Moving in Illinois can be a mixed bag of excitement and “oh no, what now?” moments. A lot rides on picking the right crew to help out. While many Illinois movers might seem the same at first glance, there are definitely some standouts.
We’ve done the homework for you, sifting through the good, the bad, and the meh movers in the Land of Lincoln. In this guide, you’ll find the best moving companies in Illinois, picked based on things like services, ease-of-use, and real feedback from folks who’ve been in your shoes.
Top 10 Local Illinois Movers
Here are our ratings of the 10 best moving companies in Illinois
- STI Moving & Storage Inc., 4.9 out of 5.0
- New City Moving, 4.9 out of 5.0
- Alliance Moving & Storage, 4.9 out of 5.0
- H2H Movers Inc, 4.9 out of 5.0
- Mid-West Moving & Storage, 4.9 out of 5.0
- Two Men and a Truck, 4.86 out of 5.0
- Moovers Chicago Inc, 4.86 out of 5.0
- MiniMoves Inc., 4.86 out of 5.0
- Elite Moving & Storage, 4.8 out of 5.0
- Stark Moving and Storage, 4.8 out of 5.0
STI Moving & Storage Inc.
- BBB Rating: A+
- Reviews analyzed: 301
- Years in business: 2006
- State License: 139020
- Phone: (847) 675-1223
- Address: 7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL, 60077
Established in 2005, STI Moving & Storage Inc. has been diligently serving Skokie, IL with expert residential and office moving services. Unlike the competition, they offer a comprehensive suite of services, including packing, unpacking, crating, and even provision of crane vans whenever necessary. They also specialize in the movement of fragile and unique items, such as pianos, pool tables, art pieces, antiques and grandfather clocks. STI Moving & Storage further distances themselves from other local movers with their “labor only” service and optional storage availability. A fully insured entity, they charge a competitive fee of $139 per hour for local moves and conveniently accept credit cards. A deposit is required, but peace of mind is immediately returned through their full valuation insurance coverage. Their reputation for reliability is well-documented with an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, a hefty 1012 reviews averaging a 4.7-star rating on Google My Business, and 294 Yelp reviews averaging a 3.0-star rating.
New City Moving
- BBB Rating: A+
- Reviews analyzed: 1096
- Years in business: 2010
- State License: 158051
- Phone: (773) 489-0600
- Address: 2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618
Since its establishment in 2009, New City Moving has become a premier moving company in the Chicago area, providing a comprehensive range of services that set them apart from their competitors. They offer not only local and long-distance residential moving services, but also office transitions, showcasing a versatility that is rare in the industry. Uniquely, they provide both packing and unpacking services to ease the stress of moving, even accommodating fragile-only packing needs. This customer-focused approach extends to their payment options, accepting both cash and credit cards, albeit with a deposit. In a market where trust is paramount, their high ratings across Yelp (4.5 from over a thousand reviews), Google My Business (4.8 from over two thousand reviews), and an A+ Better Business Bureau rating demonstrate they excel in customer satisfaction. The company phases in a layer of security with full valuation insurance coverage, underscoring their commitment to their clients’ peace of mind. One could argue that with such a strong track record, New City Moving raises the bar for moving companies in the Chicago area.
Alliance Moving & Storage
- BBB Rating: A+
- Reviews analyzed: 23
- Years in business: 2016
- State License: 214845
- Phone: (847) 378-4949
- Address: 3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008
Alliance Moving & Storage surpasses the competition in the Chicago area with its comprehensive moving and packing services for both local and long distance residential clients. Established in 2015, this seasoned company has steadily built up a reputation that outshines others in the field.
Among their offerings is office moving, making them a versatile choice for both individuals and businesses. With services extending to packing, unpacking, and extra-attention crating, they expertly handle all aspects of the moving process.
Notably, they specialize in moving more difficult items such as pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, and safes. This level of industry prowess is hard to match in comparison to other local moving companies.
Payment convenience is another edge for customers as they accept both cash and credit cards without requiring a deposit. It’s the little things like this that add to their overall customer experience.
And an experience it is, backed by a solid online presence with an average rating of 4.0 on Yelp from 22 reviews, and 3.8 from 33 Google reviews. Additionally, their recognition with an A+ rating from Better Business Bureau is a testament to Alliance Moving & Storage’s commitment towards delivering a consistently high standard of service.
Their full valuation insurance coverage ensures that in the unlikely event of damage, clients are guarded against any losses. Alliance Moving & Storage thus stands out as a reliable, comprehensive, and customer-centric moving company in and around the Chicago area.
