4.2(363 industry-reported)
Full-service interstate mover with competitive pricing.
Long Distance
Long Distance
Household Goods
Small Business
USDOT: 76628
MC: 42866
FMCSA: Not Rated
BBB: A-
Lake · northern collar · North Shore edge, inland towns & I-94 corridor
Moving in Lake County: North Shore Estates, Inland Suburbs & I-94 Logistics
Lake County is a split personality market: North Shore–edge towns with estate lots, tree canopy, and high-value inventories; inland growth from Gurnee to Round Lake and Mundelein with HOA tracts and retail corridors; and Waukegan–North Chicago stock that mixes multi-unit and workforce housing near industrial and naval-adjacent edges. A Lake Forest circular drive, a Vernon Hills HOA gate list, a Waukegan walk-up, and a winter move off US-41 do not share truck access or crew skill. I-94, I-294 links, US-41, IL-60, and IL-120 rewrite “local” estimates that ignore long carries, HOA packets, and peak Tri-State portal time. This hub is for people moving in Lake County — not a renamed Naperville page or generic Illinois template. Below: 25 verified listings serving Lake County, plus zone tips, cost drivers, and practical resources.
Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Household Goods license for intrastate moves · FMCSA for interstate · North Shore estate, inland HOA & I-94 corridor awareness · Curated listings
Serving Lake
25
movers on this page
USDOT / FMCSA
24
of 25 with records on file
Local (HQ nearby)
0
none listed
Regional / LD
25
Lake County moving snapshot
- Primary markets
- North Shore edge · Vernon Hills / Libertyville · Waukegan / North Chicago · West inland
- Move profile
- North Shore estate vs inland HOA logistics module
- Peak season
- Best windows: mid-week early mornings; Peak family season: late May–mid-August
- Key challenges
- North Shore edge vs inland Lake are different jobs · Estate lots rewrite labor before packing skill matters · I-94 and US-41 turn short map miles into billable time
- Major corridors
- I-94 · I-294 links · US-41 · IL-60 · IL-120
- Popular destinations
- Chicago metro overflow → Lake County suburbs · Lake → Wisconsin border interstate legs · Lake → Sun Belt long-distance exits
Jump straight to verified listings — county costs, tips, and local rules stay below.
Movers serving Lake County
Prefer crews with estate long-carry and high-value experience for North Shore-edge product; HOA fluency for inland growth tracts; stair-capable crews for Waukegan multi-unit; honest I-94 · US-41 · IL-60 · IL-120 timing for cross-zone pairs. Verify Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Household Goods authority for in-state moves and FMCSA for interstate legs.
No true local movers listed for Lake County yet.
We only label a company local when it is intrastate-scoped or has clear headquarters presence near this county — not merely an HQ somewhere else in Illinois. Regional and long-distance carriers below may still serve this market; confirm capability and licensing before booking. Verify USDOT on FMCSA SAFER.
Regional carriers serving Lake County (25)
Companies that can serve this county but do not meet our local HQ / service-radius rules. HQ may be out of county or out of state — we do not re-label them as local movers.
- 3.8(6 industry-reported)
One of the largest and most established interstate moving networks in America.
Long DistanceStorageCorporate RelocationMilitaryUSDOT: 76235MC: 15735FMCSA: Not RatedBBB: A+ - 4.7(1,650 industry-reported)
Full-service interstate and local mover based in South Florida with strong FMCSA standing and transparent pricing.
Local MovingLong DistancePackingStorageResidentialSenior MovesUSDOT: 3341650MC: MC-1066696FMCSA: SatisfactoryBBB: A+ - 4.6(1,670 industry-reported)
Family-owned premium mover in Broward County serving local South Florida routes and cross-country relocations.
Local MovingLong DistancePackingStorageResidentialPianoUSDOT: 614506MC: MC-295026FMCSA: SatisfactoryBBB: A+ - 4.9(1,492 industry-reported)
Premium Northeast-based mover with expanding national service.
