($315+) St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $321 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,262 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 297 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 $988, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,262 or more.
- Moving containers run $857 - $2,653, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $321 - $828.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,624 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 St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Moving options from St. Louis to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,624 - $4,681 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 297-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 297-mile route from St. Louis to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $988 - $3,656 with full-service movers, $857 - $1,541 with a container, $321 - $586 with a rental truck, or $844 - $1,401 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,624 - $4,681 full-service, $1,094 - $2,183 by container, $345 - $707 by rental truck, or $957 - $1,798 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $2,358 - $6,262 full-service, $1,564 - $2,653 by container, $414 - $828 by rental truck, or $1,167 - $2,232 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 St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers for the 297-mile relocation from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $988 and $6,262. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $278 - $1,856, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in St. Louis typically charge a base rate around $247 plus $145 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $988 - $3,656
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,624 - $4,681
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,358 - $6,262
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 St. Louis to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis 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 packing93% of local movers | $464 - $4,640 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $186 - $1,114/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $278 - $2,227 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers | $928 - $2,784 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,320 - $9,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $695 - $1,321 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $928 - $2,320 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving | $742 - $3,248 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $278 - $1,392 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $603 - $1,856 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $278 - $13,920+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $278 - $3,248+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Chicago?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 St. Louis, MO?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from St. Louis to Chicago with a local mover averages $1,560 - $4,494. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in St. Louis, MO 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.
ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.72/5 stars) is a local mover in St. Louis, based on our analysis of feedback from 263 customers, 83.7% of which is positive.
Address: 3050 Armona Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63129 | Founded: 1989
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $857 and $2,653. 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 St. Louis runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $857 - $1,541
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,094 - $2,183
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,564 - $2,653
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 $650 in St. Louis, MO. 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 $70 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $139 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 Missouri 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 $857. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,094 - $2,183, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:
- Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
- ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $321 - $828 for the 297-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $88 - $100
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $19
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Louis to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $321 - $586
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $345 - $707
- 4+ bedrooms: $414 - $828
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $321 - $828 does not include fuel ($88 - $100) , lodging ($139/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from St. Louis to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $139 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 St. Louis, Missouri, usually costs about $650 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 297-mile drive falls between $88 and $100, 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 $46 and $278 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from St. Louis, Missouri, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $957 and $1,798.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $844 - $1,401
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $957 - $1,798
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,167 - $2,232
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $70 - $139 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in St. Louis, Missouri, for about five hours typically runs $650.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis 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.
- Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from St. Louis to Chicago. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | St. Louis, MO | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 84 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $180,206 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $55,279/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.8% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 66/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 30.35/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 St. Louis, MO guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Missouri 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 54 movers in Missouri, so you have real options to compare for this 297-mile move.
Our take
For a move from St. Louis, MO, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $988 for a studio to $6,262 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 297-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $857 - $2,653. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $321 - $828, 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 $1,624 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer 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 St. Louis, MO, to Chicago, IL
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $988 to $6,262, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $988 and $6,262, 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 is the cheapest way to move from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $345 - $707. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($88 - $100), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $139/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from St. Louis, MO 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 percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
