If you're moving from Mesa to Illinois, you're looking at roughly 1,607 miles between your front door and your next one. That's far enough that a bad mover choice, a missing permit, or a surprise on the final invoice can turn a tough move into a genuinely expensive one. Here's what I'd want to know before booking.
Top Local Moving Companies in Mesa for a Move to Illinois
Out of 67 Mesa-area movers equipped for interstate work, these five rank highest on verified reviews for the Mesa-to-Illinois run. A few are regional names you may not recognize nationally — which means the reputation they've built is earned locally.
- Gilbert Moving & Storage — 4.76 / 5
- Just-In Time Moving & Storage — 4.66 / 5
- NorthStar Moving Company — 4.66 / 5
- Mentors Moving & Storage — 4.62 / 5
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK — 4.58 / 5
Gilbert Moving & Storage
6056 E Baseline Rd, Suite 149, Mesa, AZ 85206 | (480) 825-8648 97% positive reviews | DOT #: 3190108 | 8 years in business
Yelp (133 reviews) | Google (218 reviews) | BBB: A+
From 357 analyzed reviews, 96.6% are positive. Customers consistently cite professional crews, communication that holds up from booking through delivery, and actual care with belongings. Transparent pricing is a recurring theme — people mention not being surprised at the end. The negative feedback, while small, centers on damage claims and disputes over unexpected charges. For a company that's only eight years in, the volume and depth of praise is notable.
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage.
Just-In Time Moving & Storage
4627 E Ivy St, Mesa, AZ 85205 | (480) 213-0395 98% positive reviews | DOT #: 1759501 | 20 years in business
Yelp (844 reviews) | Google (1,008 reviews) | BBB: A+
Twenty years operating and a 98% positive rate across 222 reviewed submissions. What I find most credible here: multiple customers mention paying less than their original quote. You don't hear that often. The negative feedback — just 1.4% of reviews — is about damage claims and slow resolution, which mirrors common industry pitfalls. With over a thousand Google reviews, the consistent praise isn't cherry-picked.
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, crane vans, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes.
Mentors Moving & Storage
3416 S 48th St Suite 3, Phoenix, AZ 85040 | (480) 605-1782 89% positive reviews | DOT #: 2911596 | 8 years in business
Yelp (110 reviews) | Google (286 reviews) | BBB: A+
Solid at 89% positive across 126 reviews, but the negative feedback is worth reading before you book. A handful of customers report final charges significantly higher than estimates, plus difficulty getting any meaningful resolution on damaged items. The majority describe fast, careful crews with clear communication. If you have high-value or fragile items, lock down your written estimate and confirm insurance coverage before move day — don't assume.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, shipment tracking, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
7039 E 6th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | (480) 582-0747 76% positive reviews | DOT #: 2527384 | 26 years in business
Yelp (50 reviews) | Google (48 reviews) | BBB: A+
The brand carries weight nationally, but this location's 76% positive rate across 267 reviews is the lowest on this list. Crews are described as courteous and efficient; the friction surfaces with surprise charges after quoted prices, damage claims, and sluggish follow-up from office staff. Not a dealbreaker for everyone, but get everything in writing before move day and check your final invoice line by line.
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, pianos, storage, safes.
NorthStar Moving Company
10000 N. 31st Ave., Suite C100-127, Phoenix, AZ 85051 | (800) 275-7767 90% positive reviews | DOT #: 1836576 | 30 years in business
Thirty years operating, a 90% positive rate across 121 analyzed reviews, and consistent praise for responsive crews and smooth logistics. Occasional complaints involve damage or charges that ran higher than expected — minor given the overall track record. NorthStar also handles international moves, which is worth knowing if your Mesa-to-Illinois situation has any additional complexity.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage.
