The BEST Long-Distance Movers in Lake Forest, IL
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Our top pick for the best long-distance moving company in Lake Forest, IL, is Safeway Moving. We like Safeway Moving for its overall value. The company provides high-quality service without the high price tag.
Check out our other recommendations for long-distance movers in Lake Forest to find the right one for your relocation needs.
- Best overall value: Safeway Moving
- Best Lake Forest-based company: STI Moving & Storage Inc.
- Best moving container: U-Pack
- Best labor-only company: HireAHelper
- Best DIY option: U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best long-distance movers in Lake Forest for out-of-state moves
If you’re leaving Lake Forest and crossing state lines for a new home outside of Illinois, these are our recommendations for top interstate movers:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- JK Moving Services: 4.6 out of 5 stars
- 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
- 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
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
- Guaranteed pickup & delivery
- $250 deposit for interstate moves
- Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
- Financing available
Best long-distance movers for in-state IL moves
Are you moving from Lake Forest but staying in Illinois? Depending on how far you’re relocating, some in-state moves are still considered long-distance.
If your move within Illinois is a couple hundred miles or more, you should hire one of the best long-distance moving companies.
Consider these top Lake Forest, IL, movers:
- STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Golan's Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Shur-Way Moving and Cartage: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- The New Haven Companies, Inc.: 4.24 out of 5 stars
STI Moving & Storage Inc.
rating
4.96 / 5
DOT #: 1308599
Pricing: $139/hr
Years in Business: 18
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL 60077STI Moving & Storage Inc., serving Skokie, IL since 2006, has established itself as a reputable choice for local residential moving. Standing out from competitors, STI boasts an impressive Google rating of 4.7 from over 1000 reviews and holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized handling for fragile items and antiques. With a competitive rate of $139 per hour and options for full valuation insurance coverage, they cater to a variety of moving needs, ensuring peace of mind for their clients.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 1308599
- State license #: 139020
Alternative Business Names
- STI Moving & Storage, Inc.
Golan's Moving & Storage, Inc.
rating
4.8 / 5
DOT #: 504435
Years in Business: 32
3640 Jarvis Ave, Skokie, IL 60076Golan's Moving & Storage, Inc., based in Skokie, IL, has been a staple in the local moving industry since 1992, specializing in residential moves within the area. With a strong reputation backed by 553 Yelp reviews averaging 3.5 stars, and an impressive 4.5-star rating from 556 Google reviews, they stand out among nearby moving companies. They boast an A+ rating from the BBB, underscoring their commitment to customer satisfaction. Offering a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and specialized moving for items like pianos and antiques, Golan's Moving & Storage ensures a smooth and efficient moving experience with full valuation insurance coverage for peace of mind.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 504435
- State license #: 93712
Alternative Business Names
- Golan's Moving and Storage, Inc.
Shur-Way Moving and Cartage
rating
4.58 / 5
DOT #: 172887
Years in Business: 69
1943 Industrial Dr,, Libertyville, IL 60048Shur-Way Moving and Cartage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Libertyville, IL since 1956. While their Yelp profile shows mixed reviews with an average rating of 3.0, they excel on Google with an impressive 4.5 average rating from 225 reviews and boast an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, indicating solid customer satisfaction. Unlike many nearby options, Shur-Way not only handles local moves but also offers packing, unpacking, crating, and specialized senior moving services. With no deposit required and credit card acceptance, they provide a seamless and hassle-free moving experience.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 172887
- State license #: 18024
- DOD certified
Alternative Business Names
- Shur-Way Moving & Cartage Company
- Shurway
- Shurway Van Lines
Two Men and a Truck
rating
4.58 / 5
DOT #: 2527384
Years in Business: 14
1350 Tri State Pkwy Ste 114, Gurnee, IL 60031Two Men and a Truck offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Gurnee, IL, having served the community since 2005. While they provide a range of services, including packing, unpacking, and the capability to move pianos and safes, their reputation varies widely. With a commendable 4.2 average rating on Google from 155 reviews, they contrast sharply with a lower 2.4 average on Yelp and an F rating from the Better Business Bureau. Despite these mixed reviews, their long tenure and comprehensive service offerings set them apart from many local competitors.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2527384
- State license #: 464742
Alternative Business Names
- TMT Chicagoland, LLC
The New Haven Companies, Inc.
rating
4.24 / 5
DOT #: 2375022
Years in Business: 78
3971 S Lakeside Dr, Waukegan, IL 60085The New Haven Companies, Inc. has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Waukegan, IL since 1946. With a stellar BBB rating of A+ and an impressive average rating of 4.6 from 55 Google reviews, the company stands out for its professionalism. While Yelp reviews are more mixed, New Haven offers a range of specialized services including packing, unpacking, and the expertise to move delicate items like pianos, art, and antiques. Unlike many competitors, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a convenient and reputable choice for your local moving needs.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2375022
- State license #: 2375022
Alternative Business Names
- New Haven Community Development Corp.
