The BEST Long-Distance Movers in Ottawa, IL

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I've helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that's right for you.
I've helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that's right for you.
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Preferred partners

Our track recordtoggle

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

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 Ottawa for those moving out of state

Relocating from Ottawa, to a new state is a big step. We've selected the top interstate movers to help make that transition as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
866-835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
866-835-2392
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963
Best for Contents Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
866-825-0554
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
read our full review
866-825-0554
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841

Best long-distance movers in Ottawa for those staying in state

Are you moving from Ottawa 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 Ottawa, IL, movers:

Preferred Partner
Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars

Other top partners:
https://www.facebook.com/Bellhops-Moving-106135414112443/, https://twitter.com/BellhopMoving
70% of all reviews were positive
26% of reviews were negative
Read Reviews
Review Analysis
Customers rave about Bellhop Moving’s speed, efficiency, and friendly approach. Out of 115 reviews, nearly 70% share positive input, highlighting fast-moving crews, affordable prices, clear communication, and respectful service. Many describe the process as easy and stress-free.
On the downside, about a quarter of feedback points to problems like late arrivals, damaged belongings, and a lack of follow-through from customer service. Complaints focus on delayed service, unwrapped or mishandled items, and poor responsiveness when issues arise. Compared to traditional movers, Bellhop often wins on price and flexibility but loses ground on reliability during peak times. Most customers praise the courteous staff and quick booking, yet a minority experienced significant disruptions or property damage. While Bellhop is often a cost-effective and efficient choice, those with high-value or complex moves may want to weigh the risk of potential delays or mishandling before booking.
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Get a Quote (866) 774-5063

Company Info

State license #: 2878240

Years in Business: 13

DOT #: 2878240

Alternate Names: Bellhops, Inc.


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
https://www.facebook.com/teamplanes/,
88% of all reviews were positive
10% of reviews were negative
Read Reviews
Review Analysis
Moving reliability makes all the difference, and Planes Moving & Storage stands out in customer feedback. 232 reviews were analyzed, with nearly nine out of ten customers satisfied. Customers rave about Planes’ professional and polite teams, efficient moving processes, careful handling of items, fast service, and consistent communication. Many moves finished ahead of schedule without hidden costs.
On the downside, a few reported item damage, inaccurate cost estimates, and occasional lost belongings, which affected their trust in the process. Some also flagged issues when delivery or claims didn't match their expectations. Compared to similar companies, Planes earns stronger praise for staff professionalism and handling but loses ground with damage and claim resolution concerns. This feedback points to a moving company that gets high marks for speed, courtesy, and organization, though some clients face setbacks with damage and missed estimates.
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Get a Quote (630) 381-6952

Company Info

State license #: 7545

Years in Business: 104

DOT #:  1458935

Alternate Names: Planes Moving & Storage of Chicago, L.L.C.


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Shipment tracking
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/NewCityMoving, https://twitter.com/newcitymoving
92% of all reviews were positive
6% of reviews were negative
Read Reviews
Review Analysis
Moving magic happens when speed meets service—New City Moving delivers exactly that, according to 1,451 pieces of customer feedback analyzed. With 92.4% positive reviews, most customers rave about the company’s efficient service, professional and polite staff, careful handling, and quick turnaround—which set them apart from many competitors. A high number praised clear communication throughout the move.
While affordability and responsiveness also stood out, some reported problems. About 6% said their main issue was damage to their belongings, unexpected charges, or struggles resolving complaints when things went wrong. Only 1.8% of feedback landed in the neutral zone, typically due to minor organizational or packing concerns rather than major failures. New City Moving earns above-average praise for efficiency and professionalism compared to other moving services, but a handful of customers cite billing, compensation, or damage disputes where they wanted swifter or better follow-up. For most, the company’s efforts made moving faster, simpler, and safer.
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Get a Quote (773) 489-0600

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
https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoMover, https://twitter.com/TheProMove1
93% of all reviews were positive
6% of reviews were negative
Read Reviews
Review Analysis
Word travels fast when a moving company makes relocations easier than expected. After analyzing 1,349 reviews, 92.5% of feedback for The Professionals Moving Specialists is positive. Customers routinely highlight efficient service, careful handling of belongings, moving crews that work quickly, a professional attitude, and clear communication.
People appreciate arriving on time, speedy completion, and the rare occurrence of damage compared to other movers. The overwhelming majority find the booking process straightforward, pricing fair, and the teams respectful of property and special requests. Some input does point to a few drawbacks: complaints about items being scratched or dented, final charges being higher than expected due to extra materials or time, and unexpected add-ons. These issues are reported far less often than praise for skilled, polite, and diligent crews. Compared to most moving companies, The Professionals stand out with stronger reliability and care for customer property. If dependability, efficiency, and peace of mind are top priorities, this company outperforms many local competitors.
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Get a Quote (888) 225-7351

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
https://www.facebook.com/TwoMenJoliet/, https://twitter.com/TwoMenJoliet
94% of all reviews were positive
6% of reviews were negative
Read Reviews
Review Analysis
Moving day magic stands out in the customer feedback for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. Of the 151 reviews examined, 94% were positive, highlighting an experience far better than most moving services. People frequently praise the efficiency, professionalism, and respectful attitude of the staff, often noting their careful handling of belongings and excellent communication throughout the process.
Fast and organized moves, punctuality, and helpful crews consistently receive high marks. Contrasting this, a handful of customers reported problems, mainly revolving around cost estimates being much lower than the final charge, accidental damage to property or items, and unexpected extra fees. Negative feedback is far less common, but when present, it usually concerns inaccurate quoting or issues with response to damage claims. Compared to many moving companies, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK stands out for efficient execution and professionalism, leaving most customers highly satisfied with minimal complaints about broken items or delays.
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Get a Quote (815) 570-4144

