($713+) Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Amarillo, TX, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $713 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,074 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,137, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,074 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,160 - $4,083, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $713 - $1,940.
- 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 $2,410 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 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,410 - $5,809 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 71% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,051 miles and typically takes 2 to 8 days.
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:
- Full-service movers: $2,137 for a studio up to $8,074 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,160 - $4,083 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $713 - $1,940, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,033 - $3,330, 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 November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,051-mile move from Amarillo, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $2,137 - $8,074. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $260 - $1,736. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Amarillo and Chicago. Local movers in Amarillo typically start around $400 as a base rate plus $224/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Amarillo to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,137 - $5,003
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,410 - $5,809
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,987 - $8,074
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.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Amarillo 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 packing88% of local movers | $434 - $4,340 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: West Texas Moving Co | Best Apartment | Long Distance | Furniture & Corporate Movers | Local Moving | Corporate Movers | $174 - $1,042/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $260 - $2,083 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $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 items26% nationallyTop pick: Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage (TX) | $868 - $2,170 |
| Piano | Any piano type63% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Bomb City Movers LLC | $694 - $3,038 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $260 - $1,302 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $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?
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.
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 $1,160 and $4,083. 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 Amarillo typically runs around $65/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Amarillo to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,160 - $2,205
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,432 - $3,037
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,955 - $4,083
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 $1,160. 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 $1,432 - $3,037.
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:
- Rescue 1 Movers (5.0/5)
- West Texas Moving Co | Best Apartment | Long Distance | Furniture & Corporate Movers | Local Moving | Corporate Movers
Moving truck rental costs from Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 1,051-mile move from Amarillo, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $713 and $1,940. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $713 - $1,276
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $704 - $1,487
- 4+ bedrooms: $884 - $1,940
Pro tip: A rental truck from Amarillo to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $713 - $1,940. But once you factor in fuel ($290 - $332), overnight lodging ($130/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $130 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $56 and $282 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $290 - $332 in fuel for the 1,051-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $608 in Amarillo, Texas, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
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
If you're moving a larger household from Amarillo, Texas, 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 $1,207 and $2,358.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Amarillo to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,033 - $2,023
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,207 - $2,358
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,678 - $3,330
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 Amarillo, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $608.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $65 and $130 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Amarillo to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
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 moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 3 real quotes from Texas to Illinois, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Texas alone has 843 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,051-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 1,051-mile move from Amarillo, TX, to Chicago, IL, costs between $2,137 and $8,074 with full-service movers, $1,160 - $4,083 with a moving container, and $713 - $1,940 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 $2,410 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
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($290 - $332), daily insurance ($26/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $130/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Amarillo, TX 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 $704 - $1,487. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $713 to $8,074, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,137 and $8,074, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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 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 63% of movers in Amarillo handle piano moves, compared to 41% nationally.