Santa Ana, CA

Chicago, IL → Santa Ana, CA · Cross-country move

Movers from Chicago to Santa Ana

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 984 in Santa Ana.

  • 2,042 miroad distance
  • 35 hours (4 driving days)driving time
  • 5–10 daysdelivery window
  • $7,730–$11,5002-bedroom estimate
Photo: Coolsheep2 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,042 miles (1,731 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
984 (394 interstate)

Reverse: Santa Ana → Chicago

Santa Ana sits about 2,042 miles west of Chicago, which makes this an interstate relocation from Illinois to California that most movers classify as a cross-country move.

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 984 around Santa Ana (394 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 Santa Ana.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Santa Ana about 315,586. The two cities have comparable density (12,061 and 11,364 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. 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 Santa Ana

Full-service estimate for 2,042 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
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 → Santa Ana, CA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

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

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

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

Hub Group

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
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

Fx

Licensed interstate
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

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

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

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

All 2,923 movers in Chicago

Near Santa Ana (destination)

Temco Logistics

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2714701
MC
117140
Based in
Irvine, CA 92614 (5 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
2,493 trucks, 3,975 drivers
USDOT registered
2015

Ecology Auto Parts INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
629013
MC
324282
Based in
Cerritos, CA 90703 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
676 trucks, 580 drivers
USDOT registered
1996

Unis Transportation LLC

Interstate carrier
USDOT
2247083
Based in
Buena Park, CA 90620 (11 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
260 trucks, 160 drivers
USDOT registered
2011

Line Drive Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2483381
MC
859536
Based in
Anaheim, CA 92806 (7 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
79 trucks, 52 drivers
USDOT registered
2014

Orange Courier INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
710576
MC
327888
Based in
LA Mirada, CA 90638 (14 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
58 trucks, 75 drivers
USDOT registered
1997

Tectonic Transport

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3293353
MC
1043255
Based in
Santa Ana, CA 92707 (2 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
50 trucks, 160 drivers
USDOT registered
2019

Apollo Couriers INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1030265
MC
987394
Based in
Irvine, CA 92618 (10 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
22 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered
2002

Lgl INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2448815
MC
845207
Based in
Irvine, CA 92603 (9 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
20 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered
2013

All 984 movers in Santa Ana

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Santa Ana?

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 Santa Ana from Chicago?

About 2,042 road miles (1,731 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 Santa Ana?

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–Santa Ana corridor.