Find the best movers for your Chesapeake to Illinois move. Compare costs, company ratings, and essential moving tips for this 942-mile route.
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If you're moving from Chesapeake to Illinois, you're looking at roughly 942 miles—a solid long-distance haul that'll take most moving companies two to seven days to complete. I've pulled together the top five movers operating in Chesapeake that handle interstate moves, along with real cost breakdowns and what you should expect for the move itself.
Out of the 19 Chesapeake movers capable of handling state-to-state relocations, here are the five that stand out for the Illinois route:
Rating: 4.56 / 5 Address: 3325 Croft St, Norfolk, VA 23513 Phone: (757) 857-0101
Coleman has been in business for 110 years, which tells you something about longevity—but that doesn't automatically translate to flawless execution. Out of 59 reviews analyzed, 37% were positive. Customers who had good experiences praised their careful handling and professional staff. The flip side: 61% of feedback flagged late arrivals, communication gaps, and damage to belongings. That's a significant red flag if you're moving valuables. Coleman does offer a full service menu—local, interstate, and international moves, plus packing, crating, and storage—but you'll want to get clear guarantees in writing before booking.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, crating, storage, pianos, safes. License: #076235 | DOT: 2897746
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Address: 4007 Seaboard Ct #7, Portsmouth, VA 23701 Phone: (757) 250-7167
With 258 reviews on file, 80% came back positive. That's the kind of ratio you want to see. Customers consistently mentioned efficient crews, professional handling, and great communication. The main complaints centered on unexpected charges, damage to items, and occasionally soft estimates that ballooned on move day. If you go with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, nail down your quote in writing and ask about damage claims upfront.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, storage, pianos, safes. License: #3064442 | DOT: 2527384
Rating: 4.48 / 5 Address: 1010 Cavalier Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23323 Phone: (757) 397-1248
Apple's been moving people for 69 years. From 275 reviews, 56% were positive, which puts them ahead of plenty of competitors. Customers highlight professional staff, attention to detail, and efficient packing. The downside: 43% of feedback complained about damage, missing items, and slow claims resolution. That gap between crew quality and customer service follow-up is real—something to monitor if damage occurs on your move.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, crating, storage. License: #163678 | DOT: 1934458
Rating: 4.48 / 5 Address: 2618 Arkansas Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23513 Phone: (336) 810-1801
More than 8 out of 10 of their 325 reviews were positive—that's 81% favorable feedback. Customers loved the speed, professionalism, and friendly crews. Complaints cluster around damage to high-value items, surprise charges, and occasional late arrivals. Like most movers, they're strong on day-of execution but less consistent on the backend (claims, follow-up).
Services: Local moves, packing, unpacking, offices, storage. License: #5223 | DOT: 2378173
Rating: 4.52 / 5 Address: 516 Central Dr Suite 104, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 Phone: (757) 689-0935
This is the standout: 87% of 259 reviews were positive. Customers cite fair pricing, efficient crews, careful handling, and strong communication. Negatives exist (damage claims, time estimates), but they're the minority here. A Friendly & Affordable Mover also offers full-service moving insurance, which matters for valuable items.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage. License: #3239170 | DOT: 3239170
Quick snapshot of what's available locally:
Here's the honest breakdown. These are estimates based on current market data for a 942-mile move:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bed | $1,083 – $3,993 | $757 – $1,822 | $601 – $1,093 |
| 2–3 beds | $2,264 – $5,325 | $1,331 – $2,638 | $642 – $1,312 |
| 4+ beds | $3,615 – $6,964 | $1,885 – $3,641 | $782 – $1,611 |
A note on these figures: They're estimates. Your actual cost depends on load weight, extra services (packing, storage), parking access, fuel surcharges, and your move date. Use our calculator to get quotes from actual movers—you'll see real numbers, not averages.
A professional mover handles everything: packing, loading, transport, unloading, and unpacking (if you add that service). You pay more, but you're not lifting boxes or driving a truck yourself. For a one-bedroom, expect $1,083–$3,993. For four-plus bedrooms, $3,615–$6,964. The range is wide because pricing factors in distance, time of year (summer costs more), and add-ons.
Companies like PODS drop a container at your place, you pack at your own pace, and they handle transport. This works well if you need flexibility. Costs run $757–$1,822 for a studio, and $1,885–$3,641 for a larger home. Check out our best moving container companies for options in your area.
The budget option. You rent the truck, pack, load, drive, and unload yourself. Fuel is usually included in quotes. Expect $601–$1,093 for a studio, up to $782–$1,611 for four-plus bedrooms. The savings are real, but the labor is entirely on you.
Several factors shift the final price:
If you're considering this move for financial reasons, here's how the two locations compare:
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,800 | $1,179 |
| Average home price | $375,209 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $63,484 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 104 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 4.95% |
The takeaway:
If you're relocating for work or looking to reduce expenses, Illinois generally offers better bang for your buck.
Moving isn't just about dollars. Here's what to expect culturally and climate-wise:
| Factor | Chesapeake, VA | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 249,422 | 12,549,689 |
| Political lean | Democratic 52–46 | Democratic 55–45 |
| Summer high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 31°F | 17°F |
| Annual rainfall | 47″ | 40″ |
| Annual snowfall | 5″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 25.0 | 19.7 |
What changes:
Don't overlook these state-specific rules and requirements:
Licensing & Permits: Illinois regulates intrastate and local moving companies through the Illinois Commerce Commission. Any mover handling household goods locally must hold a valid Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Verify your moving company's license before hiring—check the state's official regulatory site.
Parking & Building Access:
Change of Address: Submit your USPS change of address form at least one week before moving. You can select your official move date to ensure mail forwarding starts on schedule.
Moving Insurance: Insurance coverage varies by state. Most movers offer Released Value Protection for free—that's basic coverage at about 60 cents per pound. For full-value protection matching your items' actual worth, ask your mover about additional options or consider third-party moving insurance.
Moving Permits: Illinois doesn't require moving permits statewide, but always verify local restrictions in your specific city or neighborhood.
Once you're settled, Illinois has plenty to explore:
Museums:
Parks:
Sports:
Universities:
Most moves take two to seven days, depending on your moving method and which movers you hire. Summer months are slower due to high demand. Ask your mover for a specific delivery window before you book.
Yes. Fifteen movers in Chesapeake offer custom crating for fragile, oversized, or oddly shaped items. Ask about crate specifications and turnaround time when you're comparing quotes.
You'll want a professional auto transport company with a solid track record. Look for operators with positive reviews and verifiable experience on the Virginia-to-Illinois route. Get multiple quotes and confirm insurance coverage before booking.
Economic opportunity (especially around Chicago), lower cost of living, and better job market are the big draws. Some move for family or education.
Most movers require a deposit to secure your date and crew, with the balance due at pickup or after delivery. Currently, two movers in Chesapeake accept cash, but that's rare. Standard practice is credit card or bank transfer for traceability and receipts.
You've got the movers, the costs, and the logistics. Now it's time to get actual quotes from companies that match your needs. Compare quotes from Chesapeake movers using our moving cost calculator—you'll see real prices tailored to your move size and date, not just averages.
If you're shipping a vehicle as well, get car shipping quotes separately—most movers don't handle auto transport.
And if you want to learn more about planning a long-distance move, our moving checklist covers everything from utilities setup to packing timelines.
