Chicago, IL → Los Angeles, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Chicago to Los Angeles

About 2,063 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,760–$11,550, delivery in 5–10 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 2,866 in Los Angeles.

2,063 miroad distance
36 hours (5 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$7,760–$11,5502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Gnaphron · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Route summary

From: Chicago, Illinois
To: Los Angeles, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,063 miles (1,749 straight-line)
Drive time: 36 hours (5 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)
Movers at destination: 2,866 (1,210 interstate)

Reverse: Los Angeles → Chicago

The route from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA covers roughly 2,063 miles by road, a west-bound trip that falls into the cross-country move category for pricing purposes.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $7,760 to $11,550 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 36 hours (5 driving days).

On the Chicago side there are 2,923 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (2,209 of them authorized for interstate work), and 2,866 around Los Angeles (1,210 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Los Angeles.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Los Angeles about 3.9 million. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 8,304), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. California is a higher-cost state than Illinois, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.

Cost of moving from Chicago to Los Angeles

Full-service estimate for 2,063 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,110	$3,790	$4,620
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,660	$5,680	$6,930
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$7,760	$9,470	$11,550
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$12,420	$15,150	$18,480
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$17,080	$20,830	$25,410

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,870–$4,050

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$2,860–$4,210

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$7,760–$11,550

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chicago, IL → Los Angeles, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Chicago (origin)

Nova Lines INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2559423
MC: 892806
Based in: Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1,298 trucks, 1,298 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (847) 881-0432 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hmd Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 976560
MC: 415186
Based in: Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 409 trucks, 375 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (708) 398-6237 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cdn Logistics INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 781203
MC: 332177
Based in: Northlake, IL 60164 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 310 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (708) 344-5555 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hub Group

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hub Group Dedicated LLC

USDOT: 801828
MC: 357193
Based in: Oak Brook, IL 60523 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2,505 trucks, 3,194 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (630) 271-3600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fx

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Freight Exchange Of North America LLC

USDOT: 1194542
MC: 471387
Based in: Franklin Park, IL 60131 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 218 trucks, 219 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (312) 612-2200 Route Verify on FMCSA

New World Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 258748
MC: 162485
Based in: Chicago, IL 60646 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 204 trucks, 189 drivers
USDOT registered: 1985

Call (773) 509-5937 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liv Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2196716
MC: 762386
Based in: Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 201 trucks, 201 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (708) 401-7441 Route Verify on FMCSA

Celtic Cartage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1197429
MC: 476351
Based in: Palos Hills, IL 60465 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 185 trucks, 185 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (708) 974-1405 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 2,923 movers in Chicago

Near Los Angeles (destination)

Dhe

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Dependable Highway Express INC

USDOT: 9853
MC: 139496
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90023 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 312 trucks, 240 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (323) 362-9399 Route Verify on FMCSA

T C I Transportation Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 480301
MC: 619388
Based in: Commerce, CA 90022 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 205 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (323) 269-3033 Route Verify on FMCSA

Clutter INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2719785
MC: 934868
Based in: Culver City, CA 90230 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 191 trucks, 382 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (877) 626-1887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hercules Forwarding LLC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 424572
Based in: Vernon, CA 90058 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 166 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (323) 263-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pacific 9 Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1274552
MC: 496960
Based in: Gardena, CA 90248 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 68 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (310) 603-6011 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kavac Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3401792
MC: 1095095
Based in: South Gate, CA 90280 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 59 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (562) 568-8480 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4420956
MC: 1738102
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90029 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 52 trucks, 180 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (424) 335-1991 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ing Logistics

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1778992
MC: 648911
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90037 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 2,866 movers in Los Angeles

Tips for this move

Expect a delivery spread of one to two weeks; plan temporary housing in Los Angeles accordingly.
Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.

Near Chicago

Near Los Angeles

Related routes

Other destinations from Chicago

Other origins to Los Angeles

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,110 to $4,620 for a studio, $4,660 to $6,930 for a one-bedroom, $7,760 to $11,550 for a two-bedroom, $12,420 to $18,480 for a three-bedroom and $17,080 to $25,410 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Los Angeles from Chicago?

About 2,063 road miles (1,749 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 36 hours (5 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Illinois into California makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Chicago to Los Angeles?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,870 to $4,050 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,860 to $4,210. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Chicago–Los Angeles corridor.