- Serving 50 states and 180 countries
- Excellent customer service
- One month of free storage
As one of the largest and most populous states in the union, California is sure to have plenty of options for both local moving and cross-country relocations. This wealth of options at your fingertips could, in some cases, seem overwhelming if you aren’t used to planning a move. We’ve done all the necessary research to make that more accessible to you. No matter the professional moving service level you require, you’ll find a viable solution here. In this article, you’ll learn:
Our top recommended California moving companies for 2022:
Here, we’ve included a quick comparison of the best moving companies in California. You’ll find our rating, Better Business Bureau accreditation level, and basic pricing information. To learn more about each, read our provider summaries below.
Company | Website | Our Take | Our Rating | BBB Rating | Local Cost | Long-Distance Cost |
International Van Lines | Site | Best Full-Service Mover | 9.8 | B | $600 – $1,200 | $1,900 – $4,900 |
American Van Lines | Site | Most Transparent Pricing | 9.7 | N/A | $500 – $1,000 | $2,300 – $5,300 |
Moving APT | Site | Most Moving Partners | 9.6 | B | $2,500 – $4,800 | |
JK Moving Services | Site | Most Customizable Moving Experience | 9.5 | A+ | Call for a quote | $2,500 – $5,500 |
Allied Van Lines | Site | Most Vehicle Shipping Options | 9.4 | A+ | $750 – $1,350 | $1,800 – $4,500 |
U-Pack | Site | Most Widely-Available Container Service | 9.3 | A+ | N/A | $1,200 – $2,200 |
North American Van Lines | Site | Best Pricing Options | 9.2 | A+ | $750 – $1,350 | $1,800 – $4,500 |
International Van Lines (IVL) is one of the most highly-regarded moving carriers and brokers in the U.S. today. They began handling domestic relocation services in 2004 and have since expanded to have one of the most expansive reaches in the industry. They operate through a network of qualified local agents to handle more than 20,000 moves per year, all backed by quality work and industry-leading customer service.
Despite contracting out many of their moves, International maintains an excellent reputation within the moving industry. Their partner companies are licensed and insured and can handle a wide array of moves and moving services. Above all, their clients rave about the open lines of communication that IVL maintains throughout all moves.
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International works through their extensive network of partners to provide clients with a diverse range of basic and add-on services, as listed below. Due to their primary focus as brokers, these offerings can vary from location to location.
IVL’s rates are routinely among the most competitive in the industry. You can stage a two-bedroom move of under 250 miles for as little as $1,400 with them, which is decidedly at the low end for full-service moving.
Here, we’ve put together some sample rates for moves with IVL. Viewing these should help you set your budgetary expectations before getting free quotes.
<250 mi | 500 mi | 1,000 mi | 2,000 mi | |
2 BR | $1,400 – $4,400 | $1,900 – $4,900 | $2,100 – $5,100 | $2,400 – $5,400 |
4 BR | $3,200 – $6,200 | $5,100 – $8,100 | $5,700 – $8,700 | $6,200 – $9,200 |
Get a quote from IVL here.
American Van Lines brings more than 25 years of experience to each move they carry out. Though based in Florida, this nationwide provider has locations across the U.S. and can handle moves in all lower 48 states, including California. This provider’s flat-rate pricing, experienced movers, and range of additional services offered make them ideal for most moving needs.
American Van Lines’ flat rates come with some excellent options for clients with moving needs of all sizes. This company offers last-minute moving service at no additional charge, which is frequently featured in their customer reviews. Aside from this, they offer fairly regular moving shuttles between major cities. In California, these include Los Angeles, San Francisco, and many other major metropolitan areas, which can help drive down costs for you.
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As a carrier, American Van Lines does not contract work out to other movers. When you hire them for a move, one of their crews will directly provide every moving service you could need. These include the following:
American Van Lines’ flat rates, while not a rarity in the industry, are a welcome change for clients wary of hidden fees. Flat rates can lead to overall higher costs but help to alleviate any “sticker shock” when seeing the final bill. Here are some sample rates from past American Van Lines moves:
<250 mi | 500 mi | 1,000 mi | 2,000 mi | |
2 BR | $1,700 – $4,700 | $2,300 – $5,300 | $2,600 – $5,600 | $4,200 – $7,200 |
4 BR | $4,800 – $7,800 | $5,600 – $8,600 | $7,400 – $10,400 | $10,800 – $13,800 |
Get a quote from American Van Lines here.
Founded in 1999, Moving APT is a brokerage with more than 500 local agents and 2,500 partners overall throughout the U.S. They grew from a small initial crew of just five workers and two trucks to a team of 30, which makes moving services accessible to all. You’ll find thorough breakdowns of movers organized by location and services on their website. All movers they partner with are fully licensed and insured, with up-to-date federal and local registrations, so you can rest assured that your move is in good hands with them.
our rating9.5
Moving APT’s operation exclusively as a broker grants them nearly unmatched versatility in the services offered. They also offer a price matching service to any client who can provide proof of a lower quote from a competing moving company. This mover also provides discounts for several groups, including veterans, senior citizens, and those who decide to book their move early.
