Real cost estimates and top Albany movers for your Illinois move. Covers the ~945-mile route with cost-of-living data and practical logistics tips.
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If you're leaving Albany for Illinois, you're looking at a roughly 945-mile move — long enough that picking the wrong mover or the wrong method will cost you in time, money, or both. Whether you're chasing Chicago's job market or just ready to leave upstate winters behind, getting your numbers and logistics sorted before you book anything is worth the effort.
I looked at 8 Albany-area movers equipped to handle interstate moves and identified the five worth serious consideration for this route. Here's what the data shows.
Out of 8 Albany movers that handle state-to-state relocations, these five ranked highest for an Albany-to-Illinois move:
515 Third Avenue Extension, Rensselaer, NY 12144
93% positive | 7% negative
Mabey's sits at the top of this list for a reason. Across 254 reviews, 93% land in positive territory — and the specific praise matters: professional crews, careful handling, and long-distance moves that went smoothly start to finish. Those last two things count for a lot on a 945-mile haul. Where it slips: a handful of complaints about final costs drifting from estimates and rare damage claims. Not disqualifying, but worth pressing them on upfront. In my read of the feedback, Mabey's earns its ranking.
Phone: (518) 283-0017 | DOT #: 125550 | State License #: 623 | Years in Business: 68
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, office moves, storage
198 Morris Road, Schenectady, NY 12303
82% positive | 17% negative
Clark consistently draws praise for professionalism, careful packing, and — usefully — competitive pricing compared to other Albany companies. On a longer route where costs stack up, that matters. The negative 17% points to familiar issues: damaged items, unexpected charges, and communication gaps when things go sideways. Clark appears to do well when the move goes to plan; it's the exception handling that needs work. Still worth a quote.
Phone: (518) 370-4100 | DOT #: 125563 | State License #: 37553 | Years in Business: 31
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, office moves, storage; credit cards accepted
981 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
95% positive | 5% negative
Don's has the highest positive sentiment rate on this list — 95% across a large review pool. Customers highlight speed, professionalism, and a crew that actually seems to care about the job. The negatives cluster around pricing surprises and occasional damage claims, mostly tied to unclear estimate communication. What I'd tell a friend: get your quote in writing and ask specifically what happens if something gets damaged. With those conversations had upfront, Don's is a strong pick for this route. They also handle specialty items — pianos, art, antiques, safes, craning — if that's relevant to your situation.
Phone: (518) 492-1041 | DOT #: 134890 | State License #: 1462 | Years in Business: 75
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, office moves, pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, crane vans, storage, fragile-only packing, safes; DOD certified
10 Stonebreak Rd Suite 1, Malta, NY 12020
64% positive | 34% negative
Nearly 100 years in the business gives Arnoff a long track record — but the review split is worth sitting with. Two-thirds positive is serviceable; one-third negative is higher than I'd want to see. The praise hits the usual marks: professional crews, punctual arrivals, good communication. The complaints are more pointed — damaged furniture, delivery delays, and poor follow-through when problems arise. A few reviewers specifically flag issues with high-value items and insurance claims. If you're moving antiques or expensive furniture, I'd get granular about their claims process before signing. For a standard household move, Arnoff may still be worth getting on your quote list given the service depth and experience level.
Phone: (518) 463-5525 | DOT #: 1566123 | State License #: 35196 | Years in Business: 99
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, office moves, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, crane vans, shipment tracking, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes; DOD certified; deposit required
6 Brown Road, Colonie, NY 12205
77% positive | 21% negative
Over a century in the business, and Schaap's reputation is built on efficiency, professional crews, and organized moves. Flexible scheduling and clear quoting get mentioned regularly. The 21% negative category is where it gets uncomfortable — inaccurate estimates, delayed deliveries, and slow response when something goes wrong. If post-move support matters to you, look closely at those reviews before deciding. Schaap is a legitimate option for this route, but go in with a clear-eyed view of the potential customer service gaps.
