Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 22 2025
Houston to Chicago Moving Companies
When the need comes to move from Houston to the windy city of Chicago, you'll always find the best Houston to Chicago movers to help. However, there are a few things you should note regarding your move. Being a major city in the state of Illinois, the standard of living is said to be 25% higher in Chicago than in Houston, although people earn only 3.5% more on the average in Chicago. In terms of size, Houston follows Chicago as the fourth largest city in the United State.
Once you've made the decision to move, Three Movers have everything you need to make the most of your journey. Regardless of the purpose of hauling or the type of moving required, these age-long practices will save you what would otherwise be a chaotic relocation.
Cost of Hauling
The 1,082.8 mile distance from Houston to Chicago will cost you anywhere from $2500-$8000 (average cost of a moving company) depending on the weight of properties you are hauling. If you are moving office equipment with heavy machinery, you might have to pay considerably more to Houston movers. For an average weight of 7400 pounds and a distance of 1225 miles, a professional hauling company will charge between $4300-$5000. The actual cost will vary based on the volume or weight of the items you are moving. You can save cost when you look for professional movers with moving discounts.
Types of Movers
Local Haulers
Houston local movers are moving companies that specialize in intrastate movement. A movement that revolves within the same state or a distance within 100 miles. This type of haulers cannot handle your move from Houston to Chicago.
Commercial Move
Commercial movers are moving companies that specialize in relocating office spaces. They offer hauling services for office equipment that requires delicate care in moving. If you are opening a new office in a new state or within the same state or hauling your old one - these are the type of shifting companies you call.
Household Shifting
Moving companies are separated by the distance they cover and the type of properties they move. However, some tend to offer more than one type. Household movers are hauling companies that specialize in shifting household properties either within a state or to a different state. They can also be called long-distance moving companies.
Interstate Hauls
Interstate movers are moving companies that focus on long-distance trips. These are the type of relocating companies you call when you are hauling from Houston to Chicago. These types of haulers can cover household and commercial shifting as long as it is a state-to-state trip. Click here to learn about the cheapest moving service cross country.
International Moves
International movers are moving companies that focus on cargo and sea shipments. You call them for international car shipping, shipping containers, and machinery that you have to fly out of the country. These haulers have licenses that enable them to make global trips. Checking if an international mover is licensed and insured is the best way to avoid missing shipments.
The cheapest way to Haul
A move from Houston to Chicago falls under long-distance movers. For a 1000+ mile distance, the moving fees will cost you anything from $2500-$8000 to move. The more properties you have, the more you will have to pay for moving labor. However, if you are looking for a more affordable hauling experience, here are a few things to consider.
Hire a Relocating truck
Hiring a moving truck is the cheapest way to move across a country, but not a convenient method. Hauling a 1000+ mile distance like Houston to Boston with a rented truck, you have to be ready for the 17-hour drive, not counting stops. Renting a hauling truck will cost you between $1500-2500 depending on truck size. Not to forget, you still have to deal with packing and loading your properties which you can do yourself or employ moving labor.
Rent a Shifting container
This is perhaps one of the cheapest ways to move long distances. Moving containers are metal or wood containers where you can store your properties until they are ready to be moved. Due to their portability, they can be loaded into a truck to be transported just about anywhere in the country. You can get one for $2000 to $3000 per month. All you have to do is rent one, load in your stuff, and call the container company to do the rest.
Sell your stuff
Selling your stuff may not be ideal for local movement but is a common practice for long-distance movers. Since long-distance moving companies charge per pound per distance, selling off items you can easily replace will help lower weight as well as moving costs. Simply do an ideal evaluation of your properties and put some out on Craigslist or eBay for quick sales.
Houston to Chicago Last-minute Transportation
From time to time you might have to make a last-minute movement. You won’t get the chance to properly plan or think about the most economical route to take. Calling a full-service moving company is how you get out of such a jam. These movers handle everything from boxing, loading, and even unpacking. For choosing a Houston to Chicago last-minute mover, simply check for certification and license on their website before choosing a ride. This will take you only a few minutes to confirm before opting for a moving company.
