If you're moving from St. Paul to Illinois, you're already past the hardest decision. Now it's logistics: who handles your stuff, what it'll realistically cost, and what to expect when you arrive.
The distance is about 456 miles — long enough to put you firmly in interstate territory, short enough that it's a single haul for most loads. I went through 35 Minnesota movers capable of handling state-to-state jobs and pulled out the five worth calling for this route.
Top St. Paul Moving Companies for Illinois
Out of 35 St. Paul-based movers that handle interstate moves, here are the five that consistently earn it:
- Matt's Moving Company — 4.66 / 5
- Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc. — 4.62 / 5
- Metcalf Moving & Storage — 4.5 / 5
- The Move Crew — 4.5 / 5
- Daymakers Moving & Storage — 4.5 / 5
Matt's Moving Company
290 Chester St, St. Paul, MN 55107 | (651) 210-8271
4.6 / 5 | 92% positive across 268 reviews
Matt's has been operating for 17 years, and the review data reflects that institutional experience. Speed, careful handling, and communication come up again and again — crews tend to show up ready and move efficiently. A 92% positive rate at this volume is genuinely hard to hit. The negatives (under 7%) cover the usual territory: property damage, late crews, billing surprises. Nothing systemic, but worth protecting yourself against — get your inventory in writing before anyone shows up.
State license: 374236 | DOT: 1704106 | 17 years in business
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, crating, storage. Credit cards accepted.
Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc.
2995 Lone Oak Cir #7, Eagan, MN 55121 | (651) 372-3494
- 29 Yelp reviews
- 284 Google reviews
- BBB: Grade A+
4.6 / 5 | 92% positive across 250 reviews
Seventy-three years in business. You don't hit that number without figuring out how to consistently not lose people's belongings. Piepho's 91.6% positive rate holds up across 250 reviews, with customers calling out professional crews, clear communication, and careful handling on arrival. Their specialty capacity is a genuine differentiator — pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, antiques, grandfather clocks. If you have items most movers won't touch, this is worth a conversation. Negatives (delivery delays, damage on complex long-haul shipments) are the exception rather than the rule.
Also operates as Rochester Transfer & Storage Company.
State license: 286311 | DOT: 286311 | 73 years in business
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves; packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, crane vans, shipment tracking, full-valuation coverage, safes. Cash, money order, and credit cards accepted.
Metcalf Moving & Storage
1255 East Highway 36, St. Paul, MN 55109 | (651) 484-0211
4.5 / 5 | 92% positive across 234 reviews
105 years in business is not a marketing line — it's evidence the company has figured out how to survive. The review data backs it up: 91%+ positive, with consistent praise for professional crews, transparent pricing, and thoughtful packing. Where things occasionally go sideways is on estimates — a small number of customers report the final bill drifted from the original quote. Not unique to Metcalf, but preventable. Be specific about your volume and any oversized or fragile items when you get quoted.
DOT: 1127088 | 105 years in business
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves; packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage. Credit cards accepted.
The Move Crew
1700 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 | (612) 361-6787
4.5 / 5 | 94% positive across 295 reviews
Ten years in, and The Move Crew has the highest positive rate on this list at 94% — across 295 reviews, which is a real sample. Customers mention punctual crews, efficient loading, and final bills that come in at or under the estimate. That pricing accuracy is rarer than it should be in this industry, and it earns them repeat business. The complaint category is thin but includes furniture damage and some billing surprises; if you have high-value items, nail down the insurance specifics before move day.
State license: 380620 | DOT: 2552505 | 10 years in business
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, crating, storage. Credit cards accepted.
Daymakers Moving & Storage
919 Old Hwy 8 NW Suite 100, New Brighton, MN 55112 | (651) 955-1283
- 353 Google reviews
- BBB: Grade A+
4.5 / 5 | 99% positive across 352 reviews
Eight years old with a 98.6% positive rate on 352 reviews — those numbers are exceptional. Most companies accumulate more noise at that volume. Customers point to fast, respectful crews and pricing that makes sense when the final bill arrives. Rare complaints involve communication delays and estimate drift, but they're genuinely rare. If you want the lowest-risk pick on this list for your St. Paul-to-Illinois move, this is it.