Long DistanceStorageLong DistanceWhite GloveArtUSDOT: 373544MC: 228137FMCSA: Not RatedBBB: A+ - 4.8(875 industry-reported)
Hybrid moving service using portable containers.
Container / PortableLong DistancePortable StorageDIY HybridUSDOT: 1778016MC: 648740FMCSA: Not RatedBBB: A - 5.0(1,149 industry-reported)
Interstate moving company (USDOT 3101918).
Long DistanceLong DistanceUSDOT: 3101918FMCSA: Not RatedBBB: NR - 4.9(2,433 industry-reported)
Interstate moving company (USDOT 2900155).
Long DistanceUSDOT: 2900155FMCSA: Not RatedBBB: B - 4.6(2,130 industry-reported)
Top-rated independent mover known for exceptional customer service.
Long DistanceStorageExecutive RelocationTech IndustryUSDOT: 1065394MC: 225850FMCSA: Not RatedBBB: A+ - 4.6(973 industry-reported)
Quality-focused independent van line serving all 50 states.
Long DistanceStorageLong DistanceResidentialHigh Value GoodsUSDOT: 70719MC: 87113FMCSA: Not RatedBBB: A+
Showing 10 of 25 · 15 more
Search the full mover directory
Find any licensed mover nationwide — same search as /companies. Prefer listings serving Lake County.
Search by company name, city, USDOT, or MC number. No match? Verify licensing via DOT and add the company to our directory.
Lake County guide & local details
Expand any section for costs, seasonal notes, parking/HOA rules, tips, and FAQs. All content is unique to this county — nothing was removed, just moved below the listings.
Expand sections below for county-specific moving logistics and relocation research (schools, healthcare, towns, and commute patterns). Mover listings stay above this guide.
What makes moving in Lake County different
These are Lake County realities — North Shore estate access vs inland HOA growth, I-94/US-41 timing, and mixed density — not DuPage’s I-88 corporate belt or Chicago street-permit micro-markets.
North Shore edge vs inland Lake are different jobs
Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Winnetka-edge product often means long driveways, tree canopy, and high-value packing. Gurnee, Round Lake, and Grayslake tracts are HOA and volume-driven. Do not quote them as one county average.
Estate lots rewrite labor before packing skill matters
Circular drives, limited truck turn radius, and long exterior carries on North Shore and Libertyville-area estates add hours that inland ranch quotes never capture.
I-94 and US-41 turn short map miles into billable time
Waukegan ↔ Deerfield, Round Lake ↔ Highland Park, or Gurnee ↔ Vernon Hills pairs look local and still burn 40–75+ minutes at peak. Price portal-to-portal honestly.
Inland HOA villages dominate western growth fabric
Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Grayslake, and Round Lake growth often require gate lists, truck limits, and approved hours. Collect packets early.
Waukegan and North Chicago multi-unit stock still matters
Walk-ups, denser rentals, and industrial-edge timing need stair surveys and different curb rules than estate or HOA product.
IL-60 and IL-120 reshape east–west inland timing
Retail and signal density on IL-60 / IL-120 corridors add empty minutes that North Shore-only quotes underprice when the job spans the county.
Cross-county and Wisconsin-border pairs are routine
Households regularly move Lake ↔ Cook, McHenry, or Kenosha/WI destinations. Clarify state lines so ICC vs FMCSA assumptions stay accurate when any leg leaves Illinois.
Intrastate Illinois ICC household goods authority vs interstate FMCSA
Moves entirely within Illinois by for-hire household goods carriers generally require an Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Household Goods license. Match the legal name on the estimate to ICC motor carrier / household goods search tools before you deposit. Any out-of-state leg needs active FMCSA USDOT (and usually MC) authority — verify on FMCSA SAFER. An ICC household goods license alone does not authorize interstate delivery, and a USDOT alone is not Illinois intrastate permission.
Lake County access zones
Plan by North Shore edge estates, south-central Vernon Hills–Libertyville, Waukegan–North Chicago, west inland growth (Round Lake–Grayslake–Mundelein), and Gurnee–I-94 retail corridors — access rules cluster by zone more than ZIP alone.
