Best Long-Distance Movers in Illinois (2026 Guide)

Our top picks for long-distance movers in Illinois are Safeway Moving and STI Moving & Storage Inc.. moveBuddha reviewed 78 interstate movers in the state and narrowed the list to 3 nationwide movers and 5 Illinois movers. The average cost of a full-service long-distance move from Illinois runs $1,390–$6,165 — use that range as a starting benchmark, not a guaranteed quote.

Most full-service long-distance moves out of Illinois cost between $1,390 and $6,165 depending on home size and destination.

Safeway Moving ranks first for overall value, American Van Lines for experienced handling, and Allied Van Lines for best for contents coverage — here's how each compares for Illinois long-distance moves:

For moves exceeding 500 miles from the Land of Lincoln, these national long-distance movers are the stronger option. Their carrier networks cover all 48 contiguous states, with tracking, dispatch, and scheduling systems designed for the demands of multi-state routes. They are the best fit for larger households, cross-country relocations, and moves that include packing services or specialty-item handling. The Illinois-based movers below can also be an option for shorter interstate corridors under 500 miles.

Safeway Moving

Safeway Moving (USDOT#: 3166589) is our best overall value pick for full-service interstate moves in Illinois because it delivers a strong mix of affordability and premium features for shoppers who want more than a bare-bones moving experience.

• Best overall value: Between its barcode tracking system and 24/7 customer support, Safeway offers more visibility and communication than many of the movers we evaluated.
• Competitive advantage: Beyond price, Safeway brings added value through 30 days of free climate-controlled storage and optional full-value protection, which can make a meaningful difference on long-distance moves with valuable items.
• Average cost: In one Better Moves case study, Safeway quoted $4,300 to move roughly 2,500 pounds about 1,300 miles.

American Van Lines

American Van Lines (USDOT#: 614506) is our top pick for the most experienced full-service interstate mover for Illinois because it has the operational depth and specialized handling expertise needed for long-distance moves involving antiques, pianos, bulky furniture, and other high-value items.

• Most experienced handling: American Van Lines operates as a carrier with in-house crews trained to manage fragile, oversized, and high-value shipments, which makes it especially reliable for moves where careful execution is critical.
• Competitive advantage: American Van Lines backs that up with custom crating, climate-controlled storage, antique services, and support for last-minute long-distance moves, making it a leading choice for complex and specialty-item relocations.
• Average cost: Our moveBuddha data shows American Van Lines pricing around $3,948 for a typical 2-bedroom interstate move around 1,000 miles.

Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines (USDOT#: 076235) earns our top spot for contents coverage in Illinois because it gives customers stronger protection options alongside storage, crating, and shipment tracking for moves that need more dedicated care.

• Best for contents coverage: Allied stands out by letting customers tailor protection levels, which adds peace of mind for interstate moves involving higher-value or fragile belongings.
• Competitive advantage: Its service lineup includes flexible storage options, vehicle shipping, Allied Express container moves, and 24/7 shipment tracking, which gives Allied more adaptability than many competitors we analyzed.
• Average cost: Allied's pricing generally lands in the mid-to-premium tier, with moveBuddha estimates around $4,300 for a 1,000-mile move and one Better Moves reader's quote coming in at $9,081.

Each of the companies below is headquartered in Illinois and holds active FMCSA interstate operating authority. They are the definitive choice for interstate moves under 500 miles and 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom households that want direct contact with a locally accountable team. Local headquarters means a single point of contact, faster dispute resolution, and scheduling flexibility that national carrier networks cannot match on shorter corridors.

The companies below are the best Illinois-based movers, from our analysis of 78 movers serving interstate customers:

Full-service movers aren't the only option for a move from the Land of Lincoln. These alternatives can lower costs and provide a more hands-on long-distance moving experience.

• Moving container companies: With this option, a mover drops off a portable container, gives you time to load it yourself, and then transports it to your destination. Long-distance container pricing from Illinois starts around $2,068. Our top choice is PODS.
• Rental trucks: Rental truck companies provide the truck and put you in charge of loading, driving, and unloading. Long-distance rental truck pricing from Illinois ranges from $20 to $101 per day. Our top choice is Budget Truck Rental.
• Labor-only movers: This service model provides professional loading and unloading help without supplying the truck or transportation. Labor-only pricing in Illinois ranges from $61 to $80 per hour. Our top choice is Alliance Moving & Storage.

Moving to or from Illinois gets easier when you compare facts instead of marketing. With 78 movers to choose from for your interstate move, you need to pay attention to pricing, scheduling, insurance, and delivery expectations. That is especially important on long-distance moves, where the cheapest offer can sometimes fall short.

Begin with a clear plan. Our moving checklist helps you sort out dates, inventory, and priorities before you begin collecting quotes.

