Chicago, IL → Monterey, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Chicago to Monterey

About 2,187 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,990–$11,890, delivery in 5–10 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 12 in Monterey.

2,187 miroad distance
38 hours (5 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$7,990–$11,8902-bedroom estimate

Photo: Catalinaschool · CC BY 4.0

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Route summary

From: Chicago, Illinois
To: Monterey, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,187 miles (1,853 straight-line)
Drive time: 38 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: 12 (4 interstate)

Reverse: Monterey → Chicago

Moving from Chicago to Monterey is a cross-country move of roughly 2,187 road miles, heading west from Illinois to California.

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 $7,990 to $11,890 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 38 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 12 around Monterey (4 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 Monterey.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Monterey about 30,000. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 3,495), 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 Monterey

Full-service estimate for 2,187 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,200	$3,900	$4,750
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,790	$5,850	$7,130
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$7,990	$9,740	$11,890
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$12,780	$15,590	$19,020
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$17,580	$21,440	$26,150

Rental truck (DIY)

$3,000–$4,230

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

Portable container

$2,970–$4,370

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

Full-service mover

$7,990–$11,890

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chicago, IL → Monterey, 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 Monterey (destination)

American Movers INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1077325
MC: 447949
Based in: Marina, CA 93933 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (831) 384-4139 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mod-Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: 21st Century Moving LLC

USDOT: 2983026
MC: 1294330
Based in: Monterey, CA 93940 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (831) 869-9367 Route Verify on FMCSA

Monterey Peninsula Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Valerio Lima

USDOT: 167294
MC: 51424
Based in: Marina, CA 93933 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (831) 883-0212 Route Verify on FMCSA

Supply & Demand Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3507091
MC: 1159608
Based in: Marina, CA 93933 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 710-7824 Route Verify on FMCSA

A New Beginning Monterey

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Marcus Chubbs INC

USDOT: 2710075
Based in: Seaside, CA 93955 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (831) 392-6487 Route Verify on FMCSA

Monterey Junk Removal

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: David Newell Johnson

USDOT: 3202429
Based in: Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (831) 737-4614 Route Verify on FMCSA

White Glove Movers LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 3375963
MC: 1082909
Based in: Pebble Beach, CA 93953 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 236-0336 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jrg Junk Removal & Yard Maintenance

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Jesus Ruelas Gamboa

USDOT: 3725511
Based in: Seaside, CA 93955 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (831) 521-8173 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 12 movers in Monterey

Related routes

Other destinations from Chicago

Other origins to Monterey

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Monterey?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,200 to $4,750 for a studio, $4,790 to $7,130 for a one-bedroom, $7,990 to $11,890 for a two-bedroom, $12,780 to $19,020 for a three-bedroom and $17,580 to $26,150 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Monterey from Chicago?

About 2,187 road miles (1,853 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 38 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 Monterey?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $3,000 to $4,230 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,970 to $4,370. 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–Monterey corridor.