($412+) Pittsburgh, PA to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Pittsburgh, PA, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $400 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,219 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 462 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $1,228, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,219 or more.
- Moving containers run $933 - $3,097, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $400 - $1,086.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Pittsburgh, PA, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,897 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Pittsburgh 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 $1,897 - $5,093 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 462 miles and typically takes 1 to 4 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 462-mile route from Pittsburgh to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,228 for a studio up to $7,219 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $933 - $3,097 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $400 - $1,086, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $866 - $2,528, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Pittsburgh, PA to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers for the 462-mile relocation from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,228 and $7,219. 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 $293 - $1,952, 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 Pittsburgh typically charge a base rate around $185 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Pittsburgh to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,228 - $3,981
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,897 - $5,093
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,448 - $7,219
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 Pittsburgh to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 73% of Pittsburgh 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 packing91% of local movers | $488 - $4,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready73% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $195 - $1,171/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,342 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $976 - $2,928 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,440 - $9,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $731 - $1,389 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $976 - $2,440 |
| Piano | Any piano type73% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $781 - $3,416 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling27% of local movers | $293 - $1,464 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect18% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Don Farr Moving & Storage | $634 - $1,952 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,416+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Pittsburgh 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How much do local movers cost in Pittsburgh, PA?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Pittsburgh to Chicago with a local mover averages $1,953 - $5,245. A local mover in Pittsburgh, PA is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
Don Farr Moving & Storage (4.64/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Pittsburgh, ranked #2 in Pennsylvania, based on our analysis of feedback from 415 customers, 50.8% of which is positive.
Address: 1200 Lebanon Road Unit 520, West Mifflin, PA, 15122 | Founded: 1981
Moving container costs from Pittsburgh, PA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $933 and $3,097. 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 Pittsburgh typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Pittsburgh to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $933 - $1,717
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,181 - $2,488
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,619 - $3,097
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Pittsburgh, PA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $683, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $73 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $146 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Pittsburgh, PA, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania 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 $933. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,181 - $2,488, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh:
- South Hills Movers (4.1/5), 96 years in business
- Diversity Moving Company (4.9/5), 16 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Pittsburgh, PA to Chicago, IL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 462 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Chicago, Illinois, running $400 - $1,086. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $143 - $164
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Pittsburgh daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Pittsburgh to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $400 - $768
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $452 - $921
- 4+ bedrooms: $558 - $1,086
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $400 - $1,086 does not include fuel ($143 - $164) , lodging ($146/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Pittsburgh to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
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 $73 and $342.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $146.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $143 and $164 for the 462-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 $683 for 2 movers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, PA to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,004 and $1,857.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Pittsburgh to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $866 - $1,640
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,004 - $1,857
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,348 - $2,528
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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $683.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $146 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Pittsburgh 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.
- Pitt Ohio (4.5/5 stars): Pitt Ohio 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: Pittsburgh, PA vs Chicago, IL
Good news for your budget: Chicago isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Pittsburgh. Cost of living index runs 106 there against 92 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 62/100 and 62.26/100 here versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Pittsburgh, PA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Illinois over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 106 movers in our Pennsylvania network to compare for this 462-mile move.
Our take
The 462-mile move from Pittsburgh, PA, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,228 and $7,219 with full-service movers, $933 - $3,097 with a moving container, and $400 - $1,086 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 $1,897 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.
FAQs: Moving from Pittsburgh, PA, 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.
What do local movers charge in Pittsburgh?
Local movers based in Pittsburgh typically start around $185 as a base rate, plus $75/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 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 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 walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 62 and 55 in Pittsburgh. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Pittsburgh movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 73% of movers in Pittsburgh handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
