($981+) Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $981 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,790 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,566 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,686, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,790 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,457 - $4,669, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $981 - $2,659.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,395 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 Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Missoula to Chicago: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,395 - $8,390. Moving containers run about 49% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 69% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,566-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,566-mile route from Missoula to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,686 for a studio up to $11,790 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,457 - $4,669 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $981 - $2,659, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,262 - $3,971, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,566-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $2,686 - $11,790. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $331 - $2,204 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Missoula and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Missoula movers tend to run around $342 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Missoula to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,686 - $6,002
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,395 - $8,390
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,627 - $11,790
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 Missoula to Chicago.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Missoula 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 packing75% of local movers | $551 - $5,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $220 - $1,322/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $331 - $2,645 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,102 - $3,306 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,755 - $11,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $825 - $1,568 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $1,102 - $2,755 |
| Piano | Any piano type25% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $882 - $3,857 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers | $331 - $1,653 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $716 - $2,204 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $331 - $16,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $331 - $3,857+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Missoula to Chicago?
Look for Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Illinois beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Missoula, MT. 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 Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,457 and $4,669. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Missoula costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,457 - $2,762
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,719 - $3,677
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,488 - $4,669
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $83 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $165 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Chicago, IL, 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 $771 in Missoula, MT. 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.
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 $1,457. 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 $1,719 - $3,677.
What are the best moving containers Missoula 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 Missoula 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 Missoula:
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL
Plan on $981 - $2,659 for a rental moving truck on the 1,566-mile route from Missoula, Montana, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $549 - $628
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $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 Missoula to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $981 - $1,810
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,041 - $2,239
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,312 - $2,659
Pro tip: A rental truck from Missoula to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $981 - $2,659. But once you factor in fuel ($549 - $628), overnight lodging ($165/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Missoula, Montana, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $771.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $549 - $628 for the 1,566-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 $66 and $358, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $165 per night for hotel stops on the 1,566-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $331 - $496.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula 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 Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Missoula, Montana, 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 $1,418 and $3,088.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,262 - $2,273
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,418 - $3,088
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,912 - $3,971
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Missoula, Montana, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $771.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $83 and $165 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Missoula 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.
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: Missoula, MT vs Chicago, IL
Day-to-day costs in Chicago are close to what you're used to in Missoula: cost of living index of 106 versus 113, with average rent of $2,045/mo compared to $1,322/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 45/100 and 66.73/100 in Missoula versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Missoula, MT guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 1 real quote from Montana to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 19 movers based in Montana, handy for sizing up options on this 1,566-mile route.
Our take
A move from Missoula, MT, 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 $2,686 - $11,790 on the 1,566-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,457 - $4,669, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $981 - $2,659. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,395 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 Missoula, MT, to Chicago, IL
How much does it cost to move from Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $981 to $11,790, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,686 and $11,790, 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 Missoula, MT 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 Missoula?
Local movers based in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate, plus $150/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.
How long does a move from Missoula, MT to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?
For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 25% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.