($599+) Chicago, IL to Baton Rouge, LA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Baton Rouge, LA, runs anywhere from $599 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,674 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 915 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 $1,796, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,674 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,130 - $3,696, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $599 - $1,719.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Baton Rouge, LA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,281 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 Baton Rouge, LA
Moving options from Chicago to Baton Rouge fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,281 - $5,435 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 72% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 915-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 915-mile route from Chicago to Baton Rouge, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,796 for a studio up to $7,674 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,130 - $3,696 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $599 - $1,719, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $987 - $2,898, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Baton Rouge, LA
For the 915-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, full-service movers cost between $1,796 and $7,674. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $302 - $2,016 (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 Baton Rouge:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,796 - $4,182
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,281 - $5,435
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,847 - $7,674
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 Baton Rouge.
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 Baton Rouge, LA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Baton Rouge, 63% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $504 - $5,040 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $202 - $1,210/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $302 - $2,419 |
| 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 | $1,008 - $3,024 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,520 - $10,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $755 - $1,434 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,008 - $2,520 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $806 - $3,528 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $302 - $1,512 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $655 - $2,016 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $302 - $15,120+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $302 - $3,528+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Baton Rouge?
Movers licensed to operate in Louisiana are typically members of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 Baton Rouge, LA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, cost between $1,130 and $3,696. 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 Baton Rouge:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,130 - $2,010
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,410 - $2,792
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,974 - $3,696
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $706 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $76 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $151 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Baton Rouge, LA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Louisiana 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 $1,130. 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 $1,410 - $2,792.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Baton Rouge?
- 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 Baton Rouge, LA
A rental truck for this 915-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, costs between $599 and $1,719. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $293 - $335
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Baton Rouge based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $599 - $1,099
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $634 - $1,306
- 4+ bedrooms: $804 - $1,719
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $599 - $1,719 does not include fuel ($293 - $335), lodging ($151/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Chicago to Baton Rouge typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $151 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 $706 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 915-mile drive falls between $293 and $335, 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 $50 and $302 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Baton Rouge?
- 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 Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,105 and $2,166.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Baton Rouge:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $987 - $1,773
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,105 - $2,166
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,611 - $2,898
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $76 - $151 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 $706.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Baton Rouge?
- 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.
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 Baton Rouge, LA
Good news for your budget: Baton Rouge isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Chicago. Cost of living index runs 93 there against 106 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 77/100 and 33.87/100 here versus 39/100 and 30.74/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Baton Rouge, LA 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 Louisiana, 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 915-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 915-mile route from Chicago, IL, to Baton Rouge, LA, run $1,796 - $7,674 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,130 - $3,696, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $599 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,281, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amedisys and LA State University Continuing.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Baton Rouge, LA
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Baton Rouge, LA?
Costs on this route range from around $599 to $7,674, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,796 and $7,674, 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 Baton Rouge run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Louisiana?
If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation.
What are the best neighborhoods in Baton Rouge?
For families, Prairieville, Zachary, and Shenandoah are worth a look in Baton Rouge. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown, Highlands/Perkins, and South Baton Rouge tend to be popular picks instead.
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.