Zone map (schematic)
Zones are for planning — not political boundaries. Jump to a zone for housing types and access tips.
North Shore edge (Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff & edges)
Highland Park · Lake Forest · Lake Bluff · Deerfield edges · Bannockburn edges
Housing: Estate SFH, large lots, some condo and denser village product
- ·Long driveways, circular drives, and tree canopy
- ·High-value packing and white-glove expectations
- ·US-41 / I-94 approach timing
Mover tip: Pre-walk driveway length, grade, and turn radius. Inventory art and specialty items carefully. Prefer experienced high-value crews.
Vernon Hills, Libertyville & south-central Lake
Vernon Hills · Libertyville · Mundelein south edges · Lincolnshire · Buffalo Grove Lake edges
Housing: HOA SFH, townhomes, condo villages, established SFH
- ·HOA gate lists and approved move hours
- ·IL-60 retail congestion
- ·Mixed product on short distances
Mover tip: Collect HOA packets first. Price IL-60 and I-94 pairs honestly. Confirm unit type before final estimate.
Waukegan, North Chicago & lakeshore industrial edges
Waukegan · North Chicago · Park City edges · Lakeshore industrial-adjacent residential
Housing: Multi-unit walk-ups, modest SFH, workforce multifamily
- ·Stairs and limited curb on denser blocks
- ·US-41 / industrial truck traffic
- ·Lease-end waves and shorter notice jobs
Mover tip: Survey stair counts and curb options. Avoid peak industrial ingress when flexible. Clarify storage needs for short-notice transfers.
Round Lake, Grayslake, Mundelein & west inland growth
Round Lake · Round Lake Beach · Grayslake · Mundelein · Hainesville edges
Housing: HOA SFH, townhomes, larger family inventories, some older stock
- ·IL-120 congestion and longer empty miles to shore
- ·HOA truck limits on newer tracts
- ·High Saturday family demand May–August
Mover tip: Book peak Saturdays early. Share gate and driveway photos. Build I-94 / IL-120 buffers for North Shore-linked pairs.
Gurnee, I-94 retail corridor & central Lake links
Gurnee · I-94 retail residential pockets · Wadsworth edges · Old Mill Creek edges
Housing: HOA SFH, townhomes, multifamily near commercial strips
- ·I-94 peak freeflow collapse and retail event traffic
- ·HOA packets on growth tracts
- ·Cross-zone pairs into McHenry or Cook
Mover tip: Build I-94 buffer for morning and evening peaks. Avoid major retail event weekends when flexible. Collect HOA COI early.
What drives Lake County moving costs
Ranges are market context for local / short regional moves — not quotes. Estate long carries, HOA rules, and I-94/US-41 portal time separate cheap estimates from real bills.
Studio / 1BR (simple access)
$450–$1,450+
Higher with stairs, HOA friction, or peak I-94 pairs
2–3BR condo or modest SFH
$1,300–$3,900+
HOA and basement soft costs trend up
3–4+ BR / estate / cross-zone
$2,500–$8,500+
North Shore estates and long I-94 pairs price highest
Typical 2-person crew rate
$110–$195+/hr
Portal-to-portal; high-value packing scales up
- Estate driveways, canopy & high-value inventories. North Shore-edge product adds labor and packing complexity before truck size matters.
- I-94 / US-41 / IL-60 / IL-120 congestion. Shore-to-inland pairs burn portal-to-portal hours even when map miles look short.
- Inland HOA master-planned rules. Gate lists, truck limits, and weekday-only windows push demand into peak pricing.
- Waukegan multi-unit stairs & curb friction. Walk-ups and denser blocks add flight counts that ranch-style quotes underprice.
- Cross-county and WI-border empty miles. Cook, McHenry, and interstate destinations raise staging distance and authority complexity.
When to schedule a Lake County move
School calendars, lake-effect winter, summer humidity, and HOA windows reshape access and crew availability.
