($1,181+) Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Olympia, WA, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $1,181 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $12,230 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,612, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $12,230 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,608 - $5,735, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,181 - $3,188.
- 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 $3,871 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 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. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,871 - $7,863 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 46% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 67% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 2,082 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days.
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:
- Full-service movers: $2,612 for a studio up to $12,230 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,608 - $5,735 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,181 - $3,188, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,505 - $4,775, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 2,082-mile move from Olympia, Washington, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $2,612 - $12,230. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $329 - $2,192. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Olympia and Chicago. Local movers in Olympia typically start around $296 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Olympia to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,612 - $5,906
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,871 - $7,863
- 4+ bedrooms: $7,545 - $12,230
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.
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 Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 65% of Olympia 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 | $548 - $5,480 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready65% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Olympic Moving & Storage Inc. | $219 - $1,315/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $329 - $2,630 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage14% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% of local movers | $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 items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Mountain Moving & Storage | $1,096 - $2,740 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $877 - $3,836 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $329 - $1,644 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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 Olympia to Chicago?
Look for Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Illinois beyond this list.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Olympia, WA. 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 Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Olympia, Washington, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,608 and $5,735. 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 Olympia runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Olympia to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,608 - $3,029
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,081 - $4,504
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,710 - $5,735
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 $1,608. 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 $2,081 - $4,504.
What are the best moving containers Olympia 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 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
- Olympic Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 123 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Olympia, Washington, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $1,181 - $3,188 for the 2,082-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- 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 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 Olympia to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,181 - $2,256
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,291 - $2,765
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,564 - $3,188
Pro tip: A rental truck from Olympia to Chicago looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,181 - $3,188. But once you factor in fuel ($726 - $830), overnight lodging ($164/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. 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 $726 - $830 in fuel for the 2,082-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 Olympia, Washington, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Olympia 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 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,748 and $3,500.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Olympia to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,505 - $2,643
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,748 - $3,500
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,260 - $4,775
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Olympia, Washington, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $767.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $82 and $164 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Olympia to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
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: Olympia, WA vs Chicago, IL
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Olympia and Chicago to plan around. Cost of living index: 112 vs. 106. Average rent: $1,895/mo vs. $2,045/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 39 vs. 77. Safety index: 62.25 vs. 33.87.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Olympia, WA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Washington to Illinois, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Washington alone has 279 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,082-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Olympia, WA, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,612 for a studio to $12,230 for a 4+ 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 $1,608 - $5,735. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,181 - $3,188, 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 $3,871 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
How long does a move from Olympia, WA to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 6 to 17 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 is the best time of year to move from Olympia, WA 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 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 percentage of Olympia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Olympia handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.