($1,237+) Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL Movers
The cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL ranges from $1,312 to $11,668, with an average cost of $4,350. Moves can be as low as $1,237 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,012 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 Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Santa Ana to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,312 - $11,668 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,350, 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 2,012 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 2,012-mile route from Santa Ana to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,312 - $5,730 | $1,671 - $3,173 | $1,261 - $2,291 | $1,444 - $2,799 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,669 - $7,358 | $2,161 - $4,225 | $1,247 - $2,923 | $1,695 - $3,522 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,473 - $11,668 | $2,843 - $6,001 | $1,656 - $3,579 | $2,487 - $4,560 |
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 Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,012-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $1,312 - $11,668. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $424 - $2,828 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Santa Ana and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Santa Ana movers tend to run around $185 as a base rate plus $75/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Ana to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,312 - $5,730
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,669 - $7,358
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,473 - $11,668
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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 84% of Santa Ana 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 | $707 - $7,070 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready84% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $283 - $1,697/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $424 - $3,394 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage39% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,414 - $4,242 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,535 - $14,140 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,059 - $2,012 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items64% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,414 - $3,535 |
| Piano | Any piano type78% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,131 - $4,949 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $424 - $2,121 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company | $919 - $2,828 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $424 - $21,210+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $424 - $4,949+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Ana to Chicago?
All three below meet the standards set by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Illinois movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Santa Ana, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Santa Ana, California, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,671 and $6,001. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Chicago. If you go over that window, storage in Santa Ana adds around $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Ana to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,671 - $3,173
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,161 - $4,225
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,843 - $6,001
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Santa Ana, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $990, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $106 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $212 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Santa Ana, CA, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $2,161 - $4,225, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana:
- California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company (5.0/5), 11 years in business
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 2,012-mile move from Santa Ana, California, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,261 and $3,579. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $905 - $1,035
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,261 - $2,291
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,247 - $2,923
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,656 - $3,579
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,261 - $3,579 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Santa Ana to Chicago. Fuel ($905 - $1,035) , lodging at around $212/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $106 and $495.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $212.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $905 and $1,035 for the 2,012-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $990 for 2 movers in Santa Ana, California, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Santa Ana, California, to Chicago, Illinois. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,695 and $3,522.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Ana to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,444 - $2,799
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,695 - $3,522
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,487 - $4,560
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Santa Ana, California, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $990.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $106 - $212 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Ana to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chicago fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Ana, CA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 106 |
| Average rent | $2,650/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $657,015 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $88,354/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 67/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 45.83/100 | 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 Santa Ana, CA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from California to Illinois over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 374 movers in our California network to compare for this 2,012-mile move.
Our take
The 2,012-mile move from Santa Ana, CA, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,312 and $11,668 with full-service movers, $1,671 - $6,001 with a moving container, and $1,261 - $3,579 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,669 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 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 Santa Ana, CA, to Chicago, IL
What do local movers charge in Santa Ana?
Local movers based in Santa Ana typically start around $185 as a base rate, plus $75/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Chicago run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,312 to $11,668, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,312 and $11,668, 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.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 67 and 62 in Santa Ana. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($905 - $1,035), daily insurance ($42/day), and equipment rentals ($10 - $28) on top. Overnight stops can add another $212/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Santa Ana movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 78% of movers in Santa Ana handle piano moves, and 64% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
