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Affordable Tampa to Chicago Movers

Tampa’s getting crowded, and Chicago’s getting better. If you’re looking for affordable Tampa to Chicago movers, Pricing Van Lines can get you packed up and on the road for less than the other guys.

Here’s What Folks are Saying about Pricing Van Lines

With over 500,000 happy customers, we figured we’d let a few of ‘em do the talking:

Tampa to Chicago Moving on a Budget

The Windy City’s had a bit of a rough patch, but with a spike in jobs and return-to-office mandates, people are moving back to Chicago. Still, moving out of Tampa is a hard sell, especially when you’re worried about the price of moving day.

At Pricing Van Lines, we think long distance moving should be affordable for everyone. We don’t charge as much as the big name movers, and we still offer quality relocations and plenty of TLC. And even better, we let you pick and choose the services you need so you can get a custom tailored move.

If you’re ready to move from Tampa to Chicago, we’re ready to help you get there on a budget. Just tell us where you’re headed and what you’re hauling, and we’ll send you a quote to get you started.

Why Choose Pricing Van Lines?

There are a lot of long distance movers out there, but you don’t want to trust some randos with the Tampa to Chicago route. Here’s what we bring to the table:

Transparent Pricing

You pay what’s on the quote. No hidden fees, no BS.

Tailored Moves

We let our customers call the shots. Pick the services you want, when you need ‘em.

Great Customer Support

We’ll keep you in the loop, and you’ll always know where your stuff is.

Moving Services from Tampa to Chicago

The other guys force you to pick some moving plan with a bunch of expensive services you won’t even need. We keep your costs low by letting you pick and choose your moving day must-haves.

Packing and Unpacking

There’s no polite way to say this: Packing sucks. Running out of boxes sucks. Making multiple trips to Home Depot for more tape, bubble wrap, and packing supplies? Yeah, that sucks, too. And it takes a ton of time.

You know what doesn’t suck? Full-service packing and unpacking with Pricing Van Lines. We’ll show up with high-quality packing supplies, and we’ll handle all the boxing, packing, taping and loading so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.

Specialty Item Moving

We’ve been in the moving game for a few years, so we’ve seen some really weird stuff. It was good practice, because now we can pack and move just about anything. From fine art in the foyer to pinball machines from the man-cave, we’ll make sure it gets the TLC it deserves.

We’re also pretty proud of our custom crating solutions. These big, bulky, high-value items aren’t always conveniently box-shaped, so we’ll just build a custom box around the thing instead. And in true Pricing Van Lines fashion, we’ll make sure the job is done with high-quality materials, and highly-trained staff.

Last-Minute Moving

We know how crazy Florida can get, and we know that a few months to plan and prep can be a little impossible if you’re dealing with crazy housemates or a surprise job offer. The other guys will only offer last minute moving if they have last minute cancellations, and they’ll charge big bucks for the privilege. Fortunately, we’re not the other guys.

Pricing Van Lines is the best place to find movers on short notice. And we’ll keep prices down by providing our same à la carte service. Pick and choose the moving options you need, and we’ll get you outta Tampa in record time.

How Long Does it Take to Move from Tampa to Chicago?

Tampa to Chicago is just shy of 1,200 miles, so your move will take 3 days in a best-case scenario. Don’t get too excited, because long distance moves can take as long as 21 days depending on road conditions, seasonal demand, and how much stuff you’re hauling in the first place.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains strict standards for driver safety. This includes restricting the amount of hours a driver can work per day. If a driver has gone suspiciously far in one 11-hour shift, he or she may be investigated for safety violations, such as speeding.

There’s also the industry-wide practice of bundling. If your stuff doesn’t fill an entire moving truck or trailer, your movers will wait until they can fill up all that empty space. It’s common for moving companies to bundle multiple moves in the same truck for better fuel efficiency. It keeps your costs down, but there’ll be delays while they deal with pickups and dropoffs on the way.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire Tampa to Chicago Movers?

Moving from Tampa to Chicago will cost you between $400 to $20,000+. It’s a huge window, mainly because long distance movers charge you based on miles traveled and the amount of stuff you’re hauling. A studio apartment’s gonna be way cheaper to move than a 5-bedroom house.

Moving by yourself with a truck costs between $130 to $6,500+, depending on the size of your home and the distance.

Home Size	100 Miles	100 – 1,000 Miles	1,000 – 2,000 Miles	2,000+ Miles
Studio/1-Bed	$100 – $300	$300 – $1,000	$1,000 – $2,000	$2,000 – $4,000+
2-Bedroom	$200 – $600	$600 – $2,000	$2,000 – $4,000	$4,000 – $6,500+
3-Bedroom	$300 – $800	$800 – $2,500	$2,500 – $5,000	$5,000 – $8,500+
4-Bedroom	$500 – $1,000	$1,000 – $4,000	$4,000 – $7,000	$7,000 – $10,000+
5-Bedroom	$700 – $1,500	$1,500 – $6,000	$6,000 – $10,000+	$10,000 – $15,000+

How is Chicago Compared to Tampa?

Chicago and Tampa are 1,200 miles apart, but there’s more than just miles separating the two cities. From climate to culture, these two spots are about as different as you can get. Tampa’s got almost half a million residents. Chicago? 2.6 million. It’s a huge place, and you’ve probably already heard about the problems plaguing the city. Still, Chicago’s got a lot going for it – notably affordable housing, and plenty of work.

