Moving from California to 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 (last updated ), not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. Carriers: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census, snapshot 2026-09-24. We do not move anyone.
- 2,019 miLos Angeles → Chicago
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $9,086+2-bedroom, movers
- 75City routes priced
In short
About 15,128 people moved from California to Illinois in 2024 (Census estimate, ±2,843), and about 19,953 went the other way. Between Los Angeles and Chicago it is 2,019 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $9,086 – $12,114 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 431 movers based in California hold interstate authority.
Who moves from California to Illinois
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 15,128 people a year (±2,843), against about 19,953 (±5,236) from Illinois to California, so Illinois loses about 4,825 people a year on this exchange. California is the 2nd-largest of the 48 states sending people to Illinois; Illinois took in about 199,996 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | Cook County | 2,622 ±589 |
| Orange County | Cook County | 842 ±312 |
| Alameda County | Cook County | 823 ±390 |
| San Francisco County | Cook County | 753 ±247 |
| Santa Clara County | Cook County | 649 ±257 |
US Census Bureau: ACS 2024 state-to-state migration and ACS 2016–2020 county-to-county flows; people a year with a 90% margin of error. County names link to their cost guides.
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. 10 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.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in California
288 of the 431 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 2,633 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 233 of 1,930 vehicle inspections (12.1%), below the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 330 of 2,512 driver inspections (13.1%, against 13.0%). None has an acute or critical violation from an FMCSA investigation in the past 12 months.
| Carrier | Inspections | Vehicle out of service | Driver out of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meathead Movers IncSan Luis Obispo, CA · USDOT 921143 | 125 | 3 of 87 | 8 of 125 |
| Best California MoversNorth Hollywood, CA · USDOT 3489907 | 91 | 1 of 70 | 8 of 87 |
| Air Container TransferBrisbane, CA · USDOT 1701515 | 63 | 8 of 56 | 1 of 63 |
| Altar Boys MovingPacoima, CA · USDOT 2824890 | 63 | 3 of 33 | 5 of 56 |
| Move Happy AcmeLos Angeles, CA · USDOT 3136064 | 61 | 8 of 39 | 8 of 58 |
| American Hills Moving & Storage IncWest Hills, CA · USDOT 4128186 | 49 | 3 of 29 | 30 of 49 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
1,592 listed household-goods carriers are based in California, 431 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the California directory ranks them. At the Illinois end, 341 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in Illinois, moving costs in Illinois, or the reverse trip, Illinois to California. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
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. A move from California into Illinois is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 1,592 listed movers based in California, 431 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within California.
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, about $6,542 – $8,722, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from California to Illinois each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 15,128 people (±2,843) moved from California to Illinois that year, against about 19,953 (±5,236) from Illinois to California. That makes California the 2nd-largest source of new residents for Illinois among the states.