Best Local and Short Distance Moving Companies for 2024

Even if it’s just down the block, it’s tough finding a local mover you can trust. Fortunately, the team at Moving Feedback did the research and helped us build a list of the best short distance moving companies.

To make this list, we graded moving companies based on a range of important factors. We looked at pricing and customer feedback, but also efficiency, reliability, and their range of services. And of course, we relied on the industry insights and professional research offered by Moving Feedback.

There’s a lot of movers out there, so we used this approach to bring you the best of the best. It also helped us make sure that each of the local movers on this list can match your needs. Read on for a quick summary of our top picks.

* For 2-3 bed, 1250 mile move

Average Rating: 4.8

Average Price (2-3 Bed): $3,410 - $7,920

Superlative: Best Overall

Why We Picked Moving APT:

Price matching? Thousands of nationwide partners? A huge range of services, and awesome customer feedback? Check, check, check, and… check. Moving APT is our top choice for a reason. Out of all the local movers out there, they’re the best balance of quality, affordability, and customizability. Sure, they offer storage and packing, but they also offer some hard to find extras like car shipping! Just get in touch, and they’ll get you sorted.

Services Offered:

1. Loading and hauling

2. Storage

3. Packing

4. Car shipping

5. Furniture disassembly and reassembly

Types of Moves Offered:

1. Local moving

2. Long distance moving

3. Cross country moving

4. Corporate moves

5. Military relocations

6. International Moves

Pros:

1. Best customer feedback

2. Strong moving network

3. Price matching

4. Easy moving cost calculator

5. Tidy

6. Itemized estimates

7. Efficient and effective

Cons:

1. Annoying online chat

Average Rating: 4.7/5

Average Price (2-3 Bed): $3,210 - $7,520

Superlative: Awesome Specialty Moving

Why We Picked Adams Van Lines:

Adams Van Lines is a great choice if you’ve got a lot of weird, expensive, or just plain awkward stuff to move. Pianos, antiques, pool tables - these all take some extra TLC, and Adams Van Lines can provide it in spades. They can build specialty crates, bring the bubble wrap, and even winch stuff out the window if needed. Another great benefit of choosing Adams? Since their movers all know their way around specialty moves, you always know you’ll be dealing with a team you can trust.

Services Offered:

1. Loading and hauling

2. Storage

3. Packing

4. Full service options available

Types of Moves Offered:

1. Local moving

2. Long distance moving

3. Cross country moving

4. Corporate moves

5. Military relocations

Pros:

1. Experienced and professional staff

2. Wide range of services offered

3. Flexible pricing options

Cons:

1. You’ll have to submit personal info before getting a quote

Average Rating: 4.6/5

Average Price (2-3 Bed): $2,950 - $6,950

Superlative: Best Price Point

Why We Picked Pricing Van Lines:

Local moving doesn’t need to be expensive - just ask the guys at Pricing Van Lines. They manage to deliver affordable relocations, but they don’t sacrifice quality in the process. For a bare-bones move, it’s hard to find anyone better. Pricing Van Lines gets you out the door with all the essentials, and you can get out the door with more of your money.

Services Offered:

1. Loading and hauling

2. Storage

3. Packing

4. (All of the above at great prices!)

Types of Moves Offered:

1. Local moving

2. Long distance moving

3. Cross country moving

Pros

1. Wide network of movers

2. Commercial and residential moving services

3. Quick moving quote estimates

4. Services won’t break the bank

Cons

1. No international moving services

2. Increased delivery times during peak moving season

Average Rating: 4.5

Average Price (2-3 Bed): $3,710 - $8,320

Superlative: Excellent Menu of Services

Why We Picked Mayzlin Relocation:

Mayzlin Relocation made it on our list for two reasons: one, they use in-house teams, so you always know who’ll be handling dispatch and heavy lifting. Two, they have a seriously impressive range of extras and add-ons. Every move is different, and no mover knows this as well as Mayzlin. Pick and choose the specialty options you need (like packing or storage), and they’ll do the rest.

