10 Best Moving Companies in Illinois (2026 Reviews)

Who are the best local movers in Illinois?

The top-rated local movers in Illinois, based on moveBuddha's review of 99 movers in the state, are Mighty Moving & Storage (4.62/5), STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.5/5), Alliance Moving & Storage (4.8/5), The Professionals Moving Specialists (4.72/5), and H2H Movers Inc (4.7/5). Here is what the data shows about the Illinois mover pool:

• Mighty Moving & Storage is the top-ranked of 99 Illinois movers reviewed by moveBuddha, earning a 4.62/5. Both are verified as licensed and insured. USDOT status and safety history for any Illinois mover can be confirmed through the FMCSA database.
• 78 of 99 Illinois movers (78.79%) are licensed for interstate moves, compared to 83.17% nationally. Local-only movers are not required to carry USDOT authorization, so verifying licensure matters most if your move crosses a state line.
• 33 Illinois movers (33.33%) offer full valuation coverage. Default released-value protection covers $0.60 per pound per item. A 50-lb item worth $2,000 generates a $30 claim under that policy. Full valuation coverage closes the gap by reimbursing at actual repair or replacement cost.

What specialty moving services are available in Illinois?

Not every mover in Illinois offers specialty services. Based on moveBuddha's review of 99 Illinois movers, here is what is available and how often:

• Piano moving: offered by 70.71% of Illinois movers, compared to 72.52% nationally.
• Antique handling: offered by 48.48% of Illinois movers, compared to 46.28% nationally.
• Art packing: offered by 50.51% of Illinois movers, compared to 45.83% nationally.
• Climate-controlled storage: offered by 34.34% of Illinois movers, compared to 33.25% nationally.
• Fragile-only packing: offered by 31.31% of Illinois movers, compared to 23.87% nationally.

Specialty service costs below use moveBuddha's pricing dataset adjusted for Illinois's cost of living.

How much does piano moving cost in Illinois?

Piano moving is available from 70 of 99 Illinois movers (70.71%), compared to 72.52% nationally. Mighty Moving & Storage leads Illinois piano movers with a 4.62/5 moveBuddha score, followed by STI Moving & Storage Inc. at 4.5/5. A standalone piano move in Illinois typically costs $720 to $3,150, depending on instrument type.

Piano moving is a distinct skill set. Uprights run 400 to 800 lbs and grands exceed 1,200 lbs, and both require piano boards, straps, and padded blankets that standard crews do not carry. Structural damage to a soundboard or cabinet is not covered under released-value protection at $0.60 per pound, making full valuation coverage worth requesting specifically for the instrument. Bundling piano moving into a full-service household move is typically the most cost-effective approach.

How much does antique handling cost in Illinois?

Antique handling is available from 48 of 99 Illinois movers (48.48%), compared to 46.28% nationally. Mighty Moving & Storage (4.62/5) and STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.5/5) rate highest for antique care in Illinois. Adding antique handling to a household move adds $900 to $2,250 to the total cost.

Antique movers use custom crating, acid-free padding, and white-glove loading protocols that general moving crews do not carry as standard. The protection gap on the financial side is equally significant. Default released-value coverage pays $0.60 per pound per item, which means a 50-lb piece appraised at $5,000 generates a $30 payout if it is lost or destroyed. Full valuation coverage is the only policy that reimburses at actual repair or replacement cost.

How much does art packing cost in Illinois?

Art packing is available from 50 of 99 Illinois movers (50.51%), compared to 45.83% nationally. Mighty Moving & Storage (4.62/5) and STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.5/5) rate highest for art packing in Illinois. Per-piece art handling in Illinois runs $45 to $450, with custom crates adding $135 to $180 per item.

UV exposure discolors pigments. Humidity shifts warp canvas and crack paint layers. Impact fractures damage sculpture and frames. Standard moving blankets address none of these risks adequately for high-value artwork. Archival packing materials and custom crates built to the dimensions of each piece are the professional standard for art moving. Verify that the mover has documented experience with your specific media type before committing.

How much does climate-controlled storage cost in Illinois?

Climate-controlled storage is available from 34 of 99 Illinois movers (34.34%), compared to 33.25% nationally. Mighty Moving & Storage (4.62/5) and STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.5/5) rate highest for climate-controlled storage in Illinois. Storage-in-transit runs about $0.50 per cubic foot per month, putting a 1-bedroom load (about 514 cu ft) at roughly $231/month in Illinois.

Climate-controlled units regulate both temperature and humidity, preventing warping, cracking, and mold in wood furniture, vinyl records, and electronics that temperature-only storage cannot protect. This matters most for storage gaps longer than 30 days or for moves that span seasonal humidity swings.

