($691+) Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL

Moving from Chicago, IL, to Jacksonville, FL, runs anywhere from $684 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,899 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,061 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,049, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,899 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,255 - $3,993, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $684 - $2,018.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Jacksonville, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,558 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 Jacksonville, FL

There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Jacksonville: 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 $2,558 - $5,855. 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 1,061 miles, expect 2 to 8 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 1,061-mile route from Chicago to Jacksonville, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,049 - $4,704, container $1,255 - $2,360, rental truck $684 - $1,435, freight trailer $1,084 - $1,980.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,558 - $5,855, container $1,630 - $3,061, rental truck $777 - $1,609, freight trailer $1,318 - $2,679.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,061 - $7,899, container $2,202 - $3,993, rental truck $1,016 - $2,018, freight trailer $1,779 - $3,362.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL

For the 1,061-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Jacksonville, Florida, full-service movers cost between $2,049 and $7,899. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $306 - $2,040 (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 Jacksonville:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,049 - $4,704
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,558 - $5,855
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,061 - $7,899

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 Jacksonville.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Florida. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.

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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL

Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Jacksonville, 75% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing99% of local movers$510 - $5,100
Storage in transitNew place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co.$204 - $1,224/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$306 - $2,448
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers$1,020 - $3,060
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,550 - $10,200
Car shippingSecond vehicle$764 - $1,451
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc$1,020 - $2,550
PianoAny piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc$816 - $3,570
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers$306 - $1,530
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic$663 - $2,040
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$306 - $15,300+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$306 - $3,570+

What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Jacksonville?

All three below meet the standards set by the Professional Movers Association of Florida, the group most Florida movers are affiliated with.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Jacksonville, FL

Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Jacksonville, Florida, cost between $1,255 and $3,993. 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 Jacksonville:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,255 - $2,360
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,630 - $3,061
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,202 - $3,993

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $77 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $153 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Jacksonville, FL, 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 $714 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 Florida 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 $1,255. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,630 - $3,061, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Chicago to Jacksonville?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Jacksonville, FL

Plan on $684 - $2,018 for a rental moving truck on the 1,061-mile route from Chicago, Illinois, to Jacksonville, Florida. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $344 - $394
  • Daily insurance: $31/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chicago to Jacksonville based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $684 - $1,435
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $777 - $1,609
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,016 - $2,018

Pro tip: The base rate of $684 - $2,018 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chicago to Jacksonville. Fuel ($344 - $394) , lodging at around $153/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 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 Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $714.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $344 - $394 for the 1,061-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 $61 and $332, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $153 per night for hotel stops on the 1,061-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $306 - $459.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Jacksonville?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Jacksonville, FL

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 Jacksonville, Florida.

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 $1,318 and $2,679.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Jacksonville:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,084 - $1,980
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,318 - $2,679
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,779 - $3,362

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 $714.
  • More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $77 - $153 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 Jacksonville?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Jacksonville, FL

Chicago and Jacksonville land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 96 in Jacksonville, and rent tracks closely too ($2,045/mo vs. $1,520/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (77 vs 26) and safety scores (33.87 vs 43.62) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Jacksonville, FL 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 Florida, 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 1,061-mile move like this one.

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Our take

The 1,061-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Jacksonville, FL, costs between $2,049 and $7,899 with full-service movers, $1,255 - $3,993 with a moving container, and $684 - $2,018 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 $2,558 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 FIS and Southeastern Grocers.

FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Jacksonville, FL

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($344 - $394), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $153/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How long does a move from Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL 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 is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL?

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. Florida also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL?

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.

Is Jacksonville a safe place to live?

Jacksonville has a safety index of 43.62 out of 100 and a crime index of 56.38, 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 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.