Services Offered:

1. Loading and hauling

2. Storage

3. Packing

4. Real time tracking

Types of Moves Offered:

1. Local moving

2. Long distance moving

3. Cross country moving

4. Corporate moves

5. Military relocations

Pros:

1. Great customer service

2. Safe and secure services

3. Punctual

4. Flexible with customer requirements

Cons:

1. No international moving services

Average Rating: 4.3/5

Average Price (2-3 Bed): $3,300 - $7,900

Superlative: Great Customer Service

Why We Picked Native Van Lines:

iMoving may not do the actual heavy lifting, but they do make it super easy to compare quotes and book your movers too. iMoving is more like Expedia or Kayak, but for shopping for moving companies of all shapes and sizes. It’s a whole marketplace with over 1000 choices, and you won’t have to re-enter your info every time you want a quote either. Just enter your info, find the best price, and book from your browser.

Services Offered:

1. Loading and hauling

2. Storage

3. Packing

4. Car shipping

Types of Moves Offered:

1. Long Distance

2. Cross Country

3. Local or Short Distance

Pros:

1. Broad range of moving services

2. Custom moves available

3. 30 Days of free storage

4. No hidden fees

Cons:

1. Email address required for free moving quote

Average Rating: 4.2/5

Average Price (2-3 Bed): $3,100 - $8,250

Superlative: Streamlined Online Booking

Why We Picked iMoving:

iMoving may not do the actual moving and hauling, but there’s no better way to shop for movers. They’re like Kayak or Expedia, but instead of finding vacations and hotels, it’s moving and logistics. Hop on their online platform, shop their marketplace of over 1000 licensed and insured carriers, and schedule your move without leaving your web browser (most movers require a phone call or in-home estimate, instead).

Services Offered:

1. 1000+ verified movers

2. Easy online shopping platform

Types of Moves Offered:

1. Local moving

2. Long distance moving

3. Cross country moving

4. International moving

Pros

1. Binding quotes

2. Flexible cancellation policy

3. View multiple estimates at once

4. No phone calls needed

Cons

1. Services may not be available in every state

2. More like a marketplace

Average Rating: 4.1

Average Price (2-3 Bed): 3,300 - 8,175

Superlative: Stress Free Relocations

Why We Picked Out of State Moving Companies:

It’s no secret that moving is stressful. Sure, you may be moving in the same town (or even on the same street!) but packing up your stuff, planning out the logistics, and then actually doing the loading, hauling and unpacking can seriously put a damper on your fresh new start. Fortunately, you can book with Out of State Moving Companies, instead. They’re all about stress-free moving, and they can handle every step of the process so you don’t have to.

Services Offered:

1. Loading and hauling

2. Storage

3. Packing

Types of Moves Offered:

1. Local moving

2. Long distance moving

3. Cross country moving

Pros:

1. Experienced teams

2. Excellent customer service

3. Broad service range

4. They’ll handle all the stressful stuff

Cons:

1. No international moving services

2. Premium services come at a higher price

A local move can cost you anywhere from $278 to $8,000. It’s a big window, but your final price depends on how far you’re traveling, and the size of your house.

When you’re dealing with local movers, they’ll typically charge on a per-hour, per-mover basis. Each room in your house will take about two movers. All that packing takes time, and so does the loading, driving, and unloading.

In terms of wait time, a local move will take anywhere from 1 to 21 days. 21 days may seem excessive, but that’s just a worst-case figure.

If your move isn’t big enough to fill up an entire truck, there’s a chance your movers may stop to handle another delivery or two along the way. All that empty space is just inefficient, so it’s common to bundle several moves in the same trailer. Don’t worry - your stuff will be safely separated, and bundling may mean a cheaper price tag!

Not satisfied with our top picks? We won’t take it personally. If you’re searching for a mover, here’s what you should look out for:

• Reputation: Google and Yelp are your friends. If you want to gauge reliability and quality, see what customers are saying.

• Licenses and Insurance: Look for a DOT (Department of Transportation) and an FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) number on their website.

• Experience: You don’t want rookies handling your stuff. Look for companies that have been in the game for a few years.

• Services Offered: Every move is different. Do you need packing, storage, or extra care for fragile items? Make sure your mover offers the services you need.

• Price and Transparency: Avoid hidden fees. Get a detailed quote, and make sure your mover is clear about their pricing structure.

• Customer Service: If a mover’s customer service department gives you the runaround, how do you think their actual moving teams will treat you?

