Affordable Los Angeles to Chicago Movers
Here’s What Folks are Saying about Pricing Van Lines
500,000+ happy customers and counting. Here’s what a few of them had to say about us:
Moving from LA to Chicago on a Budget? Better Book Pricing Van Lines
Los Angeles is expensive, but your movers don’t have to be. They don’t have to be sketchy, either. At Pricing Van Lines, we’re all about affordable moving, without sacrificing on quality.
When you book with Pricing Van Lines, you’re getting a trained, licensed, and certified team to take care of the heavy lifting. We also let you custom-build your move by picking and choosing the exact services you need on the big day.
We know you’re desperate to get out of town, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for a couple of randos who may or may not deliver your stuff. Pricing Van Lines is here to help. Tell us a little more about your move, and we’ll send you a free quote.
Why Choose Pricing Van Lines?
Transparent Pricing
We don’t like hidden fees either. What you see is what you pay.
Tailored Moves
There’s no one-size-fits all in moving. Pick and choose your services, instead.
Great Support
We may be cheap, but we’re not sketchy. Our movers have their papers in order.
Moving Services from Los Angeles to Chicago
Packing and Unpacking
“Oh, Pricing Van Lines, I was gonna just do my own packing and -” LMAO NOPE. Believe us, DIY packing isn’t worth the extra effort – and we’re not just saying that because we’re professional movers.
You’ll spend hours wrapping, packing, and taping stuff up, and then you’ll realize you misplaced something important. You’ll also run out of supplies, and you’ll have to make multiple trips to get more boxes for all your stuff. And the extra kicker? Full-value moving insurance isn’t usually available if you DIY’d the packing. This means if your old Iron Maiden t-shirts aren’t enough to keep your PS5 safe, you’ll be practically paying out-of-pocket for the replacement.
Specialty Item Moving
This means pianos, pool tables, sectionals, and all those other heavy, awkward, or expensive items. You’re not gonna fit this stuff in your car, and you’re not gonna trust some random guys with a truck to handle the transport, either. You need pros who know what they’re doing, and that’s what Pricing Van Lines offers.
If you need specialty item moving, we’ll send an elite team to wrap everything up and get it to point B. They’ll come prepared with all the tools and equipment to keep it super safe, too: dollies, hand trucks, and heavy artillery like custom crating supplies.
Storage Solutions
Storage is a lifesaver for a few key reasons. First (and most obviously), it puts a roof over all your excess stuff while you try and pawn it off or find a new home for it. And secondly, it gives you a bit of extra time to get moved in and resituated at your own pace.
At Pricing Van Lines, we threw in a third bonus to sweeten the deal. We’re a full-service storage provider. This means once you need your items, we’ll deliver them to your front door. No need to take a trip to a storage unit to haul it yourself!
How Long Does it Take to Move from Los Angeles to Chicago?
Moving from LA to Chicago will take from 5 to 21 days. This is party due to the rules set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They don’t permit drivers to pull more than 11 hour shifts per day, and if a driver has clocked a suspiciously high number of miles for those 11 hours, the FMCSA may investigate them for unsafe practices (like speeding).
Aside from the rules and red tape, moving companies often practice bundling. This is the fine art of loading multiple moves in one truck or trailer to minimize wasted space (while keeping everything safe, secure, and separate, of course). Bundling is great for efficiency. It’s also great for your wallet. But it’s not so awesome for your schedule, since your movers will have to make a few stops on the route to offload items or make some pickups.
How Much Does it Cost to Move from Los Angeles to Chicago?
Movers from Los Angeles to Chicago cost between $1,728 and $14,555+. Long distance movers charge per pound and per mile, and there’s about 2,000 miles to cover.
Moving by yourself with a truck costs between $300 and $9,000+, depending on the size of your home and the distance.
Take a look at this chart to get a more exact figure for your move:
| Home Size | 100 miles | 100-1000 miles | 1000-2000 miles | 2000+ miles |
| Studio/1-Bed | $1,728 – $3,000 | $2,000 – $4,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $3,500 – $6,000 |
| 2-Bedroom | $2,000 – $4,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $4,500 – $8,000 | $5,000 – $8,500 |
| 3-Bedroom | $2,500 – $5,000 | $4,000 – $7,000 | $6,000 – $10,000 | $7,000 – $11,000 |
| 4-Bedroom | $3,000 – $6,000 | $5,000 – $8,000 | $7,000 – $12,000 | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| 5-Bedroom | $4,000 – $7,500 | $6,500 – $10,000 | $9,000 – $14,000 | $12,000 – $14,555+ |
How is Chicago Compared to Los Angeles?
