The Best Long-Distance Movers in Rockford, IL
The best long-distance mover in Rockford is College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.38/5) for in-state moves and Safeway Moving (4.9/5) for moves out of Illinois, per moveBuddha's analysis of 99 Illinois movers.
Who are the best interstate movers serving Rockford?
moveBuddha's top-rated interstate movers for Rockford residents moving out of Illinois are Safeway Moving (4.9/5), American Van Lines (4.9/5), Allied Van Lines (4.2/5), Mayzlin Relocation (4.8/5), and North American Van Lines (4.8/5). National carriers operate dedicated long-haul networks, carry interstate FMCSA authority, and price moves by weight and mileage, the standard model for cross-state relocations.
Who are the best long-distance movers in Rockford for in-state moves?
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.38/5) is moveBuddha's top-rated Rockford-based mover for long-distance moves within Illinois, followed by Straightline Moving, Inc. (4.48/5) and O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. (4.38/5). Of the 5 intrastate-capable movers serving Rockford, 6 offer full packing services, which can meaningfully reduce the physical load of a longer in-state move. Full rankings for local long-distance movers serving Rockford are listed below.
Below are moveBuddha's top picks for long-distance movers that serve Rockford but stay within Illinois:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Straightline Moving, Inc.: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- ADCO Van & Storage, Inc.: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- M.K. Movers Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving has been in business for 9 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and estate moving.
Review quality 4.1
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving has about 87% positive reviews across roughly 240 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 2.3.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving.
Customer service 4.4
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"Chris and Jessie were the most awesome movers I have ever worked with. The people in the office were so helpful and kind. I had to change my move several times because of my job and they couldn’t have been nicer. Highly recommend!!!"
"We made a huge move from the NW suburbs to central IL. Victor was great to work with in prepping us... The three movers... worked fast and very efficiently. They did all the heavy lifting and had a good attitude throughout the process."
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Straightline Moving, Inc. has been in business for 9 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like international moving and interstate moving.
Review quality 4.1
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Straightline Moving, Inc. has about 88% positive reviews across roughly 230 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 3.0.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Straightline Moving, Inc..
Customer service 4.7
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Straightline Moving, Inc. emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"The crew was polite, professional and efficient. Couldn’t have asked for a better moving experience."
"Fantastic job. Very polite. Very careful. I am very pleased! Worth the money spent!"
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. has been in business for 159 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like international moving and interstate moving.
Review quality 4.1
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. has about 74% positive reviews across roughly 31 total reviews.
Quote accuracy 4.2
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc..
Customer service 3.5
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. emphasizes clear communication, careful handling, and visibility during transit through shipment tracking.
Recent reviews
"We had O'Mara move us and they did an amazing job. Very professional and communication was excellent. Put everything where you wanted it and put everything back together. Would highly recommend them for your next move."
"I had called several small and large moving companies but O'Mara Moving doesn't have a minimum and has very competitive rates. They picked up my furniture and carefully wrapped it. They were very friendly and professional."
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. ADCO Van & Storage, Inc. has been in business for 69 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like interstate moving and intrastate moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. ADCO Van & Storage, Inc. has about 78% positive reviews across roughly 40 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 3.8.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from ADCO Van & Storage, Inc..
Customer service 4.1
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. ADCO Van & Storage, Inc. emphasizes clear communication, careful handling, and visibility during transit through shipment tracking.
Recent reviews
"Every aspect of our move with ADCO from IL to SC was done with professionalism and excellence. Communications throughout the entire process were top notch. Our crew were great people with whom to work."
"Start to finish they did an awesome job. The guys were extremely polite, professional and worked extremely hard on a very hot day. I could not have been more impressed."
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. M.K. Movers Inc. has been in business for 14 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and small-scale moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. M.K. Movers Inc. has about 91% positive reviews across roughly 234 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.2.
Quote accuracy 4.4
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from M.K. Movers Inc.. Discounts may be available for groups like seniors.
Customer service 5.0
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. M.K. Movers Inc. emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"Extremely polite and helpful! Made our move very easy!"
"The team was prompt and professional. I was thoroughly impressed with how quickly they were able to load and unload our office. The moving team put in 110% and were flexible to our requests. Highly recommend and will use them again."
