($1,261+) Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL Movers
The cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL ranges from $1,405 to $11,090, with an average cost of $4,300. Moves can be as low as $1,261 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,014 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Los Angeles to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,405 - $11,090 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,300, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,014 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,014-mile route from Los Angeles to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,405 - $5,841 with full-service movers, $1,671 - $3,205 with a container, $1,213 - $2,291 with a rental truck, or $1,564 - $2,771 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,597 - $7,668 full-service, $2,140 - $4,403 by container, $1,247 - $2,700 by rental truck, or $1,765 - $3,522 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $6,339 - $11,090 full-service, $2,961 - $5,761 by container, $1,689 - $3,476 by rental truck, or $2,274 - $4,608 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers for the 2,014-mile relocation from Los Angeles, California, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,405 and $11,090. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $419 - $2,792, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Los Angeles typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Los Angeles to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,405 - $5,841
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,597 - $7,668
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,339 - $11,090
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 Los Angeles to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 88% of Los Angeles movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $698 - $6,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready88% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $279 - $1,675/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $419 - $3,350 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage41% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,396 - $4,188 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,490 - $13,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,046 - $1,987 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items68% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,396 - $3,490 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,117 - $4,886 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers | $419 - $2,094 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $907 - $2,792 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $419 - $20,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $419 - $4,886+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Los Angeles to Chicago?
Movers licensed to operate in Illinois are typically members of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Los Angeles, CA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Los Angeles, California, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,671 and $5,761. 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 Los Angeles runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Los Angeles to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,671 - $3,205
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,140 - $4,403
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,961 - $5,761
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $977 in Los Angeles, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $105 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $209 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Chicago, IL, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California 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 $1,671. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,140 - $4,403, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles:
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL
Plan on $1,213 - $3,476 for a rental moving truck on the 2,014-mile route from Los Angeles, California, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $895 - $1,022
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Los Angeles daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| 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 Los Angeles to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,213 - $2,291
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,247 - $2,700
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,689 - $3,476
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,213 - $3,476 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Los Angeles to Chicago. Fuel ($895 - $1,022) , lodging at around $209/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $209 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 $91 and $454 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $895 - $1,022 in fuel for the 2,014-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $977 in Los Angeles, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Los Angeles, California, to Chicago, Illinois, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,765 and $3,522.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Los Angeles to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,564 - $2,771
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,765 - $3,522
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,274 - $4,608
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $105 - $209 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Los Angeles, California, typically costs $977.
What are the best freight companies from Los Angeles to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Sea-Logix, LLC (4.76/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Chicago quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Los Angeles on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 106 |
| Average rent | $2,960/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $878,142 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $80,366/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 69/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 46.19/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California 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. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,014-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Los Angeles, CA, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,405 for a studio to $11,090 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 2,014-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,671 - $5,761. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,213 - $3,476, 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 $3,597 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 Los Angeles, CA, to Chicago, IL
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,405 to $11,090, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,405 and $11,090, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,247 - $2,700. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($895 - $1,022), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $209/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 percentage of Los Angeles movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Los Angeles handle piano moves, and 68% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