Best windows: mid-week early mornings
Tuesday–Thursday starts clear curb and reduce I-94 / US-41 / IL-60 pain. Avoid month-end Fridays when leases and HOA windows collide.
Peak family season: late May–mid-August
Inland HOA SFH Saturday demand fills first. Book 2–4 weeks ahead for peak weekends and estate crew availability.
Winter: snow, ice, and lake-effect wind
North Shore and open inland parcels see wind-driven snow and icy long carries. Prefer flexible dates, early starts, and salt plans.
Retail and tourism-adjacent spikes
Gurnee and lakeshore event weekends can clog I-94 approaches. Schedule around major events when flexible.
North Shore estate vs inland HOA logistics module
Lake estimates fail more often when crews treat estate long-carries and inland HOA packets as the same job.
- ·Pre-walk driveway length, grade, and turn radius for North Shore and estate product.
- ·Collect HOA COI, gate lists, and approved hours for Vernon Hills–Round Lake–Mundelein tracts.
- ·Price portal-to-portal time for any pair that rides I-94, US-41, IL-60, or IL-120 at peak.
- ·Match high-value inventories to packing experience; match multi-unit Waukegan stock to stair-capable crews.
- ·Clarify Lake vs Cook / McHenry / Wisconsin addresses on every estimate.
- ·Verify Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Household Goods authority for in-state-only jobs and FMCSA for interstate legs.
Considering a move to Lake County?
Use this as a practical fit checklist — schools, healthcare, housing character, and commute realism — then verify on district and hospital sites. No single ranking captures town fit.
Schools & education landscape
- How districts work here. Lake County is served by multiple elementary and high-school districts across North Shore towns, inland suburbs, and Waukegan-area systems. Assignment is address-based — marketing names do not guarantee a campus.
- Shore vs inland variation. District reputation and capacity differ sharply between shore communities and west inland growth. Confirm boundaries and transfer policies when touring.
- Research sources. District boundary tools, Illinois State Board of Education data, and campus visits beat ranking screenshots alone.
Hospitals & healthcare access
- Major systems. Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest, Advocate Condell, Vista / Waukegan-area campuses, and other regional facilities serve the county. Confirm networks for your household.
- What relocators should do. Map peak-hour drive times from Round Lake or Gurnee to preferred shore or central campuses — I-94 and IL-120 congestion changes “nearby” on paper. Transfer records early.
Housing character & cost pressures
- Estates, HOA tracts & multi-unit mix. Expect large-lot and high-value product on the North Shore edge; planned HOA SFH inland; multi-unit and modest SFH around Waukegan–North Chicago.
- Cost variation inside the county. Purchase prices and rents vary dramatically shore-to-inland. Budget for taxes, HOA dues, older-estate maintenance, and insurance on higher-value inventories.
- HOA and association governance. Planned communities often control move hours, truck size, and deposits. Estate streets may still have practical truck limits even without formal HOA gates.
Which Lake areas fit whom
- North Shore edge estate lifestyle. Suits households prioritizing space, schools, and lake proximity — with long-driveway logistics and higher move complexity.
- Vernon Hills–Libertyville south-central. Often appeals for mixed retail access and family housing — with HOA rules and IL-60 timing.
- West inland growth (Round Lake–Grayslake–Mundelein). Attracts buyers chasing newer homes and relative value — with longer shore and job-center commutes.
- Waukegan–North Chicago urban edge. Fits renters and buyers seeking lower entry costs or lakeshore access — with multi-unit move logistics.
Jobs & commute patterns
- Employment anchors. Healthcare, manufacturing, retail/logistics along I-94, professional services, and reverse-commute or Chicago-bound Metra corridors concentrate demand.
- Commute realism. Most households are car-dependent outside station towns. I-94, US-41, IL-60, and IL-120 peaks are real. Test drive peak routes before choosing solely on purchase price.
