Moving from Californiato Illinois
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Chicago it is 2,019 miles and 5 days on the road (about 37 hours of driving); the 75 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,829 to 2,153 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Los Angeles to Chicago, the representative route
Each state is represented by its largest city we cover. The map shows that corridor; the table further down prices every city pair between California and Illinois.
Cost of moving from California to Illinois
At 2,019 miles, full-service movers should land around $9,086 – $12,114 for a two-bedroom home and $10,448 – $13,931 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $6,542 – $8,722; a freight trailer is $4,361 – $5,815.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $6,814 – $9,086 | $4,906 – $6,542 | $3,271 – $4,361 |
| 1 bedroom | $8,177 – $10,903 | $5,887 – $7,850 | $3,925 – $5,233 |
| 2 bedrooms | $9,086 – $12,114 | $6,542 – $8,722 | $4,361 – $5,815 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,448 – $13,931 | $7,523 – $10,030 | $5,015 – $6,687 |
| 4 bedrooms | $11,811 – $15,748 | $8,504 – $11,339 | $5,669 – $7,559 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $13,628 – $18,171 | $9,812 – $13,083 | $6,542 – $8,722 |
Transport only, for 2,019 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
City-to-city routes from California to Illinois
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 25 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino to Springfield | ~1,829 mi | 7–14 days | $8,231 – $10,974 | $9,465 – $12,620 |
| Moreno Valley to Springfield | ~1,830 mi | 7–14 days | $8,235 – $10,980 | $9,470 – $12,627 |
| Fontana to Springfield | ~1,841 mi | 7–14 days | $8,285 – $11,046 | $9,527 – $12,703 |
| San Bernardino to Peoria | ~1,841 mi | 7–14 days | $8,285 – $11,046 | $9,527 – $12,703 |
| Riverside to Springfield | ~1,842 mi | 7–14 days | $8,289 – $11,052 | $9,532 – $12,710 |
| Moreno Valley to Peoria | ~1,843 mi | 7–14 days | $8,294 – $11,058 | $9,538 – $12,717 |
| Ontario to Springfield | ~1,851 mi | 7–14 days | $8,330 – $11,106 | $9,579 – $12,772 |
| Fontana to Peoria | ~1,852 mi | 7–14 days | $8,334 – $11,112 | $9,584 – $12,779 |
| Riverside to Peoria | ~1,854 mi | 7–14 days | $8,343 – $11,124 | $9,594 – $12,793 |
| Chula Vista to Springfield | ~1,862 mi | 7–14 days | $8,379 – $11,172 | $9,636 – $12,848 |
| Ontario to Peoria | ~1,863 mi | 7–14 days | $8,384 – $11,178 | $9,641 – $12,855 |
| Anaheim to Springfield | ~1,867 mi | 7–14 days | $8,402 – $11,202 | $9,662 – $12,882 |
| Lancaster to Springfield | ~1,867 mi | 7–14 days | $8,402 – $11,202 | $9,662 – $12,882 |
| San Diego to Springfield | ~1,868 mi | 7–14 days | $8,406 – $11,208 | $9,667 – $12,889 |
| Irvine to Springfield | ~1,873 mi | 7–14 days | $8,429 – $11,238 | $9,693 – $12,924 |
| Lancaster to Peoria | ~1,876 mi | 7–14 days | $8,442 – $11,256 | $9,708 – $12,944 |
| Chula Vista to Peoria | ~1,878 mi | 7–14 days | $8,451 – $11,268 | $9,719 – $12,958 |
| Santa Ana to Springfield | ~1,878 mi | 7–14 days | $8,451 – $11,268 | $9,719 – $12,958 |
| Anaheim to Peoria | ~1,879 mi | 7–14 days | $8,456 – $11,274 | $9,724 – $12,965 |
| San Diego to Peoria | ~1,884 mi | 7–14 days | $8,478 – $11,304 | $9,750 – $13,000 |
| Irvine to Peoria | ~1,886 mi | 7–14 days | $8,487 – $11,316 | $9,760 – $13,013 |
| Los Angeles to Springfield | ~1,890 mi | 7–14 days | $8,505 – $11,340 | $9,781 – $13,041 |
| Santa Ana to Peoria | ~1,890 mi | 7–14 days | $8,505 – $11,340 | $9,781 – $13,041 |
| Santa Clarita to Springfield | ~1,895 mi | 7–14 days | $8,528 – $11,370 | $9,807 – $13,076 |
| Long Beach to Springfield | ~1,896 mi | 7–14 days | $8,532 – $11,376 | $9,812 – $13,082 |
| Los Angeles to Peoria | ~1,901 mi | 7–14 days | $8,555 – $11,406 | $9,838 – $13,117 |
| Bakersfield to Springfield | ~1,902 mi | 7–14 days | $8,559 – $11,412 | $9,843 – $13,124 |
