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 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.
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.
Destination
Distance
Estimated cost
Providence (02906)
Under 10 miles
$2,763-$5,079
New York (10001)
Approximately 180 miles
$3,334-$5,974
Denver (80202)
Approximately 2,000 miles
$8,276-$10,660
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.
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.
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.
Thanks for subscribing.
You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations.
Licensed moving broker. Offers long-distance and military moves, auto transport and packing services. Free quotes. Works with authorized carriers. Available across the U.S. Online payments.
A brokerage company that arranges transportation for your move. Offers auto transport, packing and storage services. Not available in all states. Serves some states only partially. Free quote online or by phone.
Tailored moving services. Professional, experienced movers. Commitment to customer satisfaction, transparent pricing and a track record of reliable service. Moves out of state. Backed by years of expertise.
Licensed moving company that offers local, long-distance and international moves. Services available by van, freight, air and ocean. Works in the entire U.S. and more than 180 countries. Free moving quotes available.
Broker that specializes in interstate moves for residential and commercial customers. Handles moves of all sizes. Packing services available. Free quotes include tolls, taxes, fuel and all other fees.
Specializes in moves for corporations, military personnel and seniors. Charges from $2,000 to $5,000 for long-distance moves. Provides door-to-door relocation options. Offers furniture assembly and protection.
Brokers moving services nationwide. Works with both residential and commercial customers. Arranges local and long-distance moves. Also offers packing and storage services. Provides free quotes.
Offers storage and local, long-distance and office moving services from its location in Boynton Beach, Florida. Hires carriers for moves and provides a team of moving professionals.
Offers long-distance moving and corporate relocation services. Packing services and storage available. Serves the continental U.S. Charges between $2,500 and $5,000 for a two-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Kansas City.
Offers long-distance, military, commercial and corporate moving services. No extra charges for last-minute moves. Requires a significant deposit to reserve a move. Cross-country moves typically cost from $2,000 to $5,000.
Miami moving and storage company. Local, long-distance and corporate moving services available. Optional storage services at its secure storage facility. Prices start at $435 for a three-hour local move.
Over 95 years in service. Cross-country and long-distance moves. Offers a variety of packing, moving and storage services. Vehicle shipping. Covers all 50 states and international moves.
Moving company based in North Carolina. Offers local, long-distance, commercial and military moving services. Packing and storage options are available. Provides a free quote with no hidden costs. Available 24/7.
Offers local, long-distance, international and commercial moving services. Local moves cost $150 to $900. Most interstate moves cost $1,000 to $4,000. Storage services, auto transport and specialty packing services available.
Transports locally, long-distance and internationally. Offers residential and commercial moving. Also offers storage and archive services. Uses sustainable practices. Offers 24-hour customer support and mobile app.
Provides movable storage boxes you pack and unload yourself. Handles moves of at least 100 miles. Offers free quotes and flexible storage options. Does not offer services for local moves. Typical moves cost from $500 to $2,500.
Over 90 years in service. Cross-country and long-distance moves. Offers a variety of packing, moving and storage services. Vehicle shipping. Covers all 50 states and international moves.
National mover licensed in all 50 states. Provides a single point of contact for support on all moves. Offers multiple services, including white-glove delivery, antique moving and motorcycle moving. Rents storage units.
Matches clients with moving service providers. Local and long-distance moving in 28 states. Provides tailored packages. Offers hourly labor for loading and unloading. Sells packing supply kits. Offers a tracking app.
Rents 12- to 26-feet-long moving trucks. Sells packing materials. Free unlimited mileage on one-way trips. Discounts for AAA members and other programs. Minimum rental periods apply. A move from Houston to Dallas costs about $202.
Specializes in long-distance moves. Charges around $2,500 for a cross-country move. Full packing and unpacking services. Short- and long-term storage options available. Provides a dedicated moving coordinator. Military discounts.
Offers container shipping, storage, moving tools, packing supplies and hitches. Rental options include pickups and 26-foot trucks. Serves the U.S. and Canada. Hourly and per-mile fees. Local moves cost as little as $19.95 a day.
Handles moving and relocation services across the contiguous U.S. Offers commercial and residential moving services, packing services and auto transport. Provides discounts for military, early booking and same-day booking.
Provides moving services for all types of households. Performs local, long-distance and international moves as well as military and government relocations. Add-on packages start at $195.
Rents out moving trucks and accessories for residential and commercial moves. Offers packing, loading and unloading assistance. Sells packing supplies. Available nationwide. Provides discounts for students, vets and older adults.