($344+) Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL

Hiring full-service movers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,090 and $6,642. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 368-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $291 - $1,940, 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 Lexington and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in Lexington tend to start around $197 plus $70/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 Lexington to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,090 - $3,723
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,715 - $4,762
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,835 - $6,642

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 Lexington to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 64% of Lexington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.

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

Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Illinois, on top of the picks below.

1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.

How much do local movers cost in Lexington, KY?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Lexington to Chicago with a local mover averages $1,664 - $4,620. A local mover in Lexington, KY 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 Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $928 and $2,802. 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 Lexington runs about $80/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $928 - $1,567
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,165 - $2,180
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,481 - $2,802

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 $679 in Lexington, KY. 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 $73 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $146 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 Chicago, IL, destination before booking.

What are the best moving containers Lexington to Chicago?

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 Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL

Plan on $344 - $917 for a rental moving truck on the 368-mile route from Lexington, Kentucky, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

• Fuel for the drive: $114 - $130
• Daily insurance: $29/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
• Lexington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $344 - $609
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $363 - $701
• 4+ bedrooms: $472 - $917

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $146 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
• Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $63 and $315 to your total.
• Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
• Gas: Plan on spending $114 - $130 in fuel for the 368-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
• Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $679 in Lexington, Kentucky, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

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

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 Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL

For larger DIY moves from Lexington, Kentucky, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Chicago, Illinois.

Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $859 and $1,778.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $811 - $1,396
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $859 - $1,778
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,153

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 $73 - $146 more per foot.
• Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Lexington, Kentucky, for about five hours typically runs $679.

What are the best freight companies from Lexington to Chicago?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: Lexington, KY vs Chicago, IL

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Lexington 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

A move from Lexington, KY, to Chicago, IL, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,090 - $6,642 on the 368-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $928 - $2,802, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $344 - $917. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,715 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.