Moving from Reno to Illinois: Costs, Top Movers & What to Expect

Reno to Illinois is a 1,856-mile haul. That puts it firmly in cross-country territory, and what it costs — and what life looks like on the other side — depends on decisions you're probably working through right now. Below I'll cover the top Reno movers equipped for this route, realistic costs across three service types, and a straight-talk breakdown of what changes when you land in Illinois.

Local Moving Companies in Reno

Out of the Reno movers I track that handle state-to-state moves, here are the top five for a Reno-to-Illinois run:

Move 4 Less, LLC — 4.72 / 5
O'Briens Moving and Storage Inc. — 4.58 / 5
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK — 4.50 / 5
Colonial Van & Storage — 4.48 / 5
Carneys Full Service Movers — 4.38 / 5

Move 4 Less, LLC

Move 4 Less earns the top spot here on a combination of speed and value. Two-thirds of reviewers mention crews that work fast, stay professional, and often finish under budget — which matters when you're watching costs on a cross-country move. They handle pianos, antiques, art, and pool tables, so specialty items aren't a problem.

What I'd tell a friend: read the negative reviews carefully before committing to them for a long-haul move. Damage claims, surprise charges at final payment, and an unresponsive complaints process appear consistently enough to be a pattern rather than a fluke. Get their claims procedure explained before you sign, and make sure your quote is fully itemized.

Phone: (775) 899-6683 Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, storage

O'Briens Moving and Storage Inc.

Eighty-six years in business is genuinely rare in this industry, and O'Briens' Bekins Van Lines affiliation gives them national network access that's worth considering for a Reno-to-Illinois run. Customers who have good experiences consistently cite professional crews and careful handling.

The catch: the review split is nearly 50/50. For every satisfied customer, there's one reporting damaged items, unexpected charges, or poor follow-through after problems arise. At 46% positive, that's a ratio I can't dismiss for a nearly 1,900-mile move. If you go with O'Briens, get a fully itemized quote and understand their dispute process before anything gets loaded.

Phone: (775) 359-6683 Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, crating, storage, fragile-only packing

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

That 88% positive rate is what catches my eye. Most moving companies hover in the 60–70% range; the Reno TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise is punching well above that. Reviewers consistently mention smooth execution, respectful crews, and costs that often come in under the estimate.

The negative 10% includes some accounts of serious item damage and rough packing from specific crews — worth knowing. But statistically, those are the exception. For an interstate run, this location's track record is among the stronger ones in Reno.

Phone: (775) 276-5258 Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, pianos, storage, safes

Colonial Van & Storage

Colonial offers the most complete service list on this page: international moves, custom crating, full-valuation coverage, shipment tracking, and DOD certification. If you have high-value or fragile items, the breadth of their capabilities is worth considering.

The 41% negative rate gives me pause, though. Reviews describe delivery windows missed by weeks, unresolved damage claims, and poor communication when things go sideways. If you choose Colonial, nail down the delivery window in writing and document their claims process upfront — before the truck leaves Reno.

Phone: (775) 553-0111 Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, shipment tracking, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes

Carneys Full Service Movers

Carneys rounds out the list with a solid 81% positive rate. Reviewers consistently mention crews that work efficiently, handle furniture with care, and finish under the estimated cost. Responsive scheduling gets called out regularly too — useful when you're coordinating a cross-country move on a tight timeline.

The 19% of negative reviews point to occasional unprofessional behavior from crew or management, unexpected charges, and some unresolved damage situations. Not dealbreakers, but worth factoring in. Carneys also handles specialty items including hot tubs, pool tables, and antiques if you have anything outside standard household inventory.

Phone: (775) 358-3900 Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing, unpacking, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, storage, safes

If you'd prefer a nationally operated carrier with established cross-country routing, SafeShip Moving is one I've found consistently handles long-distance moves well — worth adding to your quote comparison for a run this size.

Local Moving Services in Reno, NV

Here's a quick snapshot of specialty service availability across Reno movers I track:

Service	# of Movers	% Available
Interstate moves	8	80%
Small moves	5	50%
Antiques	4	40%
Art	3	30%
Pianos	8	80%
Fragile-only packing	4	40%

If you have specialty items — particularly fine art or fragile antiques — ask about specific experience when you're getting quotes. Availability doesn't mean every crew is equally skilled.

