Real cost estimates, top Chattanooga mover reviews, and a straight-talk breakdown of what changes when you move from Chattanooga to Illinois.
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If you're moving to Illinois from Chattanooga, you're looking at roughly 572 miles — far enough that this is a real interstate move, not just a border hop. Below I'll cover what it actually costs, which local movers I'd point you toward for this route, and what to expect once you get there.
Out of the Chattanooga movers I looked at that handle interstate work, five stand out for a Chattanooga-to-Illinois run:
2000 Stuart Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406 | $130/hr | DOT #1906318 | 12 years in business
94% positive across 245 reviews — 27 on Yelp, 601 on Google, BBB Grade A+
Good Guys has the strongest satisfaction rate of any Chattanooga mover I reviewed for this route. Customers consistently praise their communication, punctuality, and careful handling — and a lot of them mention they'd refer friends and family. That word-of-mouth signal carries more weight with me than averages alone.
The minority of negative reviews cluster around damaged items and slow complaint resolution. If you have high-value or sentimental pieces, ask specifically about their claims process before you commit. Services include local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office moves, and storage.
Phone: (423) 531-3841
1500 Chestnut St, Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37402 | DOT #2878240 | 14 years in business
89% positive across 946 reviews — 70 on Yelp, 819 on Google, BBB Grade C
An 89% positive rate across nearly a thousand reviews is credible. Crews get strong marks for professionalism, punctuality, and careful handling — the things that matter most on the day of a move. The BBB Grade C is worth noting; in my experience that grade usually reflects how a company handles disputes more than how they perform on moving day.
Recurring negatives: damaged items and a frustrating claims process, plus occasional billing surprises. If you're counting on strong insurance coverage for the Chattanooga-to-Illinois haul, push them specifically on that before signing anything. Services include local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, and storage.
Phone: (423) 805-9574
1900 Daisy Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406 | DOT #3241000 | 6 years in business
85% positive across 238 reviews — 22 on Yelp, 684 on Google, BBB Grade F
The F from BBB is the first thing I notice, and I'm not going to wave it off. That said, the customer review pattern tells a more nuanced story: move-day performance earns consistent praise — crews are fast, careful, and competitively priced, often finishing under the estimated time. The problems pile up in the claims and billing phase, not on the truck.
If you go with All Out, photograph everything before it's loaded and keep that documentation handy. Their service list is strong: local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office moves, pianos, crating, fragile-only packing, and safes.
Phone: (423) 454-3957
5959 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 | DOT #2527384 | 25 years in business
76% positive across 246 reviews — 34 on Yelp, 681 on Google, BBB Grade A+
The Two Men and a Truck franchise in Chattanooga has a known brand and 25 years on the ground — both count for something. Crews consistently earn marks for efficiency, care, and professionalism. The 76% positive rate is lower than the others on this list, which isn't unusual for a high-volume franchise operation with a lot of reviews in the mix.
The concern: about one in five customers reported a significant problem — damaged items, unexpected charges, or delayed arrivals. That's a real pattern, not a one-off. Services include local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, pianos, storage, and safes.
Phone: (423) 201-4154
3101 Alton Park Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37410 | DOT #2438253 | 14 years in business
93% positive across 95 reviews — 9 on Yelp, 76 on Google, BBB Grade A+
Elizabeth's has a 93% satisfaction rate — second-highest on this list — with a strong BBB grade to back it. The review count is smaller than some of the others, so I'd want more volume before calling it a definitive pick. But what's there is genuinely positive: professional crews, careful handling, efficient timelines.
A few reviewers mention misplaced items and difficulty getting the company on the phone during booking. Their specialty services make them a strong option for more delicate moves: art, antiques, crating, and fragile-only packing alongside the standard interstate and storage work.
Phone: (423) 531-6672
A snapshot of specialty services across the six Chattanooga movers I evaluated:
| Service | Providers Available | % of 6 Reviewed |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 5 | 83% |
| Small moves | 3 | 50% |
| Pianos | 2 | 33% |
| Fragile-only packing | 2 | 33% |
| Antiques | 1 | 17% |
| Art | 1 | 17% |
If you have a piano or high-value fragile items, your options narrow fast. Plan that into your shortlist early.
Here's the real range of what this move costs, organized by home size and method:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | $1,123 – $3,130 | $676 – $1,644 | $397 – $816 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,032 – $5,202 | $1,243 – $2,273 | $438 – $969 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,875 – $7,656 | $1,547 – $3,019 | $557 – $1,091 |
Estimates based on a ~572-mile move from Chattanooga to Illinois, as of January 2026. Your actual cost depends on home size, add-on services, access conditions, fuel rates, and timing.
Use our moving cost calculator to dial in a tighter estimate for your specific situation — home size, services needed, and timing all move the number meaningfully.
Full-service long-distance movers will run $1,123–$3,130 for a studio or one-bedroom on this route. A two- or three-bedroom move lands in the $2,032–$5,202 range, and four-plus bedrooms typically falls between $3,875 and $7,656. That spread is real — packing services, stairs, elevator access, and how far in advance you book all push it around.
Moving containers split the difference between full-service and pure DIY: someone else drives, you handle the packing. A studio or one-bedroom runs $676–$1,644; two to three bedrooms will be $1,243–$2,273; and a larger household lands at $1,547–$3,019. For a deeper look at pricing, our moving cost guide breaks down how these numbers vary by provider.
A rental truck is the lowest-cost option if you're willing to do the driving and labor. A studio or one-bedroom haul runs $397–$816; two to three bedrooms comes in at $438–$969; and a large home is around $557–$1,091. Fuel costs are included in those estimates. The real cost is your time — 572 miles is a full day behind the wheel.
The ranges above are wide because several variables are in play:
| Chattanooga, TN | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,475 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $302,565 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $60,164 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 90 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 0% | 4.95% |
Chattanooga sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Illinois sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
Here's what those numbers mean in practice:
| Chattanooga, TN | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 181,099 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Republican (53.8–44.1) | Democratic (55–45) |
| Summer high | 89°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 28°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 51″ | 40″ |
| Annual snow | 2″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 53.89 | 19.7 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270toWin, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia
A few things worth paying attention to:
A few logistics that can create real problems if you don't handle them before move day:
Whatever you're into, Illinois has options.
Typically one to six days, depending on the company and service type. Summer moves can stretch longer due to tighter schedules across the industry. Ask your mover to put the delivery window in writing before you book — a vague answer there is a red flag.
Yes — two of the five movers reviewed above offer custom crating. It's worth asking about if you have artwork, antiques, or anything fragile enough that standard blanket-wrapping makes you nervous. When you request quotes, ask specifically about crate construction, interior padding, and lead time so there are no surprises.
Auto transport is worth considering for a 572-mile move, particularly if you're not driving everything yourself. See our guide to the best car shipping companies to compare options for getting a vehicle from Tennessee to Illinois.
Chicago is a major economic hub, and Illinois as a whole offers higher average incomes and a broader job market. That 30% per capita income gap is a real pull factor for a lot of people making this move.
The five companies reviewed above are my top picks for interstate moves out of Chattanooga. If you want to compare more options, our best long-distance movers guide covers what to look for when evaluating companies for a move of this distance.
None of the Chattanooga movers I reviewed accept cash payments. Most carriers require traceable payment methods — card, ACH, or cashier's check. You'll typically put down a deposit to lock in your date, then pay the remaining balance at pickup or delivery depending on the company's policy. Ask upfront exactly when each payment is due.
Compare quotes from multiple Chattanooga movers before you commit. On a 572-mile run, the spread between companies is wide enough that getting at least three estimates side by side is worth the time.