Best long-distance movers in Lake Forest, Illinois, for small moves
Did you know that most professional moving companies have a minimum requirement for the total weight of your belongings? This means that if you are moving a small amount of items, those companies will likely not be an option for your relocation.
Some companies, however, specialize in small moves. So, if you are moving a studio apartment or just have a few pieces of furniture to relocate from Lake Forest, check out these suggestions:
- MiniMoves: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Transit Systems Inc (TSI): 4.7 out of 5 stars
- No minimum size
- Top-quality materials
- Full-service packing
- Specializes in small moves
- Guaranteed delivery date
- Online chatbot and resources for a seamless move
- Car shipping services
- Gives back with charitable donations
Comparing the best long-distance movers in Lake Forest, IL
How we chose the best long-distance movers in Lake Forest, 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%): Companies that consistently deliver services in a timely manner — with good communication and within the estimated cost — score the highest within this category.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry, so we look for companies that take a customer-focused approach to handling their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
- Industry reputation (15%): We look at whether a company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): It’s important to us that a company maintains a professional website with accurate information and promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
- Service options (10%): We look for companies with a wide breadth of services, including packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Read more about our moving company rating methodology.
How much do long-distance movers in Lake Forest cost?
The average cost for professional movers in Illinois is $192 per hour, but even the best interstate moving companies need more information about the distance and size of your move to give you a moving quote.
Here’s the average long-distance move cost from Lake Forest, IL to popular cities:
| Destination | Distance | Home size | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury, CT | 893 miles | 3 bedroom | $3,399 - $6,234 |
| New York City, NY | 820 miles | 2 bedroom | $2,287 - $5,298 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 557 miles | 1 bedroom | $1,784 - $4,036 |
To get an accurate estimate of the cost for your long-distance move out of Lake Forest, use our moving cost calculator. And, be sure to check out our detailed post about moving costs in Illinois.
Alternatives to long-distance movers in Lake Forest, IL
Want to save money on your long-distance move from Lake Forest, IL, by doing some of the work yourself? You have several options, including moving containers/pods, rental trucks, and hiring labor-only companies.
Moving containers
Moving containers, also known as pods, offer short- and long-term storage so you can move from Lake Forest at your own pace. With this option, you pack and load the container yourself and the professionals drive the container to your new home for you.
Our top picks for moving containers for long-distance moves from Lake Forest include:
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Rental trucks
Rental trucks are often the cheapest way to move long-distance from Lake Forest, but also require the most work. You do everything yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading, driving the whole way, and unloading on your own. Costs can increase dramatically when you add on mileage fees, tolls, and gas though so make sure this option really is cheaper for your move before making a final decision.
Here are our favorite rental truck companies for long-distance moves:
- U-Haul Truck Rental: 4.15 out of 5
- Penske Truck Rental: 4 out of 5
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Labor-only
Labor-only companies handle the heavy-lifting for you, offering services related to packing, loading, and assembly. You’ll provide the truck, packing supplies, and other materials. Think of it as hiring professional movers without the truck.
Hire these top-notch labor-only movers for your long-distance move from Lake Forest, IL:
- HireAHelper: 4.5 out of 5
- Bellhop: 4.3 out of 5
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
FAQs
What else should you know about moving out of state?
A moving company helping you move out of Illinois must be properly licensed and have a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Of course, all of the Lake Forest movers we’ve included on this list have everything in order but you can check for yourself on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.
If you’re moving from one state to another, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move document from the FMCSA.
Should I use a local company or a national company when moving from Lake Forest?
If you’re moving across town, a local moving company in Lake Forest is going to be the most cost-effective approach. If you’re moving out of Illinois, using a national moving company like Safeway Moving comes with more experience, which may cost a bit more.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Lake Forest?
Moving companies in Lake Forest are usually slower in November and December due to the holidays and kids being in school, so you can negotiate with a mover more during those months and save some money.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of Lake Forest?
DIY moving will always be cheaper, especially when moving within 50 miles of Lake Forest. The cheapest options for moving out of Lake Forest are usually renting a moving truck like U-Haul or a moving container like PODS. We’ve also got a helpful guide if you’re looking for the cheapest ways to move out of state.
Long-distance movers in nearby cities
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