Best Long-Distance Movers in Illinois for 2024
Fact Checked by: After comparing costs, services, and customer satisfaction, we rated Safeway Moving as the best long-distance moving company in Illinois, giving them 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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While Safeway Moving is our top pick for interstate moves, Planes Moving & Storage Company is rated as the best Illinois-based company that can handle long-distance moves. We rated them a 4.9 out of 5 star rating.
Other great options for long-distance moves out of the Land of Lincoln are worth checking out. Whether you're moving out of Illinois or making a long-distance move across the state, we'll walk you through the best national and local movers based on transparent costs, availability of services, and real customer reviews.
How we picked the best long-distance movers in Illinois
Over the past 10 years, we’ve developed a rigorous review process to identify the absolute best long-distance moving companies in Illinois.
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.
Best interstate movers for those moving out of Illinois
These are the best state-to-state moving companies available in Illinois.
- Safeway Moving, 4.5 out of 5
- American Van Lines, 4.5 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation, 4.45 out of 5
- North American Van Lines, 4.25 out of 5
- JK Moving Services, 4.25 out of 5
- GPS tracked trucks and tractors
- Barcode scanned and tracked inventory of your possessions
- Dedicated move coordinator assigned to each client
- A portion of every move is donated to charity
93% of users select this mover
- Over 20 years in business
- Excellent customer service score
- Best pricing we've seen
- Can handle last minute moves
93% of users select this mover
- Family owned with locations covering the east coast
- Full refund for cancellations within 7 days of your move
- Packing and unpacking services available
- Handle residential, corporate, and military moves
93% of users select this mover
- Over 74 years in business
- More than 1,800 trucks in the fleet
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Top major moving company in the U.S.
- Highest rated agent van line among moveBuddha customers
93% of users select this mover
- Guaranteed pick up and delivery dates
- Low deposit requirement of $250 for interstate moves
- Easy and fast AI-powered in-home estimate tool
- Over 40k moves in the past 3 years
- Available Financing as low as 0% Interest for low monthly payments
- Extremely responsive customer service
93% of users select this mover
Best long-distance movers if you’re staying in Illinois
While it’s not as common, if you’re staying in Illinois but still moving a couple hundred miles, these are the best long distance movers for you:
- Planes Moving & Storage Company, 4.9 out of 5
- STI Moving & Storage Inc., 4.9 out of 5
- Amenity Moving & Storage, Inc., 4.9 out of 5
- Mid-West Moving & Storage, 4.86 out of 5
- Stark Moving and Storage, 4.8 out of 5
Planes Moving & Storage Company
rating
4.9 / 5
DOT #: 1458935
Years in Business: 103
1100 Bilter Road,Aurora , IL 60504
Planes Moving & Storage Company, established in 1921, offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Aurora, IL. With a strong reputation built over a century, the company also provides packing, unpacking, and crating services, ensuring valuable items like pianos and antiques are handled with care. They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, a 4.7 average rating from 320 Google reviews, and a solid consumer satisfaction. While their Yelp reviews show mixed feedback with a 3.1 average rating, their long-standing presence and comprehensive service offerings make them a trustworthy choice compared to other local movers.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1458935
- State license #: 7545
Alternative Business Names
- Planes Moving & Storage of Chicago, L.L.C.
STI Moving & Storage Inc.
rating
4.9 / 5
DOT #: 1308599
Pricing: $139/hr
Years in Business: 18
7400 Niles Center Rd,Skokie, IL 60077
STI 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.
Amenity Moving & Storage, Inc.
