Moving from Pennsylvania to Illinois ($1,170-$5,130)
The cost to move from Pennsylvania to Illinois ranges from $1,170 to $5,130 with full-service movers, based on 632 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 Pennsylvania to Illinois route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Pennsylvania to Illinois?
The average cost of moving from Pennsylvania to Illinois with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,170 to $5,130 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 632 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 734 miles.
The final price of your Pennsylvania 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 | $1,170 - $3,610 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,100 - $5,130 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,750 - $7,810 |
How much do moving containers cost from Pennsylvania to Illinois?
A moving container from Pennsylvania to Illinois costs between $740 and $3,210, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,300 to $2,630, roughly 50% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 734-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $740 - $1,800 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,300 - $2,630 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,780 - $3,210 |
19% of movers in Pennsylvania offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Pennsylvania to Illinois?
A rental truck from Pennsylvania to Illinois costs between $510 and $1,350. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $570 to $1,220, about 80% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Pennsylvania averaging $3.21 per gallon, fuel for the 734-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $510 - $930 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $570 - $1,220 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $670 - $1,350 |
Add-on costs for a Pennsylvania to Illinois move
The figures above are linehaul: crew time on both ends plus 734 miles of transport. Accessorial charges are quoted separately, and on a Pennsylvania to Illinois route they commonly add 10% to 22% to the final invoice.
At 734 miles, a Pennsylvania 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 9% below Pennsylvania's, which pulls destination-side fees like shuttle service and storage near Chicago down. Origin-side labor in Pennsylvania 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 (Pennsylvania to Illinois) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $640 - $1,660 |
| Packing materials only | $150 - $420 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $310 - $850 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $270 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $70 - $230 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $160 - $380 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $180 - $520 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $410 - $620 |
| 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 734-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Pennsylvania to Illinois estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
35% of movers in Pennsylvania handle piano moves, 6% handle pool tables, and 16% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 6% of Pennsylvania movers require a deposit to book, and 12% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Pennsylvania to Illinois Movers
These movers average a 89% positive review rate among Pennsylvania movers we track.
Compare movers for your Pennsylvania to Illinois move
Picking a mover is easier with a side-by-side view. Below are the Pennsylvania-based long-distance movers we recommend checking first for a route into Illinois:
1% of Pennsylvania movers we track offer instant online quotes, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA 19341
100 N 18th St, Ste 308, Philadelphia, PA 19103
5101 Unruh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19135
1074 East Main Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552
245 Welsh Pool Rd, Exton, PA 19341
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Alternate Pennsylvania to Illinois moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Pennsylvania to Illinois move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 50% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 80% 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 Pennsylvania run $59 - $79 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Illinois end. 23% of movers in Pennsylvania offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Pennsylvania 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 $325 - $831 to rent in Pennsylvania, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why book a moveBuddha Certified mover for your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania guide.
Pennsylvania to Illinois cost of living comparison
How does Illinois actually compare to Pennsylvania? Drawing on the moving trends moveBuddha tracks across the country, cost of living, job markets, housing affordability, and lifestyle are consistently the biggest factors behind a move like this:
| Factor | Pennsylvania | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 99 | 90 |
| Average household income | $73,170 | $78,433 |
| Median home value | $268,824 | $249,224 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 3.07% | 4.95% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,110 | $1,179 |
| Average sales tax | 6.34% | 8.82% |
| Crime index | 17.62 | 19.7 |
| College graduation rate | 36.54% | 37.14% |
| Population | 12,961,683 | 12,549,689 |
Illinois's cost of living index of 90 is lower than Pennsylvania's 99, 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 Pennsylvania to Illinois
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 Pennsylvania at Pennsylvania's official regulatorandin Illinois at Illinois's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Pennsylvania 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 50% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
Book 4-8 weeks ahead for off-season moves (October-April), or 8-12 weeks ahead for peak season (mid-May-mid-September). This 734-mile route runs Pennsylvania to Illinois.
What hidden fees should I watch for on an interstate move?
Access fees run $70 - $230, and long carries over 75ft add $110 - $360. Shuttle service costs $180 - $520 if the truck can't reach your home. Fuel surcharges add 10% - 22% (about $120 - $1,130 here), specialty items like pianos run $310 - $850 each, and storage-in-transit is $160 - $380 per month. 6% of Pennsylvania movers also require a deposit.
What are the best ways to lower my full-service moving bill?
Decluttering before the move saves about $130 - $560 for every 500 pounds cut. Moving off-season saves 20% - 30%, and a Tuesday - Thursday, mid-month pickup saves another 10% - 30%. Among Pennsylvania movers, 10.8% offer a military discount, 2.8% offer a senior discount, and 0.4% offer a student discount. Get at least 3 quotes and ask if any will price-match a lower one.
Popular Pennsylvania to Illinois moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to Illinois: the bottom line
The cost to move from Pennsylvania to Illinois ranges from $1,170 - $5,130 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 50% - 80% less for the same move. For most people making this 734-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.