($734+) Chicago, IL to Amarillo, TX Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Chicago, IL to Amarillo, TX

Moving from Chicago, IL, to Amarillo, TX, runs anywhere from $749 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,307 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,052 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 $2,028, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,307 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,180 - $4,203, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $749 - $1,939.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Amarillo, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,610 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 Amarillo, TX

Moving options from Chicago to Amarillo fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,610 - $6,348 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,052 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 1,052-mile route from Chicago to Amarillo, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,028 - $4,704 $1,180 - $2,383 $749 - $1,408 $1,173 - $2,021
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,610 - $6,348 $1,582 - $3,220 $800 - $1,544 $1,305 - $2,500
4+ bedrooms $4,360 - $8,307 $2,051 - $4,203 $977 - $1,939 $1,797 - $3,531

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 Amarillo, TX

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,052-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Amarillo, Texas, with prices running from $2,028 - $8,307. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $280 - $1,864 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and Amarillo 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 Amarillo:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,028 - $4,704
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,610 - $6,348
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,360 - $8,307

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 Amarillo.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Texas. 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 Amarillo, TX

Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Amarillo, 83% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing99% of local movers$466 - $4,660
Storage in transitNew place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co.$186 - $1,118/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$280 - $2,237
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$932 - $2,796
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,330 - $9,320
Car shippingSecond vehicle$698 - $1,326
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc$932 - $2,330
PianoAny piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc$746 - $3,262
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers$280 - $1,398
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic$606 - $1,864
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$280 - $13,980+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$280 - $3,262+

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

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 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 Amarillo, TX

Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Amarillo, Texas, cost between $1,180 and $4,203. 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 Amarillo:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,180 - $2,383
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,582 - $3,220
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,051 - $4,203

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Chicago, IL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $652, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $70 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $140 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Chicago, IL, and Amarillo, TX, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

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 $1,180. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,582 - $3,220, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Chicago to Amarillo?

  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 Amarillo, TX

A rental truck for this 1,052-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Amarillo, Texas, costs between $749 and $1,939. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:

  • Fuel for the drive: $312 - $357
  • Daily insurance: $28/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
  • 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 Amarillo based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $749 - $1,408
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $800 - $1,544
  • 4+ bedrooms: $977 - $1,939

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $749 - $1,939 does not include fuel ($312 - $357) , lodging ($140/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Chicago to Amarillo typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $312 - $357 for the 1,052-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours typically costs around $652.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 1,052-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $140 per night, adding $280 - $419 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $47 and $280.

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

  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 Amarillo, TX

If you're moving a larger household from Chicago, Illinois, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Amarillo, Texas.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,305 and $2,500.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,173 - $2,021
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,305 - $2,500
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,797 - $3,531

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

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 $70 and $140.
  • 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 $652.

What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Amarillo?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  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 operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Amarillo, 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 Amarillo, TX

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Amarillo, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Chicago, IL Amarillo, TX
Cost of living index10674
Average rent$2,045/mo$1,200/mo
Median home value$317,509$185,247
Average income$75,134/yr$62,469/yr
Unemployment rate9.0%4.9%
State income taxUp to 4.95%None
Walkability score77/10040/100
Safety index33.87/10074.69/100
Air qualityGoodGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL guide.

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

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Our take

For a move from Chicago, IL, to Amarillo, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,028 for a studio to $8,307 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,052-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,180 - $4,203. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $749 - $1,939, 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 $2,610 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 BSA Health System and Northwest Texas Healthcare System.

FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Amarillo, TX

What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Amarillo, TX?

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 $800 - $1,544. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Amarillo, TX?

Costs on this route range from around $2,028 to $8,307, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,028 and $8,307, 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 3 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 Amarillo run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?

In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.

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.