($889+) McAllen, TX to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from McAllen, TX to Chicago, IL

For the 1,431-mile move from McAllen, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $2,246 and $8,788. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $264 - $1,760 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in McAllen generally start around $160 plus $80 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from McAllen to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,246 - $4,841
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,982 - $6,691
• 4+ bedrooms: $5,238 - $8,788

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 McAllen to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from McAllen, TX to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 63% of McAllen movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from McAllen to Chicago?

Look for Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Illinois beyond this list.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Moving container costs from McAllen, TX to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from McAllen, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,334 and $4,876. 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 McAllen typically costs about $55/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from McAllen to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,334 - $2,393
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,668 - $3,554
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,481 - $4,876

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $66 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $132 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 $616 in McAllen, TX. 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.

What are the best moving containers McAllen to Chicago?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from McAllen, TX to Chicago, IL

Plan on $889 - $2,525 for a rental moving truck on the 1,431-mile route from McAllen, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

• Fuel for the drive: $401 - $458
• Daily insurance: $26/day
• Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
• McAllen daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.69

These are typical moving truck rental costs from McAllen to Chicago based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $889 - $1,754
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $924 - $1,928
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,165 - $2,525

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $66 and $308.
• Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $132.
• Gas: Expect fuel to run between $401 and $458 for the 1,431-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
• Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $616 for 2 movers in McAllen, Texas, for about 5 hours.
• Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from McAllen to Chicago?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 McAllen, TX to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from McAllen, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,377 and $2,815.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from McAllen to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,273 - $2,381
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,377 - $2,815
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,833 - $3,639

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In McAllen, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $616.
• More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $66 - $132 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 McAllen to Chicago?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: McAllen, 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 McAllen on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

How you handle your interstate move from McAllen, TX, to Chicago, IL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,246 - $8,788 on the 1,431-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,334 - $4,876 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $889 - $2,525 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,982 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live 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.