($581+) Chicago, IL to Garland, TX Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Garland, TX, runs anywhere from $581 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,148 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 917 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 $1,778, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,148 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,053 - $3,548, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $581 - $1,669.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Garland, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,373 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 Garland, TX
Moving options from Chicago to Garland fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,373 - $5,435 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 74% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 917-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 917-mile route from Chicago to Garland, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,778 - $4,314 with full-service movers, $1,053 - $2,091 with a container, $581 - $1,190 with a rental truck, or $1,027 - $1,882 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,373 - $5,435 full-service, $1,396 - $2,708 by container, $621 - $1,401 by rental truck, or $1,197 - $2,143 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,809 - $7,148 full-service, $1,878 - $3,548 by container, $812 - $1,669 by rental truck, or $1,595 - $3,076 by freight.
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 Garland, TX
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 917-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Garland, Texas, with prices running from $1,778 - $7,148. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $311 - $2,072 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and Garland 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 Garland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,778 - $4,314
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,373 - $5,435
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,809 - $7,148
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 Garland.
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 Garland, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Garland, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $518 - $5,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $207 - $1,243/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $311 - $2,486 |
| 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 | $1,036 - $3,108 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,590 - $10,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $776 - $1,474 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,036 - $2,590 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $829 - $3,626 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $311 - $1,554 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $673 - $2,072 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $311 - $15,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $311 - $3,626+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Garland?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Southwest Movers 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 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 Garland, TX
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Garland, Texas, cost between $1,053 and $3,548. 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 Garland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,053 - $2,091
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,396 - $2,708
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,878 - $3,548
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 $725 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 $78 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $155 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 Garland, TX, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Texas 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 $1,053. 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 $1,396 - $2,708.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Garland?
- 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 Garland, TX
A rental truck for this 917-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Garland, Texas, costs between $581 and $1,669. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $302 - $345
- 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 Garland based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $581 - $1,190
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $621 - $1,401
- 4+ bedrooms: $812 - $1,669
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $581 - $1,669 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Garland. Fuel alone runs $302 - $345, and overnight lodging ($155/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 $155 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 $725 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 917-mile drive falls between $302 and $345, 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 $311 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Garland?
- 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 Garland, TX
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Chicago, Illinois, to Garland, Texas. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,197 and $2,143.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Garland:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,027 - $1,882
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,197 - $2,143
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,595 - $3,076
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $78 - $155 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about five hours typically runs $725.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Garland?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Garland quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Garland, TX
Chicago and Garland land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 100 in Garland, and average rent is $2,045/mo vs. $1,624/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 40 and safety scores are 33.87 vs 62.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Garland, TX 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 Texas, 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 917-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Garland, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,778 for a studio to $7,148 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 917-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,053 - $3,548. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $581 - $1,669, 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 $2,373 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Garland tend to point to quality education and diversity, though severe storms and extreme heat come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Garland Independent School District and City of Garland.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Garland, TX
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Garland, TX?
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. Texas 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.
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($302 - $345), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $155/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Garland?
Garland has a walkability score of 40 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 41, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Garland, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $581 to $7,148, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,778 and $7,148, 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 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.