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Rebecca Walter is a senior writer for USA Today Homefront specializing in moving. She has won multiple awards for her writing, including recognition from the North Carolina Press Association for reporting on housing market trends. Her half-dozen moves in the last decade have perfected her packing skills, making her the go-to packer amongst her friends and family. Rebecca studied journalism and political science at Murray State University. She is located in Asheville, North Carolina, where she enjoys hiking, yoga, and reading.
As the sixth-most-populated state in the country, Illinois is a busy place for local and long-distance moving companies. After researching dozens of companies and gathering multiple quotes, we trust Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines and Pack-Men Movers LLC to handle your Illinois move.
Allied and NAVL have highly rated locations within the state and a range of service offerings to make your long-distance move customizable. If you’re moving locally, consider Pack-Man Movers. Our review of hundreds of customer reviews revealed that the provider has a solid reputation for providing high-quality service and competitive pricing within Illinois.
We put each of our selections to the test with our comprehensive grading scale. We scored each mover on services offered, customer feedback, pricing and more. Here is an overview of each top Illinois mover and tips to help pair you with the best and most qualified company for your move.
Get started with no-obligations quotes from the providers below.
Here are Illinois’ best long-distance and local options, according to our objective review standards. Each provides customizable service options and high customer satisfaction.
Long-distance:
Local:
The following moving companies scored highly on our proprietary rating scale that evaluates service options, geographical reach, customer service, client feedback and more. See how they stack up.
The following are our top picks for long-distance moving companies that serve Illinois. Here’s what we like and dislike about each company, plus their services and insurance information, pricing and more. Companies that can handle local and long-distance moves, offer great customer service and have a good reputation scored best.
Allied Van Lines is a national moving carrier and one of our highest-rated moving companies. Top-notch services such as shipment tracking, storage solutions and vehicle shipping help relieve some of the guesswork and stress of long-distance moves. This carrier has 500 locations across all 50 states, including several in Illinois. Notable and positively reviewed offices include Chicago, Champaign and Springfield.
Service area: 50 states and 130 countries
Base services:
Add-on services:
Storage: Allied’s branches provide short- and long-term storage options.
Quote type: Allied gives binding rates for long-distance moves.
Pricing: All long-distance moving costs are based on the shipping weight and move distance.
Sample cost: Allied quoted us for a 1,800-mile, three-bedroom move. With no add-on services, the ballpark rate was around $7,000. Full-service packing would increase that price to around $10,000. The move coordinator stated that binding rates aren’t available without an in-person inventory assessment.
Deposit: None required
Payment methods: Allied accepts cash, credit cards, money orders and certified checks.
Allied provides released-value coverage for all moves. The company offers Extra Care Protection (ECP) for an additional fee. This covers the total cost of repairing or replacing lost or damaged goods. Costs for ECP coverage vary by location and depend on your total inventory.
Many Allied locations in Illinois receive mostly high ratings on Google Reviews. The Champaign, Illinois, location has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Positive customer feedback mentions prompt delivery, quality customer service and efficient loading and unloading.
The same location has received negative feedback for its persistent quoting process. Paul B. said he was flooded with spam calls after getting a quote from Allied. The company responded to the review to express apologies for the experience and said they would resolve the issue by removing the person from the call list.
North American Van Lines (NAVL) earned high marks based on our rating system for its plentiful service options, shipment tracking system and worldwide availability. The company stands out for its not-to-exceed pricing option, which states that your final moving costs won’t be higher than your quote. The company also doesn’t require a deposit, making it an appealing option if you don’t want to put money down.
Storage: NAVL provides short- and long-term storage options.
Quote type: NAVL offers binding quotes and not-to-exceed pricing for most moves.
Pricing: Long-distance moving costs are based on shipment weight and the distance of your move.
Sample cost: We received an estimate for a 2,880-mile move for a three-bedroom house, which totaled approximately $13,450 excluding packing services and $16,757 with packing included. While NAVL’s prices are higher than some competitors, the not-to-exceed pricing and lack of a deposit requirement still make it an appealing choice for long-distance moves.
Deposit: None
Payment methods: NAVL accepts money orders, certified checks and cash as payment.
NAVL provides released-value protection for all moves for no additional fee. The company also offers full-replacement-value coverage. This coverage ranges between 5% and 6% of your total declared shipment value and will be added to your final invoice.
Like most national moving companies, reviews for NAVL vary by location. For example, the Normal, Illinois, location has received mostly positive feedback and is rated 4.1 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews.
For example, Adrian T. — who used NAVL for a cross-country move to Illinois — commended the company for its professionalism, punctuality, quality and value. Doug P. said the movers were careful to protect furniture and other personal items.
While the Naperville, Illinois, location primarily has positive reviews, not all customers have a good experience through this branch. In a March 2024 Google review, Debby R. described how a moving truck broke down and delivered items late.