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Moving APT’s service offerings will vary greatly from location to location, as their agents in each area will offer slightly different basics and add-ons. Here is a basic list of what you can expect from most Moving APT relocations:
Moving APT does a great job breaking down their relative costs on their website. Per their data, a 1,200-mile move with one of their partners will cost around $4,300. Pricing can vary greatly between partners, and many reviews report that this broker’s local agents can change the service price at the last minute. You should get a quote from this mover to get a picture of your costs.
Get a quote from Moving APT here.
J.K. Moving Services has been in the industry for more than 40 years and has assisted more than half a million individual moves. They operate as a carrier and broker and service moving needs throughout the lower 48 states. As a broker, J.K. works with various other professional movers for most relocations outside their immediate home base in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
our rating9.4
JK Moving Services’ customer service throughout the booking process and during moves is what separates them from the pack. Their AI-assisted virtual estimate tool helps establish accurate pricing for clients in any location, which helps customers get on-demand quotes no matter where they may be. J.K. also provides GPS tracking for all moves, from pick-up to delivery, meaning you’ll always be kept up-to-date on the location of your goods.
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J.K. Moving Services can provide clients with the following services. Note that these could vary from place to place. Get a quote before booking to ensure that your movers have an adequate service profile for your needs.
A two-bedroom, 500-mile move with J.K. will likely cost you $2,500 and $5,500, depending on inventory and service requirements. You should call to get a quote at least a month ahead of moving day to get a more concrete estimate for your move. Note that, with J.K., you’ll be afforded excellent financing options for your final total. This means that a J.K. move can fit most budgetary restrictions.
Get a quote from J.K. Moving Services here.
Allied Van Lines has been in the industry for almost 90 years and is one of the most recognized moving brands in the country. Due to the size of their moving network, you’ve likely seen one of their distinctive trucks on the road at some point. This mover comes highly recommended, with a 96% satisfaction rating maintained through thousands of moves.
our rating9.7
Allied Van Lines is one of the top choices for large domestic shipments, including specialty vehicle transportation needs. Along with their leading range of services offered, they’re one of the most effective auto shippers. They never outsource these large shipping requests to a third party, which means you will have far fewer logistical hurdles as a customer.
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Allied provides the following leading services to their clients throughout the U.S.:
Allied Van Lines’ quoted rates are fairly reliable. Local moves will cost you a minimum of $500 to $600, as they charge four-hour minimums for such service. Here, we’ve included a breakdown of basic cost ranges for moves of different sizes. Note that when you plan a long-distance move with Allied, the shipping weight and volume will largely dictate costs.
<250 mi | 500 mi | 1,000 mi | 2,000 mi | |
2 BR | $1,800 – $4,500 | $2,400 – $5,400 | $2,700 – $5,700 | $4,400 – $7,400 |
4 BR | $3,300 – $6,000 | $5,700 – $8,700 | $7,500 – $10,500 | $10,900 – $13,900 |
Get a quote from Allied Van Lines here.
U-Pack is our choice for the best container service based on their reputation with customers, pricing model, and wide availability. With more than 240 locations across all 50 states, U-Pack can provide long-distance moving assistance to clients everywhere. With “pay for what you use” pricing, theirs is a fairly unique service and cost structure, allowing customers to move at a fairly low price.
our rating9.3
U-Pack’s three-day loading and unloading windows and pricing make them a fairly common choice among those just planning moves for the first time. Their trailer option is an outlier among container shipping services, as it can fit most three-bedroom homes. Even with this sizing option, you can hope to pay a far lower price than you would expect. For example, if you only use ten of the 27 feet of trailer space, then this is all you will be charged.
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U-Pack’s sizing options make them an equally great fit for studio apartments and larger homes alike. However, U-Pack does not provide any local moving services, which could be a negative for some.
U-Pack’s pricing structure and basic service offerings make them one of the best movers for anyone trying to work within a tight budget. Here is a breakdown of some of U-Pack’s recent average price points.
<250 mi | 500 mi | 1,000 mi | 2,000 mi | |
2 BR | $600 – $1,600 | $1,200 – $2,200 | $1,600 – $2,600 | $2,100 – $3,100 |
4 BR | $800 – $1,800 | $1,800 – $2,800 | $2,800 – $3,800 | $4,100 – $5,100 |
Get a quote from U-Pack here.
North American Van Lines is one of the most experienced and widely-respected movers in the business. After more than 85 years of experience, they’ve expanded into a nationwide network with more than 500 local agents spread across all 50 states. Whether your California move takes you from Sacramento to San Diego, New York, or Hawaii, they’ll be able to handle things directly.
North American is a nationwide mover whose pricing flexibility reflects the practices of a more local moving company. They offer “bottom line” and “not to exceed” pricing options, which help to give customers a greater degree of comfort when booking moves of all sizes. If you’re worried about running over budget, you can inquire about these features during your quote.
