Moving from Winston-Salem to Illinois costs $1,049–$7,370 by home size. Top local movers, real costs, and what you need to know before relocating.
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If you're moving from Winston-Salem to Illinois, you're looking at roughly 738 miles — squarely in long-distance mover territory. Before you start calling around, get a number in your head: full-service movers on this route run $1,049–$7,370 depending on home size. Use our moving cost calculator to sharpen that estimate before you talk to anyone.
Below is a breakdown of the top Winston-Salem movers for this route, what you'll actually pay across three service types, and what life in Illinois looks like before you commit.
Out of 20 Winston-Salem movers credentialed to handle state-to-state moves, five rose to the top for the Winston-Salem to Illinois route:
130 Stratford Ct, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 | (336) 310-0235
88% positive | 11% negative | 239 total reviews
Yelp (19 reviews) · Google (217 reviews) · BBB: Grade A+
Two Men and a Truck's Winston-Salem location earns its marks consistently. Across nearly 240 reviews, the recurring themes are crews that show up on time, handle belongings carefully, and keep communication clear from booking through delivery. Rates get called "reasonable" more often than you'd expect from a branded franchise.
The weak spots, when they appear, tend to be on the phone side — complaints about rude customer service reps, plus occasional reports of damaged items or sluggish claims resolution. About 11% negative is below average for this market. With 30 years operating and a full capability set that includes pianos, storage, and packing, this is a solid first call for most Winston-Salem to Illinois moves.
State license: #126 | DOT: 2527384 | 30 years in business
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, pianos, storage, safes, credit cards accepted
535 Clemmonsville Rd D, Winston-Salem, NC 27107 | (336) 765-3499
91% positive | 8% negative | 1,000+ reviews across platforms
Yelp (72 reviews) · Google (983 reviews) · BBB: Grade A+
Over 980 Google reviews with a 91% positive rate makes this one of the most validated options in Winston-Salem. Customers point to professional crews, honest pricing, and responsive office staff. The specialty service list is extensive — pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, antiques, fine art, custom crating — which matters if your move involves anything fragile or out of the ordinary.
The caveat: some customers report slow or unresolved damage claims, and a few describe unexpected cost surprises. Not unusual for this industry, but worth noting. If you have irreplaceable items, be explicit about valuation coverage before anyone touches your belongings. At 19 years in business with full-valuation coverage available, this is one of the stronger all-around picks in the area.
State license: #2411 | DOT: 2007351 | 19 years in business
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes, credit cards, deposit required
7345 West Friendly Ave, Suite E, Greensboro, NC 27410 | (336) 810-1801
43% positive | 54% negative | 35 reviews analyzed
Yelp (42 reviews) · Google (533 reviews) · BBB: Grade A+
I'll be direct: 54% negative reviews is a red flag, whatever the BBB grade says. Broken furniture, surprise charges, and poor damage resolution come up repeatedly in the critical feedback. Speed and friendly crews do get praised by the minority who had good experiences — but a majority-negative complaint rate is not what you want on a 738-mile move.
There's also a practical issue: College Hunks doesn't list interstate moves as an offered service. That's a hard limitation for a Winston-Salem to Illinois haul specifically. If you're moving low-value items and price is your primary driver, a call might be worth it. For anything you'd be genuinely upset to lose or damage, look at the other four options first.
State license: #2525 | DOT: 2378173 | 13 years in business
Services: Local, packing, unpacking, offices, storage, credit cards accepted
1080 Small Creek Way, Westfield, NC 27053 | (336) 998-6683
69% positive | 30% negative | 54 reviews analyzed
Yelp (16 reviews) · Google (38 reviews) · BBB: Grade A+
Thirty-nine years in business carries real weight. Most customers describe professional, efficient crews that handle belongings carefully and maintain a positive attitude even when conditions get complicated. Pricing transparency comes up positively more often than average — which is genuinely notable in a business where hidden fees are common.
The 30% negative rate deserves attention, though. Complaints cluster around costs coming in higher than quoted, abrupt scheduling changes, and unreliable delivery timing. Standard advice applies here more than most: get your quote itemized in writing and nail down the delivery window before you sign. With interstate licensing, full-valuation coverage, and specialty handling for pianos, art, and antiques, the capability is there — just verify the details upfront.