| Santa Clarita to Peoria | ~1,905 mi | 7–14 days | $8,573 – $11,430 | $9,858 – $13,145 |
| Bakersfield to Peoria | ~1,908 mi | 7–14 days | $8,586 – $11,448 | $9,874 – $13,165 |
| Long Beach to Peoria | ~1,908 mi | 7–14 days | $8,586 – $11,448 | $9,874 – $13,165 |
| Fresno to Springfield | ~1,913 mi | 7–14 days | $8,609 – $11,478 | $9,900 – $13,200 |
| Fresno to Peoria | ~1,915 mi | 7–14 days | $8,618 – $11,490 | $9,910 – $13,214 |
| Oxnard to Springfield | ~1,945 mi | 7–14 days | $8,753 – $11,670 | $10,065 – $13,421 |
| Oxnard to Peoria | ~1,955 mi | 7–14 days | $8,798 – $11,730 | $10,117 – $13,490 |
| Roseville to Peoria | ~1,961 mi | 7–14 days | $8,825 – $11,766 | $10,148 – $13,531 |
| Modesto to Peoria | ~1,967 mi | 7–14 days | $8,852 – $11,802 | $10,179 – $13,572 |
| Roseville to Springfield | ~1,967 mi | 7–14 days | $8,852 – $11,802 | $10,179 – $13,572 |
| Modesto to Springfield | ~1,969 mi | 7–14 days | $8,861 – $11,814 | $10,190 – $13,586 |
| San Bernardino to Chicago | ~1,972 mi | 7–14 days | $8,874 – $11,832 | $10,205 – $13,607 |
| Moreno Valley to Chicago | ~1,975 mi | 7–14 days | $8,888 – $11,850 | $10,221 – $13,628 |
| Sacramento to Peoria | ~1,976 mi | 7–14 days | $8,892 – $11,856 | $10,226 – $13,634 |
| Stockton to Peoria | ~1,978 mi | 7–14 days | $8,901 – $11,868 | $10,236 – $13,648 |
| Sacramento to Springfield | ~1,981 mi | 7–14 days | $8,915 – $11,886 | $10,252 – $13,669 |
| Stockton to Springfield | ~1,981 mi | 7–14 days | $8,915 – $11,886 | $10,252 – $13,669 |
| Fontana to Chicago | ~1,983 mi | 7–14 days | $8,924 – $11,898 | $10,262 – $13,683 |
| Riverside to Chicago | ~1,986 mi | 7–14 days | $8,937 – $11,916 | $10,278 – $13,703 |
| Ontario to Chicago | ~1,994 mi | 7–14 days | $8,973 – $11,964 | $10,319 – $13,759 |
| Lancaster to Chicago | ~2,005 mi | 7–14 days | $9,023 – $12,030 | $10,376 – $13,835 |
| Anaheim to Chicago | ~2,010 mi | 7–14 days | $9,045 – $12,060 | $10,402 – $13,869 |
| Chula Vista to Chicago | ~2,014 mi | 7–14 days | $9,063 – $12,084 | $10,422 – $13,897 |
| Irvine to Chicago | ~2,018 mi | 7–14 days | $9,081 – $12,108 | $10,443 – $13,924 |
| Los Angeles to Chicago | 2,019 mi | 7–14 days | $9,086 – $12,114 | $10,448 – $13,931 |
| Santa Ana to Chicago | ~2,022 mi | 7–14 days | $9,099 – $12,132 | $10,464 – $13,952 |
| Fremont to Peoria | ~2,028 mi | 7–14 days | $9,126 – $12,168 | $10,495 – $13,993 |
| San Jose to Peoria | ~2,028 mi | 7–14 days | $9,126 – $12,168 | $10,495 – $13,993 |
| Fremont to Springfield | ~2,030 mi | 7–14 days | $9,135 – $12,180 | $10,505 – $14,007 |
| San Jose to Springfield | ~2,030 mi | 7–14 days | $9,135 – $12,180 | $10,505 – $14,007 |
| Bakersfield to Chicago | ~2,034 mi | 7–14 days | $9,153 – $12,204 | $10,526 – $14,035 |
| Santa Clarita to Chicago | ~2,034 mi | 7–14 days | $9,153 – $12,204 | $10,526 – $14,035 |
| Fresno to Chicago | ~2,035 mi | 7–14 days | $9,158 – $12,210 | $10,531 – $14,042 |
| Long Beach to Chicago | ~2,039 mi | 7–14 days | $9,176 – $12,234 | $10,552 – $14,069 |
| Oakland to Peoria | ~2,040 mi | 7–14 days | $9,180 – $12,240 | $10,557 – $14,076 |
| Oakland to Springfield | ~2,043 mi | 7–14 days | $9,194 – $12,258 | $10,573 – $14,097 |
| San Francisco to Peoria | ~2,049 mi | 7–14 days | $9,221 – $12,294 | $10,604 – $14,138 |
| San Francisco to Springfield | ~2,052 mi | 7–14 days | $9,234 – $12,312 | $10,619 – $14,159 |
| Roseville to Chicago | ~2,071 mi | 7–14 days | $9,320 – $12,426 | $10,717 – $14,290 |
| Modesto to Chicago | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| Oxnard to Chicago | ~2,084 mi | 7–14 days | $9,378 – $12,504 | $10,785 – $14,380 |
| Sacramento to Chicago | ~2,086 mi | 7–14 days | $9,387 – $12,516 | $10,795 – $14,393 |
| Stockton to Chicago | ~2,091 mi | 7–14 days | $9,410 – $12,546 | $10,821 – $14,428 |
| San Francisco to Chicago | 2,135 mi | 7–14 days | $9,608 – $12,810 | $11,049 – $14,732 |
| Fremont to Chicago | ~2,142 mi | 7–14 days | $9,639 – $12,852 | $11,085 – $14,780 |