If you asked us like… ten years ago if LA is better than Chicago, it’d be obvious. Now, tons of people have moved from LA to Chicago, and we get it: Prices are up, crime is up, and those homeless camps aren’t going anywhere. But what can you expect from your new hometown?
The first thing you’ll probably notice about Chicago is it’s cheaper than Los Angeles. Maybe not as cheap as you were expecting, but the rent’s still about $2,300 a month, and home prices are around $500,000. That sounds steep, until you remember LA averages like $2,800 per month for rent, and $1.2 MILLION for a house.
Another positive you’ll note is there’s much less traffic. That’s because Chicago has a functioning public transport system. (Don’t give us that crap about the LA Metro; we know you weren’t using it anyways.) If you’re one of those weirdos on Reddit who keeps whining about “walkable cities”, Chicago is going to be a breath of fresh air for ya.
Speaking of air, let’s talk climate. There’s less smog in Chicago, but there’s also less sunshine. LA weather is pretty great. Chicago? Not so much. Summer’s nice, but the winter’s are punishing. Pack your coats – or better yet, buy your coats in Chicago so you don’t have to pay your movers to haul ‘em, too.
Tips to Make Moving Easier
Book far in advance
The earlier you book, the better your prices will be. Plus, there’ll be less competition for those must-have services. Try and give yourself about 2 or 3 months of runway before moving day.
Communicate clearly
It’s important to get in touch with your movers as soon as possible so you’re all on the same page - not just about the route and the inventory, but also about any obstacles for the crew, and the restricted items they won’t transport.
Use a staging area
If you put all your stuff in one easy-to-access corner or bedroom, it’ll speed up the loading process. It’ll also make it easier for you to keep track of your inventory.
Pack an essentials bag
Get a suitcase or a backpack, and treat it like you’re going on a mini-vacation. You’ll be living out of this bag for a couple of days, so load it up with your everyday toiletries, chargers, electronics, and a few changes of clothing.
Throw a party
This one sounds fun, but there’s a sneaky ulterior motive. Throw a goodbye party, and you can get rid of all your perishable foods. You can also dupe your friends into helping with packing or tidying up.
Take inventory
Make a list of everything you're moving to ensure nothing gets lost and to help with check-in at your new home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors affect your final price?
Aside from the distance and dimensions, there are a few other factors that can affect your final price. Here are some common culprits:
- Access fees: If your movers have to deal with a bunch of stairs, elevators, gates, or other inconveniences, they’ll charge you extra for the extra fun. Communicate these obstacles clearly so you’re all on the same page.
- Shuttle fees: Some cities don’t let big moving trucks clog their teeny tiny little streets. In these cases, your movers will have to park out in the boonies and use a smaller truck or van to shuttle your stuff that final distance. (Blame city hall for this one.)
- Goodies and extras: Some services cost extra, but they’re worth the money. Packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, car transport… they’re optional, but helpful. See if any of these goodies are included when you’re shopping for quotes.
How can I save money on my move?
Downsize as much as you can before shopping for quotes. Long distance moving companies charge per pound, per mile. You can’t do much about the distance between LA and Chicago, but you can certainly trim the fat so you don’t have to pay as much.
If you don’t like an item, don’t pay to take it with you: Host a garage sale, pawn it off, or just give it away.
Do I need moving insurance?
Every long distance moving company is federally required to provide basic moving coverage, but it’s only good for $0.60 per pound of items lost, damaged, or destroyed.
On the other hand, full value moving coverage will reimburse you the actual price of your items. You’ve seen the roads in LA, and you’ve got 2,000 miles to travel. Do you really want to risk it?
How can I tell if a moving company is legit?
Check your mover’s website for their DOT (Department of Transportation) and FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) number.
If these numbers aren’t clearly visible on their website, don’t be afraid to ask. You can also look up a moving company on the FMCSA’s website.
Why does it cost so much money to move?
Moving is expensive because it’s a lot of work, and gas ain’t cheap. But it’s also expensive because big name moving companies make you pay for a bunch of services you don’t end up needing on moving day.
Is moving yourself worth it?
DIY moving is cheap, but only if you do it right. You’ll still have to pay for a truck rental, packing supplies, gas, food, and lodging. And if you have to take time off from work to move, you’ll also be missing out on some much-needed paychecks.
The savings from a DIY job can dry up pretty fast, so you may as well just shell out a little extra for professional movers and let them handle the hard stuff.
Book Your Move from Los Angeles to Chicago Today
LA was fun while it lasted, but now it’s time to get out of town. Long distance moving companies don’t have to break the bank, and with Pricing Van Lines, you can get a great deal on LA to Chicago movers who care.
We’ve made it easier than ever to book online. Just tell us more about your move, and we’ll get you on the road:
- 15% off seasonal discount
- 10% off for early reservations
- 10% off for flexible pickup windows