($762+) Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to St. Petersburg, FL, runs anywhere from $762 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,209 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,194 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 $1,937, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,209 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,188 - $4,187, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $762 - $2,064.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to St. Petersburg, FL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,439 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Moving options from Chicago to St. Petersburg fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,439 - $6,091 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 38% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 69% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,194 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,194-mile route from Chicago to St. Petersburg, 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 $1,937 - $4,912 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,188 - $2,316), rental truck ($762 - $1,480), or freight trailer ($1,058 - $2,146). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,439 - $6,091 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,209.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,194-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Petersburg, Florida, with prices running from $1,937 - $8,209. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $314 - $2,096 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and St. Petersburg are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chicago movers tend to run around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,937 - $4,912
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,439 - $6,091
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,426 - $8,209
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 St. Petersburg.
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 St. Petersburg, FL
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Petersburg, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $524 - $5,240 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $210 - $1,258/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $314 - $2,515 |
| 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 | $1,048 - $3,144 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,620 - $10,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $785 - $1,491 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,048 - $2,620 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $838 - $3,668 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $314 - $1,572 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $681 - $2,096 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $314 - $15,720+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $314 - $3,668+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to St. Petersburg?
Look for Professional Movers Association of Florida membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Florida beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Chicago, IL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Petersburg, Florida, cost between $1,188 and $4,187. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Chicago typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,188 - $2,316
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,515 - $3,195
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,050 - $4,187
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Chicago, IL and St. Petersburg, FL. 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 $734 in Chicago, IL, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $79 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $157 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 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 $1,188. 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 $1,515 - $3,195.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to St. Petersburg?
- 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 St. Petersburg, FL
A rental truck for this 1,194-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Petersburg, Florida, costs between $762 and $2,064. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $398 - $455
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- 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 St. Petersburg based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $762 - $1,480
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $759 - $1,643
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,055 - $2,064
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $762 - $2,064 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to St. Petersburg. Fuel alone runs $398 - $455, and overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $157 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 $734 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,194-mile drive falls between $398 and $455, 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 $52 and $314 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to St. Petersburg?
- 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 St. Petersburg, FL
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Petersburg, Florida, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,225 and $2,633.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to St. Petersburg:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,058 - $2,146
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,225 - $2,633
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,623 - $3,383
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?
- 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 $79 and $157.
- 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 $734.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to St. Petersburg?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to St. Petersburg, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs St. Petersburg, FL
Day-to-day costs in St. Petersburg are close to what you're used to in Chicago: cost of living index of 103 versus 106, with average rent of $2,075/mo compared to $2,045/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago versus 43/100 and 60.46/100 in St. Petersburg.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Florida, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 314 movers licensed in Illinois, useful context for sizing up this 1,194-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to St. Petersburg, FL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,937 for a studio to $8,209 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,194-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,188 - $4,187. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $762 - $2,064, 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 $2,439 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 Jabil and FADV Holdings.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to St. Petersburg, FL
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL?
Costs on this route range from around $762 to $8,209, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,937 and $8,209, 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.
How walkable is St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 59, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($398 - $455), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $157/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Florida?
Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services.
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 41% and 26% nationally.