Lifestyle & practical livability
- One county, two lakeshores of reality. Lake stacks North Shore estates, inland HOA suburbs, retail-heavy I-94 nodes, and denser Waukegan fabric — different from DuPage’s corporate west-collar belt or McHenry’s lower-density far north.
- Climate. Lake-effect wind and snow near the shore, hot humid summers, and icy winters inland. Plan outdoor staging and weather contingency as part of move-in.
- Culture and pace. Shore towns feel more village and estate oriented; inland corridors are family- and retail-driven; Waukegan has a more urban-industrial edge. Visit at peak and off-peak times when deciding.
Useful Lake County resources
Official links first; directory listings are independent, not endorsements. Verify Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) household goods authority for in-state moves and FMCSA for interstate legs.
- Lake County — official site— County services & offices
- City of Waukegan
- City of Highland Park
- IDOT / Illinois traffic & road conditions— I-94 / US-41 before load windows
- Illinois — Household Goods Movers— State service page for household goods movers
- ICC motor carrier / household goods search— Search licensed household goods movers & related records
- Illinois Commerce Commission
- FMCSA SAFER — interstate authority— Required when the move crosses state lines
- Move Trust Hub — verify a USDOT— Cross-check interstate licensing before deposits
- Free moving calculator— Inventory-based volume for local or long-distance
- All Illinois local mover guides
Intelligence last reviewed July 24, 2026. Rules, fees, and district boundaries change — verify on official sites before move day.
How much do local movers cost in Lake County, Illinois?
Move Trust Hub editorial estimates for local moves in Lake County typically range from $640–$1,380 for studio or one-bedroom apartments to $2,550–$6,000 for larger homes (not FMCSA price data — FMCSA does not publish consumer rates). Lake County pricing reflects Route 41 lakefront congestion, Great Lakes Navy PCS turnover, and premium inventory in Lake Forest and Deerfield. Sources: Move Trust Hub editorial estimates (market research — not FMCSA price data). Use our moving calculator for interstate volume estimates or compare carriers in our independent directory.
What are the best local movers in Lake County?
Among verified listings with real review volume serving Waukegan, higher-rated options include National Van Lines (4.2★, 363 reviews), Amerisafe Van Lines (4.7★, 1,650 reviews), American Van Lines (4.6★, 1,670 reviews). We prioritize true local/in-state signals when available, then ratings, licensing completeness, and review volume — never zero-review shells as “top-rated.”
Do local movers in Illinois need an FMCSA license?
Interstate moves require active FMCSA USDOT and usually MC authority — verify on FMCSA SAFER. Purely local/intrastate Illinois household goods moves by for-hire carriers generally require an Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Household Goods license. Search ICC motor carrier tools for an active license matching the legal name on your estimate. FMCSA does not cover every in-state Illinois job; confirm ICC household goods authority vs FMCSA for your exact origin and destination before you deposit.
How far in advance should I book movers in Waukegan?
For local moves in Lake County, book 2–4 weeks ahead for standard timing. Peak season (May–September), month-end turns, and weekends in Waukegan may require 4–6 weeks lead time. Last-minute moves are sometimes available but cost more.
What is the difference between local and interstate movers in Lake County?
Local and in-state movers handle in-county and short-distance relocations, often priced hourly or by crew size. National/long-distance carriers transport goods under FMCSA regulation when the move crosses state lines. Listings on this page separate local/in-state companies from national carriers serving Lake County so you can choose the right fit.
How do I avoid moving scams in Lake County?
Get written estimates after an inventory survey, avoid large upfront deposits via wire or gift cards, verify USDOT numbers on FMCSA.gov (and ICC household goods license for in-state-only jobs when applicable), and compare multiple companies. Read our guide on spotting red flags before booking movers in Waukegan.
Popular move routes for Lake County
Realistic local and long-distance patterns people plan around this county — not generic state boilerplate.
- withinWithin Lake (North Shore edge ↔ Waukegan / Gurnee / Libertyville)
Estate long-carries vs inland HOA growth; US-41 and I-94 timing differ by pocket.
