($673+) Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, CO Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Fort Collins, CO, runs anywhere from $714 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,225 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 981 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 $2,161, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,225 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,172 - $4,102, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $714 - $1,959.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Fort Collins, CO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,541 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 Fort Collins, CO
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Fort Collins: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,541 - $6,239. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 981 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 981-mile route from Chicago to Fort Collins, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,161 - $4,777 | $1,172 - $2,178 | $714 - $1,251 | $1,098 - $1,900 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,541 - $6,239 | $1,586 - $3,027 | $706 - $1,565 | $1,281 - $2,496 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,100 - $8,225 | $1,991 - $4,102 | $922 - $1,959 | $1,609 - $3,410 |
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 Fort Collins, CO
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Collins, Colorado, costs between $2,161 and $8,225. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 981-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $330 - $2,200, 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 Fort Collins. 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 Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,161 - $4,777
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,541 - $6,239
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,100 - $8,225
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 Fort Collins.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Colorado. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, CO
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Fort Collins, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $550 - $5,500 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $220 - $1,320/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $330 - $2,640 |
| 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 | $1,100 - $3,300 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,750 - $11,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $824 - $1,565 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,100 - $2,750 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $880 - $3,850 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $330 - $1,650 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $715 - $2,200 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $330 - $16,500+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $330 - $3,850+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Fort Collins?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chicago, IL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, CO
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Collins, Colorado, cost between $1,172 and $4,102. 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 Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,172 - $2,178
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,586 - $3,027
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,991 - $4,102
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $83 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $165 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $770 in Chicago, IL, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Fort Collins, CO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Colorado 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 $1,172. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,586 - $3,027, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Fort Collins?
- 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 Fort Collins, CO
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Collins, Colorado, range from $714 - $1,959 for the 981-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $343 - $392
- 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 Fort Collins based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $714 - $1,251
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $706 - $1,565
- 4+ bedrooms: $922 - $1,959
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Chicago to Fort Collins starts at $714 - $1,959, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($343 - $392) , 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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $165 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $770 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 981-mile drive falls between $343 and $392, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $55 and $330 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Fort Collins?
- 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 Fort Collins, CO
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Fort Collins, Colorado. 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 $990 and $2,496.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Fort Collins:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,098 - $1,900
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,281 - $2,496
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,609 - $3,410
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $770.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $83 and $165 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Fort Collins?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins, CO
Day-to-day costs in Fort Collins are close to what you're used to in Chicago: cost of living index of 116 versus 106, with average rent of $1,750/mo compared to $2,045/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago versus 37/100 and 72.86/100 in Fort Collins.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Fort Collins, CO to Chicago, IL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Colorado in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 103 movers based in Illinois, handy for sizing up options on this 981-mile route.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to Fort Collins, CO, 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 $2,161 - $8,225 on the 981-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,172 - $4,102, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $714 - $1,959. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,541 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Advanced Energy Industries and RIMROCK.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Fort Collins, CO
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, CO?
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, CO?
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.
How long does a move from Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, CO 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($343 - $392), 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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, CO?
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 $706 - $1,565. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
