($471+) Fargo, ND to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Fargo, ND to Chicago, IL

Full-service movers for the 642-mile relocation from Fargo, North Dakota, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,638 and $8,811. 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 $291 - $1,940, 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 Fargo typically charge a base rate around $264 plus $99 per hour, per mover.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,638 - $4,820
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,417 - $6,493
• 4+ bedrooms: $4,626 - $8,811

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 Fargo to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Fargo, ND to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 40% of Fargo movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Fargo 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Moving container costs from Fargo, ND to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Fargo, North Dakota, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,040 and $3,109. 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 Fargo runs about $90/month.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,040 - $1,700
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,402
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,782 - $3,109

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 $679 in Fargo, ND. 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 $73 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $146 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.

What are the best moving containers Fargo 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)

Moving truck rental costs from Fargo, ND to Chicago, IL

Renting a moving truck for the 642-mile move from Fargo, North Dakota, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $471 and $1,262, before these typical add-ons:

• Fuel for the drive: $198 - $226
• Daily insurance: $29/day
• Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
• Fargo daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $471 - $915
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $512 - $1,055
• 4+ bedrooms: $614 - $1,262

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $146 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
• Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $63 and $315 to your total.
• Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
• Gas: Plan on spending $198 - $226 in fuel for the 642-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
• Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $679 in Fargo, North Dakota, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Fargo 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 Fargo, ND to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Fargo, North Dakota, to Chicago, Illinois, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,007 and $1,961.

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

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $846 - $1,546
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,007 - $1,961
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,317 - $2,513

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 $73 - $146 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 Fargo, North Dakota, typically costs $679.

What are the best freight companies from Fargo to Chicago?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: Fargo, ND 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 Fargo on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

The 642-mile move from Fargo, ND, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,638 and $8,811 with full-service movers, $1,040 - $3,109 with a moving container, and $471 - $1,262 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,417 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 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.