($1,171+) Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to San Francisco, CA, runs anywhere from $1,171 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,093 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,127 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,482, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,093 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,649 - $6,073, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,171 - $3,330.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to San Francisco, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,397 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 San Francisco, CA
Moving options from Chicago to San Francisco fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,397 - $7,160 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 39% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 63% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,127-mile route typically takes 6 to 17 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,127-mile route from Chicago to San Francisco, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,482 - $5,525 | $1,649 - $2,983 | $1,171 - $2,471 | $1,469 - $2,684 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,397 - $7,160 | $2,070 - $4,448 | $1,254 - $2,773 | $1,656 - $3,382 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,061 - $11,093 | $3,074 - $6,073 | $1,632 - $3,330 | $2,390 - $4,907 |
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 Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to San Francisco, California, costs between $2,482 and $11,093. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,127-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $485 - $3,232, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Chicago and San Francisco. For a rough baseline, movers based in Chicago tend to start around $220 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,482 - $5,525
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,397 - $7,160
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,061 - $11,093
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 San Francisco.
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 San Francisco, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In San Francisco, 54% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $808 - $8,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $323 - $1,939/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $485 - $3,878 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,616 - $4,848 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $4,040 - $16,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,210 - $2,300 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,616 - $4,040 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,293 - $5,656 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $485 - $2,424 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,050 - $3,232 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $485 - $24,240+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $485 - $5,656+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to San Francisco?
California Moving & Storage Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in California, 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Chicago, IL. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to San Francisco, California, cost between $1,649 and $6,073. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Chicago costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,649 - $2,983
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,070 - $4,448
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,074 - $6,073
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $121 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $242 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in San Francisco, CA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,131 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to California 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 $1,649. 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 $2,070 - $4,448.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to San Francisco?
- 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
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Renting a moving truck for the 2,127-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to San Francisco, California, costs between $1,171 and $3,330, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,094 - $1,250
- Daily insurance: $48/day
- Equipment rentals: $11 - $32
- 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 San Francisco based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,171 - $2,471
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,254 - $2,773
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,632 - $3,330
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to San Francisco starts at $1,171 - $3,330, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($1,094 - $1,250), overnight lodging ($242/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
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 $1,131.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $1,094 - $1,250 for the 2,127-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 $97 and $525, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $242 per night for hotel stops on the 2,127-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $485 - $727.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to San Francisco?
- 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 San Francisco, CA
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, to San Francisco, California. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,454 and $3,382.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to San Francisco:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,469 - $2,684
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,656 - $3,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,390 - $4,907
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $121 - $242 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 Chicago, Illinois, typically costs $1,131.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to San Francisco?
- 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: 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in San Francisco, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 245 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $3,250/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $1,374,773 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $141,446/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 99/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 38.59/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Illinois to California, 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 295 movers in Illinois, so you have real options to compare for this 2,127-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to San Francisco, CA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,482 for a studio to $11,093 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 2,127-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,649 - $6,073. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,171 - $3,330, 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 $3,397 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Lyft and Securitize.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to San Francisco, CA
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA?
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 $1,254 - $2,773. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,171 to $11,093, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,482 and $11,093, 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 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 San Francisco run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.