Moving from Augusta, GA to Illinois: Costs, Movers & What to Expect

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.

Local Moving Companies in Augusta

Out of five Augusta movers capable of handling interstate moves, here are the top five rated for this route:

1. Coleman Worldwide Moving — 4.48 / 5
2. Budget Movers of Augusta Inc. — 4.36 / 5
3. Apple Moving — 4.34 / 5
4. ADSI Moving Systems Inc. — 4.28 / 5
5. Monro Moving & Storage — 4.16 / 5

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Coleman Worldwide Moving

1427 Marvin Griffin Rd, Augusta, GA 30906

• Rating: 4.4 / 5
• Yelp reviews (5)
• Google reviews (243)
• BBB: Grade A+
• 75% positive / 22% negative (171 reviews analyzed)

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

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Budget Movers of Augusta Inc.

4001 McDaniel Rd # A, Augusta, GA 30909

• Rating: 4.3 / 5
• Yelp reviews (30)
• Google reviews (92)
• BBB: Grade A+
• 82% positive / 17% negative (556 reviews analyzed)

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

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Apple Moving

618 Sand Bar Ferry Rd, Augusta, GA 30901

• Rating: 4.3 / 5
• Yelp reviews (22)
• Google reviews (18)
• BBB: Grade A+
• 46% positive / 50% negative

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

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ADSI Moving Systems Inc.

3122 Mike Padgett Hwy Ste A, Augusta, GA 30906

• Rating: 4.2 / 5
• Yelp reviews (11)
• Google reviews (88)
• 85% positive / 15% negative (103 reviews analyzed)

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

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Monro Moving & Storage

1809 Wylds Rd, Augusta, GA 30909

• Rating: 4.1 / 5
• Yelp reviews (4)
• Google reviews (17)
• BBB: Grade A+
• 73% positive / 23% negative

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

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Local Moving Services in Augusta, GA

A quick look at specialty service availability across Augusta's five interstate-capable movers:

Cost to Move from Augusta, GA to Illinois

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.

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.

Cost to Hire Movers from Augusta to Illinois

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.

Cost of Moving Containers from Augusta to Illinois

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.

Cost of Truck Rentals from Augusta to Illinois

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.

Factors That Affect Moving Costs from Augusta to Illinois

Your final price will move based on:

• Move size: More belongings means more weight, which drives up cost. Declutter aggressively before you get quotes — it genuinely changes the number.
• Time of year: Peak season runs May through August. Moving in fall or winter typically saves 10–20% on the same route.
• DIY vs. full-service: Full-service is more expensive but handles everything. A truck rental cuts cost but adds physical demands — especially over a haul this long.

What to Know Before Moving from Augusta to Illinois

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.

Cost of Living: Augusta vs. Illinois

Augusta sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Illinois sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.

What the numbers actually mean:

• Rent is about 6% cheaper in Illinois — one of the few line items that works in your favor.
• Home prices run roughly 47% higher. If you're buying, build that into your financial plan before you go.
• Per capita income is about 51% lower in Illinois than in Augusta. Run your own salary against actual Illinois wage data before assuming you'll have more breathing room.
• Overall cost of living is about 13% higher in Illinois. Budget for that gap from day one.
• Unemployment is essentially identical — 5.2% in Augusta versus 5.3% in Illinois — so the job market transition should be relatively neutral.
• State income tax is marginally lower in Illinois (4.95% vs. Georgia's 5.49%), which puts a little more in your paycheck.

How Life Differs: Augusta vs. Illinois

Augusta sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces. Illinois sources: Wikipedia, NeighborhoodScout.

The biggest adjustments to prepare for:

• Winter is a different reality. Augusta bottoms out around 35°F; Illinois can hit 17°F. Budget for cold-weather gear, higher heating bills, and learning to drive in ice and snow.
• Summers are milder. At 86°F versus Augusta's 93°F, you'll have noticeably more comfortable outdoor time from June through August.
• Snow. Illinois averages about 22 inches annually; Augusta sees roughly 1 inch. That shift affects commutes, school schedules, and general logistics from November through March.
• Crime is significantly lower in Illinois, with an index of 19.7 compared to Augusta's 48.46. Most people notice that difference in everyday quality of life.
• Scale. Moving from a city of 202,000 to a state of 12.5 million — anchored by Chicago — means more options for work, food, and culture, but also more traffic, higher density, and urban complexity.

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.

Other Practical Considerations When Moving to Illinois

A few details worth handling before moving day:

• HOA rules: Check your new building or neighborhood's moving policies ahead of time. Many have specific move-in windows or require advance notice.
• Elevator reservation: If you're moving into a multi-story building, book the freight elevator early — they book up fast on weekends.
• Truck parking permits: Some Illinois municipalities require permits for large moving vehicles. Check with the local city or village office before your move date.
• State licensing: Illinois regulates intrastate movers through the Illinois Commerce Commission. Companies moving household goods locally and in-state must hold a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Verify that any company you're considering has a current license before you book.
• Moving permits: No statewide moving permit is required in Illinois, but check local parking ordinances — especially in denser Chicago-area neighborhoods where street access is limited.
• Change of address: File your USPS change-of-address form at least a week before your move date to ensure mail forwarding starts when you need it.
• Moving insurance: The default released value protection covers 60 cents per pound — not nearly enough for a cross-country haul. Ask your mover about full-value protection, or look into a third-party policy for anything truly irreplaceable.
• Moving checklist: Walk through a complete moving checklist before things get hectic. The details that fall through the cracks are almost always ones you could have caught three weeks earlier.

Things to Do in Illinois

Museums

• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
• Caterpillar Visitors Center
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site
• Museum of Hummels

Parks

• Starved Rock State Park
• Matthiessen State Park
• Illinois Beach State Park
• Pere Marquette State Park
• Kankakee River State Park

Sports Teams

• Chicago Cubs (MLB)
• Chicago White Sox (MLB)
• Chicago Bulls (NBA)
• Chicago Sky (WNBA)
• Chicago Bears (NFL)

Universities

• University of Chicago
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Northwestern University
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• Northern Illinois University

FAQ

How long does a move from Augusta to Illinois take?

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.

What's the availability of custom crating in Augusta?

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.

What's the best way to ship a car from Augusta to Illinois?

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.

Why are people moving from Augusta to Illinois?

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.

Where can I find long-distance movers for the Augusta to Illinois route?

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.

Can I pay a mover in Augusta with cash?

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.

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Compare quotes from Augusta movers and estimate your total moving cost before you lock in a company or a date.