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North American provides its clients with the following services. Given the sheer size of their network, you should note that the availability of certain services will vary from location to location.
North American Van Lines’ reputation partially hinges on its agreeable pricing model and easy-to-understand rates. Here is a more thorough breakdown of expected costs when moving with them.
<250 mi | 500 mi | 1,000 mi | 2,000 mi | |
2 BR | $1,800 – $4,500 | $2,400 – $5,400 | $2,700 – $5,700 | $4,400 – $7,400 |
4 BR | $3,300 – $6,000 | $5,700 – $8,700 | $7,500 – $10,500 | $10,900 – $13,900 |
Get a quote from North American Van Lines here.
House Method’s Experts collected and analyzed 25 critical data points across multiple companies to identify what makes a great moving company in the eye of the consumer. Our reviews team used this data to assess over 40 moving providers for services provided, relocation costs, and national availability to provide unbiased reviews so homeowners can confidently navigate key decisions about their next move.
Selecting a mover can seem like a daunting task at first. You may not know what to look for or where to start the vetting process. In reality, there is a simple list of qualifications and traits to keep in mind, which will simplify this greatly. With all that we’ve listed here, you should be able to book a stress-free move. Feel free to request proof of registration and insurance when getting quotes from any mover.
All California movers are required to comply with certain registration guidelines, whether they be at the federal or state level. If you elect to book your move with a provider that conducts interstate business, but is primarily based in C.A., then your movers will have to comply with the following:
Movers have to carry multiple forms of insurance to operate within the U.S. legally. These include:
Third-party customer reviews are essential when evaluating any mover. It’s easy for a mover to make a good impression during a personal estimate, but these reviews will give you better insight into a mover’s conduct. Aside from BBB accreditation and associated reviews, you should look into consumer feedback from the following sources:
This comes to mind for most people when moving of any kind is brought up in conversation. This type of relocation will come with the highest associated costs, but this will be coupled with the greatest amount of convenience. Moves with this service model can include everything, from basic loading and unloading to full-service packing, unpacking, specialty item moving, and far more.
Self-service moves can either entail renting a truck from a service like U-Haul or Penske or renting a container from a provider like U-Pack or PODS. In most cases, self-service moving means handling the loading and unloading of your own goods. The increased work on your end is the tradeoff for the lower price of your move.
In recent years, California has become one of the most-departed states in the U.S. This is owing mainly to the large-scale departure of businesses in the face of greater regulation, which has impacted the job market. This trend doesn’t hold across all industries and demographics, however.
When you move here, you’ll be afforded nearly unmatched access to the outdoors via the many national parks and world-famous beaches, with plenty of excellent ski resorts located inland. The tourism, forestry, agriculture, and tech industries thrive in California. Although it is always recommended that you find a job prior to moving anywhere, it will be far from impossible to find work here.
Here, we’ve broken down some average costs from many of our top providers. These price points are representative of actual data from recent moves. After reviewing these to set your budget, you should always pursue quotes and get written estimates.
Long-Distance | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
Local | $1,200 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,750 |
250 mi | $2,750 | $3,800 | $5,100 | $6,000 |
500 mi | $3,100 | $4,100 | $6,000 | $6,700 |
1000 mi | $3,500 | $4,500 | $6,400 | $8,400 |
2000 mi | $4,300 | $4,900 | $6,800 | $9,000 |
2500 mi | $4,800 | $5,100 | $7,100 | $10,000 |
3000 mi | $5,100 | $6,000 | $8,750 | $11,250 |
If you’re looking to move to California and haven’t decided where you’d like to settle down, the following can provide you with plenty of the best aspects of life in the Golden State.
Here, we’ve listed a few key data points you should be aware of when planning a move to California.
With all of the information we’ve provided, we’re confident that you’ll be able to book a move with relative ease. Whether you’re booking with long-distance movers or are planning an intrastate move, it’s important to begin the planning process far in advance. Around two months ahead of your moving date, begin researching providers in your area while conducting a thorough inventory of your home. If you line up quotes with different providers, you’ll be able to vet each provider properly you come into contact with and will ultimately make the right choice.
Although it’s not a hidden cost, you should be aware that guaranteed estimates can change when you add inventory or services to a move. Remember to mention all services or special requests you could need to be fulfilled during your move estimate to avoid this.
Unless you’ve purchased valuation coverage, you will be reimbursed at the industry standard rate of $0.60 per pound per item. Even with this, you’ll have to file claims fairly quickly with most moving companies in order to receive any payment.
You should make every effort to book your move at least a month in advance. Doing this will ensure that you book with your company of choice and eliminate the chance of you incurring add-on fees.
In California, a 100-mile move within the state is often considered a long-distance move. At that distance, your move costs will be calculated based on move distance and shipping weight rather than an hourly rate.
At House Method, our primary goals are to be a reliable source of information and to be totally transparent to our readers. With that in mind, we’ve developed the following formula to render objective ratings – on a scale of 10 points – for the moving companies we review.
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