The BEST Movers in Ottawa, IL (2025 Guide)
Quick answer: Our top pick for local moves in Ottawa, IL, is Move-tastic based on pricing, services, and customer reviews. For long-distance and out-of-state moves from Illinois, we recommend Safeway Moving because they provide a good balance of quality service and affordability.

- Best Ottawa-based mover: Move-tastic
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: 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
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Ottawa, IL
If you are moving within Ottawa or to a nearby Illinois city like Streator or Morris within 50 miles of Ottawa, check out these top-rated moving companies:
- Move-tastic: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Amenity Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
Move-tastic

Years in Business: 16
3100 N. Tripp Ave., Chicago, IL 60641Move-tastic, a reputable local moving company based in Chicago, IL, has been delivering exceptional residential moving services since 2009. Comparing favorably to other nearby movers, Move-tastic stands out with over 2,000 positive reviews, boasting an impressive 4.6 Yelp rating and a stellar 4.9 on Google, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Their comprehensive service offerings include packing, unpacking, and office moving services, and they also provide labor-only services. Move-tastic secures customer trust by accepting both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, making them a reliable and convenient choice for local moves.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Hot Tubs
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- State license #: 158678
Local Associations
STI Moving & Storage Inc.

DOT #: 1308599
Pricing: $139/hr
Years in Business: 20
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.
Two Men and a Truck

DOT #: 2527384
Years in Business: 21
1030 W Olympia Dr, Peoria, IL 61615Two Men and a Truck has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Peoria, IL, since 2004. Standing out among other nearby moving companies, they offer extensive packing, unpacking, and labor-only services. Consumer reviews reflect a positive reputation, with a commendable 4.5 average rating on Google from 305 reviews, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This company also accommodates specialized moves such as pianos and safes, making them a versatile choice for local relocations.
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 #: 1566
Amenity Moving & Storage, Inc.

DOT #: 70719
Years in Business: 38
10028 Mandel St, Plainfield, IL 60585Amenity 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
Best movers for those moving out of Illinois
Relocating from Illinois to a new state? You’ll need an experienced interstate moving company to get you there. Here are our recommendations:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 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
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best moving containers in Ottawa, IL
While a full-service mover is the most convenient option for your Illinois relocation, it will also likely be the most expensive route. To save some money, you may want to consider using one of the top moving container companies in Ottawa instead.
Moving containers allow you to move at your own pace… although you’ll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself. Once you’re loaded up and ready to move, the container company will pick up your container and transport it to your new home, so you won’t have to worry about driving.
If moving containers sound like the best fit for you, we suggest starting with these highly rated companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your Ottawa, IL move
Renting a moving truck is the cheapest way to move out of state or locally within Ottawa, Illinois. Keep in mind, though, that this is also the most bare-bones moving option — you’ll have to handle the packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and driving.
It’ll be more work to use a moving truck rental company, but if you want to keep your relocation expenses low, check out our top recommendations:
- 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 movers in Ottawa, IL
Labor-only moving companies can be a great addition to a more DIY move done with a rental moving truck or moving container. Hiring third-party assistance with loading and unloading can help cut down on the workload and make your move quicker and more efficient.
Here are our choices for best moving labor companies in Ottawa, Illinois:
- 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
Top-rated movers in other nearby Illinois cities
How we chose the best movers in Ottawa, IL
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 63 Illinois movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
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, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of movers in Ottawa, IL
Take a look at the pricing table below to get a general idea of the costs associated with local moves in and around the Ottawa area. For more details, you can also check out our guide on the moving costs in Illinois.
Please note that the moving quotes provided in the table are rough estimates, and your actual costs may differ depending on the unique needs of your move. For a more precise estimate, consider using our moving cost calculator.
Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio | $405 | $136 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
1 Bedroom | $542 | $133 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
2 Bedroom | $827 | $186 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
3 Bedroom | $1,898 | $260 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
4 Bedroom | $2,170 | $263 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
5+ Bedroom | $3,312 | $376 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
FAQs
How do I know if my mover is properly licensed?
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.
All of the movers on our list are properly licensed. Take a look at our best movers in Illinois list for more recommendations.
How do I find a reputable Ottawa mover?
Looking for a reliable Ottawa moving company can be difficult, but there are certain things to consider to ensure you choose a trustworthy mover. These include:
- Reputation: A mover's reputation is crucial, whether they're a new mom-and-pop business or a seasoned van lines company.
- Dispute resolution: It's best to avoid movers with lots of unresolved customer complaints. Every Ottawa moving company will face customer issues. The best companies resolve customer disputes in a timely manner.
- Experience for your move: Even if a mover has great reviews for local moves, they may not have the experience needed to handle a cross-country move. Check if they have experience with the type of move you require.
Do Ottawa moving companies handle long-distance moves?
Some of the moving companies that service Ottawa can handle long distance moves, while others only offer local moving services. If you're moving out of state, see our list of the best long distance movers in Ottawa.
What is the cheapest day to hire a mover in Ottawa, IL?
The cheapest day to hire a mover in Ottawa, Illinois, will typically be a weekday, since weekends are typically busier times for moving. In general, the cheapest time to move is between October and April. The peak season for movers is May–September, so you’ll pay more during this time due to increased demand.
The earlier you book your move from Ottawa, the better. Avoid weekends, holidays, and peak moving seasons (summer) to save money. Beware of choosing a mover solely based on the lowest quote, as some companies may low-ball their initial quote and raise the price significantly on moving day.
Do Ottawa movers offer storage?
Most Ottawa moving companies offer short- and long-term storage solutions. However, keep in mind that some Ottawa movers use third-party warehouses to store your items. It's best to ask about storage options and pricing when screening potential movers.
Learn more: Should you use your mover's storage solutions?
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