($342+) Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Lexington, KY, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $356 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,460 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 368 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,165, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,460 or more.
- Moving containers run $898 - $2,849, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $356 - $970.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Lexington, KY, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,778 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 Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Lexington to Chicago: 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 $1,778 - $5,092. 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 368 miles, expect 1 to 4 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 368-mile route from Lexington to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,165 - $3,820 | $898 - $1,609 | $356 - $651 | $808 - $1,537 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,778 - $5,092 | $1,184 - $2,306 | $364 - $749 | $956 - $1,826 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,882 - $7,460 | $1,552 - $2,849 | $494 - $970 | $1,278 - $2,394 |
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 Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 368-mile move from Lexington, Kentucky, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $1,165 - $7,460. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $291 - $1,940. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Lexington and Chicago. Local movers in Lexington typically start around $197 as a base rate plus $70/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Lexington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,165 - $3,820
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,778 - $5,092
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,882 - $7,460
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.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Kentucky to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Lexington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $485 - $4,850 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $194 - $1,164/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $291 - $2,328 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage43% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs43% of local movers | $970 - $2,910 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,425 - $9,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $727 - $1,380 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items57% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Vincent Fister Inc. | $970 - $2,425 |
| Piano | Any piano type86% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Wildcat Moving LLC | $776 - $3,395 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $291 - $1,455 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: From Here To There, LLC | $631 - $1,940 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $291 - $14,550+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $291 - $3,395+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Lexington to Chicago?
All three below meet the standards set by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Illinois 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.
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 $1,725 - $4,940. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Lexington, KY often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
Wildcat Moving LLC (4.7/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Lexington, ranked #1 in Kentucky, based on our analysis of feedback from 321 customers, 85.0% of which is positive.
Address: 236 Big Run Rd, Lexington, KY, 40503 | Founded: 2012
Moving container costs from Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Lexington, Kentucky, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $898 and $2,849. 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 Lexington typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Lexington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $898 - $1,609
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,184 - $2,306
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,552 - $2,849
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Lexington, KY and Chicago, IL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $679 in Lexington, KY, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $73 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $146 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Kentucky to Illinois 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 $898. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,184 - $2,306, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Lexington to Chicago?
- 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 Lexington 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 Lexington:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 20 years in business
- Saunier Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.6/5), 38 years in business
- My 3 Son's Moving, 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 368 miles from Lexington, Kentucky, to Chicago, Illinois, running $356 - $970. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- 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
| 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 Lexington to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $356 - $651
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $364 - $749
- 4+ bedrooms: $494 - $970
Pro tip: A rental truck from Lexington to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $356 - $970. But once you factor in fuel ($114 - $130) , overnight lodging ($146/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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?
- 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 Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Lexington, Kentucky, to Chicago, Illinois. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $873 and $1,826.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Lexington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $808 - $1,537
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $956 - $1,826
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,278 - $2,394
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Lexington, Kentucky, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $679.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $73 - $146 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Lexington to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC (4.38/5 stars): Phoenix Transportation Services, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chicago fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
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.
| Measure | Lexington, KY | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,345/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $272,002 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $67,631/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.0% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 90/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 49.12/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Kentucky to Illinois, 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 27 movers licensed in Kentucky, useful context for sizing up this 368-mile move.
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 $1,165 - $7,460 on the 368-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $898 - $2,849, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $356 - $970. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,778 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.
FAQs: Moving from Lexington, KY, to Chicago, IL
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($114 - $130), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 90 and 85 in Lexington. 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 Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,165 to $7,460, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,165 and $7,460, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL?
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 do local movers charge in Lexington?
Local movers based in Lexington typically start around $197 as a base rate, plus $70/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 Chicago run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Lexington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 86% of movers in Lexington handle piano moves, and 57% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