- inboundChicago metro overflow → Lake County suburbs
North-collar growth and North Shore lifestyle product — not DuPage clone.
- withinLake ↔ Cook / McHenry pairs
Tollway portal time and county-line clarity on every estimate.
- outboundLake → Wisconsin border interstate legs
Short northbound hops can leave Illinois; confirm FMCSA when they do.
- withinNorth Shore estate and multi-unit mix
Long carries, older stock, and HOA rules; photo access early.
Interstate household goods; volume calculator recommended.
How We Score Movers (0–100)
Our Reputation Score is an editorial composite (0–100) — not a simple star average. Scores above 85 generally indicate safer interstate choices. We never fabricate reviews or inflate ratings.
How we vet our movers
Move Trust Hub is a curated research directory. Before a mover earns a verified listing, we apply the checks below using public FMCSA data and editorial filters.
FMCSA — Licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation for interstate (state-to-state) moves.
- 1Valid USDOT and MC numbers
We require a real USDOT number that passes format checks. Placeholder, sequential, or fabricated numbers are excluded from the public directory.
- 2Active operating authority
For verified listings we confirm the carrier shows active interstate authority in public FMCSA SAFER data (not revoked or inactive).
- 3Insurance on file (FMCSA)
Interstate authority generally requires cargo and liability insurance on file with FMCSA. We surface safety/authority status from SAFER so you can re-check before booking.
- 4No active federal out-of-service order
Carriers flagged out of service or with critical authority alerts are not presented as “FMCSA Verified.” Serious SAFER flags are highlighted when we detect them.
- 5Curated listings — not a raw scrape
We do not dump every name from public web scrapes. Listings must pass license checks; many region placeholders and generated template IDs are filtered out of public rankings.
- 6Attributed reviews kept separate
Named Google review excerpts we publish are counted honestly and never mixed with industry-wide review totals from third-party sites.
See how we vet our movers
Spot a listing issue? Contact our editorial team.
Researched by our editorial team
Move Trust Hub content is written and reviewed by moving-industry researchers — not generated by movers or brokers. We screen USDOT/MC numbers against placeholder patterns, confirm verified listings on FMCSA.gov, and only surface attributable reviews.
Local Markets Research Lead
Researches hyper-local moving conditions across 3,100+ U.S. counties: HOA rules, parking permits, rural access, and metro-specific cost ranges. Elena maintains our curated county guides.
County market researchHOA & condo logisticsLocal cost data
Full editorial team · Trust Center methodology · Verify USDOT yourself
Plan your move in Lake County
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Interstate Directory
Browse FMCSA-licensed long-distance carriers
Illinois state mover hub
County guides and local movers across Illinois
Inbound destination guide
Moving to Buffalo GroveInbound guide for Lake County — costs, routes, and FMCSA-licensed movers
Nearby Illinois county guides
Editorial standards & trust
FMCSA-verified listingsCurated 2026 rankingsUpdated June 23, 2026
Move Trust Hub Editorial Team — This Lake County, Illinois guide is researched by our local markets team. Every listed carrier is screened for valid USDOT/MC numbers against FMCSA SAFER. Structured Review schema is reserved for moderated community reviews we host — not third-party Google/BBB body text. Full policy: Trust Center methodology.
Last reviewed: June 23, 2026. Licensing status changes — verify current FMCSA authority on our USDOT lookup tool before paying deposits.
How we rank local movers
- • Local priority first — true local/intrastate movers and companies headquartered in this county or seat (we never invent local status)
- • Then ratings, review volume, and licensing completeness
- • FMCSA USDOT/MC and safety rating when available
- • BBB standing where reported
- • Stable name/id tie-breakers so order stays consistent
Pages with more than 10 movers show the top 10 first; use “Show next 10” or “Show all movers” to expand without leaving this page.
Always verify current licensing on FMCSA.gov before booking.
Planning a move in Lake County?
Local movers handle in-county and short-distance relocations. For interstate moves, use our free calculator to estimate volume, then compare FMCSA-licensed carriers in the directory.