H2H Movers Inc
- BBB Rating: A-
- Reviews analyzed: 371
- Years in business: 2015
- State License: 184599
- Phone: (773) 236-8797
- Address: 4250 N Marine Dr Aparment #1136, Chicago, IL, 60613
H2H Movers Inc is a comprehensive moving company based in Chicago, IL. Since 2014, they have distinguished themselves by offering a wide range of services including local and long-distance residential moves, office moves, and specialized services such as piano, hot tub, pool table, art, antiquities, and safe moving. Compared to other local moving companies, H2H stands out for its additional offerings like packing, unpacking, crating services, labor-only services, and fragile-only packing. They even provide crane vans for heavy items, which is a rarity among their competition. In addition, they offer the convenience of payment through both cash and credit cards, storage facilities if needed, and full valuation insurance coverage for peace of mind. H2H requires a deposit, which is standard practice in the industry. The company enjoys a solid reputation online, boasting a 4.5 average rating from 372 Yelp reviews, a 4.8 average from a whopping 1,216 Google reviews, and an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Mid-West Moving & Storage
- BBB Rating: A+
- Reviews analyzed: 77
- Years in business: 1984
- State License: 75043
- Phone: (847) 593-7201
- Address: 1255 Tonne Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007
Mid-West Moving & Storage reigns as a comprehensive and trusted provider of moving services in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. In business since 1983, this seasoned company outshines local competitors with its wide range of offerings. From local to international residential moves, office relocations, and specialized services for military and seniors—Mid-West covers it all. Uncommon among its peers, Mid-West extends packing, unpacking, crating services, and even provision of crane vans for cumbersome items. Specific to fragile or unique possessions, they specialize in handling pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, and safes with utmost care. They also offer storage options and provide shipment tracking, ensuring peace of mind to their customers throughout the moving process. Payment convenience is assured with credit card acceptance and full valuation insurance coverage is provided. Despite a somewhat mixed Yelp rating of 3.0, they boast an outstanding Google profile rating of 4.7 based on 372 reviews and hold an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. A deposit is required for securing their services, testament to their high demand in the moving industry.
Two Men and a Truck
- BBB Rating: A+
- Reviews analyzed: 13
- Years in business: 2004
- State License: 1566
- Phone: (309) 455-4036
- Address: 1030 W Olympia Dr, Peoria, IL, 61615
Moovers Chicago Inc
- BBB Rating: A+
- Reviews analyzed: 328
- Years in business: 2015
- State License: 187592
- Phone: (773) 474-2691
- Address: 5359 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625
A premier choice among moving companies in the Windy City, Moovers Chicago Inc. has been serving the community with excellence since 2014. From local to long-distance residential moves, office relocations, and offering both packing and unpacking services, this company sets the bar high with comprehensive moving solutions. Their exceptional services extend to specialty items, effortlessly moving pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, and even grandfather clocks with the utmost care. Their dedicated professionals also offer exclusive services such as fragile only packing, labor only services, and are equipped with crane vans and crating services when needed.
In comparison with other local companies, Moovers Chicago Inc. stands out not only for their breadth of services but also for their flexible payment options – accepting both cash and credit cards without the need for an upfront deposit. In addition, they provide full valuation insurance coverage, assuring peace of mind for their customers throughout the moving process.
Customers also appreciate their available storage services, providing a safe place for belongings if needed. Their stellar reputation is reflected in their top-tier ratings across multiple review platforms, including an average rating of 4.8 from over 300 reviews on Yelp, a staggering 4.9 from 480 reviews on Google My Business, and a distinguished A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Moovers Chicago Inc. is a leading force in Chicago’s moving industry, delivering superior service, unmatched flexibility, and overall customer satisfaction.
MiniMoves Inc.
- BBB Rating: A+
- Reviews analyzed: 196
- Years in business: 1993
- State License: 107443
- Phone: (800) 300-6683
- Address: 413 Roosevelt Rd Suite 103, Hillside, IL, 60162
Since 1992, MiniMoves Inc. has been a staple in the Hillside, IL moving industry, setting the bar high for local, long-distance, and international residential moves. In addition to residential moving, the company offers an impressive range of services not provided by many competitors, including office moving, packing and unpacking, crating, and specialty services for moving pool tables, art, antiques, and safes. Unique to their offering, they also cater to military and senior moves, and they offer labor-only services for flexible moving needs. They are a trusted and professional company that accepts credit cards and requires a deposit, providing full valuation insurance coverage for peace of mind. With over 255 combined reviews on Yelp and Google, their consistent customer satisfaction is reflected in their overall solid ratings. Moreover, MiniMoves Inc. holds a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, outranking several nearby moving companies. If you’re looking for a comprehensive, reputable, and versatile moving service, MiniMoves Inc. is a premier choice.