According to the reviewer, this derailment led to further issues, such as continued shipment delays and poor communication from the company. NAVL did directly respond to the reviewer to offer further assistance.
International Van Lines (IVL) is one of our highest-rated moving companies for interstate moves. The company’s broad geographical reach, comprehensive service range and positive customer reviews set it apart. IVL also earns favor for its free storage option for long-distance moves.
Service area: 50 states and 150 countries
Storage: Long-term storage options are available in most locations. All long-distance moves come with 30 days of free storage.
Quote type: IVL offers binding estimates for long-distance moves.
Pricing: Long-distance moves are based on shipment weight and move distance.
Sample cost: Our sample quote from IVL for a three-bedroom, 1,800-mile move was $6,276 without packing and $7,158 with full packing. A company representative gave us these ballpark rates after requesting information about our inventory.
Deposit: Deposit requirements range between 20% and 25% of your final move cost.
Payment methods: IVL accepts credit cards, money orders, cashier’s checks and business checks.
IVL provides released-value protection for all moves. Full-value protection can be added for an additional cost. We encourage you to ask your moving company representative about the exact cost of this coverage when you reach out for a quote.
IVL’s Chicago branch has mixed reviews and a rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. However, our research shows that the majority of recent reviews are positive. Customers such as Heather S. report reasonable pricing and quality customer service. Negative reviews mention damaged items and delivery delays.
The majority of recent reviews on IVL’s BBB page are positive. Jailene P. described her IVL movers as professional and reliable. Of the last 10 reviews on the site, only one customer gave negative feedback, with the rest being 5-star ratings. IVL’s BBB score is currently 3.5 out of 5 stars.
We dug into customer reviews, service options and pricing to rate and rank the top moving companies for in-state service in Illinois. Each mover has a solid reputation for providing quality moving services in the state.
Pack-Men Movers Inc. has established itself as a trusted name in the Illinois moving business. This family-owned company scored highly on our rating scale and receives overwhelmingly positive customer feedback.
Service area: This mover services the entire state of Illinois.
Quote type: This mover offers ballpark hourly quotes.
Pricing: We were quoted a $190 per hour rate, which includes a truck and four movers. Travel time can also factor into your move. This company bills in 15-minute increments.
Sample cost: We contacted Pack-Men Movers for a ballpark quote for a three-bedroom move between Chicago and Naperville, Illinois, which totals about 30 miles of driving. Our quote was for $1,465. The estimate includes six hours of labor plus travel time. They stressed that this figure was only an estimate and could change if the move takes more or less time.
Deposit: Our moving estimate did not mention any deposit requirements.
Payment methods: This company accepts cash, certified checks and all major credit and debit cards. Note that using a card incurs a 4% processing fee.
Pack-Men Movers liability coverage is 30 cents per pound per article unless you purchase additional coverage.
Pack-Men Movers Inc. in Oak Park, Illinois, holds a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews with more than 250 reviews.
In a March 2024 review, David said he’s used the moving company for multiple moves, including long-distance relocations to rural parts of the state and, most recently, to a new home in Chicago. He commended the company for its competitive pricing, service options and efficiency. Other reviewers also noted the company’s reputation for professionalism, customer service and value.
Like any mover, Pack-Men Movers has a few negative reviews. In a 1-star review, Emma complained about a seven-hour moving experience to move out of a small studio apartment and a larger-than-expected final invoice. Slow loading and unloading is another complaint we noticed when analyzing this mover’s customer reviews.
Since its founding in 2010, Illinois Movers Inc. has expanded its services to include local and long-distance moves. Its reputation for quality service is evident through its numerous positive reviews on sites such as BBB and Google Reviews.
Service area: This mover services most areas of Illinois and can also assist cross-border moves.
Quote type: This mover offers binding estimates.
Pricing: Illinois Movers Inc. charges $4.50 per cubic foot of truck space and includes a 15% fuel surcharge.
Sample cost: The company had us fill out a detailed inventory list online before receiving a moving quote. For a move from Bloomington, Illinois, to Dunlap, Illinois, which totals a little under 60 miles, our quote was $4,424.65. Of that total, $4,050 was the baseline price based on an estimated volume of 900 cubic feet, and $607.50 was the fuel surcharge.
Deposit: Our estimate included a 40% deposit required upon booking.
Payment methods: This mover accepts credit card, cash, cashier’s check, Zelle and Venmo.
Illinois Movers Inc. offers basic valuation protection at 60 cents per pound per item.
Illinois Movers holds high marks on BBB and Google Reviews. Illinois Movers is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on BBB, with customers praising the company’s efficiency, communication, pricing and professionalism. However, the mover has gotten a few complaints on the site. One customer expressed concern about their final invoice being higher than the quoted price.
