($1,227+) Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL

Moving from Olympia, WA, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $1,215 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $13,893 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,082 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $3,028, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $13,893 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,653 - $6,450, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,215 - $3,486.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Olympia, WA, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,860 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL

Moving options from Olympia to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,860 - $8,512 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 2,082 miles, this route usually takes 6 to 17 days from pickup to delivery.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,082-mile route from Olympia to Chicago, broken down by home size:

  • A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $3,028 - $6,581 with full-service movers, $1,653 - $3,276 with a container, $1,215 - $2,488 with a rental truck, or $1,549 - $2,831 by freight.
  • A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,860 - $8,512 full-service, $2,228 - $4,502 by container, $1,287 - $2,845 by rental truck, or $1,677 - $3,711 by freight.
  • A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $7,923 - $13,893 full-service, $3,115 - $6,450 by container, $1,693 - $3,486 by rental truck, or $2,396 - $4,915 by freight.

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 Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,082-mile move from Olympia, Washington, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $3,028 - $13,893. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $329 - $2,192 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Olympia and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Olympia movers tend to run around $296 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover, for comparison.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $3,028 - $6,581
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,860 - $8,512
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,923 - $13,893

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 Olympia to Chicago.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Washington to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market — 97% of Olympia 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 packing100% of local movers$548 - $5,480
Storage in transitNew place not ready97% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage$219 - $1,315/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$329 - $2,630
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage27% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs30% 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 items58% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage$1,096 - $2,740
PianoAny piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All Ready Moving & Storage$877 - $3,836
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling45% of local movers$329 - $1,644
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect33% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage$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 Olympia 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Olympia, WA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.

Moving container costs from Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Olympia, Washington, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,653 and $6,450. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Chicago. If you go over that window, storage in Olympia adds around $100/month.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,653 - $3,276
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,228 - $4,502
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,115 - $6,450

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Olympia, WA and Chicago, IL. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $767 in Olympia, WA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $82 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $164 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Washington 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 $1,653. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,228 - $4,502, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Olympia 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 Olympia 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 Olympia:

  • All Ready Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 22 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
  • Mountain Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 63 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL

A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,082 miles from Olympia, Washington, to Chicago, Illinois, running $1,215 - $3,486. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:

  • Fuel for the drive: $726 - $830
  • Daily insurance: $33/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
  • Olympia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.09 - $1.59
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 Olympia to Chicago based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,215 - $2,488
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,287 - $2,845
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,486

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,215 - $3,486 when pricing out a rental truck from Olympia to Chicago. Fuel alone runs ($726 - $830) , 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?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Olympia, Washington, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $767.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $726 - $830 for the 2,082-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 $66 and $356, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $164 per night for hotel stops on the 2,082-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $329 - $493.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Olympia 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 Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Olympia, Washington, to Chicago, Illinois. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,677 and $3,711.

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

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,549 - $2,831
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,677 - $3,711
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,396 - $4,915

Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $82 and $164.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Olympia, Washington, for roughly five hours typically average $767.

What are the best freight companies from Olympia to Chicago?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
  3. Allstate Transport (4.76/5 stars): Allstate Transport is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.

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: Olympia, WA vs Chicago, IL

Olympia and Chicago land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 112 in Olympia and 106 in Chicago, and rent tracks closely too ($1,895/mo vs. $2,045/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (39 vs 77) and safety scores (62.25 vs 33.87) come out about the same too.

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

Why book your mover through moveBuddha:

moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Washington to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 95 movers based in Washington, handy for sizing up options on this 2,082-mile route.

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Our take

For a move from Olympia, WA, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $3,028 for a studio to $13,893 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 2,082-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,653 - $6,450. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,215 - $3,486, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,860 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live 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 Olympia, WA, to Chicago, IL

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Olympia, WA 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 62.25 and 27.95 in Olympia. 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 39 and 59 in Olympia. 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 percentage of Olympia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 79% of movers in Olympia handle piano moves, and 58% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.