Local Moving Services Available in Mesa, AZ
If you have specialty items or specific needs, here's how many Mesa movers include these add-ons:
| Service | Movers Offering It |
|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 57 (85%) |
| Pianos | 53 (79%) |
| Small moves | 38 (57%) |
| Antiques | 36 (54%) |
| Art | 34 (51%) |
| Fragile-only packing | 23 (34%) |
Cost to Move from Mesa, AZ to Illinois
This is a genuine long-distance move — 1,607 miles — so pricing varies significantly by service level. Use the ranges below as a starting point, then run your specifics through our moving cost calculator to get a tighter number.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | $1,183 – $4,699 | $991 – $2,414 | $886 – $1,702 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,817 – $6,728 | $1,802 – $3,668 | $939 – $2,066 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,215 – $9,511 | $2,505 – $4,528 | $1,283 – $2,500 |
Estimates reflect a 1,607-mile move from Mesa, AZ to Illinois based on pricing data as of January 2026. Your actual cost will shift based on home size, added services, access conditions, fuel prices, and timing. Get quotes from at least three movers before committing.
Cost to Hire Movers from Mesa to Illinois
Studio or one-bedroom moves typically land between $1,183 and $4,699 with a full-service company. Two to three bedrooms runs $2,817 to $6,728. A larger four-bedroom home will likely cost $5,215 to $9,511. That wide range reflects the real difference between a basic truck-and-crew arrangement and a full packing and unpacking service.
Cost of Moving Containers from Mesa to Illinois
Moving containers — PODS and similar options — give you the flexibility of self-packing while someone else handles the 1,600-mile drive. For a small move: $991 to $2,414. Two to three bedrooms: $1,802 to $3,668. Four bedrooms or more: $2,505 to $4,528. A reasonable middle ground between full-service and full-DIY.
Cost of Rental Trucks from Mesa to Illinois
Rental trucks are cheapest on paper: $886 to $1,702 for a studio, $939 to $2,066 for two to three bedrooms, $1,283 to $2,500 for larger homes. Those figures include average fuel costs. They don't include 1,600 miles of highway driving, the physical load-and-unload, or what happens if the truck breaks down in New Mexico.
Factors That Drive Moving Costs from Mesa to Illinois
Three variables move the needle most on this route:
- Volume: More rooms and more pounds mean a higher bill. Simple math, but it adds up fast on a cross-country haul.
- Timing: Mesa summer moves land in peak season — roughly late May through August — when prices rise and availability tightens. Fall or winter moves typically cost less and book more easily.
- Service level: DIY truck rental is cheapest but puts all the labor and driving on you. Full-service movers cost more and handle everything. Containers split the difference.
What You Should Know Before Moving from Mesa to Illinois
Moving to Illinois is more than a change of scenery. The financial picture shifts considerably, and so does daily life. Here's what the actual numbers look like.
Cost of Living: Mesa vs. Illinois
| Mesa, AZ | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,786/mo | $1,179/mo |
| Average home cost | $432,892 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $64,524 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 113 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 2.5% | 4.95% |
Sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, BLS, Tax Foundation, Zumper, Numbeo
A few things to pay attention to:
- Rent in Illinois runs about 34% lower than in Mesa — a meaningful monthly difference if you're stretching to cover moving costs.
- Home prices are roughly 42% lower. If you're buying, that changes what you can realistically afford.
- Per capita income in Illinois runs about 22% higher than Mesa, so your earning potential may improve even as your cost base drops.
- The overall cost of living index is about 20% lower in Illinois.
- Illinois has a lower unemployment rate (5.3% vs. 6.1%), suggesting a moderately stronger job market.
- The one trade-off that stings: Illinois' 4.95% income tax is nearly double Arizona's 2.5%. Run the math on your take-home pay before you assume you're coming out ahead.
How Life Changes: Mesa vs. Illinois
| Mesa, AZ | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 504,258 | 12,549,689 |
| Political lean | Republican 52-48 | Democratic 55-45 |
| Summer high | 105°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 40°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 10″ | 40″ |
| Annual snow | 0″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 44.67 | 19.7 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, AirNow
The climate adjustment is the thing most Mesa transplants mention first. Trading 105°F summers for 86°F is a genuine relief. Illinois winters at 17°F are a different calculation — budget for winter gear, higher heating bills, and snow removal if you're in a house.
Illinois' crime index (19.7) is meaningfully lower than Mesa's (44.67). That's not a marketing pitch — it reflects a real difference in day-to-day conditions across the state.
You're also moving from a Republican-leaning city (52-48) to a Democratic-leaning state (55-45), and from near-zero annual snowfall to about 22 inches. That can be beautiful in December and less charming by March.