DOT: 2593674 | 8 years in business
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, safes. Credit cards accepted.
Local Moving Services in St. Paul, MN
Quick breakdown of what's available across St. Paul movers handling this route:
| Service | Available | % of 35 movers |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 27 companies | 77% |
| Small moves | 21 companies | 60% |
| Piano moving | 28 companies | 80% |
| Antiques | 13 companies | 37% |
| Art | 13 companies | 37% |
| Fragile-only packing | 1 company | 3% |
If you need custom crating — for artwork, antiques, or unusual electronics — 23 St. Paul movers offer it. Confirm availability and lead time during the quote process, not on moving day.
Cost to Move from St. Paul, MN to Illinois
Here's what you're realistically looking at for a 456-mile move across three service types. Use the moving cost calculator to build out an estimate for your specific situation.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,109 – $3,210 | $619 – $1,532 | $379 – $664 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $1,981 – $5,311 | $1,130 – $2,240 | $415 – $821 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,223 – $7,469 | $1,547 – $2,816 | $478 – $1,007 |
Estimates based on pricing data as of January 2026. Your actual quote will vary based on home size, access conditions, optional services, fuel, and timing. Get at least three estimates before committing.
Cost to Hire Movers from St. Paul to Illinois
Long-distance movers will run $1,109–$3,210 for a studio or one-bedroom on this route. A two- or three-bedroom home comes in at $1,981–$5,311. Move a larger home — four bedrooms and up — and you're looking at $3,223–$7,469. There's significant range at every tier, which is exactly why multiple quotes matter.
Cost of Moving Containers from St. Paul to Illinois
Moving containers let you pack on your schedule while the carrier handles transport — a solid middle-ground option if you want flexibility without driving the truck yourself. For a small load, expect $619–$1,532. Two to three bedrooms runs $1,130–$2,240. Four bedrooms or more: $1,547–$2,816.
Cost of Moving Truck Rentals from St. Paul to Illinois
Renting a truck is the cheapest option, but you're handling all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. For a studio or one-bedroom, budget $379–$664 (fuel included in these estimates). Two to three bedrooms: $415–$821. Four bedrooms or more: $478–$1,007. If you've never driven a 26-foot box truck on a highway, factor that into the equation before you commit.
Factors Influencing Moving Costs from St. Paul to IL
Three things move the needle most on price:
- Move size. More furniture and boxes means a bigger truck, more crew hours, and a higher bill. This is the single biggest cost driver on any route.
- Time of year. Summer is peak moving season in the Twin Cities. Moving between May and September means higher rates and tougher availability.
- DIY vs. professional mover. Full-service movers handle everything but carry the highest price tag. Containers split the difference. A rental truck is cheapest if you're willing to put in the physical work.
What You Should Know Before Moving from St. Paul to IL
St. Paul isn't a cheap place to live. Moving to Illinois — depending on where you land — often means real money back in your budget. The numbers below show where the gaps are meaningful and where they're not.
Compare Cost of Living: St. Paul vs. Illinois
| Category | St. Paul, MN | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,350 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $278,221 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $63,483 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 102 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 9.85% | 4.95% |
Sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, BLS, Tax Foundation, Zumper, Numbeo
What these numbers actually mean for your budget:
- Rent runs about 13% less in Illinois than in St. Paul.
- Home prices in Illinois are roughly 10% lower.
- Per capita income in Illinois is about 24% higher — a real gap, not a rounding error.
- Cost of living overall is about 12% lower in Illinois.
- State income tax in Illinois is 4.95% versus Minnesota's 9.85% — close to half, which adds up across every paycheck.
- Unemployment in Illinois is slightly higher (5.3% vs. 4.9%). If you're arriving without a job lined up, set realistic expectations on search time.
How Life Is Different in Illinois vs. St. Paul, MN
| St. Paul, MN | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,176 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Democratic (49.8–48.3) | Democratic (55–45) |
| Summer high | 83°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 7°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 32″ |