($1,086+) Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Riverside, CA, runs anywhere from $1,086 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,915 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,981 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,328, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,915 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,565 - $5,840, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,086 - $3,339.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Riverside, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,271 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
Moving options from Chicago to Riverside fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $3,271 - $7,057 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 37% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 62% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,981 miles, this route usually takes 5 to 16 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,981-mile route from Chicago to Riverside, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,328 - $4,980 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,565 - $2,971), rental truck ($1,086 - $2,291), or freight trailer ($1,423 - $2,620). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,271 - $7,057 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $10,915.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,981-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Riverside, California, with costs ranging from $2,328 - $10,915. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $348 - $2,320. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chicago and Riverside. Local movers in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,328 - $4,980
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,271 - $7,057
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,874 - $10,915
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 Chicago to Riverside.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Riverside, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $580 - $5,800 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $232 - $1,392/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $348 - $2,784 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,160 - $3,480 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,900 - $11,600 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $869 - $1,651 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,160 - $2,900 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $928 - $4,060 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $348 - $1,740 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $754 - $2,320 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $348 - $17,400+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $348 - $4,060+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Riverside?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Chicago, IL. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Riverside, California, cost between $1,565 and $5,840. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Chicago runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,565 - $2,971
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,045 - $4,080
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,828 - $5,840
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $812 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $87 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $174 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Riverside, CA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to California 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 $1,565. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,045 - $4,080.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Riverside?
- 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 Chicago 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 Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
A rental truck for this 1,981-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Riverside, California, costs between $1,086 and $3,339. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $731 - $836
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| 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 Chicago to Riverside based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,086 - $2,291
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,249 - $2,648
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,576 - $3,339
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,086 - $3,339 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Chicago to Riverside. Fuel ($731 - $836), lodging at around $174/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $174 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $812 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,981-mile drive falls between $731 and $836, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $58 and $348 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Riverside?
- 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 Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Chicago, Illinois, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Riverside, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,572 and $3,164.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Riverside:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,423 - $2,620
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,572 - $3,164
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,129 - $4,717
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $87 and $174.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly five hours typically average $812.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Riverside?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Riverside 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: Chicago, IL vs Riverside, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Riverside, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 131 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $2,295/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $539,898 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $88,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 59.76/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Riverside, CA to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Illinois to California, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 314 movers in Illinois, so you have real options to compare for this 1,981-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,981-mile route from Chicago, IL, to Riverside, CA, run $2,328 - $10,915 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,565 - $5,840, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,086 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,271, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Bourns and California Baptist University.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Riverside, CA
How long does a move from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 to 16 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($731 - $836), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $174/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA?
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 $1,249 - $2,648. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,086 to $10,915, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,328 and $10,915, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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 4 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 Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.