($545+) Albany, NY to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Albany, NY, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $545 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,900 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 817 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 $1,603, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,900 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,022 - $3,658, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $545 - $1,495.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Albany, NY, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,135 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 Albany, NY to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Albany to Chicago: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,135 - $4,860. Containers cost roughly 37% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 70% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 817 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 817-mile route from Albany to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,603 - $3,861 | $1,022 - $1,962 | $545 - $1,101 | $987 - $1,818 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,135 - $4,860 | $1,341 - $2,587 | $630 - $1,308 | $1,084 - $2,263 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,289 - $6,900 | $1,929 - $3,658 | $714 - $1,495 | $1,411 - $2,701 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Albany, NY to Chicago, IL
For the 817-mile move from Albany, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $1,603 and $6,900. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $305 - $2,036 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Albany generally start around $295 plus $115 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Albany to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,603 - $3,861
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,135 - $4,860
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,289 - $6,900
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 Albany 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 Albany, NY to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Albany 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 packing56% of local movers | $509 - $5,090 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mabey's Moving & Storage | $204 - $1,222/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $305 - $2,443 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs27% of local movers | $1,018 - $3,054 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,545 - $10,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $762 - $1,449 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items5% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Arnoff Moving & Storage | $1,018 - $2,545 |
| Piano | Any piano type18% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Don's Moving & Storage | $814 - $3,563 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $305 - $1,527 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: Pioneer Moving Group | $662 - $2,036 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $305 - $15,270+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $305 - $3,563+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Albany to Chicago?
All three below meet the standards set by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Illinois movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Albany, NY. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Albany, NY to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Albany, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,022 and $3,658. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Albany typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Albany to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,022 - $1,962
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,341 - $2,587
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,929 - $3,658
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $76 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $153 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 $713 in Albany, NY. 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 New York 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 $1,022. 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 $1,341 - $2,587.
What are the best moving containers Albany 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 Albany 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 Albany:
- Ashline Moving Help, 108 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5)
- Zip to Zip Moving Inc (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Albany, NY to Chicago, IL
Plan on $545 - $1,495 for a rental moving truck on the 817-mile route from Albany, New York, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $265 - $302
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Albany 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 Albany to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $545 - $1,101
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $630 - $1,308
- 4+ bedrooms: $714 - $1,495
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Albany to Chicago starts at $545 - $1,495, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($265 - $302), overnight lodging ($153/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Albany, New York, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $713.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $265 - $302 for the 817-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 $61 and $331, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $153 per night for hotel stops on the 817-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $305 - $458.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Albany 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 Albany, NY to Chicago, IL
If you're moving a larger household from Albany, New York, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,084 and $2,263.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Albany to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $987 - $1,818
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,084 - $2,263
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,411 - $2,701
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 Albany, New York, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $713.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $76 and $153 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Albany to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
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: Albany, NY vs Chicago, IL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Albany and Chicago to plan around. Cost of living index: 99 vs. 106. Average rent: $1,450/mo vs. $2,045/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 65 vs. 77. Safety index: 49.65 vs. 33.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Albany, NY guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from New York to Illinois, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 520 movers licensed in New York, useful context for sizing up this 817-mile move.
Our take
A move from Albany, NY, 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 $1,603 - $6,900 on the 817-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,022 - $3,658, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $545 - $1,495. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,135 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 Albany, NY, 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 65 and 55 in Albany. 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 ($265 - $302), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $153/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 Albany, NY 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 4 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 Albany movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 18% of movers in Albany handle piano moves, and 5% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.