Phone: (518) 459-2220 | DOT #: 31675 | State License #: 294 | Years in Business: 102
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, office moves, pianos, art, antiques, storage, fragile-only packing
Here's a quick snapshot of specialty service availability across Albany's interstate-capable movers:
| Service | Available From |
|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 6 of 8 (75%) |
| Small moves | 3 of 8 (38%) |
| Antiques | 3 of 8 (38%) |
| Art | 3 of 8 (38%) |
| Pianos | 4 of 8 (50%) |
| Fragile-only packing | 4 of 8 (50%) |
If your move includes specialty items, your options narrow quickly. Factor that in before you start collecting quotes.
The table below breaks down typical costs for the roughly 945-mile move from Albany to Illinois by home size and service type. For a sharper estimate based on your specific situation, use our moving cost calculator.
| Move Size | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | $946 – $4,014 | $780 – $1,954 | $589 – $1,070 |
| 2–3 BR | $2,081 – $5,241 | $1,400 – $2,748 | $655 – $1,366 |
| 4+ BR | $3,594 – $6,862 | $1,922 – $3,713 | $839 – $1,562 |
Approximate estimates based on a 945-mile move from Albany, NY to Illinois, using pricing data compiled as of January 2026. Actual costs will vary by move size, add-on services, parking access, fuel rates, and scheduling. Compare multiple quotes before committing.
A studio or one-bedroom with a full-service long-distance mover typically runs $946 to $4,014. Two- to three-bedroom homes land between $2,081 and $5,241, and larger four-plus-bedroom moves generally fall in the $3,594 to $6,862 range.
The spread is real — Albany-to-Illinois pricing varies considerably by company, season, and volume. That's why getting at least three quotes before you book isn't optional advice; it's basic cost control.
Moving containers let you pack on your own schedule and hand off the transport. For a studio or small apartment, expect $780 to $1,954. A two- to three-bedroom home typically runs $1,400 to $2,748, and larger households land between $1,922 and $3,713.
If your timing is flexible and you don't need full-service handling, containers are worth pricing out seriously.
A rental truck is the cheapest option on paper, but you're driving 945 miles yourself and handling all the loading and unloading. Studio or one-bedroom: $589 to $1,070. Two to three bedrooms: $655 to $1,366. Four-plus bedrooms: $839 to $1,562. Fuel costs are baked into these estimates.
Worth it for some moves. Not worth it for others. Be honest about what you're willing to take on.
Three things that will move your number around the most:
| Albany, NY | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,450 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $281,584 | $249,224 |
| Average income (per capita) | $66,546 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 99 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 10.9% | 4.95% |
Albany sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Illinois sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
The financial case for moving to Illinois is genuinely strong if you're coming from Albany:
| Albany, NY | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,224 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 65-33 | Democratic 55-45 |
| Summer high | 83°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 15°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 40″ | 40″ |
| Annual snow | 52″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 10.0 | 19.7 |
Albany sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces. Illinois sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow.
A few things worth calling out specifically:
Beyond booking movers and packing boxes, a few logistics worth getting ahead of:
Once you're settled, Illinois gives you a lot to work with.
Typically two to seven days, depending on the company and time of year. Summer moves tend to stretch toward the longer end. Before you book, ask your mover directly about their delivery window — that conversation will tell you a lot about how they handle commitments.
Yes — three of the eight Albany movers on this list offer custom crating. It's worth asking about if you're moving artwork, antiques, or high-value fragile items. When requesting a quote, ask specifically about crate construction, padding materials, and lead times so nothing catches you off guard.
If you'd rather not add 945 miles to your car, professional auto transport is the cleaner option. Rates and transit times vary considerably between carriers, so get at least a couple of quotes before deciding.
Mostly economics. Illinois — Chicago in particular — offers a larger job market, higher average wages, and a state income tax that's roughly half of New York's. For people who aren't tied to Albany, the financial math often points west.
Start with the five companies listed above. Then use the calculator to get a real sense of the price range for your specific move size and timeline. Three quotes is a reasonable minimum before you commit to anyone.
Two of the Albany movers on this list accept cash payments. That said, cash isn't the norm in this industry — most companies prefer card, ACH, or cashier's check for documentation purposes. You'll typically pay a deposit to lock in your date, with the balance due at pickup or after delivery depending on the company. Always confirm the accepted payment methods and the payment schedule before signing anything.
