($572+) Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Raleigh, NC, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $584 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,491 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 806 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 $1,640, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,491 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,073 - $3,804, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $584 - $1,538.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Raleigh, NC, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,392 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 Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Raleigh to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,392 - $5,949 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 806 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 806-mile route from Raleigh 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 $1,640 - $4,192 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,073 - $1,977), rental truck ($584 - $1,078), or freight trailer ($1,056 - $1,816). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,392 - $5,949 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,491.
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 Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 806-mile move from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $1,640 - $7,491. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $318 - $2,120. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Raleigh and Chicago. Local movers in Raleigh typically start around $226 as a base rate plus $93/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Raleigh to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,640 - $4,192
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,392 - $5,949
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,915 - $7,491
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 Raleigh 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: 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 Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Raleigh 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 | $530 - $5,300 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $212 - $1,272/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $318 - $2,544 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,060 - $3,180 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,650 - $10,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $794 - $1,508 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts | $1,060 - $2,650 |
| Piano | Any piano type66% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $848 - $3,710 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling31% of local movers | $318 - $1,590 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $689 - $2,120 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $318 - $15,900+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $318 - $3,710+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Raleigh 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Raleigh, NC. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,073 and $3,804. 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 Raleigh costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Raleigh to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,073 - $1,977
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,408 - $2,743
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,045 - $3,804
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $80 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $159 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 $742 in Raleigh, NC. 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.
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 $1,408 - $2,743, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh:
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
- Next Stop Movers (4.9/5), 5 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 806-mile move from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $584 and $1,538. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $272 - $311
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $584 - $1,078
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $624 - $1,361
- 4+ bedrooms: $813 - $1,538
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $584 - $1,538 when pricing out a rental truck from Raleigh to Chicago. Fuel alone runs ($272 - $311) , and overnight lodging ($159/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $80 and $371.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $159.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $272 and $311 for the 806-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $742 for 2 movers in Raleigh, North Carolina, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL
If you're moving a larger household from Raleigh, North Carolina, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Chicago, Illinois.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,126 and $2,240.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Raleigh to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,056 - $1,816
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,126 - $2,240
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,512 - $2,834
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 Raleigh, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $742.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $80 and $159 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Raleigh to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Southern Express, Inc. (4.3/5 stars): Southern Express, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
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: Raleigh, NC vs Chicago, IL
Raleigh and Chicago land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 106 in Raleigh and 106 in Chicago, and rent tracks closely too ($1,670/mo vs. $2,045/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (31 vs 77) and safety scores (60.13 vs 33.87) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Raleigh, NC guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from North Carolina 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 117 movers in North Carolina, so you have real options to compare for this 806-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 806-mile route from Raleigh, NC, to Chicago, IL, run $1,640 - $7,491 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,073 - $3,804, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $584 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,392, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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 Raleigh, NC, to Chicago, IL
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.
Is Chicago a safe place to live?
Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 60.13 and 38.87 in Raleigh. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Raleigh, NC 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 $624 - $1,361. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
How long does a move from Raleigh, NC 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 percentage of Raleigh movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 66% of movers in Raleigh handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
