Long Distance Movers Chicago Families and Businesses Trust
Moving long distance is not the same as moving within the same town. You can’t go back and get a box that you had forgotten. If you make the wrong choice about who is loading your truck, it could result in weeks of waiting for a delayed delivery, having to deal with a damage claim, or being billed a different amount by the moving company than the price they originally quoted.
A Plus Chicago Movers has run a moving company in Chicago since 1967 and provide long distance mover Chicago to other places in Illinois and from Chicago to other parts of the Midwest and all the way across the country, always using the same teams, showing the same care, and giving the same clear answers to Chicago families and businesses over more than fifty years.
You’ll receive a proper walkthrough, get a genuine quote, and have a real person to contact while your things are being moved. That’s all. That’s the entire offer.
What Is Long Distance Moving, and Who Needs It?
A long distance move this is also known as an interstate move, an out-of-state move, or a cross-country move refers to any relocation that crosses state lines or amounts to about 100 miles or more, no matter whether you are moving a studio apartment or a five-bedroom house. Unlike a local move, which is generally charged on an hourly basis, long distance mover are usually priced according to the weight or volume of your shipment, the distance travelled, and the services you select. They are subject to a different set of federal regulations (interstate movers have to operate under the authority of the FMCSA, not just hold a state license).
People turn to a long distance moving company in Chicago when they’re:
- Relocating for a new job, transfer, or promotion
- Retiring or downsizing to another state
- Moving a family across the Midwest, the Sun Belt, or coast to coast
- Relocating a business, a satellite office, or a small team of employees
- Sending a student to or from a college outside Illinois
- Moving into or out of Chicago’s high-rises, where building logistics add a layer most out-of-town movers don’t plan for
Why hire a professional instead of renting a truck yourself?
The risk level varies depending on the distance. A dent caused by a do-it-yourself move when you’re moving across the town is only a nuisance. But when a dresser shifts and cracks after travelling 800 miles as part of a move with no one to blame and with no insurance it represents a real loss. When you use professional long distance movers chicago, you get a team that is trained, the right equipment, valuation coverage, and accountability for the whole process, from the moment the items leave your old front door to the time they reach your new one.
Our Long Distance Moving Services in Chicago
All long distance moving are not the same, and it’s by treating a move from a studio apartment in the same way as a move involving a five-bedroom house that customers end up either paying too much or not being adequately protected. That’s how we divide it up.
Residential Long Distance Moving
We provide full-service moving assistance to people who are relocating their houses, condos, or apartments either out of state or within the region. This includes inventorying, protecting, loading, transporting, and delivering all of your household furniture, boxes, appliances, and other unusual items (such as mirrors, mattresses, big-screen TVs, and dressers that don’t fit through doorways the way they used to).
Small & Partial Long Distance Moves
You don’t need to pay for moving an entire house. If you only want to move a studio flat, a few rooms or just the items that are most important to you, we’ll assess the job on those terms rather than insisting on a full-size shipment that you don’t need.
Corporate & Employee Relocation
If a business in Chicago needs to relocate its staff, open a new office in a different state, or move a team member with as little disruption as possible, we will arrange the timelines according to your business requirements rather than merely for the sake of convenience on moving day. We will work directly with your HR department or office managers to make things simple for you.
Long Distance Packing & Crating
Most long distance damage claims begin with the packing process. Our teams use professional-quality materials, adhere to the correct box weight limits, and provide extra protection for delicate and high-value items, offering custom crating for artworks, mirrors, marble, and other items that should not be packed in a standard box.
Long Distance Storage-in-Transit
Closing dates seldom match exactly with move-out dates. If your new house isn’t ready, we’ll be able to keep your shipment in secure storage for a few days or a few months, thereby avoiding the need for your move date to cause you any panic.
Specialty & Fragile Item Moving
The handling of pianos, antiques, fine art, and heirlooms is something that ordinary movers seldom manage. Instead of treating these items the same as all the other things on the truck, we deal with them separately.
