($529+) Greensboro, NC to Chicago, IL Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Greensboro, NC to Chicago, IL

Moving from Greensboro, NC, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $562 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,717 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 731 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,562, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,717 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,073 - $3,694, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $562 - $1,489.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Greensboro, NC, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,319 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Greensboro, NC to Chicago, IL

Moving options from Greensboro to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,319 - $5,441 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 731 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 731-mile route from Greensboro to Chicago, broken down by home size:

Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,562 - $4,087 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,073 - $1,950), rental truck ($562 - $1,025), or freight trailer ($995 - $1,737). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,319 - $5,441 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,717.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Greensboro, NC to Chicago, IL

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 731-mile move from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $1,562 - $7,717. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $278 - $1,856. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Greensboro and Chicago. Local movers in Greensboro typically start around $249 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Greensboro to Chicago:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,562 - $4,087
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,319 - $5,441
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,777 - $7,717

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 Greensboro to Chicago.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina 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 Greensboro, NC to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Greensboro 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 packingFull crew packing95% of local movers$464 - $4,640
Storage in transitNew place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$186 - $1,114/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$278 - $2,227
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage47% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers$928 - $2,784
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,320 - $9,280
Car shippingSecond vehicle$695 - $1,321
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items53% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$928 - $2,320
PianoAny piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$742 - $3,248
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling42% of local movers$278 - $1,392
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Excel Moving and Storage$603 - $1,856
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$278 - $13,920+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$278 - $3,248+

What are the best full-service movers from Greensboro 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Greensboro, NC, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.

Moving container costs from Greensboro, NC to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,073 and $3,694. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Greensboro typically runs around $100/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,073 - $1,950
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,406 - $2,813
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,865 - $3,694

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $70 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $139 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
  • Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $650 in Greensboro, NC, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
  • Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Chicago, IL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina 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 $1,073. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,406 - $2,813, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Greensboro 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)

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 Greensboro 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 Greensboro:

  • Excel Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 56 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 31 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 14 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Greensboro, NC to Chicago, IL

Renting a moving truck for the 731-mile move from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $562 and $1,489, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $216 - $247
  • Daily insurance: $28/day
  • Equipment rentals: $6 - $19
  • Greensboro daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $562 - $1,025
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $577 - $1,278
  • 4+ bedrooms: $758 - $1,489

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $562 - $1,489 when pricing out a rental truck from Greensboro to Chicago. Fuel alone runs ($216 - $247) , and overnight lodging ($139/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $216 - $247 for the 731-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Greensboro, North Carolina, for about 5 hours typically costs around $650.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 731-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $139 per night, adding $278 - $418 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $46 and $278.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Greensboro 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 Greensboro, NC to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,158 and $2,272.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $995 - $1,737
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,158 - $2,272
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,553 - $2,956

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?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $70 and $139.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Greensboro, North Carolina, for roughly five hours typically average $650.

What are the best freight companies from Greensboro to Chicago?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. Salem Carriers, Inc. (4.62/5 stars): Salem Carriers, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Greensboro to Chicago, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.

Cost of living: Greensboro, NC 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 Greensboro on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Greensboro, NC Chicago, IL
Cost of living index84106
Average rent$1,395/mo$2,045/mo
Median home value$221,226$317,509
Average income$58,884/yr$75,134/yr
Unemployment rate5.6%9.0%
State income taxUp to 4.5%Up to 4.95%
Walkability score29/10077/100
Safety index54.09/10033.87/100
Air qualityGoodGood

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 Greensboro, NC guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Illinois, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. North Carolina alone has 117 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 731-mile move like this one.

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Our take

A move from Greensboro, NC, 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 $1,562 - $7,717 on the 731-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,073 - $3,694, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $562 - $1,489. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,319 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 Greensboro, NC, 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 29 and 32 in Greensboro. 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 ($216 - $247), 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 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 Greensboro, NC 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 3 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 Greensboro movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 79% of movers in Greensboro handle piano moves, and 53% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.