Best Moving Companies in Illinois
The moving experience can be stressful, whether you’re moving across town or across the country. Under most circumstances, the cheapest option is moving yourself. However, this option is rarely the wisest, and it’s never the easiest. Professional moving companies can transport your belongings safely and efficiently, saving you countless hours and providing peace of mind.
If you live in Illinois, there are dozens of reputable moving services available when it comes time to move. In this article, we’ll discuss seven of the best moving companies in your state, rating each on their services, equipment, availability, and price.
7 Top Moving Companies in Illinois
Our team researched dozens of moving companies, and these are our top-rated choices for moving companies in Illinois:
Compare the Top Moving Companies in Illinois
FMCSA Licensing
Average Price*
Deposit Required
Pros
- Flexible insurance plans
- Free month of storage
- Upfront pricing
- Hires movers who average 10 years of experience
- Provides fixed-rate quotes
- Trains its employees regularly to efficiently handle special packing and crating
- Background-checked movers
- Financing available
- Intuitive AI-assisted online quote tool
- Climate-controlled storage facilities
- Expedited relocation services
- In-house vehicle shipping
- Budget-planning service
- No deposit
- Only provides binding estimates
- GPS tracking is available
- Fast delivery times
- Less expensive pricing than full-service movers
Cons
- Below-average customer reviews
- Outsources some moves
- Requires up to a 25% deposit
- Charges higher average prices
- Has limited customer service on weekends
- Requires a deposit of up to 50% of the total cost
- Higher-than-average pricing
- Long quote process
- No refund on your deposit
- Misleading quote tool
- No weekend support
- Slow claims process
- Items may take 10–14 days to arrive
- Limited storage services according to zip code
- Three-day requirement for cancellations
- Cancelation fee charged if within a week of your service date
- Moves must exceed 150 miles
- Storage only available at a company facility
Summary
We recommend International Van Lines (IVL) if you want the most moving service options possible. The company boasts one of the most extensive moving service catalogs at highly competitive rates.
We recommend American Van Lines if you’re moving high-end items or antiques because it focuses on training its staff to move difficult and valuable items.
We recommend JK Moving Services for its ability to offer financing options through its partnership with Enhancify and its high-end, white-glove packing services.
We recommend Allied if you want to ship a vehicle due to the company’s in-house vehicle relocation services.
We recommend North American Van Lines (NAVL) as the best long-distance mover overall because of its customizable insurance packages, highly rated customer service, and extensive service options.
We recommend U-Pack if you’re moving on a tight budget. You can save big if you’re willing to handle most of the labor yourself, but the company also offers third-party assistance with packing and loading services.
Rating Categories
Customer Service
Reputation
Value
Service Offerings
Item Protection
Scheduling
Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Deposit Required | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
A+ | 25% | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | Up to 50% up-front | GET ESTIMATE | ||
B- | Up to 40% | GET ESTIMATE | ||
B | Up to 33% | GET ESTIMATE | ||
B | Varies between partners | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | $250 up-front | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | None | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | None | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | None | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | None | GET ESTIMATE |
Our Top Picks For Moving Companies In Illinois
Compare the Services of the Best Moving Companies in Illinois
Easily compare how the top moving companies in Illinois stack up:
Provider | Free Estimate | Local Moves | Interstate Moves | Labor Included |
---|---|---|---|---|
International Van Lines | Get Estimate | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
American Van Lines | Get Estimate | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
U-Pack | Get Estimate | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
JK Moving | Get Estimate | ✘ (except VA, MD, and DC) | ✔ | ✔ |
Allied Van Lines | Get Estimate | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
North American Van Lines | Get Estimate | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
PODS | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Our Conclusion
Different Illinois movers will have different needs. The size and weight of your possessions, the distance of your move, your budget, and the amount of labor needed will all affect which company will be the best choice for you. If you are moving cross-country, check out our picks for the best long-distance movers.
We recommend starting with a home inventory and getting free quotes from several companies, including International Van Lines, Allied and North American Van Lines.
Useful Resources for Residents in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hiring professional movers worth it when moving in Illinois?
While moving yourself is usually the cheapest option, it can end up costing more than you bargained for if you don’t properly transport your items. Professional movers can save you time, but they can also save you money by protecting your most important belongings.
What is the best DIY moving company for Illinois moves?
If you’re looking to handle the packing and unpacking on your own, PODS and U-Pack are excellent options. Both companies will drop off a storage container, allow you to load it yourself, and drop it off at your new address. Storage options are also available.
How do I know how much space I need?
The best way to determine space is through an in-home estimate. Many moving companies, such as JK Moving Services, offer these in-home estimates, while other companies offer online tools to help you approximate the amount of space you’ll need.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.