Best Moving Companies in Rhode Island 2025

We compared 2 companies and chose the top movers

    • PODS
      4.6(4,050)
    • International Van Lines
      4.5(1,018)
    +1 more
    Author picture
    Edited by: Jon Bortin

    Best Moving Companies in Rhode Island 2025

    If you live in Rhode Island and are planning to move, you might be considering hiring movers. To help, we’ve chosen our top picks for Rhode Island by comparing some of the top movers on ratings and reviews, price, discounts, availability, additional services and other factors.

    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. Moving containers: PODS
    2. International moves: International Van Lines
    Why trust ConsumerAffairs?
    • Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
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    • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.

    Our top 2 picks for moving companies in Rhode Island

    To help find the best options for you, our research team started by comparing 80 moving companies. We analyzed ratings and reviews from customers in Rhode Island as well as other factors, like packing services, storage options and price, and we ultimately chose two companies as our top picks in Rhode Island.

    PODS
    Highlight
    Flexible timelines
    Types of moves
    Local, long-distance, international
    Discounts available
    Military

    PODS is a carrier and broker with a focus on portable storage containers. The company provides moves to and from Rhode Island. It offers quotes over the phone, or you can request a quote online.

    Highlights

    • Broker vs. carrier: Carrier and broker
    • Packing services: Professional third-party packing services
    • Storage options: Various container sizes for short- or long-term storage

    Dennis from North Kingstown said about his experience: “PODS was wonderful. We sold our house and we had to be out in 30 days. So, I was in a major problem with where I was going to put all my items and how I was going to store them. When I did some research, I found out about PODS, the size of the pod, how they could deliver it to my house, they could put it in storage, and they would be more than glad to bring it to wherever I needed them to deliver it to. Their services were outstanding. I booked with them online and it was the easiest think I ever had to deal with in my life.”

    He continued: “At one point, I had an issue with my credit card. The company canceled it and issued me a new one. I forgot to tell PODS about it and when I called them up. … I gave them all the new information. I told them I was sorry for the delay in paying them because I knew I was a few days late. They took the information and they were extremely accommodating.”

    Matthew from West Kingston had issues with communication: “I had a case manager and everything and he stopped responding. Each time I called the service number they said they would leave him a message. I would still not get a response and then if I pushed for a manager they would always tell me (3 times) that he would get back within 24 hours and that was the best they could do. He finally returned my email and said he needed 3-5 business days for a resolution. We are on day 8 and still nothing. I called and am right back at the beginning.”

    International Van Lines
    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 provides moves to and from Rhode Island. It offers auto transport, commercial and residential moves, and full-service packing and unpacking.

    Highlights

    • Broker vs. carrier: Broker and carrier
    • Type(s) of quotes: Binding and nonbinding
    • Storage options: Short- and long-term (first month free); storage-in-transit

    Jonathan from Cranston was so happy with his experience that he did something out of character and left a review on our site: “I never take me to time to write company reviews, this, in fact, is the first review I’ve ever written. I felt it was necessary to share my positive experience International Van Lines because they went so above and beyond to make this stressful moving experience, so easy. Plain and simplesaid what they did, then did what they said. Communication was great at every step during the process.”

    He continued: “The crew was on time, they handled my possessions like they were their own. I bounce around a lot for my job, have hired 3 different moving companies in the last 5 years, they were BY FAR THE BEST I have ever dealt with. I must say I am not surprised, after talking with Alex my sales representative who was very confident, professional, and friendly I knew I was In good hands.”

    A few IVL customers on our site mention surprise upcharges and damaged items following a move.

    Moving Companies in Rhode Island Buyers guide

    Jump into our guides and start learning

    Top Picks

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      What to consider when hiring a moving company in Rhode Island

      Choosing a reliable mover is crucial to a smooth and stress-free relocation. To ensure you select the right company, focus on these factors:

      • Reputation: Read customer reviews on third-party sites and ask about the company's experience and training. If reps come to your house for an in-person survey, see how professional they are.
      • Service area: Confirm the company can handle your move's distance (local, regional, cross-country, etc.).
      • Pricing, fees and policies: Seek clear, transparent pricing (ask if you’ll pay hourly or by a flat rate). Inquire about hidden fees, add-ons and policies for lost/damaged items and cancellations.
      • Additional services: Ask upfront about packing, unpacking, storage and moving of specialty items — these can affect cost.

      Cost to move in Rhode Island

      The cost of moving depends largely on distance and how many belongings you have. Local movers typically charge by the hour, averaging $80 to $100 per hour for two movers. Long-distance movers often charge a flat fee, averaging $5,000 to $10,000, for moves over 1,000 miles.

      Other products and services, like packing, storage and additional insurance, add to the cost. Factors like home size, location, extra stops, specialty items and time of year can also affect pricing. Tipping movers is customary (usually 10% to 20% of the total cost). To save money, consider decluttering, moving during an offseason and asking about discounts. You can also move yourself, but this may make an already stressful relocation more difficult.

      Estimates for moving services from Providence (02903)

      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 Rhode Island

      There are ways to simplify the process and make a move less stressful — it just takes some planning.

      1. Think about how much time, energy and money the move will require

      Evaluate your time frame, how much you need moved and your moving budget. Set aside extra funds for unexpected costs if you can.

      2. Declutter

      To save on costs, try reducing the weight and volume of your belongings. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need — your city or town may have local or national charities that offer donation pickup.

      3. Get a head start on packing

      Start packing seasonal or less frequently used 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. Have essentials ready

      Pack a box or bag for each person in your household that has essentials for moving day and the day after. 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. Have a plan for contacting your mover

      Ensure you 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 if yours has this 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?

      The cost of renting a moving truck varies widely, from under $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the truck's size, the distance traveled and the rental duration. For local moves, expect to pay around $20 per day plus mileage fees.

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

      New moving boxes for a large home can be expensive. Consider reusing old boxes or getting them from friends, family or grocery/liquor stores to save money. Additional moving supplies, like packing paper and cushioning, can add up, so budget around $100 for these.

      How much does it cost to ship a car?

      Long-distance car shipping typically costs between $500 and $1,700. The exact price depends on factors like the distance traveled and the type of vehicle you need shipped.

      Does Rhode Island have a high cost of living?

      Compared with the rest of the U.S., Rhode Island has a high cost of living as of publishing. It’s not as expensive as some of its New England neighbors, however.

      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 Rhode Island, we started with the 80 popular providers listed in our main moving guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in Rhode Island. 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?

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