How much does fragile-only packing cost in Illinois?

Fragile-only packing is available from 31 of 99 Illinois movers (31.31%), compared to 23.87% nationally. Mighty Moving & Storage (4.62/5) and STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.5/5) rate highest for fragile-only packing in Illinois. Full professional packing runs $0.15 to $0.21 per pound; fragile-only packing covers dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps at a fraction of that total.

Fragile-only packing covers dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps without requiring a full-service packing contract. Professional packing adds $0.15–$0.21 per pound on average to a move's total cost, so limiting crew packing to breakables is the most direct way to reduce that add-on while protecting the items with the highest in-transit breakage risk.

Who are the best interstate movers for moves out of Illinois?

The top-rated interstate moving companies for moves originating in Illinois, based on moveBuddha's national carrier ratings, are Safeway Moving (4.9/5), American Van Lines (4.9/5), North American Van Lines (4.8/5), Allied Van Lines (4.2/5), and Mayzlin Relocation (4.8/5). Safeway Moving leads on transparent pricing and consistent delivery performance. American Van Lines is the strongest pick for flat-rate pricing and certified professional crews.

What are the best moving containers in Illinois?

The best moving container companies available in Illinois are Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5), U-Pack (5.0/5), and MovingYourself (5.0/5), based on moveBuddha's ratings. Container moves work by dropping a portable unit at your door, giving you several days to load at your own pace, then the company handles pickup and delivery. They cost significantly less than full-service movers and carry none of the one-way mileage risk of rental trucks. See our full moving container company guide for cost comparisons by move size.

What are the best rental trucks in Illinois?

The best rental truck options for a DIY move in Illinois are Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5), U-Haul (4.2/5), and Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5). Budget leads on transparent pricing and discount availability. U-Haul offers 7 truck sizes and one-way rentals for moves that won't bring you back. Penske carries the most consistently maintained fleet, with unlimited mileage on select routes.

DIY moves cost roughly 30% less than full-service moving. In Illinois, a full-service 1-bedroom move averages $786 and a 2-bedroom runs $1,377. Your total truck rental cost has 4 components:

Who are the best labor-only hourly movers in Illinois?

The best labor-only movers in Illinois start with Alliance Moving & Storage and The Professionals Moving Specialists, both offering loading, packing, and assembly services. At a national average of $192.14/hour for a 2-person crew, labor-only is the most affordable way to get professional help on moving day.

You drive, they lift. Rent a truck, put these crews on the loading and unloading, and keep full control of your timeline and route.

Take a look at these highly recommended labor-only movers for your Illinois move:

How much do movers cost in Illinois?

Local moving costs in Illinois range from $517 for a studio (2 movers, 3 hours at $269/hour) to $6,153 for a 5+ bedroom home (5 movers, 10 hours), based on moveBuddha's analysis of Illinois mover quotes collected in 2025. These figures reflect intrastate moves only. Interstate moves cost significantly more.

The table below breaks down average costs by home size. Prices will vary based on the specifics of your move and whether your mover uses flat-rate or hourly pricing.

Use our free moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your move.

What affects the cost of a move in Illinois?

Below are the main cost factors that determine the price of a move involving Illinois:

• Access conditions: Stairs, elevators, long carries, and shuttle requirements add $68–$450 or more in Illinois when the truck cannot load directly. Shuttle service alone adds $0.08–$0.12 per pound, with minimums that often start around $180.
• Additional services: Storage-in-transit runs approximately $0.50 per cubic foot per month. A 1-bedroom shipment at roughly 514 cubic feet averages $231/month in Illinois. Bulky items like safes, sectionals, and large appliances add $135–$360 per item for specialized handling.
• Distance: Local moves in Illinois are priced by the hour at an average of $192/hour for a 2-mover crew. Interstate moves switch to weight-and-mileage pricing, and fuel surcharges add 8%–15% to transportation charges on long-distance moves, or $90–$360 on many full-service relocations in Illinois.
• Home size: A studio move in Illinois averages $517 with 2 movers over 3 hours. A 3-bedroom runs $3,411 and a 5+ bedroom home averages $6,153, based on moveBuddha's analysis of Illinois mover quotes.
• Packing services: Professional packing adds $0.15–$0.21 per pound on average to your total cost. A fragile-only packing service covers dishes, glassware, and lamps without a full-service packing contract, reducing the add-on cost while protecting the items most likely to break in transit.
• Time of year: Peak moving season runs May through September in Illinois, with the highest rates concentrated in June and July. Booking midweek or in the off-season (October through April) typically yields lower rates and more scheduling flexibility.

FAQs

How we chose the best moving companies in Illinois