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

Movers from Chicago to Pasadena

About 2,042 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,730–$11,500, delivery in 5–10 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 822 in Pasadena.

2,042 miroad distance
35 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$7,730–$11,5002-bedroom estimate

Photo: David Wakely · CC BY-SA 2.5

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Route summary

From: Chicago, Illinois
To: Pasadena, California
Road distance: ≈ 2,042 miles (1,730 straight-line)
Drive time: 35 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)
Movers at destination: 822 (337 interstate)

Reverse: Pasadena → Chicago

The route from Chicago, IL to Pasadena, CA covers roughly 2,042 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 $7,730 to $11,500 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 35 hours (4 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 822 around Pasadena (337 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 Pasadena.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Pasadena about 135,804. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 6,030), 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 Pasadena

Full-service estimate for 2,042 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$3,090	$3,770	$4,600
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,640	$5,650	$6,900
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$7,730	$9,420	$11,500
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$12,360	$15,080	$18,390
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$17,000	$20,730	$25,290

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,850–$4,020

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

Portable container

$2,840–$4,180

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

Full-service mover

$7,730–$11,500

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

Moving cost calculator

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

White Arrow LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 577394
MC: 281042
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 414 trucks, 408 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (800) 501-5589 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dhe

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Dependable Highway Express INC

USDOT: 9853
MC: 139496
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90023 (10 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 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 205 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (323) 269-3033 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hercules Forwarding LLC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 424572
Based in: Vernon, CA 90058 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 166 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (323) 263-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4420956
MC: 1738102
Based in: Los Angeles, CA 90029 (10 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 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Saba Couriers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3182236
MC: 127315
Based in: Burbank, CA 91505 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (818) 731-8259 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liberty Linehaul West INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 282762
MC: 208837
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 44 trucks, 53 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (323) 728-8900 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 822 movers in Pasadena

Related routes

Other destinations from Chicago

Other origins to Pasadena

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,090 to $4,600 for a studio, $4,640 to $6,900 for a one-bedroom, $7,730 to $11,500 for a two-bedroom, $12,360 to $18,390 for a three-bedroom and $17,000 to $25,290 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Pasadena from Chicago?

About 2,042 road miles (1,730 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 35 hours (4 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 Pasadena?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,850 to $4,020 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,840 to $4,180. 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–Pasadena corridor.