Save Big On Your Small Move
Three names for the same thing: a shipment too small to fill a truck, going too far for an hourly local mover to take it.
Ship Smart handles that shipment out of Chicago and Chicagoland — 150 pounds at the floor, 2,000 at the ceiling — to anywhere in the country. You are billed on what you actually ship, not on a truck you would be renting empty.
Licensed interstate carrier, MC# 381032 and DOT# 2226241.
Shipping a small load between Chicago and LA? See our Los Angeles to Chicago and Chicago to Los Angeles route pages for pricing, transit times and what to expect.
Got a move that doesn’t quite fill up an entire truck? If you’re shipping less than 2,000 pounds of household goods, you fall into the “small load” category. But don’t let the name fool you—that actually covers a lot! A small load could be your entire studio apartment, a bedroom or two, a home office, a dining room set, or even just a single piece of furniture, like a sofa you’re sending out to Los Angeles.
As your dedicated small-load movers right here in Chicago, we price things differently. Traditional moving companies usually hit you with a fixed “truck minimum,” which just artificially inflates the cost of your smaller job. We don’t do that. By basing your price on the actual weight and space your belongings take up, we make sure you only pay for what you’re actually moving. No minimums, just a fair price.
Here is what we move most often from Chicago:
Studio and one-bedroom apartment contents
Partial household moves (one or two rooms, not the whole house)
Furniture shipments (single pieces to full sets)
Antiques, artwork, and high-value items requiring custom crating
Electronics, including studio and AV equipment
Estate contents and inherited furniture
College and student moves around the DePaul, UChicago, Loyola, and UIC campuses
Office and small commercial relocations
401 North Michigan Ave Suite 1200,
Chicago, IL 60611
USA
We pick up throughout Cook County and the surrounding metro area. If your neighborhood is not listed, it is almost certainly still covered — call and ask.
North Side
Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Uptown, Edgewater, Andersonville, Rogers Park, North Center, Buena Park
Northwest Side
Logan Square, Avondale, Irving Park, Portage Park, Jefferson Park, Albany Park, Hermosa, Belmont Cragin, Norwood Park
West Side
Wicker Park, Bucktown, West Town, Ukrainian Village, Humboldt Park, West Loop, Garfield Park, Austin, North Lawndale
Southwest Side
Pilsen, Little Village, Brighton Park, Archer Heights, Garfield Ridge, West Lawn, Gage Park
Central
The Loop, Near North Side, River North, Streeterville, Gold Coast, Old Town, South Loop, Printer's Row
Ship Smart specializes in small moves shipping out of state. Most moving companies are designed to handle large loads, typically 2000 lbs. and above, but not everyone needs to move a full truckload or a whole household of items.
So why pay for something you are not shipping? Here at Ship Smart you only pay for what you’re moving!
At Ship Smart, we’re committed to making your move simple, stress-free, and affordable. That’s why we partnered with Enhancify to provide flexible financing options. Now is the perfect time to take the next step.
Fast Pick-Up Times
A+ Rating With BBB
Small Move Specialization
1. How much does a small move cost in Chicago?
It is built from measured weight, the lane, packing scope, and access at both ends. Every estimate is written and itemized before loading.
2. What counts as a mini move?
Anything from 150 to 2,000 pounds. A studio, one or two rooms of a larger place, a home office, or a single piece of furniture.
3. Can you move just one piece of furniture out of Chicago?
Yes — a single sofa, armoire or crated painting is a shipment we can price, provided it is going out of state.
4. Do you do local moves within Chicago?
No. We are an interstate carrier; the job starts when your shipment leaves Illinois. For a move from Logan Square to Hyde Park, an hourly local mover is the better and cheaper choice.
5. Can you move out of a three-flat with a rear staircase?
Yes, it is the standard Chicago pickup, not an exception. Give us the flight count and whether there is a gangway, so it is in the written estimate.
6. What do downtown and Streeterville buildings require?
Usually, a certificate of insurance naming the building, a booked freight elevator window, and sometimes restricted hours. Send the move-out packet when you book.
7. Do I need a permit to park a moving truck in Chicago?
Some blocks require a temporary no-parking permit and lead time varies by ward. Give us the pickup address and we will tell you whether one applies.
8. Can you move me to Chicago as well as out of it?
Yes, inbound shipments run on the same weight range and pricing basis.
9. What fits under 2,000 pounds?
As a rough guide a studio commonly runs 800 to 1,400 pounds and a one-bedroom 1,200 to 2,000, so a larger one-bedroom can sit near the ceiling. Send the inventory and we will confirm.
