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Santa Monica, CA

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

Movers from Chicago to Santa Monica

About 2,069 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,780–$11,570, delivery in 5–10 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 603 in Santa Monica.

  • 2,069 miroad distance
  • 36 hours (5 driving days)driving time
  • 5–10 daysdelivery window
  • $7,780–$11,5702-bedroom estimate
Photo: User:User2004 · Public domain
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,069 miles (1,753 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
603 (222 interstate)

Reverse: Santa Monica → Chicago

Moving from Chicago to Santa Monica is a cross-country move of roughly 2,069 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 $7,780 to $11,570 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 603 around Santa Monica (222 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 Monica.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Santa Monica about 92,000. The two cities have comparable density (12,061 and 11,069 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 Monica

Full-service estimate for 2,069 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,110 $3,790 $4,630
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $4,670 $5,690 $6,940
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $7,780 $9,480 $11,570
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $12,440 $15,170 $18,510
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $17,110 $20,860 $25,450

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,880–$4,060

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

Portable container

$2,870–$4,220

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

Full-service mover

$7,780–$11,570

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

Moving cost calculator

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

Clutter INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2719785
MC
934868
Based in
Culver City, CA 90230 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
191 trucks, 382 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (877) 626-1887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Arru Group INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4420956
MC
1738102
Based in
Los Angeles, CA 90029 (13 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 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
50 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered
2008
Call (213) 944-0878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dsd Trucking INC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
465743
MC
309255
Based in
Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
39 trucks, 31 drivers
USDOT registered
1991
Call (310) 725-1999 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grt Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3410979
MC
1099772
Based in
Los Angeles, CA 90008 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
35 trucks, 80 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (310) 508-6676 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harmony Home Remodels

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4468385
MC
1763223
Based in
Van Nuys, CA 91411 (12 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
33 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered
2025
Call (818) 747-3439 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dlvr

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3471374
MC
1136305
Based in
Culver City, CA 90230 (6 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
25 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Route Verify on FMCSA

Melogistix INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3479671
MC
1141564
Based in
LA, CA 90019 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
25 trucks, 48 drivers
USDOT registered
2020
Call (323) 377-8628 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 603 movers in Santa Monica

Related routes

Other destinations from Chicago

Other origins to Santa Monica

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,110 to $4,630 for a studio, $4,670 to $6,940 for a one-bedroom, $7,780 to $11,570 for a two-bedroom, $12,440 to $18,510 for a three-bedroom and $17,110 to $25,450 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Santa Monica from Chicago?

About 2,069 road miles (1,753 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 Santa Monica?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,880 to $4,060 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,870 to $4,220. 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 Monica corridor.