($1,111+) Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL Movers
The cost to move from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL ranges from $1,290 to $10,753, with an average cost of $3,950. Moves can be as low as $1,111 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,027 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Long Beach to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,290 - $10,753 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,950, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,027 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,027-mile route from Long Beach to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,290 - $5,611 | $1,574 - $2,959 | $1,228 - $2,369 | $1,460 - $2,719 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,345 - $7,182 | $2,161 - $4,235 | $1,329 - $2,659 | $1,578 - $3,285 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,589 - $10,753 | $2,875 - $5,658 | $1,598 - $3,388 | $2,323 - $4,387 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from Long Beach, California, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,290 and $10,753. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,027-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $419 - $2,792, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Long Beach and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in Long Beach tend to start around $162 plus $75/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Long Beach to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,290 - $5,611
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,345 - $7,182
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,589 - $10,753
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Long Beach to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of Long Beach movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $698 - $6,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $279 - $1,675/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $419 - $3,350 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage41% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,396 - $4,188 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,490 - $13,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,046 - $1,987 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,396 - $3,490 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $1,117 - $4,886 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling40% of local movers | $419 - $2,094 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines | $907 - $2,792 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $419 - $20,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $419 - $4,886+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Long Beach to Chicago?
Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Illinois, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Long Beach, CA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Long Beach, California, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,574 and $5,658. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Long Beach typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Long Beach to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,574 - $2,959
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,161 - $4,235
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,875 - $5,658
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Long Beach, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $977, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $105 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $209 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Long Beach, CA, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Illinois move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,574. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,161 - $4,235, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Long Beach to Chicago?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Long Beach to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Long Beach:
- Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL
Plan on $1,228 - $3,388 for a rental moving truck on the 2,027-mile route from Long Beach, California, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $900 - $1,029
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Long Beach daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Long Beach to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,228 - $2,369
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,329 - $2,659
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,598 - $3,388
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,228 - $3,388 does not include fuel ($900 - $1,029) , lodging ($209/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Long Beach to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Long Beach, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $977.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $900 - $1,029 for the 2,027-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $84 and $454, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $209 per night for hotel stops on the 2,027-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $419 - $628.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Long Beach to Chicago?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Long Beach, California, to Chicago, Illinois. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,578 and $3,285.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Long Beach to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,460 - $2,719
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,578 - $3,285
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,323 - $4,387
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $105 - $209 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Long Beach, California, typically costs $977.
What are the best freight companies from Long Beach to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Sea-Logix, LLC (4.7/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Long Beach to Chicago. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Long Beach, CA vs Chicago, IL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Long Beach on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Long Beach, CA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 106 |
| Average rent | $2,075/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $762,188 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $83,969/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 73/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 41.42/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Long Beach, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Illinois, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 377 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,027-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Long Beach, CA, to Chicago, IL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,290 - $10,753 on the 2,027-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,574 - $5,658 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,228 - $3,388 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,345 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Long Beach, CA, to Chicago, IL
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Chicago a safe place to live?
Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 41.42 and 58.58 in Long Beach. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 73 and 70 in Long Beach. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?
For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
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.
What percentage of Long Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Long Beach handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.