($404+) Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Nashville, TN, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $404 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,523 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 471 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 $1,134, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,523 or more.
- Moving containers run $889 - $2,979, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $404 - $984.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Nashville, TN, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,977 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 Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Nashville to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,977 - $5,147 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 79% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 471-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 471-mile route from Nashville to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,134 - $3,831 with full-service movers, $889 - $1,620 with a container, $404 - $732 with a rental truck, or $825 - $1,547 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,977 - $5,147 full-service, $1,149 - $2,144 by container, $422 - $877 by rental truck, or $891 - $1,751 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,347 - $7,523 full-service, $1,496 - $2,979 by container, $537 - $984 by rental truck, or $1,272 - $2,269 by freight.
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 Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers for the 471-mile relocation from Nashville, Tennessee, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,134 and $7,523. 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 $316 - $2,108, 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 Nashville typically charge a base rate around $275 plus $120 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Nashville to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,134 - $3,831
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,977 - $5,147
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,347 - $7,523
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 Nashville 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 Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Nashville 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 packing78% of local movers | $527 - $5,270 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $211 - $1,265/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $316 - $2,530 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,054 - $3,162 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,635 - $10,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $789 - $1,500 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items23% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,054 - $2,635 |
| Piano | Any piano type49% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $843 - $3,689 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $316 - $1,581 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $685 - $2,108 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $316 - $15,810+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $316 - $3,689+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Nashville to Chicago?
Movers licensed to operate in Illinois are typically members of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Nashville, TN?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Nashville to Chicago with a local mover averages $2,036 - $5,301. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Nashville, TN often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
Flex Moving & Storage (4.34/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Nashville, based on our analysis of feedback from 64 customers, 75.0% of which is positive.
Address: 223 Threet Industrial Road, Smyrna, TN, 37167 | Founded: 2022
Moving container costs from Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Nashville, Tennessee, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $889 and $2,979. 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 Nashville typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Nashville to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $889 - $1,620
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,149 - $2,144
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,496 - $2,979
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $79 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $158 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 $738 in Nashville, TN. 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 Tennessee 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 $889. 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 $1,149 - $2,144.
What are the best moving containers Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Nashville:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.7/5), 15 years in business
- Good Guys Moving & Delivery (4.7/5), 13 years in business
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.5/5), 27 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL
Renting a moving truck for the 471-mile move from Nashville, Tennessee, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $404 and $984, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $158 - $181
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Nashville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Nashville to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $404 - $732
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $422 - $877
- 4+ bedrooms: $537 - $984
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $404 - $984 does not include fuel ($158 - $181), lodging ($158/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Nashville to Chicago typically runs more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Nashville, Tennessee, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $738.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $158 - $181 for the 471-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 $63 and $343, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $158 per night for hotel stops on the 471-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $316 - $474.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Nashville 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 Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Nashville, Tennessee, to Chicago, Illinois. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $891 and $1,751.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Nashville to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $825 - $1,547
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $891 - $1,751
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,272 - $2,269
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $79 and $158.
- 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 Nashville, Tennessee, for roughly five hours typically average $738.
What are the best freight companies from Nashville 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Nashville, TN vs Chicago, IL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Nashville and Chicago to plan around. Cost of living index: 105 vs. 106. Average rent: $1,971/mo vs. $2,045/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 96 vs. 77. Safety index: 50.9 vs. 33.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Nashville, TN guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Tennessee 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 213 movers in our Tennessee network to compare for this 471-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 471-mile route from Nashville, TN, to Chicago, IL, run $1,134 - $7,523 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $889 - $2,979, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $404 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,977, 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 Nashville, TN, to Chicago, IL
What is the cheapest way to move from Nashville, TN 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 $422 - $877. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($158 - $181), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $158/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 is the best time of year to move from Nashville, TN 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Nashville, TN 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 Nashville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 49% of movers in Nashville handle piano moves, and 23% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.