Best short-distance moving companies

Our top picks for short-distance movers

To make our choices for the best short-distance movers, we collected 17 data points each for 70 companies before limiting our list to only those that offer short-distance moves. We used this data to evaluate factors that have the most impact on consumers, including nationwide availability and add-on services, to make our final selections.

Our picks may be Authorized Partners who compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear.

Allied Van Lines has completed more than 750,000 moves in the U.S. in the last 15 years, the company says. It’s a full-service mover that offers fragile packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, short-term storage and long-term storage.

With Allied, you can use an app to survey your home to get an accurate estimate based on your belongings. The company also offers auto transport and has a large network of moving trucks and international carriers.

North American Van Lines offers local, long-distance, interstate and international moves. It’s a full-service mover with options for fragile packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and short-term and long-term storage. It also provides auto transport services, corporate moves and military relocations, and it assigns a personal moving agent to each move.

International Van Lines has sample rates on its site that use several moving scenarios as examples. The company operates internationally and is a reputable company for both local and long-distance moves.

As of publishing, for a local move requiring three movers, you can anticipate an hourly rate of $150, according to IVL’s website. If you opt for full packing services as well, the estimated hourly rate is $180, though it's best to contact a company representative for the most accurate rate. The company also has storage options.

Short-distance move vs. long-distance move

A long-distance move is generally any relocation of 400 miles or more, while short-distance moves are typically moves of less than 50 miles. Short-distance moves can also be referred to as “local moves.”

You may hear “interstate move” used interchangeably with “long-distance move,” but there is a distinction. An interstate move is any move — including those under 50 miles — that crosses state lines, no matter how many miles are traveled. All legit interstate moving companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

How much do short-distance movers cost?

Moving companies typically charge by the hour for each mover needed for a local move. These rates tend to range from $80 to $100 an hour for a team of two movers. In this case, a move that takes about five hours to complete would cost between $400 and $500.

Some key factors that affect costs:

• Size of home and the number of movers: Moving companies verify how many bedrooms you currently have to assess how many movers you’ll need. Many moving companies add one more mover to the number of bedrooms you have. If you have a three-bedroom home, for instance, you may need a team of four movers, which could cost you between $160 and $200 an hour.
• Location: Moving companies may charge carry fees, depending on the location of your new place. You could be charged a long carry fee if the movers have to park the truck far from the home and carry things a long distance — for example, if the street in front of your apartment doesn’t have a loading zone and the movers have to park down the road. Also, some companies charge a stair carry fee if the movers must climb a flight of stairs.
• Number of specialty items: You’ll likely pay an extra fee to move heavy and bulky items like pianos, armoires, hot tubs and grandfather clocks. (For reference, the average cost to move a piano locally is between $200 and $550). Also, if you have delicate items to move, like antiques or artwork, you could be hit with an additional fee to transport those items.

» MORE: Cost to move a piano

You’ll want to keep all these factors in mind as you prepare for your move. This could be an ideal time to donate or sell items you plan to get rid of anyway. Cutting down on the amount of stuff you move will not only save you money in moving costs — it also saves you time packing and unpacking.

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How to choose a short-distance mover

Before you start researching moving companies, come up with a budget for the move and establish a limit for what you can spend. You’ll also want to assess your situation and decide which services you want to pay the moving company for (like packing and unpacking). These services can be tempting, but they might not all fit in your budget. If you work long hours and have the money to pay someone else to pack your stuff for you, though, it might be worth it.

Also, keep in mind that moving may cost more than you planned. It’s a good idea to set aside an extra sum of money for unexpected expenses. Nick Valentino, vice president of market operations for Bellhop, a moving company, said about moving costs: “Some movers charge for situations that slow them down. High floors, not having elevators, and the inability to park close to the dwelling unit or in a designated area may take on extra fees.”

He added: “The hourly rate of the movers is also important to know. Some places will prorate you if you go under or over the discussed hours for the move, while others will not. Be aware of the potential costs before you enter into an agreement.”

Once you’ve established a budget, you can start looking for moving companies that specialize in local or short-distance moves. Start by asking close friends or family for recommendations — and be sure to find out if they encountered any issues during the move, like damage to furniture.

A company’s USDOT number shows it’s properly licensed and insured for interstate moves. You can also use this number to check the company's safety and complaint history.

You can also search the web for local moving companies. Make sure to read customer reviews for each and pay close attention to negative feedback. If you notice any alarming patterns, you might want to think twice about hiring that company.

Compile a list of at least three different moving companies to research further. You can look up a company’s U.S. Department of Transportation number to see many complaints or violations the company has on its record. USDOT numbers also show that the company is properly licensed and insured, which is a critical factor in choosing a moving company.

Once you have a short list of moving companies to contact, request quotes online or call the companies directly. Ask if there is an in-house walk-through before you receive a quote; this ensures the most accurate estimate. Be sure to ask about additional fees for any specialty items you have.

Ultimately, you’ll want to choose the moving company that offers the best value to you. Keep in mind that companies that appear to be the cheapest sometimes charge extra fees, leading to higher costs in the long run. Select a company that’s licensed and insured with mostly positive customer reviews (and that fits your budget).

Short-distance moving tips

Whether you’re moving down the street or to a neighboring state, the key to a seamless move is planning ahead. Fortunately, a short-distance move may allow for more flexibility than a cross-country move. For instance, depending on how you plan to move (DIY or hiring movers), you may be able to make multiple trips to your new home on moving day.

» MORE: Moving checklist

Here are a few tips to consider for your next move:

1. Declutter your home and get rid of items you no longer use or need. Fewer belongings mean less stuff to pack up (and fewer boxes and packing supplies to purchase). A lighter load could also help lower your moving costs.
2. If you’re packing up boxes yourself, make a plan for which days you’ll pack certain rooms. Give yourself a buffer of a few days before the move-out date to have all your packing completed. Remember that packing up the kitchen tends to take the most time, so you may want to allot at least eight hours for this task.
3. Ask for help. Don’t be shy about asking friends or family to help you load boxes or watch your kids while you pack. Moving is stressful enough; let your loved ones help ease some of that burden.
4. If you have access to your new place ahead of the scheduled move-in day, it may be worth moving some boxes in ahead of time. Taking a load or two early will get boxes out of your way in your current place and help you focus on making progress with the rest of your stuff. It may also be helpful to scope out your new home ahead of moving day so you know where to direct movers to place the furniture.

Bottom line

With so many scams in the moving industry, you want to be sure to hire a company that’s reputable and trustworthy. You can ask for references, read customer reviews online and search the company’s USDOT number for complaints.

It may be worth it to hire professional movers for your short-distance move if the cost fits within your budget. Professionals can help relieve some of the stress of moving and make the process run smoother and faster.