($1,211+) Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL Movers
The cost to move from Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL ranges from $1,309 to $11,815, with an average cost of $4,150. Moves can be as low as $1,211 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,990 miles and usually takes 5 to 16 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 Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Moreno Valley to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,309 - $11,815 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,150, 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 1,990 miles and typically takes 5 to 16 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,990-mile route from Moreno Valley to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,309 for a studio up to $11,815 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,693 - $5,716 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,199 - $3,405, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,553 - $4,763, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,990-mile move from Moreno Valley, California, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $1,309 - $11,815. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $363 - $2,420. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Moreno Valley and Chicago. Local movers in Moreno Valley typically start around $239 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Moreno Valley to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,309 - $5,495
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,362 - $7,865
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,614 - $11,815
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 Moreno Valley 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: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 82% of Moreno Valley 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 | $605 - $6,050 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready82% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Burgess Moving and Storage | $242 - $1,452/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $363 - $2,904 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage38% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs31% of local movers | $1,210 - $3,630 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,025 - $12,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $906 - $1,722 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $1,210 - $3,025 |
| Piano | Any piano type73% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $968 - $4,235 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $363 - $1,815 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: JFK Moving Company | $787 - $2,420 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $363 - $18,150+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $363 - $4,235+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Moreno Valley 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Moreno Valley, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Moreno Valley, California, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,693 and $5,716. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Moreno Valley costs roughly $100/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Moreno Valley to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,693 - $3,055
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,189 - $4,370
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,881 - $5,716
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $91 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $182 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $847 in Moreno Valley, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Chicago, IL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
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 $1,693. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,189 - $4,370, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley:
- JFK Moving Company (4.8/5), 6 years in business
- Burgess Moving and Storage (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- Alex Moving and Storage (3.6/5), 24 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,990 miles from Moreno Valley, California, to Chicago, Illinois, running $1,199 - $3,405. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $766 - $876
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Moreno Valley daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.39
| 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 Moreno Valley to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,199 - $2,337
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,337 - $2,780
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,687 - $3,405
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Moreno Valley to Chicago starts at $1,199 - $3,405, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($766 - $876) , overnight lodging ($182/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Moreno Valley, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $847.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $766 - $876 for the 1,990-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 $73 and $393, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $182 per night for hotel stops on the 1,990-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $363 - $545.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL
For larger DIY moves from Moreno Valley, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Chicago, Illinois.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,735 and $3,708.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Moreno Valley to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,553 - $2,693
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,735 - $3,708
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,445 - $4,763
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $91 - $182 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 Moreno Valley, California, typically costs $847.
What are the best freight companies from Moreno Valley to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- ALL Service Handling (4.76/5 stars): ALL Service Handling is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chicago fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Moreno Valley, 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 Moreno Valley on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Moreno Valley, CA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 131 | 106 |
| Average rent | $2,550/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $460,926 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $87,477/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.1% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 33/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 59.76/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Moreno Valley, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 374 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,990-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,990-mile route from Moreno Valley, CA, to Chicago, IL, run $1,309 - $11,815 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,693 - $5,716, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,199 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,362, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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 Moreno Valley, CA, to Chicago, IL
How long does a move from Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
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.
What is the cheapest way to move from Moreno Valley, CA to Chicago, IL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,337 - $2,780. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 59.76 and 40.24 in Moreno Valley. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Moreno Valley movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 73% of movers in Moreno Valley handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
