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Elgin, IL

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

Movers from Santa Monica to Elgin

About 2,033 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,710–$11,470, delivery in 5–10 days, 603 carriers on the Santa Monica side and 404 in Elgin.

  • 2,033 miroad distance
  • 35 hours (4 driving days)driving time
  • 5–10 daysdelivery window
  • $7,710–$11,4702-bedroom estimate
Photo: SounderBruce · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 2,033 miles (1,723 straight-line)
Drive time
35 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window
5–10 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
603 (222 interstate)
Movers at destination
404 (329 interstate)

Reverse: Elgin → Santa Monica

The route from Santa Monica, CA to Elgin, IL covers roughly 2,033 miles by road, a northeast-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 $7,710 to $11,470 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 Santa Monica side there are 603 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (222 of them authorized for interstate work), and 404 around Elgin (329 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 Elgin.

Santa Monica has a population of about 92,000 and Elgin about 115,476. Santa Monica is considerably denser (11,069 people per square mile versus 3,021), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Illinois than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Santa Monica to Elgin

Full-service estimate for 2,033 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $3,080 $3,760 $4,590
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $4,630 $5,640 $6,880
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $7,710 $9,400 $11,470
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $12,340 $15,040 $18,350
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $16,960 $20,690 $25,240

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,840–$4,010

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

Portable container

$2,830–$4,170

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

Full-service mover

$7,710–$11,470

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Santa Monica, CA → Elgin, IL. 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 Santa Monica (origin)

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

Near Elgin (destination)

Boy O Boy High Gloss

Licensed interstate
USDOT
4369508
MC
1711156
Based in
Elgin, IL 60120 (4 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
12,037 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered
2025
Call (331) 210-2039 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pava Logistics INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2209504
MC
766662
Based in
Bartlett, IL 60103 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
300 trucks, 155 drivers
USDOT registered
2011
Call (773) 312-7560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mainfreight INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1538326
MC
572473
Based in
Carol Stream, IL 60185 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
341 trucks, 341 drivers
USDOT registered
2006
Call (630) 496-7400 Route Verify on FMCSA

Father & Son Hauling LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2003220
MC
707027
Based in
East Dundee, IL 60118 (5 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
260 trucks, 130 drivers
USDOT registered
2010
Call (720) 641-9939 Route Verify on FMCSA

Universe Carrier INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2124287
MC
740221
Based in
Huntley, IL 60142 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
210 trucks, 216 drivers
USDOT registered
2011
Call (773) 577-5795 Route Verify on FMCSA

United Fleet Corp

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3982601
MC
1491592
Based in
Schaumburg, IL 60173 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
210 trucks, 210 drivers
USDOT registered
2022
Call (224) 998-9896 Route Verify on FMCSA

Agi Trucking INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2019189
MC
890687
Based in
Schaumburg, IL 60173 (14 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
167 trucks, 170 drivers
USDOT registered
2010
Route Verify on FMCSA

Ue Line INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2790763
MC
930850
Based in
Elgin, IL 60123 (1 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
165 trucks, 170 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Call (773) 657-5354 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 404 movers in Elgin

Related routes

Other destinations from Santa Monica

Other origins to Elgin

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,080 to $4,590 for a studio, $4,630 to $6,880 for a one-bedroom, $7,710 to $11,470 for a two-bedroom, $12,340 to $18,350 for a three-bedroom and $16,960 to $25,240 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Elgin from Santa Monica?

About 2,033 road miles (1,723 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 California into Illinois 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 Santa Monica to Elgin?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,840 to $4,010 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,830 to $4,170. 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 Santa Monica–Elgin corridor.