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If you're moving from Virginia to Chicago, you're covering roughly 738 miles. That's a real interstate move — long enough that picking the wrong mover or misjudging costs can turn an already stressful situation into a genuinely bad one.
Below I've laid out the top-rated Virginia movers for this route, real cost ranges across service types, and an honest look at what changes when you trade Virginia for Illinois. No fluff — just what you actually need to know before moving day.
Out of 88 Virginia-based moving companies that handle interstate moves, these five earn the best marks for relocations to Chicago.
4.52 / 5 | Arlington, VA (4075 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800) Yelp (118 reviews) · Google (651 reviews) · BBB: A+
99% positive across 669 reviews analyzed.
Rate: $145/hr | DOT #: 3455884 | In business: 4 years
That 99% positive rate across nearly 700 reviews is genuinely hard to dismiss — at that volume, it reflects something real. The pattern in the reviews: crews show up on time, communicate clearly, move fast, and handle items carefully. Pricing is transparent upfront, which matters more than people realize until they get an unexpected bill from a competitor.
Worth knowing: BoxStar is a newer company. Some negative reviews mention damage during packing or less-experienced crew members on certain jobs. If you're moving fragile or high-value items, have that conversation before the truck shows up.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing/unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes. Accepts cash and credit.
4.5 / 5 | Woodbridge, VA (15005 Farm Creek Dr, Unit 106) Yelp (109 reviews) · Google (468 reviews) · BBB: A+
71% positive, 27% negative across 340+ reviews analyzed.
DOT #: 2041911 | In business: 15 years
Fifteen years in the industry and a 4.5-star average sounds solid — but the 71% positive / 27% negative split is a yellow flag I'd take seriously. That complaint rate is higher than you'll see from the best operators. The recurring issues: final bills that exceed the quoted price, unexpected charges, and slow follow-up when damage occurs.
The positives are real — efficient crews, courteous service, competitive pricing when the estimate actually holds. If you book here, get everything in writing: the itemized quote, your delivery window, and the claims process.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing/unpacking, offices, pianos, pool tables, storage.
3.98 / 5 | Alexandria, VA (211 N Union St, Suite 132) BBB: NR
98% positive across 125 reviews analyzed.
DOT #: 3610638 | In business: 3 years
Flex has a thinner track record than the others here — 125 data points is a small sample for an interstate move — but 98% positive is difficult to ignore. Customers consistently highlight professional crews, careful handling, transparent pricing, and moves that finish ahead of schedule. A small number of complaints involve billing discrepancies or estimates that came in lower than the final charge.
The three-year age is the main caution. Less history means less predictability, especially on a complex 738-mile move. Worth getting a quote, but verify the pricing structure carefully before committing.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing/unpacking, offices, storage. Accepts cash and credit.
4.66 / 5 | McLean, VA (8370 Greensboro Dr, Apt 817) Yelp (99 reviews) · Google (5,359 reviews) · BBB: A−
93% positive across 353 reviews analyzed.
DOT #: 3116640 | In business: 7 years
Over 5,300 Google reviews at a 4.66 average — at that volume, the rating actually means something. My Pro Movers earns consistent praise for speed, careful handling, and experienced crews. The 5% negative feedback clusters almost entirely around estimate accuracy: customers quoted one number and billed another. When booking, I'd push specifically for a binding estimate rather than a non-binding one and get it confirmed in writing.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing/unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes. Accepts cash and credit. Deposit required.
4.64 / 5 | Sterling, VA (101 International Dr, Suite 120) Yelp (75 reviews) · Google (1,035 reviews) · BBB: A+
93% positive across 303 reviews analyzed.
DOT #: 2294507 | State license #: 2294507 | In business: 18 years
The most experienced operation on this list by a wide margin. Eighteen years in business tends to show in the reviews — 93% positive across 1,000+ Google reviews, with recurring praise for on-time arrival, transparent pricing, and careful handling. Fewer damage and reliability complaints than most competitors in the region. When problems do appear, they center on communication lapses and claim handling, which is typical for the industry and less frequent here than average.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing/unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage. Accepts cash and credit. Deposit required.