Thanks to a wave of Californian transplants, Florida has been getting pricier and pricier. According to Zillow, the median home price in Tampa is about $375,000 (compared to about $280,000 in 2021). On the other hand, Chicago’s median home price is $295,000.

There’s plenty of opportunity in Chicago, too. If you’re looking for work, the city’s starving for talent in tech, finance, and transportation. Plus, with the lower housing prices and the easy access to public transportation, you can save more of your earnings!

While the city’s enjoyed a less-than-stellar reputation, there’s a bit of a renaissance in the works. It won’t change the weather (you better bring a coat, btw), but you’ll still be able to enjoy street festivals, year-round entertainment, and an arts-and-culture scene that punches way above its weight class. Just check out the Art Institute, and you’ll learn what we’re talking about.

Tips to Make Moving Easier

Hire Pricing Van Lines to take care of the hard stuff. That’s tip number 1. Easy answers aside, there’s still plenty you can do to make your move a little easier. Do your homework.

Downsize

You’re moving. Make the most of the opportunity, and get rid of all that stuff you don’t want anymore. Do this BEFORE you shop for quotes, though. Movers base their estimates on how much they have to transport. Less stuff, less money.

Know the No-Go List

Every moving company has a list of restricted items that they will not transport. This usually includes anything that’ll damage a truck (pressurized containers, flammable liquids, etc.). Get in touch with them so there are no surprises.

Pack an Essentials Bag

We’re big proponents of the essentials bag. Get a backpack or suitcase, and load it up with your toiletries, must-have electronics/chargers, and a few changes of clothes. This way, you don’t have to dig through boxes for your toothbrush.

Collect multiple quotes

Get at least three quotes from three different movers. This gives you a better idea of the industry-wide average, and it’ll also help you sort out all the scammers. If an estimate looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Use a Staging Area

Before your movers show up, try to put all your belongings in one bedroom, garage, or corner. The less your movers have to search through your house for boxes, the faster they’ll be able to load up the truck.

Label everything

Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will help both you and the movers stay organized and make unpacking much faster and easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors affect your final price?

Aside from the square footage and the mileage, there are a few other factors that contribute to your final price. Be on the lookout for the following when you’re looking over your quote:

Access fees: Long hallways, long driveways, extra flights of stairs, elevators, gates… the list goes on. If your house (or apartment building) has any of these, expect a few extra fees on top for the extra inconvenience for your movers.
Shuttle fees: Your movers will use a semi truck for the long haul logistics. But cities don’t usually let these trucks park on their streets. Instead, movers usually have to park the big rig on the edge of town, and use a smaller shuttle truck to finish the job. It ain’t cheap.
Extras and add-ons: Additional services like furniture disassembly, storage, and packing all usually come at an extra price – typically from a few hundred bucks to a couple grand. It may cost more, but the convenience is hard to beat.

How can I save money on my move?

Downsize. That’s gonna be your best bet. Get rid of all your unwanted stuff, either by selling it, giving it away, or just throwing it out. Your moving company is going to charge per pound (or cubic feet) so the less you have, the more money you’ll save.

Aside from going all Marie Kondo, you can also schedule smart. Take our advice, and avoid summer moves. Everyone wants to move when the kids are out of school, which means June through August is the pretty much the priciest you’ll ever see long-distance moves. Try to schedule for the spring or fall, and try to avoid major holidays while you’re at it.

What is a binding quote?

When you see a binding quote, it means the price is fixed. This is a good thing. Your movers won’t throw in hidden fees or extras, and you’ll know what you’re paying for the whole process.

Heads up: We’ve seen some folks try to sneak in some furniture or extra boxes after they get their binding quotes. It doesn’t work. Your movers will renegotiate the contract – or worse, drop the job completely.

What’s the difference between long distance moving and local moving?

Our local and long distance movers all maintain the same standard of care, but they specialize in different types of jobs. Local movers handle relocations that are under 100 miles and within the same state. Long distance movers take care of anything over 100 miles or across state lines.

Local movers charge per hour, per mover. It usually takes two movers per bedroom. Long distance movers charge per mile, and per pound. Long distance movers also need to be registered with the FMCSA in order to conduct interstate business.

Do I need moving insurance?

Yes. Especially if you’re moving from Tampa to Chicago. Fortunately, most moving companies offer complimentary basic insurance coverage. The downside is it’s only good for $0.60 per pound of items lost, damaged, or destroyed, but it’s still something. Want to get more than like $10 for your PS5? Shell out a little extra for full-value insurance coverage.

Is moving yourself worth it?

Nahhh. And we aren’t saying that because we’re professional movers, either. DIY moving makes sense for short distances, and if you’re a starving college student with minimal furniture.

But for long distance moving, and anything bigger than a dorm room? You’ll have to rent a truck, pay for gas, and pay for food and lodging too. And if you have to take time off from work to pack, load, and haul all your stuff, well… you won’t save as much as you’d hoped.

Book Your Move from Tampa to Chicago Today

It’s time to leave Tampa, and it’s time for a fresh start in Chicago. At Pricing Van Lines, we’re here to help you get there without breaking the bank. If you’re ready to get started, we’re ready to get you on the road. Share some details about the big move, and we’ll send you a completely free quote.