State license: #2276 | DOT: 2390090 | 39 years in business
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, safes, cash and credit cards accepted, deposit required
306 Concord St, Greensboro, NC 27406 | (336) 939-6450
90% positive | 8% negative | 171 total reviews
Yelp (15 reviews) · Google (109 reviews) · BBB: Grade A+
Excel operates as an Allied Van Lines agent, which gives it access to a national logistics network — useful for a long haul like this one. With 55 years in business and 90% positive reviews across 171 ratings, this is the most experienced company on the list. Customers consistently mention professional crews, efficient service, and solid communication before and during the move.
The knock: a handful of complaints tie specifically to out-of-state moves — delayed deliveries, misplaced items, and follow-up that became harder to get once the truck was on the road. Before signing, get a delivery window in writing and clarify exactly who your point of contact is after pickup. The full service range is comprehensive, including shipment tracking, which is worth using on a 700-plus-mile move.
State license: #731 | DOT: 076235 | 55 years in business
Services: Local, interstate, international, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, shipment tracking, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes, money order, cash, credit cards, deposit required
Here's how specialty service availability breaks out across all 20 Winston-Salem interstate movers surveyed:
| Service | # Offering | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate | 14 | 70% |
| Small moves | 11 | 55% |
| Antiques | 10 | 50% |
| Art | 9 | 45% |
| Pianos | 15 | 75% |
| Fragile-only packing | 5 | 25% |
If fragile-only packing or specialty crating matters for your move, the pool is thin — only five companies offer it. Confirm availability before getting deep into the quote process.
The route is approximately 738 miles. Here's what to expect by home size and service type:
| Home Size | Full-Service Movers | Moving Containers | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,049 – $3,582 | $731 – $1,754 | $496 – $922 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $1,986 – $4,997 | $1,330 – $2,382 | $541 – $1,150 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,363 – $7,370 | $1,644 – $3,163 | $710 – $1,313 |
Estimates based on a 738-mile move from Winston-Salem, NC to Illinois. Actual quotes will vary by home size, added services, access and parking conditions, fuel, and timing. Always get at least three estimates before committing.
For a studio or one-bedroom, budget $1,049–$3,582 for full-service movers on this route. A two- to three-bedroom home lands in the $1,986–$4,997 range. Four bedrooms or more runs $3,363–$7,370. The upper end of each range reflects peak-season rates, specialty services, and longer delivery windows — not what you'll necessarily pay if you book early during a slower stretch of the year.
Moving containers are the middle-ground option — you pack on your own schedule, a driver handles the long-distance leg. A small load runs $731–$1,754. Two to three bedrooms: $1,330–$2,382. Four or more bedrooms: $1,644–$3,163. PODS is the most recognized name in the space, but compare a few providers before locking anything in — pricing varies more than most people expect.
A rental truck is cheapest on paper. Studio or one-bedroom: $496–$922. Two to three bedrooms: $541–$1,150. Four-plus bedrooms: $710–$1,313. Those figures include estimated fuel — but on a 738-mile drive, fuel isn't trivial. Before calling it a bargain, account for your time, any overnight lodging, physical labor, and the fact that you're fully responsible for everything on that truck.
Three variables will move your quote more than anything else:
| Winston-Salem, NC | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,300 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $248,806 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $62,431 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 84 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 4.5% | 4.95% |
Winston-Salem sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, BLS, Tax Foundation. Illinois sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
What the numbers actually mean for your budget:
| Winston-Salem, NC | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 249,545 | 12,549,689 |
| Political lean | Republican 51-49 | Democratic 55-45 |
| Summer high | 88°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 28°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 45" | 40" |
| Annual snow | 6" | 22" |
| Crime index | 32.67 | 19.7 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces.
A few things worth unpacking:
| Pros of Winston-Salem | Pros of Illinois |
|---|---|
| Light traffic | Home of Chicago |
| Strong community feel | Ample economic opportunity |
| Lower cost of living | Abundant recreational options |
| Scenic surroundings | Excellent food scene |
| Quality education options | World-class sports culture |
| Cons of Winston-Salem | Cons of Illinois |
|---|---|
| Summertime humidity | Harsh winter weather |
| High pollen levels | Heavy traffic (especially Chicago) |
| Limited public transit | Higher crime in some areas |
| Small airport | Flat, monotonous landscape outside cities |
| Quiet nightlife | Stricter regulations |
Booking movers is step one. Here's what else is easy to overlook until it becomes a problem:
