($648+) Providence, RI to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Providence, RI, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $675 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,816 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 968 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 $1,912, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,816 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,149 - $4,054, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $675 - $1,864.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Providence, RI, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,488 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Providence to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,488 - $6,125 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 968-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 968-mile route from Providence to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,912 - $4,811 with full-service movers, $1,149 - $2,221 with a container, $675 - $1,328 with a rental truck, or $1,131 - $1,899 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,488 - $6,125 full-service, $1,555 - $3,087 by container, $729 - $1,563 by rental truck, or $1,170 - $2,420 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,074 - $7,816 full-service, $2,012 - $4,054 by container, $914 - $1,864 by rental truck, or $1,693 - $3,114 by freight.
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 Providence, RI to Chicago, IL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 968-mile move from Providence, Rhode Island, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $1,912 - $7,816. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $323 - $2,156 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Providence and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Providence movers tend to run around $348 as a base rate plus $90/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Providence to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,912 - $4,811
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,488 - $6,125
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,074 - $7,816
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 Providence to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Rhode Island to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 97% of Providence 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 packing97% of local movers | $539 - $5,390 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready97% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $216 - $1,294/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $323 - $2,587 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage57% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $1,078 - $3,234 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,695 - $10,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $807 - $1,534 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items58% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,078 - $2,695 |
| Piano | Any piano type84% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $862 - $3,773 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $323 - $1,617 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect19% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Marathon Moving Co. | $701 - $2,156 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $323 - $16,170+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $323 - $3,773+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Providence 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Providence, RI. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Providence, Rhode Island, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,149 and $4,054. 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 Providence runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Providence to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,149 - $2,221
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,555 - $3,087
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,012 - $4,054
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 $755 in Providence, RI. 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 $81 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $162 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.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Rhode Island 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 $1,149. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,555 - $3,087, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Providence 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 Providence 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 Providence:
- Correira Brothers' Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 16 years in business
- Marathon Moving Co. (4.7/5), 26 years in business
- Economy Movers & Storage Inc (4.6/5), 50 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 968-mile move from Providence, Rhode Island, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $675 and $1,864. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $332 - $379
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Providence 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 Providence to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $675 - $1,328
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $729 - $1,563
- 4+ bedrooms: $914 - $1,864
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $675 - $1,864 does not include fuel ($332 - $379) , lodging ($162/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Providence to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $162 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Providence, Rhode Island, usually costs about $755 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 968-mile drive falls between $332 and $379, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $54 and $323 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Providence 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 Providence, RI to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Providence, Rhode Island, 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 $1,170 and $2,420.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Providence to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,131 - $1,899
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,170 - $2,420
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,114
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $81 and $162.
- 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 Providence, Rhode Island, for roughly five hours typically average $755.
What are the best freight companies from Providence to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Blue Sun Super Service (4.76/5 stars): Blue Sun Super Service is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Providence to Chicago. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Providence, RI vs Chicago, IL
Day-to-day costs in Chicago are close to what you're used to in Providence: cost of living index of 106 versus 109, with average rent of $2,045/mo compared to $2,200/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 76/100 and 50.16/100 in Providence versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Providence, RI guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Rhode Island 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 11 movers in Rhode Island, so you have real options to compare for this 968-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Providence, RI, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,912 for a studio to $7,816 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 968-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,149 - $4,054. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $675 - $1,864, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,488 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live 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 Providence, RI, to Chicago, IL
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 76 and 61 in Providence. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 50.16 and 49.84 in Providence. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Providence, RI to Chicago, IL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Providence movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 84% of movers in Providence handle piano moves, and 58% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.