Moving from Illinois to Maine ($3,000-$6,750)
Fact Checked by:
The cost to move from Illinois to Maine ranges from $3,000 to $6,750 with full-service movers, based on 1,113 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Use our moving cost calculator to get a number tailored to your move — it weighs distance, home size, and move date together instead of leaning on a flat Illinois to Maine average. This 1,244-mile route guide draws on our review of 100 movers based in Illinois.
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Maine?
The average cost of moving from Illinois to Maine with full-service movers typically ranges between $3,000 to $6,750 for a 2-3 bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 1,113 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 1,244 miles.
The final price of your Illinois to Maine move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,250 - $5,250 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,000 - $6,750 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,000 - $9,250 |
How much do moving containers cost from Illinois to Maine?
A moving container from Illinois to Maine costs between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,750 to $3,750, roughly 45% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 1,244-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,000 - $2,750 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,750 - $3,750 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,500 - $5,000 |
How much does a rental truck cost from Illinois to Maine?
A rental truck from Illinois to Maine costs between $900 and $2,525. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $975 to $1,925, about 70% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Illinois averaging $3.19 per gallon, fuel for the 1,244-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $900 - $1,750 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $975 - $1,925 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,200 - $2,525 |
Add-on costs for an Illinois to Maine move
Most Illinois to Maine estimates start as a base transport figure and climb from there as accessorials get attached. Knowing which ones actually apply to a 1,244-mile move is the difference between a quote that holds and one that moves on delivery day.
At 1,244 miles, an Illinois to Maine move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Maine. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Maine's cost of living runs about 11% above Illinois's, so destination-side charges on this route price above national averages, including shuttle service, long carries, and storage near Portland. Origin-side labor in Illinois is the cheaper end of this move.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Illinois to Maine) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $950 - $2,500 |
| Packing materials only | $125 - $375 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $850 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $75 - $250 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $175 - $425 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $200 - $575 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $700 - $1,075 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 1,244-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Illinois to Maine estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
Our recommended Illinois to Maine Movers
Compare movers for your Illinois to Maine move
Before you request quotes, take a look at the Illinois long-distance movers our team has reviewed and rated for routes like this one to Maine:
1228 Humbracht Circle, Bartlett, IL 60103
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL 60077
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
2325 N Clark St #300, Chicago, IL 60614
2627 Kaneville Ct, Geneva, IL 60134
Alternate Illinois to Maine moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on an Illinois to Maine move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 45% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 70% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Illinois run $60 - $81 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Maine end.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Illinois on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Maine for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $323 - $814 to rent in Illinois, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1,113 real quotes from Illinois to Maine, 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.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Maine to Illinois guide.
Illinois to Maine cost of living comparison
Before you commit to a Illinois to Maine move, it helps to know how the two states actually compare. Based on the moving trends moveBuddha tracks nationwide, cost of living, job markets, housing, and lifestyle are the factors that most often make or break a relocation decision:
| Factor | Illinois | Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 100 |
| Average household income | $78,433 | $68,251 |
| Median home value | $249,224 | $401,297 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 2.9% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 5.8% |
Maine has a higher cost of living than Illinois, so most people moving in this direction are doing so for career, family, or lifestyle reasons rather than affordability. Budget for higher housing costs and day-to-day expenses compared to what you're used to in Illinois.
Getting to know Maine
Maine is nicknamed the Pine Tree State. People who've made this move point to delicious fresh food, ample economic opportunity, and bountiful recreational opportunities as the biggest draws. Maine has one of the oldest state constitutions in the country, effective since 1819.
Coming from Illinois, where winters average 17°F, expect winters in Maine to run about 10° colder. Maine has a humid continental climate. with warm and sometimes humid summers, and long, cold and very snowy winters. Winters are especially severe in the Northern and Western parts of Maine, while coastal areas are moderated slightly by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in marginally milder winters and cooler summers than inland regions.
And in case you're feeling nostalgic once you're settled: The round Silo for farm storage of silage was first constructed on a farm in Spring Grove.
Moving from Illinois to Maine FAQs
How long does it take to move from Illinois to Maine?
Most full-service Illinois to Maine moves land in the 2 - 8 day range from pickup to delivery, with the exact number driven by distance, your mover's schedule, and whether your load is consolidated with others headed the same direction.
Moving containers take longer than full-service, typically 1 - 2 weeks from when you finish loading to delivery at your new home, because they ship by ground freight on a scheduled run. Rental trucks give you the most control over timing since you drive directly to Maine, but add 1 - 2 days of driving depending on the distance.
Should I ship my car when moving from Illinois to Maine?
Deciding whether to drive your car or ship it depends on a few things: the distance, how tight your timeline is, and the number of vehicles involved. Auto transport for an Illinois to Maine move typically costs $600 - $1,500 depending on distance and vehicle type, with open transport on the lower end and enclosed transport for higher-value vehicles running more.
Most people shipping their car on a long-distance move do so when the drive would take more than 2 days, they're relocating more than 1 vehicle, or they'd rather fly directly to Maine and start settling in without a multi-day drive. If you can make the drive in a day, driving yourself is usually cheaper.
See our Illinois car shipping guide for vetted auto transport companies and current pricing for this route.
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
Book your 1,244-mile Illinois to Maine move 4 - 8 weeks in advance for off-season dates (October - April), and 8 - 12 weeks in advance for peak season dates (mid-May - mid-September). Booking earlier gives you better availability, lower rates, and more flexibility on pickup and delivery dates.
Peak season demand drives both rates and crew availability tighter industry-wide, so movers book up faster between mid-May and mid-September regardless of destination. For off-season moves, 4 weeks is usually enough notice for most full-service movers, but earlier booking still gives you more pricing leverage.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves (any move that crosses state lines, like an Illinois to Maine relocation) are regulated federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every interstate mover needs a valid USDOT number — verify one for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool, and report violations to FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
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. In Maine: Although a local license is not required in Maine, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
Are full-service movers worth it for an Illinois to Maine move?
People making the Illinois to Maine move are often chasing beautiful outdoors in Maine — the kind of move worth protecting with professional handling rather than risking on a DIY haul.
Full-service movers are worth it for an Illinois to Maine move when any of the following apply: you're moving a large home (3+ bedrooms), your timeline is tight, you have high-value or fragile items that need professional handling, or you can't take time away from work to manage the logistics of a multi-day drive across state lines.
DIY options make more sense when you're moving a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms), cost is the primary constraint, and you have the time and physical capacity to handle loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Moving containers, about 45% less than full-service, are the best middle-ground for people who want to skip the drive but still save significantly over full-service pricing.
Popular Illinois to Maine moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Illinois to Maine corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Illinois to Maine: the bottom line
The cost to move from Illinois to Maine ranges from $3,000 - $6,750 for a 2-3 bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 45% - 70% less for the same move. For most people making this 1,244-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