Here are some helpful add-ons to make moving day easier:

• Packing and Unpacking Services: DIY packing is a pain. Book packing services, and you won’t have to touch a single packing peanut.

• Storage Solutions: Storage can give you some much-needed flexibility. Some movers offer 30 days free!

• Specialized Moving Services: If you have pianos, art, antiques, or extra cars, these will all take some extra elbow grease.

• Flexible Scheduling: You’ll get the best price by planning ahead, but if you don’t have an exact date in mind, flexible scheduling can really help.

• Tracking: GPS tracking adds some much-needed peace of mind to the whole moving process.

It’s not just bubble wrap and big trucks. There are different types of movers, and they all specialize in different types of jobs.

• Local Movers / Short Distance Movers: Local movers exclusively handle moves that are under 100 miles and within the same state.

• Long Distance Movers or Cross Country Movers: On the other hand, long distance movers handle moves that are over 100 miles, across state lines, or both.

• Commercial Movers: Also known as corporate movers, commercial movers specialize in relocating businesses. Some are geared towards mom and pop shops, and some can handle whole warehouses and office complexes.

• Military Movers: Military movers specialize in relocating military personnel and their families. They’re well-familiar with all the rules and regulations that come with these moves - as well as the tight deadlines.

It takes a lot to plan a move, but Moving Feedback shared a few key steps:

• Create a Checklist: Write up all the tasks you need to take care of before, during, and after moving day.

• Declutter and Donate: Want to save time AND money? Get rid of your old, unwanted, and unused items.

• Gather Supplies: Lock down your boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other packing supplies. Always get extra.

• Start Packing Early: If you’re doing your own packing, start early, and start with the stuff you use the least.

• Change of Address: Don’t forget to forward your mail to your new address.

• Prepare an Essentials Box: Pack a suitcase or a backpack with all your daily necessities. This way, you won’t have to search through boxes to find your toothbrush.

How far in advance should I book a moving company?

You should book 2 to 3 months in advance for a long distance move. If you’re moving local, you can get away with 4 to 6 weeks. The earlier, the cheaper.

What is the average cost of a move?

Your cost depends on how far you’re going and how much you’re hauling, but the price of a move averages from as low as $650 to over $18,500.

How do I know if a moving company is legitimate?

To see if a mover is legit, you should check for their credentials. Ask for their USDOT number and FMCSA number for a start. Then, check them out on Google, Yelp, and the BBB (Better Business Bureau).

Can I pack my belongings myself?

You can totally pack your belongings yourself. But it’s a frustrating, time-consuming process, and movers may not offer full-value insurance for boxes you’ve packed yourself.

What happens if my items are damaged during the move?

Sometimes it happens. In these cases, you’ll have to file a claim with your moving company to get compensation for your damaged items. Just to be safe, look into full-value insurance coverage before you book.

How do moving companies calculate the cost of a move?

Local movers will charge per hour, per mover (and it’s about 2 movers per room). On the other hand, long distance movers will charge based on the weight of your belongings, and the distance of your move.

Do moving companies disassemble and reassemble furniture?

Furniture disassembly and reassembly is a great add-on, but not every mover offers it. If they don’t mention it on their website, give them a call.

What should I do if I need to move on short notice?

Some movers offer last-minute moving, but it’ll cost you extra. Get in touch with the movers on our list to see if they had any recent cancellations!

Can I track my shipment during the move?

GPS tracking is becoming more common in the moving industry. While it’s not totally the norm, it’s a growing trend. Contact your movers ahead of time to see if it’s offered.

Are there items that moving companies won’t transport?

Movers don’t transport anything that can damage a truck. That means nothing flammable, pressurized, perishable, or alive. They may also avoid transporting high value items (priceless art, etc.), so you’ll need specialists for that Monet or Picasso.

Every move is different, and so is every moving company. If you ever have any doubts about their services or operations, give them a call. At the very least, you’ll be able to judge their customer service while you’re at it.

That wraps up our list of the top moving companies of 2024! We introduced you to our top picks, and we broke down what you can expect on moving day. Now, all you have to do is get in touch with one of our recommended movers, get a quote, and set the date!

Best of luck with your big move! And don’t forget to check us out for more helpful guides.