What add-on services do Rockford movers offer?
Not every mover in Rockford offers specialty services. Based on moveBuddha's review of 6 Rockford movers, here is what is available and how often:
- Art handling: offered by 50.0% of Rockford movers, compared to 50.51% statewide and 45.83% nationally.
- Junk removal: offered by 16.67% of Rockford movers, compared to 40.4% statewide and 36.39% nationally.
- Fragile-only packing: offered by 16.67% of Rockford movers, compared to 31.31% statewide and 23.87% nationally.
- Storage: offered by 83.33% of Rockford movers, compared to 89.9% statewide and 84.85% nationally.
- Piano moving: offered by 33.33% of Rockford movers, compared to 70.71% statewide and 72.52% nationally.
Specialty service costs below use moveBuddha's pricing dataset adjusted for Rockford's cost of living.
Does Rockford have movers that offer art handling?
Art handling is available from 3 of 6 Rockford movers (50.0%), compared to 50.51% statewide and 45.83% nationally. Straightline Moving, Inc. (4.48/5) and O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. (4.38/5) rate highest for art handling in Rockford. Per-piece handling runs $40 to $395, with custom crates adding $119 to $158 per item.
| Art handling in Rockford | Details |
|---|---|
| Rockford movers offering this | 3 of 6 (50.0%) |
| Illinois statewide | 50 of 99 (50.51%) |
| National average | 45.83% |
| Top-rated Rockford art movers | Straightline Moving, Inc., O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. |
| Per-piece handling fee | $40 to $395 |
| Custom crating per item | $119 to $158 |
Standard moving blankets offer no protection against UV exposure, humidity fluctuation, or impact fractures, the 3 damage modes most likely to affect framed artwork and sculpture in transit. Archival materials and custom crates built to the dimensions of each piece address all 3. Ask any prospective art mover for references specific to the media you are moving before signing a contract.
Does Rockford have movers that offer junk removal?
Junk removal is available from 1 of 6 Rockford movers (16.67%), compared to 40.4% statewide and 36.39% nationally. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.38/5) and Mighty Moving & Storage (4.62/5) rate highest for junk removal in Rockford. Standalone junk removal typically runs $119 to $395 per load.
| Junk removal in Rockford | Details |
|---|---|
| Rockford movers offering this | 1 of 6 (16.67%) |
| Illinois statewide | 40 of 99 (40.4%) |
| National average | 36.39% |
| Top-rated Rockford junk removal movers | College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, Mighty Moving & Storage |
| Typical cost per load | $119 to $395 |
| Single large item | $59 to $119 |
Downsizing before a move has a compounding cost effect on long-distance quotes. Every 500 lbs removed from a weight-based shipment reduces the base rate, and junk removal handles the heavy or awkward pieces most people prefer not to haul to donation centers themselves. Confirm whether the mover's junk removal covers electronics and appliances, since disposal regulations vary by state.
Does Rockford have movers that offer fragile-only packing?
Fragile-only packing is available from 1 of 6 Rockford movers (16.67%), compared to 31.31% statewide and 23.87% nationally. O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. (4.38/5) and Mighty Moving & Storage (4.62/5) rate highest for fragile-only packing in Rockford. 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 in Rockford | Details |
|---|---|
| Rockford movers offering this | 1 of 6 (16.67%) |
| Illinois statewide | 31 of 99 (31.31%) |
| National average | 23.87% |
| Top-rated Rockford providers | O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc., Mighty Moving & Storage |
| Full professional packing rate | $0.15 to $0.21 per pound |
Full-service packing adds $0.15 to $0.21 per pound to a move's total cost across the entire shipment. Fragile-only packing applies that cost only to dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps, the items that account for the majority of in-transit breakage claims. For movers who plan to pack most of their own belongings, fragile-only is the most cost-efficient way to get professional help where it matters most.
Does Rockford have movers that offer storage?
