($635+) Chicago, IL to Plano, TX Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Plano, TX, runs anywhere from $635 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,825 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 907 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 $1,741, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,825 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,163 - $3,881, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $635 - $1,570.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Plano, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,189 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 Plano, TX
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Plano: 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 $2,189 - $5,771. Moving containers run about 38% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 70% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 907-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 907-mile route from Chicago to Plano, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,741 for a studio up to $7,825 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,163 - $3,881 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $635 - $1,570, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $957 - $2,928, 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 Plano, TX
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 907-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Plano, Texas, with costs ranging from $1,741 - $7,825. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $325 - $2,168. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chicago and Plano. 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 Plano:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,741 - $4,534
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,189 - $5,771
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,770 - $7,825
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 Plano.
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 Plano, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Plano, 56% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $542 - $5,420 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $217 - $1,301/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $325 - $2,602 |
| 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 | $1,084 - $3,252 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,710 - $10,840 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $812 - $1,543 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,084 - $2,710 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $867 - $3,794 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $325 - $1,626 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $705 - $2,168 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $325 - $16,260+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $325 - $3,794+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Plano?
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 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 Plano, TX
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Plano, Texas, cost between $1,163 and $3,881. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Chicago typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Plano:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,163 - $1,990
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,367 - $2,905
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,840 - $3,881
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $81 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $163 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Plano, TX, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $759 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
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 $1,163. 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 $1,367 - $2,905.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Plano?
- 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 Plano, TX
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Plano, Texas, range from $635 - $1,570 for the 907-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $313 - $358
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Plano based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $635 - $1,087
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $647 - $1,388
- 4+ bedrooms: $861 - $1,570
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chicago to Plano looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $635 - $1,570. But once you factor in fuel ($313 - $358), overnight lodging ($163/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $81 and $379.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $163.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $313 and $358 for the 907-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $759 for 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Plano?
- 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 Plano, 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 Plano, Texas.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,083 and $2,324.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Plano:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $957 - $1,901
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,083 - $2,324
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,488 - $2,928
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $759.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $81 and $163 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Plano?
- 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Plano 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 Plano, TX
Chicago and Plano land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 112 in Plano, and average rent is $2,045/mo vs. $2,100/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 41 and safety scores are 33.87 vs 76.98.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Plano, 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 907-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Plano, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,741 for a studio to $7,825 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 907-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,163 - $3,881. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $635 - $1,570, 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 $2,189 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 Plano tend to point to favorable weather and ample economic opportunity, though terrible traffic and extreme weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Capital One Finance and DXC Technology.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Plano, TX
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($313 - $358), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $163/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Plano, 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 $647 - $1,388. 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 Plano, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $635 to $7,825, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,741 and $7,825, 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 Plano 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.