($581+) Baton Rouge, LA to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Baton Rouge, LA, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $581 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,674 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 915 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 $1,946, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,674 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,130 - $3,622, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $581 - $1,603.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Baton Rouge, LA, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,446 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 Baton Rouge, LA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Baton Rouge to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,446 - $6,123 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 74% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 915-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 915-mile route from Baton Rouge to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,946 - $4,811 | $1,130 - $1,969 | $581 - $1,202 | $967 - $1,809 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,446 - $6,123 | $1,439 - $2,820 | $634 - $1,388 | $1,094 - $2,346 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,884 - $7,674 | $1,936 - $3,622 | $828 - $1,603 | $1,534 - $2,928 |
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 Baton Rouge, LA to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,946 and $7,674. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 915-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $295 - $1,964, 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 Baton Rouge and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in Baton Rouge tend to start around $558 plus $150/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 Baton Rouge to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,946 - $4,811
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,446 - $6,123
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,884 - $7,674
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 Baton Rouge to Chicago.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Baton Rouge, LA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of Baton Rouge movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing63% of local movers | $491 - $4,910 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready63% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $196 - $1,178/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,357 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $982 - $2,946 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,455 - $9,820 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $736 - $1,397 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items7% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Acadiana Movers | $982 - $2,455 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $786 - $3,437 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $295 - $1,473 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: AD Movers (LA) | $638 - $1,964 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $295 - $14,730+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $295 - $3,437+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Baton Rouge 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Baton Rouge, LA. 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 Baton Rouge, LA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,130 and $3,622. 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 Baton Rouge runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Baton Rouge to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,130 - $1,969
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,439 - $2,820
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,936 - $3,622
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 $687 in Baton Rouge, LA. 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 $74 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $147 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.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Louisiana 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 $1,130. 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 $1,439 - $2,820.
What are the best moving containers Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 15 years in business
- Acadiana Movers (4.4/5), 16 years in business
- Moving Nola (5.0/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Baton Rouge, LA to Chicago, IL
Renting a moving truck for the 915-mile move from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $581 and $1,603, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $286 - $327
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Baton Rouge daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Baton Rouge to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $581 - $1,202
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $634 - $1,388
- 4+ bedrooms: $828 - $1,603
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $581 - $1,603 when pricing out a rental truck from Baton Rouge to Chicago. Fuel alone runs $286 - $327, and overnight lodging ($147/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $147 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, usually costs about $687 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 915-mile drive falls between $286 and $327, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $49 and $295 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge, LA to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 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 $884 and $2,346.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Baton Rouge to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $967 - $1,809
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,094 - $2,346
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,534 - $2,928
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $74 - $147 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, typically costs $687.
What are the best freight companies from Baton Rouge to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
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 Chicago 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: Baton Rouge, LA vs Chicago, IL
Day-to-day costs in Chicago are close to what you're used to in Baton Rouge: cost of living index of 106 versus 93, with average rent of $2,045/mo compared to $1,250/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 39/100 and 30.74/100 in Baton Rouge versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Baton Rouge, LA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Louisiana to Illinois, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 73 movers in Louisiana, so you have real options to compare for this 915-mile move.
Our take
A move from Baton Rouge, LA, 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 $1,946 - $7,674 on the 915-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,130 - $3,622, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $581 - $1,603. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,446 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 Baton Rouge, LA, to Chicago, IL
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 39 and 44 in Baton Rouge. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($286 - $327), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $147/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.
What is the best time of year to move from Baton Rouge, LA to Chicago, IL?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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 percentage of Baton Rouge movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Baton Rouge handle piano moves, and 7% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.