Company Info

State license #: 9932

Years in Business: 14

DOT #: 2527384

Alternate Names: TMT Chicagoland, LLC


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/MKMovers.STC/,
91% of all reviews were positive
7% of reviews were negative
Read Reviews
Review Analysis
Moving with confidence starts with M.K. Movers Inc., a company backed by 234 pieces of customer input and a striking 91% positive feedback rate. Most customers praise the team's efficient service, professionalism, careful handling, quick moving process, and excellent communication—qualities not often found in the moving industry.
People note how the staff works swiftly while remaining friendly and respectful of property. Difficult moves are often handled seamlessly, with furniture and belongings treated with care and moves often completed faster than expected. On the flip side, a handful of people report problems with items being damaged, communication gaps when issues arose, and final costs missing the quote. These negatives stand out by comparison because the majority of similar moving companies often experience even higher rates of complaints. M.K. Movers exceeds typical industry standards for reliability and courtesy, making them a trusted choice for anyone looking for movers who prioritize both speed and safety.
Show more
Get a Quote (630) 244-9655

Company Info

State license #: 174972

Years in Business: 14

DOT #: 2265788


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by money order
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card

Best long-distance movers in Ottawa, IL, for small moves

Most professional moving companies won’t take on moves below a certain weight limit. That means small relocations often don’t qualify for their services.

The good news? Some movers specialize in small moves. So if you're heading out of Ottawa with only a few items or a studio’s worth of furniture, check out these recommendations:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No minimum move size
  • Full-service packing
  • Short-term storage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 34+ yrs experience
  • Online chatbot
  • Car shipping

Moving containers for long-distance moves in Ottawa, IL

Moving containers, or moving pods, make it easy to manage your move from Ottawa on your terms. They’re ideal if you want storage flexibility and the freedom to pack and load at your own speed. Once you're done, the pros take over and transport everything to your new place.

Here are our top picks for moving container companies that handle long-distance moves from Ottawa:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves

Rental trucks in Ottawa, IL for a total DIY long-distance move

Rental trucks often come with the lowest base price for long-distance moves from Ottawa, but they also require the most effort. From packing to driving, you’ll be in charge every step of the way. Don’t forget to factor in hidden costs like fuel, mileage, and tolls—they can make a bigger dent in your budget than expected.

These are our recommended rental truck companies for long-distance relocations:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage

Labor-only moving companies in Ottawa, IL

Hiring labor-only movers means you take care of the truck and materials, and they take care of the muscle. From loading and unloading to assembling your furniture, it’s a streamlined way to get professional support without the full moving package.

These are some of the best labor-only moving companies for long-distance relocations from Ottawa, IL:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.62 / 5
  • Years in Business: 13
  • Yelp: 3.8 / 5
  • BBB: C
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
  • Years in Business: 16
  • Yelp: 4.6 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
  • Years in Business: 20
  • Yelp: 4.5 / 5
  • BBB: A+

Comparing the best long-distance movers in Ottawa, IL

Company Our Rating Quote
Safeway Moving starstarstarstarstar
4.85 overall rating
Get A Quote
American Van Lines starstarstarstarstar
4.5 overall rating
Get A Quote
North American Van Lines starstarstarstarstar
4.5 overall rating
Get A Quote
Allied Van Lines starstarstarstarstar
4.75 overall rating
Get A Quote
Mayzlin Relocation starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
Get A Quote

How we chose the best long-distance movers in Ottawa, ILtoggle

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.

Average cost of a long-distance move out of Ottawa, IL

The average cost for professional movers in Illinois is $97 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 Ottawa, IL to popular cities:

Destination Distance Home size Cost
Manchester, NH 1,076 miles 3 bedroom $4,230 - $7,104
Oklahoma City, OK 733 miles 2 bedroom $2,690 - $5,558
Houston, TX 1,012 miles 1 bedroom $2,791 - $5,994

To get an accurate estimate of the cost for your long-distance move out of Ottawa, use our moving cost calculator. And, be sure to check out our detailed post about moving costs in Illinois.

FAQs

What else should you know about moving out of state?toggle

Any company helping with your out-of-state move from Illinois must be licensed and have a registered USDOT number. All Ottawa movers featured here are fully compliant, but it’s always smart to double-check using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.

You should also read through the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move to understand your protections.

Should I use a local company or a national company when moving from Ottawa?toggle

For short moves within Ottawa, a local moving company will generally be the most cost-effective. But if you’re relocating out of Illinois, a national mover such as Safeway Moving can offer the added benefit of interstate moving expertise.

When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Ottawa?toggle

Movers in Ottawa typically see less business in November and December due to the holidays and school schedules. That makes it a great time to negotiate with a moving company and potentially cut down on your moving costs.

What are the cheapest ways to move out of Ottawa?toggle

DIY options are generally the least expensive, especially for moves under 50 miles from Ottawa. Some of the most budget-friendly methods include renting a truck like U-Haul or choosing a moving container company like PODS. You can also explore our guide to the cheapest ways to move out of state for more ideas.

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