1. Estimate your interstate move cost. Use the moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a personalized long-distance estimate for your Illinois move. Most interstate moves from Illinois cost $1,390 for a 2-bedroom up to $6,165 for a 5+ bedroom home.
2. Compare national vs in-state carriers. Compare national carriers (Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, Allied Van Lines) against Illinois-based interstate movers for routes under 500 miles. National movers suit longer routes and larger households; in-state carriers offer closer local contact on shorter corridors.
3. Verify USDOT registration and valuation coverage. Verify every carrier's USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before signing. Confirm the mover offers full-value protection in addition to the free released-value coverage ($0.60/lb), which is rarely sufficient for a full household.
4. Get 3+ written binding estimates. Request written binding or not-to-exceed estimates from at least 3 licensed interstate movers. Each quote should cover the same inventory, route, and services so you can compare real value, not just headline price.
5. Review the quote checklist. Review every line item before booking: access fees, packing, storage-in-transit, shuttle service, stair carries, and long carries. Ask what conditions can change the final price and whether the mover is a carrier or a broker.
6. Book early and prepare for the delivery window. Book as early as your dates allow — especially for summer moves. Confirm the full delivery window (not just the earliest date) and ask how the mover handles weather delays and rescheduling before move day.

How to compare long-distance moving quotes

Use the checklist below to line up moving quotes evenly and catch any extra charges before you finalize your choice.

• Ask what could raise the price: That includes access issues, conditions, or service changes that can affect the final total.
• Ask what's included in writing: Every mover should clearly explain which charges, services, and assumptions are built into the quote.
• Confirm key cost drivers: Check whether the estimate reflects bulky items, long carries, specialty services, stairs, and storage.
• Read low prices carefully: The difference between strong value and incomplete estimates is in the details.
• Start with at least 3 written estimates: Each quote should cover the same shipment and services so the comparison is meaningful.

Verify licensing, valuation, and coverage

A legitimate interstate mover should be easy to verify. Before you book, use the checklist below to confirm you're dealing with a properly authorized company.

• Start with Illinois's licensing authority. Check that the company is properly registered, confirm the business name matches the quote and paperwork, and make sure the mover is actually authorized to operate where your move begins.
• The Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association can be a useful secondary checkpoint when you are screening movers in Illinois. Use it to research whether a company appears active in the local industry, but don't treat trade-group involvement as a substitute for licensing or operating authority.
• Before you sign, review what level of valuation protection is included and ask what additional moving insurance or upgraded coverage options are available for higher-value items. For interstate moves, it's also smart to review the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA's) Protect Your Move resources so you understand your rights and the records you should verify before booking.

PCS moves from Illinois: what military families should know

6 long-distance movers in Illinois hold DOD certification, meaning they are approved to handle Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves for military families. If you are relocating on military orders, a DOD-certified mover is required for government-funded moves and is strongly recommended for privately funded PCS moves to ensure proper liability coverage and scheduling priority. Use your pre-booking checklist to confirm the mover's DOD certification status and ask about peak-season booking lead times, which can be tight at major installations. See our full guide to the best military movers for a deeper breakdown of PCS-specific options and what to look for in a DOD-certified carrier.

When you move matters almost as much as who you hire. Timing affects both price and availability — peak demand in Illinois runs from late May through early September, when rates are highest and booking windows are tightest. Moving outside that window can save 10%–20% on your quote and give you more scheduling flexibility.

Regardless of when you move, book as early as your dates allow. The most in-demand movers fill their peak-season calendars 4–8 weeks out, and mid-month weekday moves tend to offer better pricing and crew availability than weekend moves at the end of the month.

Most long-distance moving costs from Illinois land between $1,390 and $6,165. Treat that range as a budgeting guide, not a final quote — your total will shift based on home size, distance, and the services included.

What drives long-distance moving costs from Illinois

Shipment size and mileage are the 2 biggest cost drivers — but packing services ($0.15–$0.21/lb), storage-in-transit ($0.50/cu ft), access fees ($75–$500+), and shuttle service can all add significantly to your final bill. DIY options like moving containers or rental trucks typically cost 30% less than full-service movers. For a full cost breakdown by home size, route, and service type, see our Illinois moving cost guide. Understanding binding vs. non-binding estimates before you book will also help you avoid surprises on delivery day.

See all moving routes from Illinois

How we chose the best long-distance moving companies in Illinois

moveBuddha's expert team analyzed 78 interstate movers in Illinois and ranked the top companies using a methodology focused on services, customer feedback, online reputation, support, pricing practices, and state availability. Our national picks are Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, and Allied Van Lines.

• Quotes/Payment options (30%): We give the most weight to estimate quality, deposit and cancellation disclosures, payment methods, discounts, and pricing protections like binding or not-to-exceed estimates.
• HQ online reputation (21%): We assess a mover's reputation across sources like Google, Trustpilot, the BBB, and other review platforms to identify consistent strengths and complaints.
• Services (20%): We evaluate the range and quality of services offered, including packing, loading, storage, custom crating, car shipping, and specialty-item handling.
• Customer support (15%): We look for clear support channels, published hours, dedicated coordinators, delivery-time communication, and proactive customer updates.
• Review percentages feedback (10%): We use verified customer feedback to measure communication, pricing transparency, punctuality, overall satisfaction, and service quality.
• State availability (4%): We verify how broadly a company operates and whether it actually serves the states it claims to cover.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.