($661+) McKinney, TX to Chicago, IL Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from McKinney, TX to Chicago, IL

Moving from McKinney, TX, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $648 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,300 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 893 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 $1,956, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,300 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,209 - $3,871, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $648 - $1,664.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from McKinney, TX, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,594 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from McKinney, TX to Chicago, IL

Moving options from McKinney to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,594 - $6,142 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 893-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 893-mile route from McKinney to Chicago, broken down by home size:

Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,956 - $4,900 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,209 - $2,215), rental truck ($648 - $1,236), or freight trailer ($1,005 - $2,012). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,594 - $6,142 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,300.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

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

Full-service movers for the 893-mile relocation from McKinney, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,956 and $8,300. 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 $329 - $2,192, 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 McKinney typically charge a base rate around $282 plus $89 per hour, per mover.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,956 - $4,900
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,594 - $6,142
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,309 - $8,300

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 McKinney 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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

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Specialty moving services from McKinney, TX to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market — 95% of McKinney 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 packingFull crew packing98% of local movers$548 - $5,480
Storage in transitNew place not ready95% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$219 - $1,315/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$329 - $2,630
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage25% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs71% of local movers$1,096 - $3,288
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,740 - $10,960
Car shippingSecond vehicle$821 - $1,560
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items52% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$1,096 - $2,740
PianoAny piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$877 - $3,836
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers$329 - $1,644
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving$712 - $2,192
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$329 - $16,440+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$329 - $3,836+

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

Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Illinois, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with 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 McKinney, 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 McKinney, TX to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from McKinney, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,209 and $3,871. 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 McKinney runs about $80/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,209 - $2,215
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,540 - $3,016
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,051 - $3,871

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $82 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $164 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 $767 in McKinney, 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.

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 $1,209. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,540 - $3,016, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers McKinney 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)

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 McKinney 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 McKinney:

  • AB Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 16 years in business
  • Wrightway Moving Company (4.8/5), 25 years in business

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

Truck rentals from McKinney, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $648 - $1,664 for the 893-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $311 - $356
  • Daily insurance: $33/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • McKinney daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $648 - $1,236
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $706 - $1,412
  • 4+ bedrooms: $868 - $1,664

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $648 - $1,664 when pricing out a rental truck from McKinney to Chicago. Fuel alone runs ($311 - $356) , and overnight lodging ($164/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $164 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in McKinney, Texas, usually costs about $767 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 893-mile drive falls between $311 and $356, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $55 and $329 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from McKinney 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 McKinney, TX to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from McKinney, 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. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,184 and $2,247.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $2,012
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,184 - $2,247
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,576 - $3,098

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 $82 - $164 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 McKinney, Texas, typically costs $767.

What are the best freight companies from McKinney to Chicago?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Hazel's Expedited Freight (4.62/5 stars): Hazel's Expedited Freight is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.

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: McKinney, TX vs Chicago, IL

McKinney and Chicago land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 112 in McKinney and 106 in Chicago, and rent tracks closely too ($2,300/mo vs. $2,045/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (27 vs 77) and safety scores (78.52 vs 33.87) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to McKinney, TX guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 289 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 893-mile move.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from McKinney, 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 $1,956 - $8,300 on the 893-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,209 - $3,871 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $648 - $1,664 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,594 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.

FAQs: Moving from McKinney, 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 78.52 and 21.48 in McKinney. 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 27 and 42 in McKinney. 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 McKinney?

Local movers based in McKinney typically start around $282 as a base rate, plus $89/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 McKinney movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 64% of movers in McKinney handle piano moves, and 52% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.