Moving from Louisiana to Illinois ($2,750-$6,500)
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The cost to move from Louisiana to Illinois ranges from $2,750 to $6,500 with full-service movers, based on 958 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Distance, home size, and move date all move the needle on price, which is why our moving cost calculator weighs them together for this specific Louisiana to Illinois route instead of quoting a flat average. This 853-mile route guide draws on our review of 29 movers based in Louisiana.
How much does it cost to move from Louisiana to Illinois?
The average cost of moving from Louisiana to Illinois with full-service movers typically ranges between $2,750 to $6,500 for a 2-3 bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 958 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 853 miles.
The final price of your Louisiana to Illinois move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,250 - $4,750 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,750 - $6,500 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,750 - $9,250 |
How much do moving containers cost from Louisiana to Illinois?
A moving container from Louisiana to Illinois costs between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,500 to $3,250, roughly 50% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 853-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,000 - $2,000 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,500 - $3,250 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,000 - $4,000 |
How much does a rental truck cost from Louisiana to Illinois?
A rental truck from Louisiana to Illinois costs between $675 and $1,875. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $725 to $1,450, about 80% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Louisiana averaging $2.60 per gallon, fuel for the 853-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $675 - $1,200 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $725 - $1,450 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $900 - $1,875 |
Add-on costs for a Louisiana to Illinois move
Add-on services are where a Louisiana to Illinois quote quietly grows. The $2,750-$6,500 range above covers loading, 853 miles of transport, and unloading. Nothing else is included.
At 853 miles, a Louisiana to Illinois move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Illinois. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Cost of living is close between Louisiana and Illinois, so accessorial pricing on this route lands near national averages at both ends. Distance, not local labor rates, is what drives the numbers below.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Louisiana to Illinois) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $700 - $1,850 |
| Packing materials only | $150 - $400 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $825 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $75 - $225 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $150 - $375 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $175 - $525 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $475 - $700 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 853-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Louisiana to Illinois estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
Our recommended Louisiana to Illinois Movers
Compare movers for your Louisiana to Illinois move
Get quotes from a few of these before deciding: the long-distance movers serving Louisiana that our reviews rank highest for moves headed to Illinois:
1615 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70112
13100 Carrere Ct, New Orleans, LA 70129
5923 Swift Plant Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70615
150 James Dr E Suite 100, Saint Rose, LA 70087
Bayou Services of Lake Charles, LLC
2925 Industrial Ave, Lake Charles, LA 70615
Alternate Louisiana to Illinois moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Louisiana to Illinois move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 50% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 80% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Louisiana run $60 - $79 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Illinois end.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Louisiana on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Illinois for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $322 - $826 to rent in Louisiana, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 958 real quotes from Louisiana 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.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Illinois to Louisiana guide.
Louisiana to Illinois cost of living comparison
Every state-to-state move comes down to a similar set of questions: what will it cost to live there, what's the job market like, and how affordable is housing? Using the moving trends we track nationwide, here's how Louisiana and Illinois compare:
| Factor | Louisiana | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 92 | 90 |
| Average household income | $57,852 | $78,433 |
| Median home value | $201,519 | $249,224 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 4.25% | 4.95% |
The cost of living in Illinois is comparable to Louisiana, so most people making this move are driven by career, family, or personal reasons rather than cost differences. Day-to-day expenses should feel familiar after you settle in.
Getting to know Illinois
Illinois is nicknamed the Land of Lincoln (aka the Prairie State). People who've made this move point to home of Chicago, ample economic opportunity, and bountiful recreational opportunities as the biggest draws. In 1905, president of the Chicago Cubs filed charges against a fan in the bleachers for catching a fly ball and keeping it.
Coming from Louisiana, where winters average 39°F, expect winters in Illinois to run about 22° colder. Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"
And in case you're feeling nostalgic once you're settled: Between 1682 and 1763 Louisiana was a colony of the kingdom of France.
Moving from Louisiana to Illinois FAQs
Are full-service movers worth it for a Louisiana to Illinois move?
People making the Louisiana to Illinois move are often chasing home of Chicago in Illinois — the kind of move worth protecting with professional handling rather than risking on a DIY haul.
Full-service movers are worth it for a Louisiana to Illinois move when any of the following apply: you're moving a large home (3+ bedrooms), your timeline is tight, you have high-value or fragile items that need professional handling, or you can't take time away from work to manage the logistics of a multi-day drive across state lines.
DIY options make more sense when you're moving a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms), cost is the primary constraint, and you have the time and physical capacity to handle loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Moving containers, about 50% less than full-service, are the best middle-ground for people who want to skip the drive but still save significantly over full-service pricing.
Should I ship my car when moving from Louisiana to Illinois?
Before you decide whether to drive or ship your vehicle, weigh the distance involved, how much time you have, and how many cars are making the trip. Auto transport for a Louisiana to Illinois move typically costs $600 - $1,500 depending on distance and vehicle type, with open transport on the lower end and enclosed transport for higher-value vehicles running more.
Most people shipping their car on a long-distance move do so when the drive would take more than 2 days, they're relocating more than 1 vehicle, or they'd rather fly directly to Illinois and start settling in without a multi-day drive. If you can make the drive in a day, driving yourself is usually cheaper.
See our Louisiana car shipping guide for vetted auto transport companies and current pricing for this route.
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
Book your 853-mile Louisiana to Illinois move 4 - 8 weeks in advance for off-season dates (October - April), and 8 - 12 weeks in advance for peak season dates (mid-May - mid-September). Booking earlier gives you better availability, lower rates, and more flexibility on pickup and delivery dates.
Peak season demand drives both rates and crew availability tighter industry-wide, so movers book up faster between mid-May and mid-September regardless of destination. For off-season moves, 4 weeks is usually enough notice for most full-service movers, but earlier booking still gives you more pricing leverage.
What hidden fees should I watch for on an interstate move?
On a 853-mile Louisiana to Illinois move, the hidden fees most likely to add to your bill are access fees, shuttle service, fuel surcharges, specialty-item handling, and storage-in-transit. Here's what each one actually runs on this specific route:
- Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carries): $75 - $225 when the truck can't load directly at either end.
- Long carry (over 75 ft): $100 - $350, priced off Illinois's local labor rates since it's typically charged at delivery.
- Shuttle service: $175 - $525 when the moving truck can't reach your home directly.
- Fuel surcharges: 10% - 22% of the transportation charge on a route this length, which works out to roughly $275 - $1,425 on this move.
- Specialty-item handling (piano, safe, pool table): $300 - $825 per item.
- Storage-in-transit (per month): $150 - $375.
Ask your mover for a complete fee schedule in writing before booking, and confirm which of these are already built into your Louisiana to Illinois quote versus billed separately.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves (any move that crosses state lines, like a Louisiana to Illinois relocation) are regulated federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every interstate mover needs a valid USDOT number — verify one for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool, and report violations to FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
In Louisiana: If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation. 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.
Popular Louisiana to Illinois moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Louisiana to Illinois corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Louisiana to Illinois: the bottom line
The cost to move from Louisiana to Illinois ranges from $2,750 - $6,500 for a 2-3 bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 50% - 80% less for the same move. For most people making this 853-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