Illinois Movers is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Negative feedback includes concerns about delayed customer service response times, damaged items and final invoices higher than the original quote.
Other reviews commended the company for handling items with care, outstanding customer service and seamless service. While the reviews are somewhat mixed, most feedback is positive.
Great Chicago Movers LLC is a local professional moving company with over 20 years of experience. This Chicago moving company mainly services the state’s largest city but offers long-distance moving options to other parts of the state.
Service area: Local moving services are available in Deerfield, Glencoe and Arlington Heights. The company also offers long-distance moving services to any state in the continental U.S.
Quote type: This mover offers quotes based on hourly rates.
Pricing: Great Chicago Movers LLC charges per hour, per mover. The representative we spoke with stressed that the company does not charge a travel fee. The company also offers 10% off cash payments and 5% off for senior citizens.
Sample cost: We contacted Great Chicago Movers for a ballpark quote. For a local move, we were quoted $140 per hour for two movers or $180 per hour for three movers. The company also charges a one-time $100 truck fee.
Deposit: Our quote included a $200 deposit.
Payment methods: This mover accepts cash, credit and debit cards, and Zelle.
Great Chicago Movers LLC offers basic valuation protection at 80 cents per pound per item.
Great Chicago Movers LLC is rated 5.0 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews with nearly 200 reviews. Reviews often note that the company makes the moving process less of a hassle thanks to great customer service and a range of service options.
Of all the reviews we combed through on Google Reviews, there was only a single one-star review. In his review, Randy F. didn’t leave any specific feedback. A response from the company stated that the reviewer’s name didn’t match any records at Great Chicago Movers LLC, so it’s possible that the review isn’t credible.
Before choosing a company for your next move, verify that it’s licensed, offers the required services and fits within your budget. Select your ideal move date at least a month ahead of time to ensure the company’s availability.
Here are several other factors to keep in mind when finding a reputable mover.
Identifying the specific services you’ll require from a professional moving company before you begin your search is crucial. Start by performing a walkthrough of your residence and create an inventory list of all the items you plan to bring to your new home. Make a note of any items that will require extra heavy lifting, such as pianos.
Organize the inventory by room and identify any extra services you might require. These services could include the following:
Ensure you understand a company’s service model before booking. Movers operate as two general entity types: carriers and brokers. Moving carriers own a fleet of moving trucks and operate by directly handling each move booked through them.
Moving brokers act as the middleman between customers and moving carriers. They don’t have any trucks or movers and instead serve as booking agents that schedule moves for clients. They’ll submit your job for carriers to bid on and take a fee as a deposit upfront. If you schedule with a broker, your carrier will assume liability for broken or damaged items.
Every moving company must adhere to particular regulations based on the extent of their moving services. You should confirm a mover’s registration status before you book.
Long-distance and interstate moving companies are subject to federal regulations. They are required to adhere to the regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and possess active Motor Carrier (MC) and United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) numbers. Use these to verify a mover’s registration status by consulting the FMCSA database.
All Illinois moving companies must obtain a Household Goods License from the Illinois Commerce Commission. Companies must operate in compliance with the Illinois Commercial Transportation Law.
The structure of your moving estimate varies based on your move distance. Long-distance moves are typically quoted with more comprehensive rates, whereas local moves are often charged on an hourly basis.
For long-distance relocations, two factors primarily determine price: the weight of the shipment and the distance of your move. Additional services, such as storage, packing or vehicle transportation, can increase your final invoice.
Generally, your quoted rates remain unchanged unless there are changes to your inventory between the day of the initial quote and your actual moving day, so be sure to provide an accurate inventory to the company.
Local moves are typically priced at hourly rates. Costs will likely vary based on the number of movers assigned to your job. One mover we spoke to, Illinois Movers Inc., charges based on the estimated volume of your inventory. Some companies include additional fees for truck rental and a fuel surcharge.
All moving companies are required to provide a base level of moving coverage at no additional cost. Federal law requires released-value protection to cover 60 cents per pound per item and should be included in all full-service moving packages.
Some moving companies provide additional coverage options, such as full-value protection, for an additional fee. With most full-value coverage plans, you can establish a declared value for your entire shipment and pay a premium based on a percentage of that value before your move. This type of coverage typically ensures complete reimbursement for any damaged or lost items.
While there are several solid options for moving companies in Illinois, we recommend beginning your Illinois moving journey with national company Allied Van Lines or reputable local business Pack-Men Movers. Allied’s highly-rated locations throughout the state and its high score via our rating system make it a great choice for long-distance moves.
Local moves are best booked with local carriers such as Pack-Men Movers. The company’s pricing, service options and customer reviews make it one of our top choices for an Illinois move.
As a rule of thumb, we suggest gathering at least three quotes before booking your moving company. This process will help you find the best price and ensure the company can meet all your service needs.
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB and Google Review ratings are accurate as of April 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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