| San Jose to Chicago | ~2,143 mi | 7–14 days | $9,644 – $12,858 | $11,090 – $14,787 |
| San Diego to Chicago | 2,146 mi | 7–14 days | $9,657 – $12,876 | $11,106 – $14,807 |
| Oakland to Chicago | ~2,153 mi | 7–14 days | $9,689 – $12,918 | $11,142 – $14,856 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
What the interstate rules give you
A licensed carrier. Active interstate operating authority (an MC number) and a USDOT number, both checkable on the FMCSA register. A company that offers neither is a broker at best.
A written estimate before loading. Binding fixes the price for the listed inventory; non-binding follows the weighed shipment. The carrier cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with the balance billed within 30 days. Ask for binding not-to-exceed by name, after a survey.
Valuation. Released-value protection is included at 60 cents per pound per item; full-value protection is the upgrade worth buying for 2,019 miles of handling.
A delivery window, in writing. If it is on the bill of lading, missing it entitles you to delay costs. If it is not, it entitles you to an apology.
Interstate movers based in California
1,617 household-goods carriers in California are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Air Container Transfer, Brisbane · USDOT 1701515 · 60 trucks
- Meathead Movers Inc, San Luis Obispo · USDOT 921143 · 53 trucks
- Waters Moving & Storage Inc, Martinez · USDOT 1125579 · 35 trucks
- Move Happy Acme, Los Angeles · USDOT 3136064 · 31 trucks
- Crown Worldwide Moving And Storage Llc, Union City · USDOT 2970 · 25 trucks
At the Illinois end
351 household-goods carriers are based in Illinois — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Chicago runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $9,086 – $12,114 | $11,358 – $15,143 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,448 – $13,931 | $13,060 – $17,414 |
Transit is 7 to 14 days. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer. Trailers on this corridor fill faster in summer, but crews and trucks are stretched, so windows get wider, not shorter.
Other moves from California
California to Illinois moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Illinois?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Chicago, the distance is 2,019 miles. From our model that is $9,086 – $12,114 for a two-bedroom home and $10,448 – $13,931 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $6,542 – $8,722 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $4,361 – $5,815. Across the 75 city pairs we price between California and Illinois, distances run from 1,829 to 2,153 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Illinois take?
Los Angeles to Chicago is 5 days on the road (about 37 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 7 to 14 days, because at this distance it usually travels on a consolidated load sharing trailer space with other households. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for California to Illinois?
Yes. Any move that crosses from California into Illinois is regulated by the FMCSA, and the carrier must hold active interstate operating authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. Check both on the FMCSA register before you sign. Interstate carriers must give you a written estimate, the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and access to an arbitration programme, and cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate before releasing your goods.
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Illinois?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $4,361 – $5,815 for a two-bedroom home over 2,019 miles against $9,086 – $12,114 with full-service movers. A container splits the difference and gives you days to load. On any of them, moving between October and April, mid-month and mid-week, is worth another 20 to 30 percent — a peak-season date puts the three-bedroom figure at $13,060 – $17,414 rather than $10,448 – $13,931.