rating
4.9 / 5
DOT #: 70719
Years in Business: 38
10028 Mandel St,Plainfield, IL 60585
Amenity Moving & Storage, Inc. has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Plainfield, IL since 1986. Their reputation for excellence is reflected in their stellar consumer reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.8 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby moving companies, Amenity Moving & Storage offers a wide range of services, including office moving, packing and unpacking, and the ability to move specialized items like pianos, hot tubs, and safes. With no deposit required, they make the moving process seamless and stress-free for their clients.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- DOT #: 70719
- State license #: 73744
Mid-West Moving & Storage
rating
4.86 / 5
DOT #: 294025
Years in Business: 40
1255 Tonne Rd,Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Mid-West Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in the Elk Grove Village, IL area since 1984, specializing in local residential moves. While their Yelp reviews average at 2.8 from 77 reviews, their stellar Google My Business rating of 4.7 from 385 reviews and an A+ BBB rating speak volumes about their overall customer satisfaction. Unlike many nearby movers, Mid-West Moving & Storage distinguishes itself with a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and specialized moves like pianos and antiques. They also offer full valuation insurance coverage and shipment tracking for added peace of mind.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 294025
- State license #: 75043
- DOD certified
Stark Moving and Storage
rating
4.8 / 5
DOT #: 3398778
Pricing: $99/hr
Years in Business: 4
111 W Jackson Blvd Suite 1700,Chicago, IL 60604
Stark Moving and Storage, operating since 2020, offers dependable local residential moving services in and around Chicago, IL. Known for their customer satisfaction, they boast an average rating of 4.3 on Yelp and 4.5 on Google, as well as an A+ BBB rating. Unlike some local competitors, Stark provides a wide range of services, including packing, unpacking, and labor-only assistance, as well as specialized services such as piano and antique moving. They charge a competitive $99 per hour for local moves and offer full valuation insurance coverage, making them a reliable and versatile choice for local relocations.
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 money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3398778
Alternative long-distance moving options
While hiring full-service moving companies out of Illinois is usually the easiest option, it’s not for everyone. Find alternative options below:
Moving Containers
If you’re comfortable doing the packing and loading, but don’t want to drive from Illinois to your new state, a moving container can be a great cost-saving alternative.
Expect to pay somewhere around $1,238 to $6,740 for a moving container coming out of Illinois. The cost depends on several factors, so we recommend getting multiple moving quotes.
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
93% of users select this mover
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
93% of users select this mover
Labor Only
If you’re comfortable doing the driving from Illinois to your new state but want some help packing, loading, and unloading, look for labor-only moving companies.
You’ll typically pay $39 to $40 per hour per worker for Illinois-based labor-only movers.
- 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
93% of users select this mover
- 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
93% of users select this mover
Full DIY
If budget is the biggest concern, the best long-distance moving options in Illinois are U-Haul Truck Rental and Penske Truck Rental. These moving rental trucks do require the most work on your part, but will save you the most money.
- 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
93% of users select this mover
- 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
93% of users select this mover
Average cost of a long-distance move out of Illinois
The average cost of a long-distance move out of Illinois is $1,252 up to $12,723+. There are several factors that factor into the total cost of moving.
Factors that affect the cost
- Size: The volume of items you're moving directly affects costs. Evaluate what you truly need in Illinois – every extra item adds up.
- Distance: The distance you’re moving away from Illinois is a major cost factor. Whether it's a couple hundred miles or a cross-country trek, distance plays a key role in your moving budget.
- Type of Move: How you choose to move out of Illinois is crucial. Your options include a full-service moving company, truck rental, moving container, or a freight trailer. Each offers different advantages and costs.
- Services: Consider whether to do it yourself or hire help for packing and unpacking. Professional services add convenience but also increase costs.
- Seasonal Timing: When you move affects the price. Summer moves are typically more expensive. Planning your move during off-peak seasons can be more cost-effective.
To get an accurate cost estimate, check out our free
moving cost calculator.
Thing to consider before hiring a mover in Illinois
Whether you’re staying in Illinois for the home of Chicago, ample economic opportunity, and bountiful recreational opportunities, or moving out due to the harsh winter weather, bad traffic, and high crime rate, here’s what you need to consider before your big move.
Check the company’s licensing
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.
Ask about their insurance options
Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. For more extensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
When to move
Weather factors influence how busy movers are, so those things play into the availability of movers and the cost.
In Illinois, you have to consider that the average winter temperature is 17°F, the average summer temperature is 86°F, you’ll see 40” of rain, and about 22” of snow each year. That’s a lot of weather that can determine when to plan your move.
Taking your car
If you’re moving across the country and don’t want to leave your car in Illinois (or drive it cross-country), consider using a car shipping company.
You’ll also want to consider vehicle inspections in your new state as they may be different. Take Illinois’s requirements, as an example. In Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.
