $4,287, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Scottsdale?
- 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 Scottsdale, AZ
A rental truck for this 1,742-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Scottsdale, Arizona, costs between $1,081 and $3,025. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $603 - $689
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Scottsdale based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,081 - $2,119
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,122 - $2,546
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,444 - $3,025
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,081 - $3,025 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Scottsdale. Fuel alone runs ($603 - $689) , and overnight lodging ($163/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $82 and $381.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $163.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $603 and $689 for the 1,742-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $762 for 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Scottsdale?
- 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 Scottsdale, AZ
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 Chicago, Illinois, to Scottsdale, Arizona. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,583 and $3,397.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Scottsdale:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,406 - $2,600
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,583 - $3,397
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,292 - $4,603
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $82 and $163.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly five hours typically average $762.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Scottsdale?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Scottsdale 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: Chicago, IL vs Scottsdale, AZ
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Chicago and Scottsdale to plan around. Cost of living index: 106 vs. 113. Average rent: $2,045/mo vs. $3,300/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 77 vs. 32. Safety index: 33.87 vs. 74.2.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Scottsdale, AZ to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Arizona, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Illinois alone has 103 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,742-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to Scottsdale, AZ, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,298 - $10,653 on the 1,742-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,501 - $5,699, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,081 - $3,025. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,274 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Scottsdale tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and beautiful nature, though tourists and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Honor Health and CVS Health.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Scottsdale, AZ
Is Scottsdale a safe place to live?
Scottsdale has a safety index of 74.2 out of 100 and a crime index of 25.8, compared to 33.87 and 35.19 in Chicago. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Scottsdale, AZ?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,122 - $2,546. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Scottsdale?
For families, McCormick Ranch, DC Ranch, and Grayhawk are worth a look in Scottsdale. If you're moving solo or without kids, Old Town Scottsdale, Gainey Ranch, and Kierland tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Chicago, IL to Scottsdale, AZ 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 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 Scottsdale run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.