($854+) Chicago, IL to Albuquerque, NM Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Albuquerque, NM, runs anywhere from $854 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,912 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,337 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 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+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,912 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,237 - $4,321, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $854 - $2,233.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Albuquerque, NM. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,666 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Albuquerque, NM
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Albuquerque: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,666 - $6,039. Moving containers run about 35% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 67% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,337-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,337-mile route from Chicago to Albuquerque, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,049 - $4,743 | $1,237 - $2,522 | $854 - $1,617 | $1,136 - $2,269 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,666 - $6,039 | $1,745 - $3,418 | $889 - $1,831 | $1,356 - $2,547 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,431 - $8,912 | $2,142 - $4,321 | $1,095 - $2,233 | $1,876 - $3,457 |
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 Albuquerque, NM
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,337-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, with costs ranging from $2,049 - $8,912. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $301 - $2,008. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chicago and Albuquerque. Local movers in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Albuquerque:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,049 - $4,743
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,666 - $6,039
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,431 - $8,912
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 Albuquerque.
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.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Albuquerque, NM
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Albuquerque, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $502 - $5,020 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $201 - $1,205/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $301 - $2,410 |
| 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 | $1,004 - $3,012 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,510 - $10,040 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $752 - $1,429 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,004 - $2,510 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $803 - $3,514 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $301 - $1,506 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $653 - $2,008 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $301 - $15,060+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $301 - $3,514+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Albuquerque?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in New Mexico Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
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 Albuquerque, NM
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, cost between $1,237 and $4,321. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Albuquerque. If you go over that window, storage in Chicago adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Albuquerque:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,237 - $2,522
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,745 - $3,418
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,142 - $4,321
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $75 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $151 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 $703 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 Albuquerque, NM, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to New Mexico 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 $1,237. 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 $1,745 - $3,418.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Albuquerque?
- 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 Albuquerque, NM
A rental truck for this 1,337-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, costs between $854 and $2,233. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $427 - $488
- 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 Albuquerque based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $854 - $1,617
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $889 - $1,831
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,095 - $2,233
Pro tip: The base rate of $854 - $2,233 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chicago to Albuquerque. Fuel ($427 - $488), lodging at around $151/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $151 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $65 and $326 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $427 - $488 in fuel for the 1,337-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $703 in Chicago, Illinois, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Albuquerque?
- 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 Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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 $1,356 and $2,547.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Albuquerque:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,136 - $2,269
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,356 - $2,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,876 - $3,457
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $75 - $151 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about five hours typically runs $703.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Albuquerque?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to Albuquerque. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Albuquerque, NM
Chicago and Albuquerque land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 92 in Albuquerque, and average rent is $2,045/mo vs. $1,250/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 77 vs 43 and safety scores are 33.87 vs 28.28.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Albuquerque, NM to Chicago, IL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to New Mexico 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 314 movers based in Illinois, handy for sizing up options on this 1,337-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Albuquerque, NM, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,049 for a studio to $8,912 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,337-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,237 - $4,321. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $854 - $2,233, 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 $2,666 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 SunBridge Healthcare and Khi.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Albuquerque, NM
Is Albuquerque a safe place to live?
Albuquerque has a safety index of 28.28 out of 100 and a crime index of 71.72, 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.
How walkable is Albuquerque?
Albuquerque has a walkability score of 43 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 61, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Albuquerque?
For families, Academy Hills Park, Altura, and Bear Canyon are worth a look in Albuquerque. If you're moving solo or without kids, Nob HIll, Downtown, and Balloon Fiesta tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New Mexico?
Movers that operate within the Land of Enchantment are licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
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 Albuquerque run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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.