Pros of Mesa vs. Illinois — Side by Side
| Pros of Mesa, AZ | Pros of Illinois |
|---|---|
| Outdoor activities and natural scenery | Home of Chicago |
| Low cost of living | Strong economic opportunity |
| Generally safe neighborhoods | Wide recreational variety |
| Abundant food options | Exceptional food culture |
| Warm year-round weather | World-class sports teams |
Cons of Mesa vs. Illinois — Side by Side
| Cons of Mesa, AZ | Cons of Illinois |
|---|---|
| Heavy traffic | Harsh winters |
| Tourist congestion | Chicago-area traffic |
| Extreme summer heat | Higher crime in some areas |
| Lower wages | Flat landscape outside Chicago |
Other Logistics to Sort Before You Move
A few Illinois-specific items to handle before move day:
- HOA rules: Check your destination community's move-in regulations ahead of time. Some have specific windows, elevator requirements, or elevator reservation requirements.
- Elevator reservations: If your building has one, reserve it. It won't be free when you need it.
- Truck parking permits: Some Illinois cities require permits for moving trucks parked on the street. Look this up for your specific address before the truck shows up.
- Illinois licensing: The Illinois Commerce Commission oversees in-state and intrastate movers. Any company moving household goods locally or across Illinois needs a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Verify credentials before you sign anything.
- No statewide moving permit required: Illinois doesn't mandate a moving permit, but local parking rules vary. Check city-specific requirements at your destination.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address at least a week before you move. You can set your official start date and have mail forwarded automatically.
- Moving insurance: Released Value Protection is included free with most movers and covers 60 cents per pound of damaged goods — which is nearly worthless for anything of real value. Full-value protection or a third-party policy is worth the extra cost if you have furniture, art, or electronics you'd actually miss.
- Stay organized: Our moving checklist covers the full timeline from packing to post-move setup.
Things to Do in Illinois
If you're landing somewhere new and wondering whether you'll find things to fill your weekends — Illinois delivers. The cultural and outdoor options run deep, especially in and around Chicago.
Museums in Illinois
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Caterpillar Visitors Center
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Museum of Hummels
Parks in Illinois
- Starved Rock State Park
- Matthiessen State Park
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Pere Marquette State Park
- Kankakee River State Park
Sports Teams in Illinois
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Sky (WNBA)
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
Universities in Illinois
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Northwestern University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Northern Illinois University
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a move from Mesa to Illinois take?
Most moves on this route take four to fifteen days depending on the company, service level, and time of year. Full-service movers with guaranteed delivery windows tend to run closer to the shorter end. Summer moves carry higher delay risk — confirm the delivery window in writing before you book.
How many Mesa movers offer custom crating for art or antiques?
38 Mesa movers offer custom crating for fragile, oversized, or oddly shaped items — artwork, antiques, electronics. If you have specialty pieces, confirm crating capability explicitly with your mover. Don't assume it's included in a standard quote.
What's the best way to get a car from Mesa to Illinois?
For a 1,600-mile move, auto transport is the practical choice. Driving it yourself is doable but burns time and adds mileage. Look for a licensed carrier with insurance documentation and verifiable reviews, and get at least three quotes before committing.
Why are people moving from Mesa to Illinois?
Economic opportunity is the most common driver — particularly Chicago's job market. Family relocation follows close behind. The cost-of-living difference matters too: Illinois' index is about 20% lower than Mesa's, and incomes run higher. On the Mesa side, the most frequently cited reasons people want to leave are the traffic and the heat.
Where can I find the best long-distance movers in Mesa?
Start with our best long-distance movers guide for vetted options on interstate routes. For a haul of this distance, SafeShip Moving is one operator worth including in your quote comparisons — they handle long interstate moves and tend to coordinate delivery windows reliably.
Can I pay cash for a Mesa to Illinois move?
15 Mesa movers accept cash, but it's not the norm for good reason — there's no paper trail if something goes wrong. Expect to put down a deposit when you book, with the balance typically due at pickup or after delivery. Verify accepted payment methods and deposit terms before you sign anything.
Compare quotes from Mesa movers for your Illinois move at movefinders.org — plug in your home size and move date to get a real range before you commit.