($661+) Burlington, VT to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Burlington, VT, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $642 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,732 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 899 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 $2,205, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,732 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,151 - $3,678, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $642 - $1,715.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Burlington, VT, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,726 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 Burlington, VT to Chicago, IL
There are 3 main ways to move from Burlington to Chicago: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,726 - $6,856. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 899-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 899-mile route from Burlington to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,205 - $5,470 | $1,151 - $2,023 | $642 - $1,236 | $1,068 - $1,820 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,726 - $6,856 | $1,465 - $2,809 | $672 - $1,355 | $1,232 - $2,271 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,810 - $9,732 | $2,071 - $3,678 | $851 - $1,715 | $1,657 - $3,129 |
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 Burlington, VT to Chicago, IL
For the 899-mile move from Burlington, Vermont, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $2,205 and $9,732. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $329 - $2,192 (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 Burlington generally start around $594 plus $200 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Burlington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,205 - $5,470
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,726 - $6,856
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,810 - $9,732
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 Burlington to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Vermont 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 Burlington, VT to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 80% of Burlington 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 packing60% of local movers | $548 - $5,480 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready80% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Booska Movers | $219 - $1,315/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $329 - $2,630 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage80% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs | $1,096 - $3,288 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,740 - $10,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $821 - $1,560 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items40% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Vermont Moving & Storage | $1,096 - $2,740 |
| Piano | Any piano type100% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Booska Movers | $877 - $3,836 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling60% of local movers | $329 - $1,644 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect60% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Local Muscle Movers | $712 - $2,192 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $329 - $16,440+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $329 - $3,836+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Burlington 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Burlington, VT. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Burlington, VT to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Burlington, Vermont, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,151 and $3,678. 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 Burlington typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Burlington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $2,023
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,465 - $2,809
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,071 - $3,678
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 Burlington, VT. 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 Vermont 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 $1,151. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,465 - $2,809, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Burlington 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 Burlington 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 Burlington:
- Local Muscle Movers (4.9/5), 16 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Burlington, VT to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Burlington, Vermont, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $642 - $1,715 for the 899-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $314 - $358
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Burlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Burlington to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $642 - $1,236
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $672 - $1,355
- 4+ bedrooms: $851 - $1,715
Pro tip: A rental truck from Burlington to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $642 - $1,715. But once you factor in fuel ($314 - $358) , overnight lodging ($164/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. 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 $164 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 $71 and $356 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $314 - $358 in fuel for the 899-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $767 in Burlington, Vermont, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Burlington 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 Burlington, VT to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Burlington, Vermont, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,232 and $2,271.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Burlington to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,068 - $1,820
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,232 - $2,271
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,657 - $3,129
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $82 - $164 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Burlington, Vermont, for about five hours typically runs $767.
What are the best freight companies from Burlington to Chicago?
- 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.
- 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.
- DFA Northeast Logistics, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): DFA Northeast Logistics, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Chicago quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Burlington, VT vs Chicago, IL
Day-to-day costs in Chicago are close to what you're used to in Burlington: cost of living index of 106 versus 112, with average rent of $2,045/mo compared to $2,200/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 59/100 and 56.67/100 in Burlington versus 77/100 and 33.87/100 in Chicago.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Burlington, VT guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Vermont 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 5 movers licensed in Vermont, useful context for sizing up this 899-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Burlington, VT, 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 $2,205 - $9,732 on the 899-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,151 - $3,678 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $642 - $1,715 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,726 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 Burlington, VT, to Chicago, IL
What is the best time of year to move from Burlington, VT to Chicago, IL?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Burlington, VT to Chicago, IL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
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 56.67 and 43.33 in Burlington. 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 59 and 81 in Burlington. 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.
What percentage of Burlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 100% of movers in Burlington handle piano moves, and 40% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
