I Compared Five Quotes for My California to Illinois Move
Fact Checked by: 
Oakland, CA → Champaign, IL
$5,286
Two-bedroom apartment, plus storage locker
$5,286
Exactly matched my binding quote
2,126 mi
Long-distance, interstate
- I compared five quotes before I hired Mayflower for my California to Illinois move.
- My final bill matched my binding Mayflower quote exactly, with no add-on fees or last-minute surprises.
- I shared all of it, my quotes, my bills, and my ratings, as part of moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project.
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This account is based on a conversation with Gabriela G., who moved from Oakland, California, to Champaign, Illinois, in October 2023 using Mayflower. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
My move from California to Illinois
I needed to move the contents of my two-bedroom apartment and a storage locker from Oakland, California, to Champaign, Illinois, for a new job in October 2023. This wasn’t my first rodeo. A shady mover had unexpectedly doubled its price on me in the past and severely damaged a lot of my belongings, so I wanted a reputable company for a move that was going to cover 2,126 miles.
After a lot, and I mean a lot, of research, I decided to work with Mayflower. As a participant in moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project, I agreed to share how Mayflower handled my move in exchange for a $500 moving stipend.
Curious how Mayflower stacked up? Below, I share how I found a mover, what my experience was like, and some tips on preparing for a cross-country move.
My Mayflower experience at a glance
Here’s what stood out most about moving with Mayflower, good and bad:
- Communication: I got all-star communication from my Mayflower team. Everyone I dealt with was proactive, friendly, and helpful.
- Pricing accuracy and transparency: Mayflower gave me a binding quote, so I didn’t pay a dime over my original estimate.
- Professionalism: Mayflower was responsible, friendly, and professional the whole way through. I truly felt like they took care of me.
- Timeliness: Mayflower showed up when they said they would and kept me in the loop on every timeline.
- Loss and damage: Mayflower handled my belongings with care, and it showed. Everything arrived in Illinois damage-free and on time.
- Would I use Mayflower again? Absolutely. This was the most stress-free move of my life.
more than my original Mayflower quote
Find out what a move from California → Illinois actually costs before a mover tells you.
Why I chose Mayflower
When I reached out to Mayflower for a quote, they sent an email telling me to expect a phone call, then arranged a virtual video estimate and gave me a binding quote the same day. At $5,286, Mayflower wasn’t the cheapest option I looked at, but they gave me the most assurance that my move would go smoothly. They offered full valuation coverage of $20,000, a binding estimate, guaranteed delivery windows, and a single-container move instead of a piggyback move. I ended up purchasing loading and unloading, transportation, full valuation protection, and delay reimbursement.
The main drawback was the price. Mayflower came in well above two of the other movers I compared, and I had to decide whether the extra assurance was worth paying more for. Their communication over the phone, and the fact that they contacted me four times between booking and moving day to walk me through packing, timing, and payment, made me confident I’d made the right call.
My move at a glance
Here’s a quick snapshot of the numbers behind my California to Illinois move:
| Move date | October 4, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Moved from | Oakland, California |
| Moved to | Champaign, Illinois |
| Distance | 2,126 miles |
| Move size | Two-bedroom apartment, plus a storage locker |
| Moving company | Mayflower |
| Moving quote | $5,286 |
| Actual cost | $5,286 |
On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking. I compared five quotes before choosing Mayflower, and my binding estimate meant I knew my final cost from day one, with no surprises when the invoice arrived.
Quotes I compared
Once I found an apartment in Champaign, I spent about a week researching movers. A quick Google search led me to review sites like Yelp, but that took a lot of manual digging and I wasn’t sure how trustworthy the reviews actually were.
I’m so glad I found moveBuddha, which made it easy to compare multiple movers at once. I read several Better Moves stories to hear other customers’ honest, firsthand experiences, and I verified each mover on the Department of Transportation’s FMCSA database before I ever asked for a quote. After verifying each company, I reached out for pricing. I got a few cheaper options, but I wanted A+ service for the money, so I compared each mover’s services and pricing to find one that made me feel comfortable and cared for.
| Company | Estimated volume/weight | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mayflower | 1,800 pounds | $5,286 |
| Pure Moving | 1,800 pounds | $4,500 |
| NorthStar Moving Company | 1,800 pounds | $4,583 |
| Upline Moving | 1,800 pounds | $2,450 |
| U-Pack | 1,800 pounds | $2,800 |
Pickup day
Mayflower called me the day before my scheduled move to give me a two-hour arrival window for the next day. They told me what to expect, answered my questions, and gave me a phone number to call if I needed help once the movers arrived.
The next morning, the truck driver called when they were ten minutes away and called again when they arrived. Mayflower showed up at my apartment at 9 a.m., right on schedule.
The movers handled all of my items carefully but paid extra attention to every box labeled “fragile.” They also used lots of moving blankets to protect my things. I sat near the storage area and chatted with them at first, but I started to feel like I was in the way, so I went down to my building’s lobby to relax while they worked.
It took just two hours for the movers to load everything. I paid the binding invoice by credit card and gave the crew cash tips for doing such a great job. If you’re wondering how much to tip, our movers tipping guide has expert advice.
Delivery day
It took fifteen days for my stuff to travel from California to Illinois. Mayflower stayed in constant contact the whole time, letting me know where my things were and updating me on the delivery window. They gave me the delivery date a week in advance and called the day before to confirm a two-hour window.
The movers arrived and got straight to work. They called out inventory as they unloaded so I could check items off my list, and everything arrived damage-free, which was a huge relief.
Mayflower called right after delivery to check in with me, and they emailed a few days later to confirm everything was present and undamaged. I appreciated the follow-through.
Final thoughts
Mayflower pleasantly surprised me with their accuracy, communication, and care. There were no issues and no extra charges, and I felt like they genuinely cared about my experience. This was, honestly, the least stressful move I’ve ever had.
Looking back, I would have spent less time jumping between review sites during my research. Yelp reviews weren’t always accurate, which made it hard to find reliable information. moveBuddha’s Better Moves stories were what actually taught me the pros and cons of each mover I was considering, and that’s what helped me make an educated decision.
See what your own move could cost before you commit to a mover. moveBuddha’s Moving Cost Calculator gives you a real price range in minutes.
My ratings
Here’s how I’d rate Mayflower’s performance on a scale of one to five:
- Communication: 5
- Timeliness: 5
- Quote accuracy: 5
- Overall experience: 5
More moving resources
Tips for future movers
These are the practical steps we recommend based on Gabriela G.’s experience:
- Verify every mover’s credentials before you book: Check the moving company’s licensing on the Department of Transportation’s FMCSA database, even if the mover comes recommended.
- Choose reputation over the cheapest quote: A more expensive mover with a binding estimate and strong reviews can save you from far bigger headaches than a cheap quote that changes on moving day.
- Take inventory as you pack: Label every box with a list of its contents so unloading and cross-checking your belongings is easier on the other end.
- Consider a tracker for high-value boxes: Placing something like an AirTag inside a box lets you see its real-time location during transit, even if you end up not needing it much.
- Stay present while the movers work: It’s tempting to step away so you’re not in the way, but staying nearby gives you more control over how your things are handled.
Moving soon? We’ll pay you $500 to tell it like Gabriela G. did.
Share your quotes, your final bill, and what actually happened on move day. No script, and we never edit your rating.
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