Interstate Moving Services in Chicago: What “Full Service” Actually Includes
When you book with A Plus Chicago Movers for an interstate or cross-country mover, here’s what’s built into the process not sold back to you as a surprise add-on:
| Included in Every Long-Distance Move | What It Means for You |
| Furniture protection (padding & shrink wrap) | Fewer scuffs, dents, and disputes at delivery |
| Disassembly & reassembly of standard furniture | Beds, tables, and shelving arrive ready to use |
| Loading & unloading by trained crews | No day-labor gamble on moving day |
| Basic valuation coverage | A safety net is in place from pickup to delivery |
| Moving equipment (dollies, straps, tools) | The job gets done safely and efficiently |
| A single point of contact | One person who actually knows your move |
Cross Country Movers for Coast-to-Coast Relocations
No matter how far you are moving whether that’s just two states away or all the way across the country the basic principles of a successful long distance mover chicago remain the same: accurate inventory, honest pricing, and a realistic delivery schedule. The only difference between moving across states and a move that spans the entire country is the distance involved, the routing, and the timing, which is why we go through your particular route with you before giving you an estimate, rather than providing a fixed figure that takes no account of the distance.
Popular Long Distance Routes From Chicago
The fact that Chicago is situated at the junction of I-90, I-94, I-88, and I-55 means that it is one of the most efficient starting points in the United States for long distance moving. Among the routes for which we are most frequently asked about are:
- Chicago to Phoenix, Denver, and the broader Mountain West
- Chicago to Nashville, Atlanta, and Charlotte
- Chicago to Dallas, Austin, and Houston
- Chicago to Tampa, Orlando, and Miami
- Chicago to Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Minneapolis (regional Midwest moves)
- To Chicago, New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
- Chicago to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle
It’s alright if your route isn’t included, since in that case we will assess your particular estimate separately rather than using a general figure from a chart.
Why Chicago Families and Businesses Choose A Plus Chicago Movers
A Company Built on One Family’s Name, Not a Franchise Template
A Plus Chicago Movers was founded in 1967 by Al Hogan Sr. as A&T Moving and Storage, built on a simple promise: honest, A-plus quality moving service for Chicago homes, businesses, and students. His son, Al Hogan Jr., took over the business in 2000 and renamed it to better reflect that same standard. We’re not a national brand with a Chicago sticker slapped on a franchise agreement we’re a Chicago moving company that has answered the phone under the same family’s name for nearly six decades.
Licensed and Locally Accountable
We are licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ILCC 232817MC), are a business listed with the Better Business Bureau, and are affiliated with the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association (IMAWA), and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Those logos haven’t been purchased; they result from our memberships which carry with them certain standards.
Real Crews, Not a Brokered Guessing Game
It is frequently the case when having a long distance moving that the company you book ends up selling your shipment to a broker and then on to a subcontractor. Unlike this, we use our own trained teams so that the same company us has responsibility for the quotation of your move, the packing of your move and its delivery.
Experience With the Moves Nobody Else Wants to Handle
Doing same-day, next-day, and last-minute long distance mover is something we regularly handle rather than something we reluctantly allow ourselves to do. If you have a tight schedule, let us know since that’s exactly the sort of thing we’re used to discussing.
A Single Point of Contact, Start to Finish
There aren’t any call centres and no ‘let me put you through’ you speak to people who know Chicago, know about your move, and will pick up the phone.
How Our Long Distance Moving Process Works
Step 1 — Free Walkthrough (virtual or in person): Simply send us a short video of your home or arrange for a personal visit. We will examine all aspects of it such as the furniture, the boxes, any odd items, the stairs, the elevators, and access to the building looking at the details that ensure our estimates are accurate rather than overly optimistic.
Step 2 — A genuine, detailed quote: Using the walkthrough, we prepared a clear estimate showing what is included, the cost, and the delivery time frame there are no vague ranges and there is no pressure to agree on the spot.
Step 3 — Drawing up a tailored moving plan: we will confirm your move date as well as your pickup and delivery times, and look after any special requirements you have regarding the piano, the artwork, high-rise elevator reservations, and so on.
Step 4 — Professional Packing and Loading: If you’ve decided to use packing services, our team will look after this aspect by using the appropriate materials and adding the necessary labels. On the day of the move, all the items will be wrapped, protected, and loaded in an organised manner rather than being dumped into the truck to see what fits.
Step 5 — Transport: Your shipment travels to its destination on the timeline we agreed to, with a point of contact you can actually reach if you have a question mid-route.
Step 6 — Delivery, Unloading & Placement: At your new address, we unload, place furniture where you want it, and reassemble what we took apart. We don’t consider the job done until it’s actually done.
Step 7 — Follow-Up: We check in after delivery. If something needs attention, you’re not chasing us down to get it.
Moving Long Distance From Chicago: What Makes It Different
While it is true that any moving company could claim “we serve Chicago”, few of them actually take into account how Chicago functions.
