The Best Long-Distance Movers in Chicago, IL
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Let's get moving.
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STI Moving & Storage Inc.
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Safeway Moving
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Alliance Moving & Storage
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Alliance Moving & Storage
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PODS
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Alliance Moving & Storage
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U-Haul Truck Rental
Preferred partners
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best long-distance movers in Chicago when moving out of state
When you are getting ready to relocate from Illinois, take a look at our top choices for the best interstate movers in Chicago:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
Best long-distance movers in Chicago when staying in state
Relocating from Chicago to another spot in Illinois can still involve serious mileage. When that's the case, it pays to go with one of the top-rated long-distance movers that specialize in local routes.
We’ve rounded up the best Chicago-based long-distance moving companies to help you start your search:
STI Moving & Storage Inc.
- Alliance Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- H2H Movers Inc: 4.64 out of 5 stars
- New City Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- 606 Movers, Inc.: 4.52 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 139020
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1308599
Alternate Names: STI Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 214845
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2882675
Alternate Names: HK & RP, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 136144
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 3383907
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 184599
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2428328
Alternate Names: H2H Movers, Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 158051
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 3078026
Alternate Names: Windy City Moving, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 222496
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3476069
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
What add-on services do Chicago movers offer?
Not all moving companies are equipped to handle the same specialty requests. In Chicago, the mix of available services can look different from what’s common statewide or nationally.
We break down these differences below so you can see where Chicago movers stand compared to Illinois and the rest of the country, followed by our top choices for each service.
Art handling
Comparing Chicago, IL, & national movers
Chicago
Illinois
Nationwide
Top Chicago art movers
Junk removal
Comparing Chicago, IL, & national movers
Chicago
Illinois
Nationwide
Top Chicago junk removal movers
Fragile-only packing
Comparing Chicago, IL, & national movers
Chicago
Illinois
Nationwide
Top Chicago fragile-only packing movers
Storage
Comparing Chicago, IL, & national movers
Chicago
Illinois
Nationwide
Top Chicago storage movers
Hot tub relocation
Comparing Chicago, IL, & national movers
Chicago
Illinois
Nationwide
Top Chicago hot tub movers
Best long-distance movers in Chicago for small moves
When you're only moving a few things — like the contents of a college dorm or a compact studio — many large moving companies won’t be an option due to their 3,000-pound minimum.
In these situations, a Chicago moving company that handles small long-distance moves is a smarter choice.
These are our top picks:
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Moving containers for long-distance moves in Chicago
Choosing a moving container lets you move from Chicago to anywhere in Illinois — or even across state borders — without blowing your budget. You’re in control of packing and unpacking on your schedule, while pros take care of hauling your stuff to your new place. No need to worry about driving a bulky moving truck. Just load your things and let them handle all the heavy lifting on the road.
Container prices depend on how far you're moving, how many containers you need, and their size. Be sure to grab a few moving quotes so you can quickly compare costs for your move.
Kick off your move by checking out these top-rated moving container companies:
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Labor-only moving companies in Chicago
Driving yourself out of Chicago doesn’t mean you have to haul every box alone. With help from a labor-only moving company, you can get the loading and unloading support you need without paying for a full-service move.
These are the pros we recommend:
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Rental trucks in Chicago for a total DIY long-distance move
If you want to keep your moving costs as low as possible, doing everything yourself, from packing and loading to driving the truck, is your best bet. In Chicago, you can rent a moving truck for just $19 to $39 per day, with additional mileage fees ranging from $0.69 to $0.79 per mile. If you’re up for the challenge, this DIY approach is hands-down the most budget-friendly way to move.
Here are the best moving truck rental choices in Chicago to make your DIY move a breeze:
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How we chose the best long-distance movers in Chicago, IL
Over the past 10 years, we’ve developed a rigorous review process to identify the absolute best moving companies.
We look at:
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
- Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, expedited delivery, and more.
Read more about our moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of long-distance movers in Chicago
In Chicago, you can expect to pay about $100 per hour for professional movers. To get a reliable estimate, even the most reputable interstate movers will need specifics about your move’s distance and volume.
Factors that affect the cost of moving from Chicago
- Type of moving service: Whether you choose a full-service mover, a rental truck, or a container company, each option affects both cost and convenience. Match the method to your budget and how hands-on you want to be.
- Volume of your belongings: More stuff means more money. Movers base quotes on total weight or space, so downsizing before leaving Chicago could help reduce your overall cost.
- How far you're going: Distance plays a major role in pricing. A short in-state move is far less expensive than a trek across the country from Chicago.
- Move timing: High-demand seasons like summer and weekends drive prices up. If possible, aim for an off-season, mid-month, or mid-week date for a better deal.
- Extra services requested: Hiring help for packing, disassembly, or unloading adds convenience, but also increases your final bill.
Use our moving cost calculator to get a personalized quote for your long-distance move. Plus, explore our full breakdown of moving costs in Chicago.
FAQs
What else should I know about moving out of Illinois?
If you're planning a move out of Illinois, your moving company needs to be properly licensed and have a US Department of Transportation number. Rest assured, every Chicago mover on our list meets these requirements. Want to double-check? You can look up any company in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.
Planning an out-of-state move? Make sure to check out the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move guide to understand your rights and what to expect during your move.
Is a local mover or a national mover better for leaving Chicago?
Sticking with a local mover in Chicago is generally easier on your wallet. With 49 movers available in the area, you’ll have no shortage of options — and we’ve highlighted the ones most worth considering.
But if your move is taking you out of Illinois, national companies often have the resources and experience to handle big relocations more smoothly, even if they come at a premium.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Chicago?
Moving companies in Chicago tend to be less busy in November and December thanks to colder temperatures (around 19°F), the holidays, and the school year. That means you’ll have more room to negotiate with movers and potentially score better deals during these months.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of Chicago?
If you’re moving less than 50 miles within Chicago, handling the move yourself will almost always save you the most money. The most budget-friendly ways to move out of the Chi-Town usually involve renting a moving truck from options like U-Haul, or choosing a moving container service such as PODS. Need more tips? Check out our guide on the cheapest ways to move out of state.
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