Cost to Move from Reno, NV to Illinois

At 1,856 miles, this qualifies as a serious long-distance move. The numbers spread wide depending on your home size and how much of the work you handle yourself. Use the moving cost calculator to get a personalized estimate, but here's the general range:

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 bedroom	$1,276 – $4,808	$1,068 – $2,534	$1,000 – $2,006
2–3 bedrooms	$3,301 – $7,056	$1,791 – $3,901	$1,161 – $2,269
4+ bedrooms	$5,571 – $9,956	$2,525 – $5,093	$1,352 – $2,748

Estimates based on a 1,856-mile Reno-to-Illinois move, using pricing data from January 2026. Final costs vary based on home size, add-ons, access or parking constraints, fuel, and timing. Get multiple quotes before committing.

Cost to Hire Movers from Reno to Illinois

A full-service move is the most hands-off option — and the priciest. For a studio or one-bedroom, expect $1,276 to $4,808. A two- or three-bedroom home typically runs $3,301 to $7,056. For a four-plus bedroom house, budget $5,571 to $9,956.

The wide ranges reflect real variables: weight, floor access, time of year, and any extras like packing or storage. A summer move with a piano up a third-floor walkup is a very different quote than a fall move out of a single-story house.

Cost of Moving Containers from Reno to Illinois

Moving containers put you in charge of packing and loading, but cut out the cross-country drive. For a small load, plan on $1,068 to $2,534. Two- to three-bedroom moves typically run $1,791 to $3,901. Large households (four-plus bedrooms) fall in the $2,525 to $5,093 range.

The savings over full-service are meaningful, especially for bigger homes. Just be realistic about what packing a house properly for a 1,856-mile move actually takes — it's not a weekend job.

Cost of Moving Truck Rentals from Reno to Illinois

If budget is the priority and you're ready to handle the logistics yourself, a rental truck is your cheapest option. Studio and one-bedroom moves run $1,000 to $2,006; two- to three-bedroom moves fall between $1,161 and $2,269; larger homes run $1,352 to $2,748. Fuel is factored into these estimates.

The trade-off is real. You're packing, loading, driving close to 1,900 miles through Nevada, Utah, and into the Midwest, then unloading at the other end. That's a significant undertaking. Know what you're committing to before going DIY on a move this long.

For a broader look at how to trim costs across all service types, the cheap movers guide covers the options in more detail.

Factors Influencing Moving Costs from Reno to IL

Three variables move the needle most on what you'll pay for this route:

Move size: Weight is the biggest cost driver for full-service moves. The more you bring, the higher the bill. Before packing, be honest about what's actually worth shipping versus replacing.
Time of year: Summer is peak season. Moving June through August typically costs more — sometimes significantly more. If you have scheduling flexibility, use it.
DIY vs. professional movers: Professional movers provide accountability and logistical muscle that matter over nearly 1,900 miles. DIY saves money upfront but shifts all the risk and physical labor onto you.

What You Should Know Before Moving from Reno to IL

The financial case for this move is genuinely solid on paper. Life in Illinois costs meaningfully less than in Reno on most metrics — though there are a couple of surprises worth knowing about before you go.

Compare Cost of Living: Reno vs. Illinois

	Reno, NV	Illinois
Average rent	$1,700	$1,179
Average home cost	$523,662	$249,224
Average income (per capita)	$66,486	$78,433
Cost of living index	119	90
Unemployment rate	4.6%	5.3%
State income tax	0.0%	4.95%

Reno sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Illinois sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.

Here's what those numbers actually mean:

Rent drops about 31% in Illinois compared to Reno — real, recurring monthly savings.
Home values are roughly 52% lower. If buying is on your radar, your purchasing power goes considerably further.
Income averages about 18% higher in Illinois, though that varies significantly by region and industry.
Overall cost of living is about 24% lower. That's a meaningful difference in daily life.
Unemployment runs about 15% higher in Illinois than in Reno. If you're moving without a job lined up, expect more competition for open roles.
State income tax is the one that stings. Nevada has no state income tax. Illinois levies 4.95%. On a $78,000 salary, that's roughly $3,861 per year coming out of your paycheck that wasn't before — and it's the most predictable financial hit of this move.

How Life Is Different in Reno, NV from Illinois

	Reno, NV	Illinois
Population	264,165	12,549,689
Political leaning	Democratic (51-46)	Democratic (55-45)
Summer high	91