Write a review
  3. Moving
  4. Moving Prep
  5. Best Movers

Best Moving Companies in California 2024

We compared 25 companies and chose the top movers

    • AmeriSafe Moving Services
      3.9(552)
    • United Regions Van Lines
      4.2(694)
    • International Van Lines
      4.6(1,002)

    Top Picks

    See who reviewers like

    AmeriSafe Moving Services logo
    United Regions Van Lines logo
    International Van Lines logo
    See our top picks

    Quick and easy. Get matched with a Moving partner.

      Author pictureAuthor picture
      Author picture
      By:
      Author picture
      Edited by:

      Best Moving Companies in California 2024

      If you live in California and are planning a relocation, you might be considering hiring a moving company. To help, we’ve compared top movers on ratings and reviews, price, additional services, discounts, availability and several other factors to choose our top picks for California.

      Read our full methodology below for all the details. Our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear.

      Our editor’s top picks

      1. Customer service: AmeriSafe Moving Services
      2. Affordable moves: United Regions Van Lines
      3. International moves: International Van Lines
      Why trust ConsumerAffairs?
      • Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
      • 4,536,144 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
      • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
      • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
      • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.

      Compare moving companies in California

      Quick and easy. Get matched with a Moving partner.

      Our top 3 picks for moving companies in California

      A moving company can ease the stress, time and energy spent on a move. Our research team has analyzed 80 moving companies to help you find the best option. By comparing customer ratings and reviews, additional services, storage options, price and other factors, our team chose three companies that offer the best value for your money.

      AmeriSafe Moving Services

      3.9
      552 reviews
      Highlight
      Fine art and piano shipping
      Types of moves
      Residential, commercial, senior
      Discounts available
      None specified

      AmeriSafe Moving Services is a broker that provides moves to and from California. It offers instant quotes, which means you can see at a glance how much you can expect to spend on your move.

      Highlights

      • Broker vs. carrier: Broker
      • Packing services: Packing services
      • Storage options: Long- and short-term storage options

      California customers frequently mention positive experiences with AmeriSafe Moving Services. They appreciate the transparent pricing and fair quotes, as well as the company’s reliability and dedication to customer satisfaction.

      Colten from Los Angeles said the moving team was “very professional” and “absolutely amazing.” He told us: ‘“The process of booking is very easy, they reply quickly, explain everything and don't charge you any extra fees on top. I didn't want to pack the kitchen by myself, so guys made it really fast, used a lot of paper and packing materials so nothing broke. The team was very professional.”

      Mary from San Jose said about her experience: “The folks from this company delivered our stuff on a Sunday morning which was awesome. They worked really hard in 95 degree heat and got everything done and assembled before 4 PM. They did a great job overall and we are very pleased with the service. I would highly recommend them to others.”

      Some customers mention delayed arrivals, communication delays and limited availability during peak moving seasons. Veronica from Van Nuys was not pleased with her experience: “The movers seemed to have little regard for the fragility of my items, resulting in a myriad of damages. Furniture arrived scratched, dented, and in some cases, irreversibly marred. Fragile items were carelessly packed, leading to breakages that could have been easily avoided with a modicum of care and professionalism.”

      United Regions Van Lines

      4.2
      694 reviews
      Highlight
      Military and senior moving packages
      Types of moves
      Commercial, residential, military, senior
      Discounts available
      Seasonal

      United Regions Van Lines is a carrier that provides moves to and from California. It offers commercial, residential, military and senior moves and packing for large items, furniture and fragile items, as well as do-it-yourself packing boxes.

      Highlights

      • Broker vs. carrier: Carrier
      • Type(s) of quotes: Binding
      • Storage options: Climate-controlled; secured with cameras/guards 24/7

      Overall, customers are happy with United Regions Van Lines’ competitive pricing and transparent communication, as well as its flexible scheduling and storage options.

      Sergio of San Marcos said he was terrified to move halfway across the country. “But United Regions Van Lines made it easy,” he told us. “Their team was more than just movers. They were a support system. Their warmth and efficiency turned my stressful situation into a manageable task. Each smile and joke shared lightened the heavy emotional burden of the move. My kids, too, found a sense of adventure in the whole process.”

      Some reviewers mention poor customer service, a lack of communication and being overcharged by the company. While Rebecca from Upland was looking forward to working with a moving coordinator, it didn’t go as planned: “The day our movers arrived, there were some discrepancies about our original quote. When I reached out to my ‘moving coordinator,’ I got no response. I was able to work out the discrepancy with the movers myself, but since my belongings were removed, I’ve had no communication about when they will be shipped to me.”

      International Van Lines

      4.6
      1,002 reviews
      Highlight
      Quick (under 15 minutes) quotes
      Types of moves
      Commercial, residential, auto transport
      Discounts available
      None specified

      International Van Lines is a broker and carrier that offers auto transport and commercial and residential moves to and from California. It provides binding and nonbinding quotes, which means your initial quote may or may not change by the final bill — make sure to clarify the type of quote you're getting.

      Highlights

      • Broker vs. carrier: Broker and carrier
      • Packing services: Full-service packing and unpacking
      • Storage options: Short- and long-term (first month free); storage-in-transit

      Overall, customers highly recommend International Van Lines’ moving services. They often say how much they appreciate the care the company took with their belongings and the stress-free moving experience.