Elite Moving & Storage
- BBB Rating: A+
- Reviews analyzed: 355
- Years in business: 2008
- State License: 153937
- Phone: (312) 313-4042
- Address: 7085 Ridgeway Ave, Lincolnwood, IL, 60712
Elite Moving & Storage stands as a versatile and reliable moving company in Lincolnwood, IL. In operation since 2007, they set themselves apart from other movers with a robust array of services that cater to both local and long-distance residential clients. Besides standard moving services, they extend their assistance to office relocations, providing end-to-end support right from packing to unpacking, including specialized crating services and handling of delicate items like pianos and art. Furthermore, they differentiate themselves with their flexible payment methods such as money orders, cash, and credit cards, requiring a simple deposit. Clients have regularly applauded their full valuation insurance coverage and the convenience of shipment tracking, which many nearby movers do not provide. Their online reputation is split, with an average rating of 2.8 from 352 Yelp reviews, but a notably higher rating of 4.6 based on 1184 Google My Business reviews. Their commitment to quality service is underpinned by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Compared to other moving companies in the region, Elite Moving & Storage goes above and beyond to ensure a stress-free and efficient moving experience.
Stark Moving and Storage
- BBB Rating: A+
- Reviews analyzed: 23
- Years in business: 2020
- State License:
- Phone: (800) 654-7575
- Address: 111 W Jackson Blvd Suite 1700, Chicago, IL, 60604
Stark Moving and Storage, a Chicago-based company since 2019, boasts excellence in providing comprehensive moving services both locally and long-distance. Their service range outshines many nearby competitors, extending to various specific needs such as piano, pool table, art, antiques, and even grandfather clock relocations. Stark doesn’t just move your belongings; they treat them with utmost care, offering packing, unpacking, crating services, and fragile-only packing. Their ability to provide crane vans if needed is another ace up their sleeve. Stark offers seamless transactions, accepting money orders, cash, and even credit cards without requiring a deposit, and assures peace of mind with full valuation insurance coverage. Additionally, storage services are available should you require them. Customers seem to love them, with a consistent average rating of 4.5 stars on review platforms such as Yelp and Google My Business, not to mention an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. This company truly sets the standard for moving companies in the Chicago area.
Top 10 Options if Moving Out of Illinois
If moving out of Illinois, we recommend using an interstate moving company. Here are the top options:
- International Van Lines: International Van Lines (IVL) is our top choice for a full-service
mover. International Van Lines services include every step of the moving process. A skilled team of moving labor
will pack and unpack your belongings, load and unload the truck, and transport your belongings anywhere in the
country, keeping your most important items safe. - American Van Lines: American Van Lines is the final full-service mover on our list, and it
specializes in moving difficult items. All professional movers on American Van Lines’ team train in a special sample
home to practice protecting important belongings, making it a safe choice to protect your belongings. - JK Moving: JK Moving is also a full-service mover. JK Moving believes that every
long-distance move is different, so it matches move coordinators with every move to create a custom plan of attack.
Its trained fleet of moving labor is prepared to handle your most fragile items, including pianos and antiques.
Every mile of your move will be planned and GPS tracked, giving you maximum peace of mind while your possessions are
in transit. - Allied Van Lines: Allied Van Lines offers a range of moving options, from full-service
packages to DIY support, and it also provides short- and long-term storage, moving kits, and helpful online
resources. Allied is the oldest moving company in the U.S., with more than 90 years of experience in the industry.