Storage is available from 5 of 6 Rockford movers (83.33%), compared to 89.9% statewide and 84.85% nationally. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.38/5) and Straightline Moving, Inc. (4.48/5) rate highest for storage in Rockford. Storage-in-transit runs about $0.50 per cubic foot per month, putting a 1-bedroom load (about 514 cu ft) at roughly $203/month.
| Storage in Rockford | Details |
|---|---|
| Rockford movers offering this | 5 of 6 (83.33%) |
| Illinois statewide | 89 of 99 (89.9%) |
| National average | 84.85% |
| Top-rated Rockford storage movers | College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, Straightline Moving, Inc. |
| Storage-in-transit rate | About $0.50 per cubic foot per month |
| 1-bedroom monthly estimate (~514 cu ft) | $203 |
| 2-3 bedroom monthly estimate (~1,000 cu ft) | $395 |
Storage-in-transit is priced at approximately $0.50 per cubic foot per month. A 1-bedroom load (around 514 cu ft) runs about $203 per month. Costs scale with shipment volume, so a larger home will see proportionally higher storage fees. Verify billing start date and whether coverage remains active during the storage period before signing any contract that includes a storage window.
Does Rockford have movers that offer hot tub relocation?
No Rockford movers in moveBuddha's dataset currently offer hot tub relocation. Statewide, 19 of 99 Illinois movers offer this service (19.19%), compared to 21.93% nationally. Alliance Moving & Storage (4.8/5) is the top-rated Illinois mover for hot tub relocation in moveBuddha's dataset and is an option for Rockford residents needing this service. Hot tub moves typically run $119 to $316 per item when bundled with a full-service move.
| Hot tub relocation in Rockford | Details |
|---|---|
| Rockford movers offering this | 0 of 6 — no Rockford providers currently listed |
| Illinois statewide | 19 of 99 (19.19%) |
| National average | 21.93% |
| Top-rated Illinois statewide provider | Alliance Moving & Storage (4.8/5) |
| Bundled with full-service move | $119 to $316 |
| Standalone hot tub move | $237 to $632 |
Hot tubs weigh 500 to 1,000 lbs empty and require full drainage before any move. Disassembly, draining, and specialized dollies are required to move them safely. Bundling a hot tub into a full-service household move is almost always cheaper than booking a specialty carrier separately.
Does Rockford have movers that offer piano moving?
Piano moving is available from 2 of 6 Rockford movers (33.33%), compared to 70.71% statewide and 72.52% nationally. Straightline Moving, Inc. (4.48/5) and O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. (4.38/5) rate highest for piano moving in Rockford. A standalone piano move typically costs $632 to $2,765, depending on instrument type.
| Piano moving in Rockford | Details |
|---|---|
| Rockford movers offering this | 2 of 6 (33.33%) |
| Illinois statewide | 70 of 99 (70.71%) |
| National average | 72.52% |
| Top-rated Rockford piano movers | Straightline Moving, Inc., O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. |
| Upright piano | $632 to $1,185 |
| Baby grand piano | $948 to $1,975 |
| Grand piano | $1,422 to $2,765 |
A standard upright piano weighs 400 to 800 lbs and a grand piano tops 1,200 lbs, putting both well beyond what general moving equipment is built to handle safely. Purpose-built piano boards, padded blankets, and rigging straps are the minimum required to move the instrument without cracking the soundboard or damaging the legs. For most households, adding piano moving to a full-service move costs less than booking a dedicated piano-only carrier separately.
Who are the best movers in Rockford for small long-distance moves?
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving leads Rockford's small-move providers with a 4.38/5 moveBuddha score, followed by M.K. Movers Inc. at 4.62/5. DIY options like moving containers and rental trucks reduce costs by roughly 30% compared to full-service moving and are worth comparing for loads under 3,000 pounds.
What are the best moving containers for long-distance moves from Rockford?
Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5), U-Pack (5.0/5), and MovingYourself (5.0/5) are moveBuddha's top-rated container options for moves out of Rockford. Moving containers reduce costs by roughly 30% compared to full-service moving, making them the most cost-effective option for Rockford residents who can handle their own loading and unloading. Container pricing varies by distance, container size, and the number of units required, so use the moveBuddha cost calculator to compare quotes for your specific move before committing to a provider.
What are the best labor-only movers in Rockford?