      Floyd from Costa Mesa said about his experience with IVL: “I was worried about moving all of my sensitive items, even though International Van Lines took great care to pack everything safely and meticulously. I was overjoyed to arrive at my new home and find nothing broken or damaged!”

      Christopher of Bakersfield was happy with the rep he spoke to and the moving crew: “The sales rep made me feel comfortable about hiring this company. This company went above and beyond for me. They handled my stuff with care, everything was organized good and they took extra steps to protect every single item and they looked really professional.”

      Some reviewers mention being pleased with IVL’s customer service but unhappy with the subcontractors who performed their move. Ash from Redondo Beach said about their experience: “The first payment you can pay with credit card. After that is only cash and cashier check. They won't open the truck door unless you give them the cashier's check! … They will try to charge you extra for nothing. Once they have your belongings it's a lose lose situation for you!”

      How to choose a moving company in California

      Moving can be stressful, but choosing the right moving company in California can make a big difference. Here's a simplified guide to help you find the best fit:

      1. Assess your needs: Decide what you'll take and leave behind. Determine how much help you need from the movers based on your budget and time constraints.
      2. Start researching: Ask for recommendations from people you know and check online reviews.
      3. Get detailed quotes: Get in-home surveys from at least three companies for accurate cost estimates.
      4. Check licensing and insurance: Verify the company's credentials and insurance.
      5. Compare quotes and make a decision: Thoroughly compare quotes, considering factors beyond the lowest price.

      Cost to move in California

      How much you pay for your move depends on whether you move yourself or hire movers, the move distance, how much you’re moving and any additional services (like packing or storage) you choose.

      Local movers typically charge by the hour, with a team of two movers costing $80 to $100 per hour as of publishing. Long-distance movers typically charge a flat fee, which may range anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000. Packing and unpacking services will cost you more. Tipping movers is optional but customary (10% to 20% of the total cost).

      Estimates for moving services from Los Angeles (90013)

      The figures below are based on current (as of publishing) industry estimates for a three-bedroom home with no additional services.

      Tips for a successful move in California

      There are ways to ease the stress of a move and simplify the process — it just takes some planning.

      1. Get an idea of the scope of the move

      Think about how much time, energy and money the move will require. Evaluate your time frame, the number of items you need moved and your budget. Set aside extra funds for unexpected costs.

      » SMART MOVE: How to make a moving budget

      2. Declutter in advance

      Reduce the weight and volume of your belongings to save on moving costs. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need. Your city or town may have local or national charities that offer donation pickup, including for larger furniture items.

      3. Start packing early

      Begin packing items from less frequently used areas or seasonal items first. As you get closer to your move-out date, aim to pack one room per day and label boxes clearly.

      » MORE: How to pack for a move

      4. Make sure your essentials are easily accessible

      Pack a box or bag for each person in your household containing essentials for moving day and the following day. Include a change of clothes, toiletries and any necessary medications — you don’t want to be without these during the move, especially if you’re driving a long distance.

      5. Know how to contact your mover

      Have a reliable contact for the moving company so you can communicate logistics, ask questions and track your move. Some companies offer tracking via an app; find out ahead of time so you can download it and be ready for moving day.

      » MORE DETAILS: Moving checklist

      FAQ

      How much does it cost to rent a moving truck?

      Moving truck rental costs can range from under $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the size of the truck, the distance you need to drive and the amount of time it takes. If you’re moving locally, you might spend around $20 a day plus mileage fees.

      How much should I budget for moving boxes and other supplies?

      If you were to buy brand-new moving boxes for a larger home, you might find yourself spending quite a bit of money. The good news: You can save by reusing old boxes or collecting them from friends and family. Costs for other moving supplies, like packing paper and cushioning material, are usually minimal but can add up — you might budget up to $100 for these materials.

      How much does it cost to ship a car?

      Depending on the exact mileage and other factors, it can cost between $500 and $1,700 to ship a car long-distance.

      Does California have a high cost of living?

      Compared with the rest of the country, California has a high cost of living. It finished No. 2 in our list of the most expensive states in our 2024 cost-of-living analysis.

      Methodology

      ConsumerAffairs carefully collects in-depth, verified reviews to tell each customer’s experience with a company. We believe customer experiences are a crucial indicator when evaluating companies, so these reviews are a significant factor when selecting our top picks.

      To choose the top moving companies in California, we started with the 80 popular providers listed in our main moving guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in California. We then weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

      • Storage options: We looked at the availability of storage units and any free storage periods.
      • Packing services: We considered the types of packing services offered, including whether a company offers packing services and whether it offers both full and partial packing.
      • Deposit requirements: We prioritized companies that ask for 20% or less down versus those with higher deposit requirements.
      • Discounts: We outlined how many discounts each company offers and what types (e.g., senior, military, student).
      • App: We gave a company preference if it has an app with a useful service, like requesting a quote or tracking a move.

      Not sure how to choose?

      Get buying tips about Moving Companies in California delivered to your inbox.

        By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Unsubscribe at any time.

        Thanks for subscribing.

        You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations.

        Read California moving company reviews

        Sort
        • Best Rated
        • Most Reviewed
        • Highest Rated

        Want your company to be on this guide?

        Yes, continue
        Comparing

        ×