Real cost estimates, top mover reviews, and a cost-of-living breakdown for the Augusta to Illinois move. Everything you need before you book.
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If you're moving from Augusta to Illinois, you're staring down roughly 831 miles — enough distance that picking the wrong mover will cost you real money and real aggravation. I've gone through the Augusta movers that can handle an interstate run like this, pulled current pricing data, and broken down what the cost-of-living difference actually means on the ground. Here's what you need to know before you sign anything.
Out of five Augusta movers capable of handling interstate moves, here are the top five rated for this route:
1427 Marvin Griffin Rd, Augusta, GA 30906
Coleman is the highest-rated Augusta option on this list, and the reviews largely hold up. Three-quarters of customers mention professional crews, careful handling, and reliable communication — packing and delivery teams draw the most consistent praise. The negative feedback isn't trivial, though. Damaged items and missing belongings appear frequently enough that I'd want their damage claims process spelled out in writing before moving day. With 111 years in business, they have the infrastructure for a long haul to Illinois. That history doesn't make individual crews flawless, but it does mean they've handled routes like this before.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, office moves, crating, storage, safes | Credit card accepted
DOT #: 2897746 | (706) 722-7726
4001 McDaniel Rd # A, Augusta, GA 30909
The highest positive-review ratio on this list — 82% across 556 reviews — is a meaningful data point. Customers consistently mention efficient crews, a smooth overall process, and items arriving intact. Where they slip: some damage claims take too long to resolve, and a few reviews flag late arrivals and inconsistent crew behavior. A 20-year track record and a high review volume make this one of the more dependable Augusta options. Document everything before the truck rolls regardless.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, storage, safes | Credit card accepted
State License #: 501181 | DOT #: 2145512 | Years in Business: 20 | (706) 869-8454
618 Sand Bar Ferry Rd, Augusta, GA 30901
A 50% negative review rate is a flag I can't overlook. Half the feedback on Apple Moving involves damaged or missing items and difficulty getting complaints resolved. The other half describes a genuinely fast, professional experience — so it's not uniformly bad. But shipping a household 831 miles with a company this inconsistent is a real risk. If you go this route, photograph and inventory every item before they touch it.
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, crating, storage
State License #: 9128 | DOT #: 1934458 | Years in Business: 25 | (706) 722-6897
3122 Mike Padgett Hwy Ste A, Augusta, GA 30906
ADSI has the best positive-to-negative ratio of any company on this list — 84.5% across 103 reviews. Customers specifically call out respectful crews, clear pricing explanations, and reliable follow-up. Multiple military families have left positive reviews, which I consider a useful signal: military households are exacting and don't write complimentary reviews out of politeness. The minority complaints center on item damage and inconsistent communication from the office side. If I were steering a friend toward one Augusta mover for this route, ADSI would be my first recommendation.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, shipment tracking, full-valuation coverage, storage, safes | Cash, money order, and credit card accepted
State License #: 8178 | DOT #: 754250 | (706) 793-0186
1809 Wylds Rd, Augusta, GA 30909
Monro operates as an agent for Allied Van Lines, giving them a national carrier network to lean on for long-haul moves like this one. Customer feedback is decent — polite crews and efficient service come up often — but reports of mishandled valuables and unclear charges hold them back. Their review count is also thin (21 combined on Yelp and Google), so I'd treat the score with some caution.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, pianos, art, crating, shipment tracking, storage | Credit card accepted
State License #: 248 | DOT #: 2799088 | (706) 737-8374
A quick look at specialty service availability across Augusta's five interstate-capable movers:
| Service | Availability |
|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 5 of 5 (100%) |
| Piano moving | 4 of 5 (80%) |
| Art handling | 3 of 5 (60%) |
| Antiques | 2 of 5 (40%) |
| Small moves | 2 of 5 (40%) |
| Fragile-only packing | 0 of 5 (0%) |
Here are typical price ranges for an 831-mile move from Augusta to Illinois. Use the moving cost calculator to sharpen the estimate based on your actual home size and shipment weight.
| Move Size | Full-Service Movers | Moving Containers | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | $1,178 – $3,966 | $726 – $1,709 | $521 – $1,054 |
| 2–3 BR | $2,380 – $5,731 | $1,372 – $2,523 | $574 – $1,240 |
| 4+ BR | $3,875 – $7,534 | $1,718 – $3,571 | $756 – $1,475 |
Estimates based on an 831-mile move from Augusta, GA to Illinois using MoveFinders pricing data as of January 2026. Final costs vary by shipment weight, timing, access conditions, and add-ons. Get at least three quotes before committing.
