Moving from Maine to Illinois ($1,380-$7,010)
The cost to move from Maine to Illinois ranges from $1,380 to $7,010 with full-service movers, based on 663 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects this specific Maine to Illinois route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Maine to Illinois?
The average cost of moving from Maine to Illinois with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,380 to $7,010 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 663 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 1,243 miles.
The final price of your Maine to Illinois 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 | $1,380 - $5,360 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,880 - $7,010 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,370 - $9,230 |
How much do moving containers cost from Maine to Illinois?
A moving container from Maine to Illinois costs between $870 and $4,110, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,620 to $3,290, roughly 55% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 1,243-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $870 - $2,240 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,620 - $3,290 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,200 - $4,110 |
16% of movers in Maine offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Maine to Illinois?
A rental truck from Maine to Illinois costs between $780 and $2,140. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $830 to $1,770, about 75% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Maine averaging $3.03 per gallon, fuel for the 1,243-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $780 - $1,440 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $830 - $1,770 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,080 - $2,140 |
Add-on costs for a Maine to Illinois move
Most Maine to Illinois estimates start as a base transport figure and climb from there as accessorials get attached. Knowing which ones actually apply to a 1,243-mile move is the difference between a quote that holds and one that moves on delivery day.
At 1,243 miles, a Maine to Illinois 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 Illinois. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Illinois's cost of living sits roughly 10% below Maine's, which pulls destination-side fees like shuttle service and storage near Chicago down. Origin-side labor in Maine stays the expensive half of this route, so packing services and stair carries at pickup deserve the closest scrutiny on your quote.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Maine to Illinois) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $680 - $1,760 |
| Packing materials only | $150 - $430 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $310 - $860 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $280 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $70 - $230 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $160 - $380 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $180 - $520 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $710 - $1,060 |
| 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 1,243-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Maine to Illinois estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
52% of movers in Maine handle piano moves, 22% handle pool tables, and 15% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 11% of Maine movers require a deposit to book, and 10% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Maine to Illinois Movers
These movers average a 88% positive review rate among Maine movers we track.
Compare movers for your Maine to Illinois move
We track and rate long-distance movers based in Maine year-round — here's how the top options for a Illinois move stack up against each other:
2% of Maine movers we track offer instant online quotes, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine
422 1/2 Fore St, Suite #1, Portland, ME 04101
24 Bridgton Road, Westbrook, ME 04092
85 Eisenhower Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092
75 Pinetree Industrial Park, Portland, ME 04102
41 Graham St, Biddeford, ME 04005
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Alternate Maine to Illinois moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Maine to Illinois move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 55% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 75% 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 Maine run $60 - $81 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Illinois end. 16% of movers in Maine offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Maine on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Illinois for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $316 - $837 to rent in Maine, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why book a moveBuddha Certified mover for your Maine to Illinois move:
Every moveBuddha Certified mover passes our vetting for safety, licensing, reputation, transparency, and pricing, and agrees to ongoing monitoring. That adds a layer of protection most interstate moves don't come with.
- Up to $1,000 in coverage: Get up to $1,000 in added move coverage on eligible moves.
- Dispute mediation: If something goes wrong, we work with your Certified mover to resolve it.
- Dedicated support: Enjoy ongoing support from moveBuddha throughout your move.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Illinois to Maine guide.
Maine to Illinois cost of living comparison
Moving from Maine to Illinois means adjusting to a different cost of living, job market, and housing landscape. Our moving trends data across major U.S. routes shows these are the factors that most commonly shape a relocation like this one:
| Factor | Maine | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 90 |
| Average household income | $68,251 | $78,433 |
| Median home value | $401,297 | $249,224 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 5.8% | 4.95% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,009 | $1,179 |
| Average sales tax | 5.5% | 8.82% |
| Crime index | 13.17 | 19.7 |
| College graduation rate | 35.99% | 37.14% |
| Population | 1,395,722 | 12,549,689 |
Illinois's cost of living index of 90 is lower than Maine's 100, making affordability a common driver of this move. Lower housing costs and everyday expenses can offset the upfront cost of a long-distance move within the first 1 - 2 years.
Illinois's largest industries are Manufacturing ($37.6 billion), Real estate and rental and leasing ($23.6 billion), and Professional and business services ($22 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from Maine to Illinois
What are the best ways to lower my full-service moving bill?
Decluttering before the move saves about $170 - $770 for every 500 pounds cut. Moving off-season saves 20% - 30%, and a Tuesday - Thursday, mid-month pickup saves another 10% - 30%. Among Maine movers, 7.32% offer a military discount. Get at least 3 quotes and ask if any will price-match a lower one.
How does the cost of living in Illinois compare to Maine?
Illinois's cost of living index of 90 is lower than Maine's 100 (100 is the national average), so day-to-day costs should feel cheaper. Average rent runs $1,009 in Maine versus $1,179 in Illinois. Crime index is 13.17 in Maine vs 19.7 in Illinois. 37.14% of Illinois adults hold a college degree, versus 35.99% in Maine.
What's the cheapest way to move from Maine to Illinois?
A rental truck is cheapest: $830 - $1,770 for a 2-3 bedroom move, about 75% less than full-service. At 1,243 miles, that's 3 days behind the wheel, plus around $441 in fuel. Moving containers ($1,620 - $3,290, about 55% less than full-service) skip the drive entirely. Use our moving cost calculator to compare all 3 for your move size.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA. Verify your mover's USDOT number for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool. Report violations at 1-888-368-7238. You can also look up licensed movers in Maine at Maine's official regulatorandin Illinois at Illinois's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Maine to Illinois move?
People making this move are often chasing home of Chicago in Illinois.Full-service makes sense for a large home (3+ bedrooms), a tight timeline, or high-value items. DIY fits a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms) when cost matters most and you have time to spare. Moving containers, about 55% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
Popular Maine to Illinois moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Maine to Illinois 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 Maine to Illinois: the bottom line
The cost to move from Maine to Illinois ranges from $1,380 - $7,010 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 55% - 75% less for the same move. For most people making this 1,243-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.