The need for a freight elevator reservation, a certificate of insurance (COI), and a specific move-in and move-out period is affected by high-rise and mid-rise buildings. When you are moving out of River North, Streeterville, the Loop, the West Loop, or the South Loop, it is likely that your building will require all three of these things, and we incorporate them into your moving plan rather than finding out about them on the day you move.
Access in different parts of the neighbourhood varies from one block to another. In places such as Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, and Lincoln Park the streets are narrow and there are alleys which means that if the truck is the wrong size or the crew are not familiar with the permit-parking rules it could take you hours. Parking and truck access are planned as part of the estimate and not left until later.
The first day of the month is a citywide event; Chicago has one of the most concentrated lease-turnover cycles in the country, many of the moves taking place between May 1 and October 1. It’s not merely advisable to book early during this period, it’s the way to secure your preferred date rather than having to take whichever date remains.
The routing calculations have to take winter into account. When carrying out long distance deliveries from Chicago between December and March, buffer time must be included to allow for weather-related delays on the interstate routes, particularly in the case of journeys heading north or passing through mountain passes. Instead of giving a date that cannot be guaranteed, we add this buffer time to the delivery windows.
We cover the entire Chicagoland area, which includes Evanston, Oak Park, Schaumburg, and Naperville, as well as the city itself, so no matter where your move begins, we are already familiar with the roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire long-distance movers in Chicago?
The cost will vary according to the size and weight of your shipment, the distance to your destination, the time of year, and any extra services you choose such as packing or storage. As a rough idea, moving out of state from Chicago generally falls between about $800 for a studio and over $9,500 for a large house. Still, the only truly accurate figure is one based on your actual belongings, which is exactly why our free walkthrough is offered.
What’s the difference between a local move and a long-distance move?
Local moves in Illinois are generally charged on an hourly basis and are regulated at the state level. In contrast, long-distance moves that cross state lines are usually charged according to the weight of the shipment and the distance travelled, are governed by federal interstate moving regulations, and need different documentation, including the valuation coverage disclosures which are required by law.
How far in advance should I book a long-distance move from Chicago?
You should aim to book at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance, and if you’re moving during the peak season (from May through September) or around the 1st of the month, when the volume of leases being turned over in Chicago is highest, then it’s best to book even earlier. Even if you want to move on short notice, you can just call us and we’ll give you a honest assessment of what is realistic for your move date.
Do you handle moves outside of Illinois, or just within the state?
We carry out moves throughout Illinois, moves over the entire Midwest region, and long distance relocations from coast to coast. Just let us know where you want to move to and we’ll show you precisely how the move would work.
Can I get a guaranteed, binding price instead of an estimate that changes at delivery?
Yes, after we have finished your walkthrough and checked over your inventory, we will give you a written estimate so that you know what to expect. We will always make it clear whether your quote is binding or is subject to change if further items or services are added after the walkthrough.
Are there items long-distance movers can’t transport?
Certainly, anything hazardous such as propane, gasoline, aerosols and cleaning chemicals as well as perishable food, live plants and animals, and items like cash, jewellery, and important documents are either legally restricted or it is advisable to keep them with you rather than leaving them on the truck. Before the move we will give you the full list.
Do you offer packing services for long-distance moves, or do I have to pack everything myself?
We provide both full and partial packing services; many customers who are moving long distances prefer full packing since this is the most important factor when it comes to a long-distance move namely that items packed professionally are less likely to shift, break or get damaged after covering hundreds of miles.
Can I store my belongings if my new home isn’t ready on my move date?
Yes, we provide both short-term and long-term storage options so that your move date doesn’t have to match exactly with the date of your closing or the start of your lease.
Do you handle small or partial long-distance moves, not just full households?
Certainly, in the case where you’re only moving a few rooms, a studio, or certain high-value items, we’ll scope out the job so that you don’t have to pay the full price that applies to moving an entire house.
What happens if something is damaged during my move?
Basic valuation is included in every policy, and if you would like more extensive coverage for valuable items you can choose extra protection. In the case of damage you will have a direct line to our company rather than having to go through a claims department that is tucked away within a broker network.
Does my Chicago building require a certificate of insurance for the moving truck?
In order for movers to use the freight elevator or the loading dock in many of the high-rise and managed buildings in Chicago a COI is required. Please let us know what your building’s requirements are when you book so that we can have the necessary documentation ready before your move date.
