($661+) Chicago, IL to Virginia Beach, VA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Virginia Beach, VA, runs anywhere from $598 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,975 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 899 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 $1,917, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,975 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,162 - $3,910, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $598 - $1,715.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Virginia Beach, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,347 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 Virginia Beach, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Virginia Beach: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,347 - $5,842. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 899 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 899-mile route from Chicago to Virginia Beach, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,917 - $4,569 with full-service movers, $1,162 - $2,066 with a container, $598 - $1,164 with a rental truck, or $1,079 - $1,973 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,347 - $5,842 full-service, $1,540 - $3,075 by container, $678 - $1,412 by rental truck, or $1,172 - $2,389 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,018 - $7,975 full-service, $1,950 - $3,910 by container, $834 - $1,715 by rental truck, or $1,544 - $2,974 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Virginia Beach, VA
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to Virginia Beach, Virginia, costs between $1,917 and $7,975. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 899-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $317 - $2,112, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Chicago and Virginia Beach. For a rough baseline, movers based in Chicago tend to start around $220 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Virginia Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,917 - $4,569
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,347 - $5,842
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,018 - $7,975
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 Virginia Beach.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Virginia. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Virginia Beach, VA
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Virginia Beach, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $528 - $5,280 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $211 - $1,267/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $317 - $2,534 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $1,056 - $3,168 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,640 - $10,560 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $791 - $1,503 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,056 - $2,640 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $845 - $3,696 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $317 - $1,584 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $686 - $2,112 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $317 - $15,840+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $317 - $3,696+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Virginia Beach?
All three below meet the standards set by the Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Virginia movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
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 Virginia Beach, VA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Virginia Beach, Virginia, cost between $1,162 and $3,910. 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 Virginia Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,162 - $2,066
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,540 - $3,075
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,950 - $3,910
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $79 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $158 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 $739 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 Virginia Beach, VA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,162. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,540 - $3,075, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Virginia Beach?
- 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
- 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 Virginia Beach, VA
Plan on $598 - $1,715 for a rental moving truck on the 899-mile route from Chicago, Illinois, to Virginia Beach, Virginia. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $302 - $345
- Daily insurance: $32/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 Virginia Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $598 - $1,164
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $678 - $1,412
- 4+ bedrooms: $834 - $1,715
Pro tip: The base rate of $598 - $1,715 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chicago to Virginia Beach. Fuel ($302 - $345) , lodging at around $158/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $739.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $302 - $345 for the 899-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $63 and $343, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $158 per night for hotel stops on the 899-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $317 - $475.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Virginia Beach?
- 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 Virginia Beach, VA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Virginia Beach, Virginia, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,172 and $2,389.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Virginia Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,079 - $1,973
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,172 - $2,389
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,544 - $2,974
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 $739.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $79 and $158 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Virginia Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, VA
Chicago and Virginia Beach land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Chicago and 105 in Virginia Beach, and rent tracks closely too ($2,045/mo vs. $1,950/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (77 vs 33) and safety scores (33.87 vs 58.0) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Virginia 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 103 movers based in Illinois, handy for sizing up options on this 899-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Chicago, IL, to Virginia Beach, VA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,917 - $7,975 on the 899-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,162 - $3,910 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $598 - $1,715 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,347 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Stihl and Navy Exchange.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Virginia Beach, VA
How do I know a mover is licensed in Virginia?
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV).
What are the best neighborhoods in Virginia Beach?
For families, Great Neck, Red Mill, and Kempsville are worth a look in Virginia Beach. If you're moving solo or without kids, Hilltop, Alanton, and Great Neck tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach has a walkability score of 33 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 42, 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.
Is Virginia Beach a safe place to live?
Virginia Beach has a safety index of 58.0 out of 100 and a crime index of 42.0, 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.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Chicago, IL to Virginia Beach, VA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
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.
