($109+) Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI Movers

Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI

For the 102-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, full-service movers cost between $544 and $3,838. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $296 - $1,976 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Chicago generally start around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Milwaukee:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $544 - $2,522
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $967 - $2,893
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,398 - $3,838

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 Milwaukee.

Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI

Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Milwaukee, 62% of movers offer the same service.

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

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Wisconsin 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.

How much do local movers cost in Chicago, IL?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Chicago to Milwaukee with a local mover averages $958 - $2,865. A local mover in Chicago, IL is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.

Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.

Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI

Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, cost between $671 and $1,903. 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 Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $671 - $1,076
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $869 - $1,492
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,089 - $1,903

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $74 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $148 per month.
• Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Milwaukee, WI, 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 $692 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.

What are the best moving containers Chicago to Milwaukee?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 102 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, running $109 - $207. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

• Fuel for the drive: $32 - $37
• 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

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chicago to Milwaukee based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $109 - $150
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $115 - $187
• 4+ bedrooms: $121 - $207

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 $692.
• Gas: Fuel costs total $32 - $37 for the 102-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 $59 and $321, depending on what you need.
• Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
• Lodging: Budget around $148 per night for hotel stops on the 102-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $296 - $445.

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

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 Milwaukee, WI

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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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 $702 and $1,206.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $609 - $1,061
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $702 - $1,206
• 4+ bedrooms: $853 - $1,508

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 $74 and $148.
• 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 $692.

What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Milwaukee?

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.

Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Milwaukee, WI

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

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

Our take

For a move from Chicago, IL, to Milwaukee, WI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $544 for a studio to $3,838 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 102-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $671 - $1,903. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $109 - $207, 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 $967 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 Johnson Controls and Aurora Health Care.