($713+) Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Amarillo, TX, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $741 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,391 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,051 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,177, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,391 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,243 - $4,077, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $741 - $1,899.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Amarillo, TX, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,662 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Amarillo to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,662 - $6,415 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,051 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,051-mile route from Amarillo to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,177 - $4,896 | $1,243 - $2,269 | $741 - $1,312 | $1,106 - $1,980 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,662 - $6,415 | $1,614 - $3,188 | $800 - $1,658 | $1,254 - $2,424 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,405 - $8,391 | $2,115 - $4,077 | $987 - $1,899 | $1,658 - $3,531 |
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 Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from Amarillo, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $2,177 and $8,391. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,051-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $260 - $1,736, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Amarillo and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in Amarillo tend to start around $400 plus $224/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Amarillo to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,177 - $4,896
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,662 - $6,415
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,405 - $8,391
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 Amarillo to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 83% of Amarillo 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 packing67% of local movers | $434 - $4,340 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready83% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $174 - $1,042/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $260 - $2,083 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $868 - $2,604 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,170 - $8,680 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $650 - $1,235 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $868 - $2,170 |
| Piano | Any piano type83% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $694 - $3,038 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $260 - $1,302 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect33% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $564 - $1,736 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $260 - $13,020+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $260 - $3,038+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Amarillo to Chicago?
Look for Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Illinois beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Amarillo, TX, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Amarillo, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,243 and $4,077. 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 Amarillo typically costs about $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Amarillo to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,243 - $2,269
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,614 - $3,188
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,115 - $4,077
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 Amarillo, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $608, 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 $65 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $130 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Amarillo, TX, 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 Texas 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 $1,243. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,614 - $3,188, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Amarillo 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 Amarillo 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 Amarillo:
- Bomb City Movers LLC (4.9/5), 5 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL
Plan on $741 - $1,899 for a rental moving truck on the 1,051-mile route from Amarillo, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $290 - $332
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Amarillo 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 Amarillo to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $741 - $1,312
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $800 - $1,658
- 4+ bedrooms: $987 - $1,899
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $741 - $1,899 does not include fuel ($290 - $332) , lodging ($130/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Amarillo to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 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 Amarillo, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $608.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $290 - $332 for the 1,051-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 $52 and $282, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $130 per night for hotel stops on the 1,051-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $260 - $391.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Amarillo 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 Amarillo, TX 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 Amarillo, Texas, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,254 and $2,424.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Amarillo to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,106 - $1,980
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,254 - $2,424
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,658 - $3,531
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Amarillo, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $608.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $65 - $130 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Amarillo 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.
- Dedicated Express, LLC (4.26/5 stars): Dedicated Express, LLC 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: Amarillo, TX 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 Amarillo on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Amarillo, TX | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 74 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,200/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $185,247 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $62,469/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 40/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 74.69/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Amarillo, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 3 real quotes from Texas 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 289 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 1,051-mile move.
Our take
The 1,051-mile move from Amarillo, TX, to Chicago, IL, costs between $2,177 and $8,391 with full-service movers, $1,243 - $4,077 with a moving container, and $741 - $1,899 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 $2,662 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 Amarillo, TX, to Chicago, IL
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 74.69 and 25.31 in Amarillo. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 40 and 42 in Amarillo. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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 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 do local movers charge in Amarillo?
Local movers based in Amarillo typically start around $400 as a base rate, plus $224/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.
What percentage of Amarillo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 83% of movers in Amarillo handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.