If you're moving from Richmond, VA to Illinois, you already know this isn't a short haul — you're looking at roughly 838 miles. At that distance, carrier choice and move timing can swing your final bill by a couple thousand dollars. Below I've put together the real cost numbers, the top Richmond-area movers for this route, and what actually changes when you land in Illinois.
Local Moving Companies in Richmond
Of the 18 Richmond movers capable of handling interstate moves, five consistently rise to the top for the run to Illinois:
- Mr. Moving, LLC — 4.62 / 5
- All My Sons Moving & Storage — 4.52 / 5
- Worth Moving, LLC — 4.44 / 5
- D1 Moving & Storage — 4.48 / 5
- WayForth LLC — 4.44 / 5
Here's the honest breakdown on each.
Mr. Moving, LLC
- Overall rating: 4.62 / 5
- Reviews: 16 on Yelp | 133 on Google | BBB: A+
- Sentiment: 87% positive / 13% negative
- DOT #: 3511853 | In business: 5 years
Mr. Moving earns the top spot here on consistency. Reviewers repeatedly describe professional, efficient crews that handle belongings carefully — and the volume of repeat and referral customers is a reliable signal. The 13% of negative reviews flag occasional issues with management professionalism, final costs running above the quote, and friction around damage claims. Those are patterns worth watching, but the overall track record is genuinely strong. A solid first call for a Richmond-to-Illinois move.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing/unpacking, pianos, art, antiques, offices
All My Sons Moving & Storage
- Overall rating: 4.52 / 5
- Reviews: 298 on Yelp | 1,601 on Google | BBB: A
- Sentiment: 44% positive / 54% negative
- DOT #: 902281 | In business: 24 years
The split here is stark. Positive reviewers — about 44% — consistently praise fast, careful, professional crews. The other 54% raise concerns, mostly around pricing: customers describe being charged significantly more than their original quote, items arriving damaged, and a claims process that's hard to navigate. The pattern I've seen at All My Sons branches elsewhere holds in Richmond too: great moving day, complicated aftermath. If you book them, get a binding written estimate and read the contract before anything goes on the truck.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing/unpacking, pianos, antiques, crating, storage, safes, offices
Worth Moving, LLC
- Overall rating: 4.44 / 5
- Reviews: 22 on Yelp | 212 on Google | BBB: D-
- Sentiment: 73% positive / 24% negative
- DOT #: 2574535 | In business: 10 years
Day-of performance is genuinely good — efficient crews, responsive communication, careful handling. But the D- BBB grade is a flag I'd want addressed before booking an interstate job. Complaint patterns involve item damage on longer hauls and slow claims resolution when things go wrong. I'd be more comfortable recommending Worth Moving for a local Richmond job than an 838-mile run. If you do go this route, ask specifically about their damage claims process before you sign anything.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing/unpacking, art, crating, offices, storage, shipment tracking, full-valuation coverage
D1 Moving & Storage
- Overall rating: 4.48 / 5
- Reviews: 24 on Yelp | 203 on Google | BBB: B-
- Sentiment: 77% positive / 21% negative
- DOT #: 3013397 | In business: 9 years
D1 — also known as Division I Moving & Storage — consistently earns credit for polite, organized crews and efficient service. About three-quarters of customers are happy. The remaining 21% mostly complain about item damage and estimates that don't hold. The company compares favorably to larger carriers on responsiveness and pricing; the weak spot is what happens after something goes wrong. A reasonable option for standard household goods if you confirm the estimate structure in writing first.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing/unpacking, pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, storage, offices
WayForth LLC
- Overall rating: 4.44 / 5
- Reviews: 1 on Yelp | 69 on Google | BBB: A+
- Sentiment: 86% positive / 15% negative
- DOT #: 3378429 | In business: 21 years
WayForth is a specialist — they focus on complex and senior moves, and the reviews reflect that niche clearly. The 86% positive rate and BBB A+ tell a real story: attentive, communicative teams who handle difficult transitions with genuine care. The complaints that do surface mostly involve deposit disputes after cancellations and occasional delivery delays. If your move involves a lot of coordination, specialty items, or an older family member, WayForth is worth a direct conversation.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing/unpacking, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, storage, offices
Local Moving Services in Richmond, VA
A quick look at specialty coverage across Richmond's 18 interstate-capable movers:
| Service | # Offering | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 15 | 83% |
| Small moves | 16 | 89% |
| Antiques | 12 | 67% |
| Art handling | 12 | 67% |
| Pianos | 13 | 72% |
| Fragile-only packing | 2 | 11% |
Cost to Move from Richmond, VA to Illinois
The table below breaks down average cost ranges by home size and move method for an 838-mile move. Use the moving cost calculator to get a tighter estimate based on your specific load and timing.
| Move Size | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | $1,098 – $3,814 | $704 – $1,889 | $548 – $992 |
| 2–3 BR | $2,112 – $5,238 | $1,319 – $2,733 | $604 – $1,277 |
| 4+ BR | $3,720 – $6,954 | $1,879 – $3,571 | $726 – $1,550 |
Estimates based on an 838-mile move as of January 2026. Actual costs vary with load size, access conditions, fuel prices, and move date. Get multiple quotes before committing.
Cost to Hire Movers from Richmond to Illinois
A studio or one-bedroom runs $1,098–$3,814 with a full-service mover. Two to three bedrooms: $2,112–$5,238. Four bedrooms or more: $3,720–$6,954.
That's a wide range — the gap between a carrier that quotes accurately and one that pads the final invoice can easily be $1,000 or more. For a haul of this distance, I'd compare at least three quotes, including both local Richmond carriers and national long-distance movers. Safe Ship Moving is one interstate operator I've found to be straightforward about pricing on routes like this — worth including in your comparison.