Allied can ship a variety of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans, as well as motorcycles, boats, and
snowmobiles. The company maintains its own fleet of open and enclosed car carriers. Open carriers are the trucks
you’ve likely seen on the highway carrying stacks of new cars from auto manufacturers to dealerships. Enclosed
carriers are essentially semi-truck trailers that protect vehicles from the elements or roadway hazards. For
high-value vehicles, including classic cars, the enclosed carrier option offers added protection during transport. - North American Van Lines: North American Van Lines is a full-service moving company that can
accommodate local, long-distance, and international moves of all sizes. North American is available in all 50 states
and more than 130 countries through its extensive network of more than 500 local movers. The company has simplified
the claims process through quick online access of necessary forms and information. There are separate sections on
the landing page of North American’s website for international and domestic claims. Customers can also file claims
over the phone through the company’s claim support division, which is separate from general customer support. - Safeway Moving Inc.: Safeway Moving Inc. is a Florida-based broker and carrier that provides
long-distance moving service to all 50 states. As a carrier and broker, Safeway uses its own crews and third-party
agents vetted by the company to perform moving services. Safeway works primarily as a long-distance mover but also
advertises international relocation assistance. We took note of the forward-facing values on Safeway’s website,
highlighting the company’s commitment to integrity, accountability, and communication. Safeway advocates for senior
citizens, training move coordinators to provide extra help as necessary for senior moves. - Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG): Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is
an interstate broker that serves as an intermediary agent connecting customers with movers in its network. This
mover’s business model can save you major hassle by allowing IMRG to negotiate with providers to find the price and
service offerings that match your needs. With its movers driving routes across the country, IMRG often has the
flexibility to schedule moving dates on shorter notice than many competitors. It has an expedited quote process
that, in our experience, leads to same- or next-day binding estimates. - U-Pack: U-Pack’s DIY-centric service model makes it ideal for small or less-complicated
moves. The company provides driveway-to-driveway delivery of portable moving and storage containers at reasonable
prices without hidden fees or the need for in-home estimates. U-Pack’s ReloCubes are 6 feet long by 8 feet
wide—large enough to store the contents of a normal-sized living room. While you will likely need multiple ReloCubes
for your items, U-Pack will not charge you for any containers that you don’t end up using. For larger moves,
U-Pack’s cargo trailers may be a more cost-effective solution. Trailers can hold the furniture and belongings of a
typical three- or four-bedroom home. - Mayflower Moving: Mayflower Moving received high marks for its full range of local and
interstate moving services and its tiered insurance and protection options for all household goods. - United Van Lines: United Van Lines is one of the oldest full-service moving companies in the
industry. United provides typical full-service solutions such as packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking but
specializes in handling electronics. The company will disassemble and reassemble your home theater and PC network, a
service not offered by any other provider on our list. In addition, United Van Lines has its own fleet of carriers for
vehicle shipping and provides short- and long-term storage. United offers Snapmoves, a program geared specifically
toward those moving an apartment, dorm room, or storage unit. Snapmoves gives customers a full-service
experience—complete with a personal moving coordinator, full value protection of your belongings, and loading and
unloading—at a lower rate.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Moving Company in Illinois
- Licensing and Insurance: Verify that the company has the necessary permits to operate in Land of Lincoln and carries adequate insurance for damage or loss coverage.
- Reputation and Customer Reviews: Choose companies with stellar reputations in Illinois for customer service and care. Online reviews and word of mouth are invaluable.
- Pricing and Transparency: Look for clear estimates without hidden fees. Comparing prices can help you get a sense of the standard rates among Illinois movers.
- Services Offered: Whether you need comprehensive services (packing, moving, unpacking) or just transportation, make sure the company caters to your specific needs.
- Local Knowledge: Opt for movers familiar with the roads, neighborhoods, and traffic in Illinois to ensure a smooth move.
- Flexibility: A Illinois moving company that can accommodate last-minute changes without hefty fees is a plus. Check for flexibility in scheduling and services.
- Equipment and Professionalism: Ensure the company uses modern equipment and maintains a professional demeanor. The right tools and a courteous team can make a big difference.
Tips for a Smooth Move in Illinois
- Weather Watch: Illinois’ climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of “tornado alley”. So, keep an eye on the forecast and prepare for Illinois’s unpredictable weather with necessary precautions.
- Avoid Rush Hour in Big Cities: If moving through or to Chicago, plan to avoid traffic during peak hours (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM).
- Familiarize Yourself with Local Ordinances: Some towns in Illinois may have specific rules for moving trucks. Checking in advance can save hassle.
- Pack with the Season in Mind: Depending on your moving season, pack essentials that match Illinois’s weather, be it warm clothing or summer essentials.
- Secure Valuable Items: It’s safer to keep valuable personal items with you, instead of in the moving truck.
- Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks: Especially important on warm Illinois days, keep water handy and rest when needed during your move.
- Engage the Community: Introducing yourself to neighbors and seeking local advice can help you settle in faster in Land of Lincoln.
FAQs About Illinois Moving Companies
How much does it cost to hire professional movers in Illinois?
The average cost to hire professional movers in Illinois is $192.14 per hour. The total cost
will be determined by how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving.
What should I know about Illinois’s peak moving season?
Like most places, Illinois sees a surge in moves during the summer months when the weather is favorable
and school is out. This means moving companies might be busier and rates could be higher. If possible, consider moving
during the off-peak season for potentially better rates.
Are there any items moving companies in Illinois won’t transport
Most Illinois moving companies have a list of prohibited items they won’t move due to safety or regulatory
reasons.
Common items include hazardous materials, perishables, and in some cases, plants. It’s best to check with your chosen
moving company in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.