Use the moving cost calculator to get a sharper estimate for your specific situation — the ranges below are based on the 738-mile route as of January 2026, and your actual number moves based on shipment volume, services, access at either address, and timing.
| Move size | Professional movers | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,018 – $3,652 | $731 – $1,720 | $491 – $960 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,047 – $4,896 | $1,278 – $2,607 | $568 – $1,128 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,574 – $7,228 | $1,730 – $3,163 | $703 – $1,408 |
Fuel costs are factored into truck rental estimates. Always compare at least three quotes before committing to a mover.
For a studio or one-bedroom, expect $1,018 to $3,652 with professional movers. Two- to three-bedroom moves typically run $2,047 to $4,896. Moving a four-bedroom home or larger lands in the $3,574 to $7,228 range. That's a wide spread — the gap between low and high is driven by shipment weight, whether packing is included, and how the mover structures their pricing.
For a route this length, I'd recommend collecting at least three quotes from long-distance movers before deciding. National carriers like Safe Ship Moving are worth including in that comparison alongside local operators — they handle interstate routes like this regularly and can be competitive on price.
Moving containers split the difference between DIY and full service — you do the packing, they handle the haul. Small moves (studio or one bedroom) run $731 to $1,720. Two to three bedrooms comes in at $1,278 to $2,607. Larger homes land between $1,730 and $3,163.
The practical advantage: most container companies give you flexible loading time before the truck departs, which takes pressure off moving day. Good option if you want control over packing without driving 738 miles yourself.
Rental trucks are the cheapest entry point: $491 to $960 for a small move, $568 to $1,128 for two to three bedrooms, $703 to $1,408 for larger homes. But "cheapest" assumes your time and energy cost nothing. At 738 miles, you're looking at a solid two-day drive. Add your own labor, fuel, lodging, and physical wear — for many people, the cost gap between a rental and a container closes faster than expected.
| Company | Full service | Antiques | Military discount | Senior discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BoxStar Movers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Great Job Moving and Storage | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Flex Moving & Storage | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| My Pro Movers | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Around Town Movers | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
For context: among Virginia movers overall, about 98% offer full-service moves — slightly above the 96% national average. Military and senior discounts, however, lag behind the national average (2% vs. 4% and 1% vs. 4%, respectively). If a discount applies to you, ask about it before getting a quote — it won't always be advertised.
Here's how Chicago stacks up against Virginia on the numbers that actually shape daily life.
| Virginia | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,440/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Average home price | $392,682 | $295,743 |
| Per capita income | $87,249 | $71,566 |
| Cost of living index | 100 | 106 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 4.95% |
Sources: World Population Review, Zillow, Zumper, US Census Bureau, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation
The headline numbers:
| Chicago | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 8,715,698 |
| Political lean | Democrat (74–24) | Democratic (52–48) |
| Summer high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Winter low | 19°F | 25°F |
| Annual rain | 38" | 44" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 14" |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 19.3 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces
What that data actually means for your move:
Chicago earns its reputation as a world-class city. There's genuine depth here once you're settled.
Museums
Parks
Sports teams
Universities
A few things worth handling before moving day:
Loading typically takes less than a day regardless of the method. For the drive itself, budget one to two days behind the wheel on a truck rental — the route runs 738 miles, and if you're starting from Northern Virginia, you're looking at nine to ten hours of drive time before stops. Professional movers and container companies generally deliver within a few days to two weeks on an interstate run. Ask specifically for a delivery window when you book.
Book as soon as your dates are confirmed. Two to three months out is the realistic target. Summer and early fall are peak season — if you're moving during those months, earlier is better. Last-minute availability on an interstate route typically means either limited crew quality or significantly higher prices.
Peak season runs roughly May through August, when demand drives prices up. Chicago winters (19°F lows, heavy snow) naturally reduce demand in January and February, which creates pricing opportunities. Late fall and winter moves can come in notably cheaper — just factor in weather risk and what that does to your delivery timeline.
A few useful starting points before you finalize your plan:
The cost ranges in this guide give you a useful baseline. For a sharper estimate specific to your home size, services, and moving date, run the numbers through the moving cost calculator.