Houston, TX Includes The Following Zip Codes:
77001, 77002, 77003, 77004, 77005, 77006, 77007, 77008, 77009, 77010, 77011, 77012, 77013, 77014, 77015, 77016, 77017, 77018, 77019, 77020, 77021, 77022, 77023, 77024, 77025, 77026, 77027, 77028, 77029, 77030, 77031, 77032, 77033, 77034, 77035, 77036, 77037, 77038, 77039, 77040, 77041, 77042, 77043, 77044, 77045, 77046, 77047, 77048, 77049, 77050, 77051, 77052, 77053, 77054, 77055, 77056, 77057, 77058, 77059, 77060, 77061, 77062, 77063, 77064, 77065, 77066, 77067, 77068, 77069, 77070, 77071, 77072, 77073, 77074, 77075, 77076, 77077, 77078, 77079, 77080, 77081, 77082, 77083, 77084, 77085, 77086, 77087, 77088, 77089, 77090, 77091, 77092, 77093, 77094, 77095, 77096, 77098, 77099, 77201, 77202, 77203, 77204, 77205, 77206, 77207, 77208, 77209, 77210, 77212, 77213, 77215, 77216, 77217, 77218, 77219, 77220, 77221, 77222, 77223, 77224, 77225, 77226, 77227, 77228, 77229, 77230, 77231, 77233, 77234, 77235, 77236, 77237, 77238, 77240, 77241, 77242, 77243, 77244, 77245, 77248, 77249, 77251, 77252, 77253, 77254, 77255, 77256, 77257, 77258, 77259, 77261, 77262, 77263, 77265, 77266, 77267, 77268, 77269, 77270, 77271, 77272, 77273, 77274, 77275, 77277, 77279, 77280, 77282, 77284, 77287, 77288, 77289, 77290, 77291, 77292, 77293, 77297, 77299
Chicago, IL Includes The Following Zip Codes:
60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60608, 60609, 60610, 60611, 60612, 60613, 60614, 60615, 60616, 60617, 60618, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60622, 60623, 60624, 60625, 60626, 60628, 60629, 60630, 60631, 60632, 60633, 60634, 60636, 60637, 60638, 60639, 60640, 60641, 60642, 60643, 60644, 60645, 60646, 60647, 60649, 60651, 60652, 60653, 60654, 60655, 60656, 60657, 60659, 60660, 60661, 60664, 60666, 60668, 60669, 60670, 60673, 60674, 60675, 60677, 60678, 60680, 60681, 60682, 60684, 60685, 60686, 60687, 60688, 60689, 60690, 60691, 60693, 60694, 60695, 60696, 60697, 60699, 60701, 60706, 60707, 60803, 60804, 60805, 60827
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Houston to Chicago movers charge $2,200–$5,500 for a 1–3 bedroom interstate move. Pricing is driven by shipment weight, 1,080–1,100 miles of distance, packing labor, stairs or elevators, long-carry distances in Chicago neighborhoods, and seasonal demand. Winter Midwest travel and downtown parking logistics can raise costs. This move is federally regulated under FMCSA rules and classified as an interstate moving service.
The Houston to Chicago route covers about 1,090 miles, with typical delivery in 3–5 days. Timing is influenced by DOT driver-hour limits, weather through Texas and the Midwest, traffic entering Chicago, and whether the shipment is dedicated or consolidated. Dedicated trucks usually deliver faster than shared loads on this long-haul corridor.
Movers calculate pricing using total shipment weight, mileage, labor hours, packing materials, and access conditions at both locations. Chicago buildings often require elevators, loading dock reservations, or shuttle trucks due to narrow streets. Houston apartment complexes may impose loading windows. These factors align closely with national long-distance pricing models explained in typical moving prices.
Packing usually takes 4–8 hours for a 1–2 bedroom home and up to a full day for 3–4 bedrooms with 3–4 movers. Time increases with fragile items, large kitchens, electronics, or disassembly needs. Elevator schedules and building rules in both cities frequently shape packing timelines on interstate moves.
Many Houston to Chicago movers offer narrowed delivery windows, especially for dedicated shipments. Consolidated loads typically require broader windows due to multiple stops. Delivery timing depends on FMCSA hours-of-service rules, Midwest weather, and Chicago traffic congestion. Carriers that advertise defined delivery ranges usually operate as experienced long distance movers.
Pianos, safes, oversized sectionals, artwork, and high-value electronics require added padding, crating, or extra movers. Long-distance transport exposes items to vibration and temperature changes between Texas heat and Midwest conditions. Older Chicago buildings with tight stairwells often require partial disassembly and careful maneuvering. These items are typically managed by crews trained in furniture movers.
