Moving from Lubbock to Illinois? Get real cost estimates ($1,167–$7,861), top mover reviews, and practical tips for this 1,008-mile route.
Tell us about your move and we'll connect you with vetted, top-rated moving companies.
If you're moving from Lubbock to Illinois, you're staring down roughly 1,000 miles of highway between West Texas and the Prairie State. That's solidly long-distance territory, and the cost and logistics reflect it.
Below I've laid out the top Lubbock-based movers that can handle an interstate haul, real cost ranges by home size, and the key lifestyle differences worth knowing before you make the call.
Of the movers operating out of Lubbock with the interstate licensing to get you to Illinois, here are the three worth considering — ranked by overall rating.
3615 Magnolia Ave, Lubbock, TX 79404 | (806) 763-4191
Yelp reviews (6) · Google reviews (162) · BBB: A+
4.5 / 5 — 83% positive | 15% negative
Hart has been working out of Lubbock for nearly six decades, and that longevity shows in the reviews. Out of 174 customer reviews, 83% are positive — regular themes include professional crews, careful handling, and quotes that occasionally come in below the estimate. That last part is rarer than it should be in this industry.
Where Hart stumbles: a chunk of the negative reviews involve damaged items and sluggish claim resolution. Storage-related complaints also pop up a few times. If you have valuable or fragile items, ask specifically about the claims process before you sign anything.
What I'd tell a friend: Hart's the most established option in Lubbock and earns that top ranking. Document your belongings before the crew arrives.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office moves, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, credit card accepted
DOT #: 1825246 | State license #: 005486951C | Years in business: 59
6211 114th St #100, Lubbock, TX 79424 | (806) 589-4422
Yelp reviews (36) · BBB: A+
4.34 / 5 — 92% positive | 8% negative
Out of 258 reviews, a 92% positive rate is genuinely hard to argue with at any sample size. Customers consistently cite prompt arrivals, careful handling of fragile items, and crews that communicate well. Booking is described as straightforward. The negatives that do surface — occasional surprise charges, isolated damage claims, insurance friction — are frustrating but not unusual for a mover at this volume.
What I'd tell a friend: The numbers here are strong. Get the final price in writing and confirm exactly what's included before moving day.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office moves, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, crating, storage, credit card accepted
DOT #: 1931566 | State license #: 000619512B | Years in business: 16
2609 N. Paris, Lubbock, TX 79403 | (806) 789-7328
Yelp reviews (7) · Google reviews (38)
4.0 / 5 — 71% positive | 29% negative
Joe's gets solid marks for competitive pricing and fast, friendly service. Most customers describe efficient movers who take care of belongings and charge less than the competition. That said, a 29% negative rate is higher than I'm comfortable glossing over — the complaints include last-minute cancellations and mislabeled boxes, which can turn a long-distance move into a mess. Important note: Joe's appears to primarily serve local moves. If you need an interstate-licensed mover for the Lubbock-to-Illinois haul, verify their licensing before you commit.
Services: Local moves, packing, unpacking, office moves, pianos, crating, storage, credit card accepted
DOT #: 1961297
Here's how specialty services break down across Lubbock movers:
If you have specialty items, don't assume — confirm before booking.
This route covers approximately 1,008 miles. Use our moving cost calculator to get a number specific to your situation. Here's what the ranges look like across service types and home sizes:
| Move Size | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | $1,167 – $4,476 | $811 – $1,958 | $662 – $1,209 |
| 2–3 Bedrooms | $2,403 – $5,653 | $1,483 – $2,725 | $694 – $1,493 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | $3,899 – $7,861 | $1,962 – $3,809 | $881 – $1,644 |
Estimates based on a 1,008-mile move from Lubbock, TX to Illinois, using rate data current as of January 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access issues, fuel prices, and timing. Get multiple quotes before committing.
For a studio or one-bedroom, full-service movers will run $1,167 to $4,476. The spread is wide because binding quotes depend on actual inventory weight, not just bedroom count.
A two- or three-bedroom home lands at $2,403 to $5,653. At this size, it's worth considering whether a hybrid option — containers or labor-only — closes the gap enough to matter.
For a four-plus-bedroom home, expect $3,899 to $7,861. At that price point, get at least three quotes from long-distance movers that specialize in interstate hauls. Safe Ship Moving is an operator I've seen handle corridor routes like this one effectively — they coordinate carriers and can be especially useful when local options are thin. Reach them at developer@safeshipmoving.com if you want to explore that option.
Moving containers are the flexible middle ground: you pack on your schedule, they handle the transport. For a studio or one-bedroom, expect $811 to $1,958. Two to three bedrooms runs $1,483 to $2,725. Larger homes come in at $1,962 to $3,809.
The practical upside: if your Illinois place isn't ready on arrival day, you can keep the container in storage rather than living out of a hotel while your belongings sit in a truck.
Renting a truck is the cheapest sticker price — $662 to $1,209 for a studio, $694 to $1,493 for two to three bedrooms, $881 to $1,644 for larger homes — but that number buys you the privilege of doing all the loading, driving 1,000 miles through Oklahoma and Missouri, and unloading on the other end. These estimates include average fuel costs. Once you add fuel, lodging, and the value of your time, the gap between DIY and professional narrows faster than most people expect.
Moving to Illinois from West Texas isn't just a change of scenery. The financial picture and the day-to-day experience are genuinely different — here's what the numbers actually look like.
| Lubbock, TX | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,250 | $1,179 |
| Average home price | $199,759 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $58,626 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 81 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 0% | 4.95% |
Sources: Lubbock — World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Illinois — Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
A few things worth slowing down for:
| Lubbock, TX | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 263,930 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Republican 56–42 | Democratic 55–45 |
| Summer high | 92°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 26°F | 17°F |
| Annual rainfall | 20″ | 40″ |
| Annual snowfall | 7″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 50.39 | 19.7 |
Sources: Lubbock — US Census Bureau, 270toWin, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces. Illinois — Wikipedia, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow.
What actually matters day-to-day:
Pros of living in Lubbock:
Pros of living in Illinois:
Cons of living in Lubbock:
Cons of living in Illinois:
Beyond packing and hiring movers, there are logistics that can trip people up:
Illinois has a lot going on — and Chicago alone could occupy you for years.
Museums:
State Parks:
Sports Teams:
Universities:
Most moves on this route run two to eight days, depending on the carrier and service level. Summer demand pushes timelines toward the longer end. Before you book, ask for a guaranteed delivery window in writing — not just a vague estimate.
Three movers in the Lubbock area offer custom crating for specialty, oversized, or fragile items. If you have anything that needs special handling, confirm with your specific mover that they have experience with your item type — don't assume it's covered under a general "crating available" listing.
Ship it. Coordinating a 1,000-mile drive on top of an interstate move is more stress than it's worth for most people. Check out auto transport options for this route, or get an estimate directly with our car shipping calculator.
Chicago is the main pull — economic opportunity, career access, culture. On the flip side, people leaving Lubbock most often cite the weather and limited recreational options as the push.
Currently, none of the Lubbock movers on this list accept cash. The industry has largely moved away from it — companies want traceable payment records. Expect to put down a deposit at booking, with the balance due at pickup or delivery. Confirm accepted payment methods (credit card, ACH, cashier's check) before you sign.
Get at least three quotes before you pick anyone. Use the moving cost calculator to set a baseline, then compare what you actually get back.