Cost of Moving Containers from Richmond to Illinois
Moving containers run $704–$1,889 for a small move, $1,319–$2,733 for two to three bedrooms, and $1,879–$3,571 for four-plus bedrooms. The appeal is flexibility: you load on your own schedule, and the container handles the 838-mile drive while you fly or travel separately.
Cost of Rental Trucks from Richmond to Illinois
Rental trucks are the cheapest option on paper — $548–$992 for a small move, $604–$1,277 for two to three bedrooms, $726–$1,550 for larger homes. Fuel is already factored in. What isn't: your labor, your time, and the reality of driving a loaded 26-foot truck across eight-plus hours of highway. Go in with clear eyes before choosing this path.
Factors That Influence Moving Costs from Richmond to IL
- Move size: Volume and home complexity create the biggest cost differences. A two-bedroom with a packed garage is a different job than an empty one.
- Time of year: Summer is peak season in Richmond. Moving in fall or early spring typically means better availability and more competitive pricing.
- DIY vs. professional: Doing it yourself lowers the direct cost but puts all the labor, logistics, and risk on you. Professionals cost more and remove that burden.
What to Know Before Moving from Richmond to IL
Compare Cost of Living: Richmond vs. Illinois
The financial picture shifts meaningfully in your favor when you leave Virginia for Illinois. Here's the comparison:
| Richmond, VA | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,595 | $1,179 |
| Average home price | $350,897 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $59,606 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 95 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 4.95% |
Sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation, Zumper, Numbeo
- Rent is about 26% lower in Illinois — meaningful immediately if you're renting on arrival.
- Home prices are roughly 29% lower, which gives you real purchasing power if you're planning to buy.
- Per capita income is about 32% higher in Illinois, which largely explains the economic migration flowing toward Chicago.
- Cost of living is similar overall (index 95 vs. 90), so don't expect dramatic day-to-day savings — just modest improvement across most categories.
- Unemployment runs about 25% lower in Illinois — worth noting if you're job hunting after the move.
- State income tax is slightly lower in Illinois (4.95% vs. Virginia's 5.75%). Not transformative, but it adds up year over year.
How Life Is Different in Richmond, VA vs. Illinois
| Richmond, VA | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 226,610 | 12,549,689 |
| Political lean | Republican 49–48 | Democratic 55–45 |
| Summer high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 28°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 44″ | 40″ |
| Annual snow | 11″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 48.45 | 19.7 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270toWin, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia, AirNow
A few things that'll actually change your daily life:
- Winters are significantly colder. Illinois averages a 17°F winter low versus Richmond's 28°F. Budget more for heating and update your gear before your first January there.
- Double the snow. Illinois gets roughly 22 inches annually; Richmond sees about 11. That means shoveling, scraping, and rethinking your morning commute buffer from November through March.
- The politics flip. Richmond leaned Republican in the last presidential election; Illinois went Democratic 55–45. Worth knowing if it matters to your sense of community.
- Crime is substantially lower. Illinois's crime index of 19.7 versus Richmond's 48.45 isn't a marginal statistical difference — it's a meaningful quality-of-life shift.
- Scale changes everything. Richmond has 226,000 people. Illinois has 12.5 million, anchored by Chicago. The economic, cultural, and social resources available to you expand considerably.
Other Considerations When Moving to Illinois
A move of this distance involves more than hiring a truck and forwarding your mail:
- HOA rules: Check with any homeowners association for move-in restrictions — time windows, parking requirements, elevator policies.
- Elevator reservations: If your new building has one, book it ahead of time. Don't discover this limitation when the crew is at your door.
- Truck parking permits: Illinois doesn't require a statewide moving permit, but individual municipalities may have local restrictions. Confirm with building management or the city before your crew arrives.
- State licensing: Illinois movers handling in-state household goods are regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission and must hold a current Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Verify that any company you hire has one before signing.
- Change of address: File with USPS at least a week before your move date. Set your official start date so mail gets forwarded without a gap.
- Moving insurance: Standard Released Value Protection covers 60 cents per pound — nearly worthless for electronics or furniture. Ask your mover about full-value coverage or purchase a separate third-party policy.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of the thirty-plus tasks that pile up fast in the weeks before a long-distance move.
Things to Do in Illinois
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
FAQ
How long does a move from Richmond to Illinois take?
Two to seven days is the typical range, depending on move method and time of year. Summer moves tend to push toward the longer end. Ask your carrier for a written delivery window estimate before you book — and hold them to it.
Do Richmond movers offer custom crating?
Eleven Richmond movers list custom crating as a service. It's worth asking about if you're moving fragile, oversized, or oddly shaped items. Confirm the crate specs and whether they'll customize the build for your specific pieces before committing.
What's the best way to ship a car from Richmond to Illinois?
Auto transport is the practical call for a move this distance — coordinating your own vehicle over 838 miles alongside a moving truck is a lot to manage. For a quick price estimate, use the car shipping calculator.
Why are people moving from Richmond to Illinois?
Economic opportunity is the primary pull. Illinois's per capita income runs about 32% higher than Richmond's, and the Chicago metro offers a job market that a city of 226,000 simply can't replicate. Lower home prices and rent reinforce the case for many households making the move.
Can I pay cash for a move from Richmond, VA?
Six Richmond movers currently accept cash, but most carriers prefer traceable payment and require a deposit upfront to secure your date. You'll pay the balance at pickup or delivery. Confirm accepted payment methods and the exact timing before you sign anything.
Where can I find long-distance movers for this route?
Our best long-distance movers guide covers interstate carriers that handle moves like this regularly — vetted for licensing, reviews, and pricing transparency.
Compare quotes from Richmond carriers and use the moving cost calculator to set a realistic budget before you start calling around.