2 of 6 Rockford movers (33.33%) offer labor-only services, compared to 58.59% statewide and 54.55% nationally. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.38/5) is moveBuddha's top-rated labor-only mover in Rockford, followed by M.K. Movers Inc. (4.62/5). Labor-only movers handle loading and unloading without providing a truck, making them the right fit for Rockford residents who plan to drive themselves or who have rented their own vehicle. Combining a labor-only crew with a rental truck or moving container reduces total move cost by roughly 30% compared to full-service moving, based on moveBuddha's pricing dataset.
What are the best moving truck rentals for long-distance Rockford moves?
Budget Truck Rental, Penske Truck Rental, and U-Haul Truck Rental are moveBuddha's top-rated rental truck options for a DIY move out of Rockford. A truck rental is the cheapest way to move out of state for those willing to handle both the loading and the driving. For moves over 500 miles, a local mover and a national mover price a rental truck the same, so distance alone does not change which provider to choose. Use the moveBuddha cost calculator to compare total DIY costs against container and full-service quotes before committing.
How much does it cost to hire long-distance movers in Rockford?
Moving costs across 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), according to moveBuddha's analysis of Illinois mover quotes. The table below shows Illinois statewide averages by home size. Your actual cost in Rockford will vary based on distance, access conditions, and your mover's pricing model.
Use our free moving cost calculator to get a personalized estimate for your move.
| Home size | Estimated interstate cost from Illinois* |
|---|---|
| Studio apartment | $517 |
| 1-bedroom home or apartment | $786 |
| 2-bedroom home or apartment | $1,377 |
| 3-bedroom home | $3,411 |
| 4-bedroom home | $3,938 |
| 5+ bedroom home | $6,153 |
*Estimated costs above are based on varying types of moves that cross state lines in Illinois. All exceed 150 miles, but might remain below 1,500. Your price depends on inventory, distance, timing, service level, and more.
Data reflects Illinois statewide averages based on moveBuddha's analysis of mover quotes collected.
What affects moving costs in Rockford?
Here are some additional cost considerations for your long-distance Rockford move:
- Distance: The farther you move from Rockford, the more you pay. A short intrastate move costs far less than a cross-country relocation. Once you cross state lines, pricing structure changes entirely and costs rise considerably.
- Home size and weight: Movers price local moves by the hour and interstate moves by total shipment weight. Downsizing before your move reduces both your bill and your packing time.
- Move type: Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most. DIY options like rental trucks or moving containers reduce costs by roughly 30% compared to full-service, according to moveBuddha data.
- Add-on services: Professional packing adds an average of $0.15–$0.21 per pound. Shuttle service, if required, adds $0.08–$0.12 per pound with minimums often starting around $200.
- Timing: Summer moves (May through September) carry the highest rates. Mid-month and mid-week bookings are consistently cheaper than weekend or month-end dates.
FAQs about the best long-distance movers in Rockford
Are long-distance movers in Rockford required to be federally licensed?
Federal law requires every mover transporting household goods across state lines to carry a USDOT number and be registered with the FMCSA. In Rockford, 4 of the 6 movers moveBuddha has evaluated hold that federal credential. Every mover on this page meets that standard. Cross-check any company in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's database before signing anything.
The FMCSA's Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move details the legal protections and obligations that apply to your interstate shipment.
Local vs. national movers: what's best for your Rockford move?
For moves staying within Illinois, hiring a local mover in Rockford is almost always the more economical pick. moveBuddha tracks 6 movers in the area, and 4 holding FMCSA interstate authorization.
National movers carry higher price tags, but their experience coordinating multi-state relocations can reduce the risk of delays on longer routes where logistics complexity is high.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Rockford?
November and December are the slowest months for Rockford movers, driven by winter lows near 13°F and the combined effect of school calendars and the holiday season. Lower demand means more open slots and more pricing flexibility, making it the best time to negotiate a lower rate. If your timeline is flexible, booking an off-peak winter date is the most straightforward way to cut your total moving cost.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of Rockford?
DIY options are the most affordable route out of the Forest City, especially for moves within 50 miles. According to moveBuddha's research, rental trucks and moving containers reduce costs by roughly 30% compared to full-service moving. The lowest-cost options are renting a moving truck from companies like U-Haul, or booking a moving container such as PODS. For longer relocations, our guide to the cheapest ways to move out of state covers additional cost-cutting strategies.