For a studio or one-bedroom move, expect to pay $1,178 to $3,966 with a full-service mover. Two- to three-bedroom households typically run $2,380 to $5,731. Four-plus bedrooms should budget $3,875 to $7,534. Those ranges are wide for a reason — shipment weight and market demand both move prices significantly. Requesting multiple quotes and comparing them directly is the most useful thing you can do right now.
Moving containers let you control the packing while someone else handles the 831-mile drive — a reasonable trade-off for many people. Small loads run $726 to $1,709. Two- to three-bedroom households typically pay $1,372 to $2,523. For a larger four-plus bedroom move, expect $1,718 to $3,571 depending on the provider and how flexible you are on delivery timing.
If you want the most affordable option on this route, renting a moving truck and driving yourself will get you there. For a studio or one-bedroom, plan on $521 to $1,054. Two- to three-bedroom moves typically run $574 to $1,240. Four-plus bedrooms land between $756 and $1,475. Those figures include estimated fuel costs. Worth noting: 831 miles is a full day's drive, and you'll almost certainly need an overnight stop. Add a night's lodging and meals to your real total cost.
For anyone who'd rather hand off the driving, there are vetted long-distance movers that serve this route — worth comparing against the local Augusta options before you decide.
Your final price will move based on:
Heading to Illinois from Augusta means stepping into a higher cost-of-living environment and a climate that will feel genuinely different by November. Running the actual numbers before you commit is time well spent.
| Augusta, GA | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,250 | $1,179 |
| Average home price | $169,040 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $160,600 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 80 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 5.49% | 4.95% |
Augusta sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Illinois sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
What the numbers actually mean:
| Augusta, GA | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,081 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Democratic (49.8–48.3) | Democratic (55–45) |
| Summer high | 93°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 35°F | 17°F |
| Annual rainfall | 45" | 40" |
| Annual snowfall | 1" | 22" |
| Crime index | 48.46 | 19.7 |
Augusta sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces. Illinois sources: Wikipedia, NeighborhoodScout.
The biggest adjustments to prepare for:
Both Augusta and Illinois voted Democratic in the last presidential election, so the political landscape is roughly familiar even if the local policy mix differs.
A few details worth handling before moving day:
Plan for two to seven days from pickup to delivery. The exact timeline depends on the service you choose, your mover's current schedule, and whether you're moving during peak summer demand. One thing I'd push for regardless: get a specific delivery window in writing before you book. "Two to seven days" is useful context; a committed date range is what actually protects you.
All five movers tracked in Augusta can build custom crates for fragile items — art, antiques, and sensitive electronics. Confirm the specific materials and interior dimensions with your company before assuming their standard crate will work for your particular piece.
Auto transport is the right call for an 831-mile haul. Driving it yourself adds time and wear; professional car shipping is worth the cost on a route this long. Get two or three quotes from Georgia-based carriers and confirm FMCSA registration before handing over keys.
Chicago is the primary draw — diverse industries, major employers, and a metropolitan scale that Augusta simply can't match. Illinois tends to attract people in healthcare, finance, education, and tech who need access to a larger economic ecosystem.
The five companies listed above are your best Augusta-based starting points. For a broader national comparison, check the best long-distance movers guide — it includes vetted carriers that regularly serve routes like this one. SafeShip Moving is one national operator I've found reliable for interstate moves of this length and is worth getting a quote from alongside your local options.
One of the five Augusta movers on this list accepts cash. Most of the industry prefers traceable payment methods — credit card, check, or certified funds. Expect to put down a deposit upfront to hold your move date, with the balance due at pickup or upon delivery. Confirm the payment structure with your mover before signing.
Compare quotes from Augusta movers and estimate your total moving cost before you lock in a company or a date.