($629+) Garland, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Garland, TX, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $629 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,753 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 918 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 $1,907, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,753 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,108 - $3,881, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $629 - $1,636.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Garland, TX, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,350 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 Garland, TX to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Garland to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,350 - $5,890 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 41% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 71% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 918-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 918-mile route from Garland to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,907 - $4,536, container $1,108 - $2,010, rental truck $629 - $1,156, freight trailer $1,047 - $1,828.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,350 - $5,890, container $1,382 - $2,933, rental truck $687 - $1,374, freight trailer $1,083 - $2,143.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,964 - $7,753, container $1,916 - $3,881, rental truck $861 - $1,636, freight trailer $1,488 - $2,839.
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 Garland, TX to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from Garland, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,907 and $7,753. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 918-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $307 - $2,048, 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 Garland and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in Garland tend to start around $181 plus $92/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 Garland to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,907 - $4,536
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,350 - $5,890
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,964 - $7,753
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 Garland to Chicago.
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 Garland, TX to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 56% of Garland 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 packing75% of local movers | $512 - $5,120 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready56% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $205 - $1,229/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $307 - $2,458 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $1,024 - $3,072 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,560 - $10,240 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $767 - $1,457 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: AM Moving Company LLC | $1,024 - $2,560 |
| Piano | Any piano type40% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Fantastic Moves | $819 - $3,584 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling10% of local movers | $307 - $1,536 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: InNout Movers (TX) | $666 - $2,048 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $307 - $15,360+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $307 - $3,584+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Garland 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Garland, 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 Garland, TX to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Garland, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,108 and $3,881. 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 Garland runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Garland to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,108 - $2,010
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,382 - $2,933
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,916 - $3,881
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 Garland, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $717, 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 $77 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $154 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Garland, 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 $1,108. 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 $1,382 - $2,933.
What are the best moving containers Garland 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 Garland 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 Garland:
- Fantastic Moves (4.6/5), 31 years in business
- AB Moving (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- Evolution Moving Company (4.9/5), 12 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Garland, TX to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Garland, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $629 - $1,636 for the 918-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $299 - $342
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Garland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Garland to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $629 - $1,156
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $687 - $1,374
- 4+ bedrooms: $861 - $1,636
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $629 - $1,636 does not include fuel ($299 - $342), lodging ($154/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Garland to Chicago typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Garland, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $717.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $299 - $342 for the 918-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 $61 and $333, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $154 per night for hotel stops on the 918-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $307 - $461.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Garland 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 Garland, TX to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Garland, Texas, 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 a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,083 and $2,143.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Garland to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,047 - $1,828
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,083 - $2,143
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,488 - $2,839
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $77 - $154 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Garland, Texas, typically costs $717.
What are the best freight companies from Garland 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: 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: Garland, TX vs Chicago, IL
Garland and Chicago land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 100 in Garland and 106 in Chicago, and average rent is $1,624/mo vs. $2,045/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 40 vs 77 and safety scores are 62.87 vs 33.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Garland, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 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 843 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 918-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 918-mile route from Garland, TX, to Chicago, IL, run $1,907 - $7,753 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,108 - $3,881, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $629 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,350, 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 Garland, TX, to Chicago, IL
How long does a move from Garland, TX to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($299 - $342), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $154/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Garland, 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 $687 - $1,374. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Garland, TX to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $629 to $7,753, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,907 and $7,753, 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 percentage of Garland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 40% of movers in Garland handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.