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

Best Moving Companies in Washington 2024

We compared 25 companies and chose the top movers

    • United Regions Van Lines
      4.2(694)
    • International Van Lines
      4.6(1,002)

    Top Picks

    See who reviewers like

    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 Washington 2024

      If you live in Washington and are planning to move, you might be considering hiring movers. To help, we’ve chosen our top picks for Washington 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. Affordable moves: United Regions Van Lines
      2. 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 Washington

      Quick and easy. Get matched with a Moving partner.

      Our top 2 picks for moving companies in Washington

      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 Washington as well as other factors, like packing services, storage options and price, and we ultimately chose two companies as our top picks in Washington.

      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 Washington. It offers binding quotes, so your price is locked in as long as your initial inventory is accurate.

      Highlights

      • Broker vs. carrier: Carrier
      • Packing services: Large items, furniture, fragile items; DIY packing boxes
      • Storage options: Climate-controlled; secured with cameras/guards 24/7

      According to reviewers on our site, United Regions Van Lines offers competitive pricing and transparent communication. Many would recommend the company to others.

      Lee from Sequim had a good experience: “I honestly won't stop talking about how friendly this crew was to me, or am I the only person that got this special treatment? They were engaging, conversational and didn't make the whole thing awkward. I won't pretend like it's not weird inviting total strangers into your home but, these guys just make you feel at ease. They're both great with people and with the items they handle.”

      Linnett from Tacoma said: “Moving to a new place was made easy with the help of URVL. … Long story short, they did a great job with everything, the quote, packaging and all my items got to me with everything still intact. They are the best you can get around. I promise you that. Try them and I assure you it'll worth every penny you spend. I didn't spend extra because nothing got damaged during my move.”

      Some people mention an initial positive impression due to responsive customer service followed by poor communication throughout the rest of the move.

      Alicia from Seattle said about her experience, “Started with a sweet-talking sales guy who totally underestimated everything. They call/schedule at the very end of every window which put us at the end of our timelines at every step. Then at pickup we have an extremely rude mover and suddenly our total is double the estimate.”

      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 provides moves to and from Washington. It offers auto transport and 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

      Reviewers on ConsumerAffairs often highly recommend International Van Lines for its professionalism, punctuality and attention to detail.

      “Fabulous work!” Oscar from Vancouver said about IVL’s service. “Dealing with them was generally nice. The guy was always willing to provide a hand or pay attention. He gave us an estimate very far away and was always reachable whenever we needed him.”

      Stephanie from Seattle said about her experience: “I recently from NC to WA. They moved our three bedroom house and included packing. I thought that their process was good. Getting a quote was easy and my sales agent Justin was great. It took over a week to get my things which was expected but I had no damages. I thought IVL was very professional and I’d recommend them.”

      A few customers mention surprise upcharges. Some also mention the company subcontracting the move to careless movers. Olga from Bellevue had mixed feelings about her experience: “I hired International Van Lines to move part of our furniture from WA State to CA. The coordinator Natasha sound very knowledgeable and convincing.”

      In the end, “It was not clear that we have to pay for the tape and other packing materials, Natasha did not prepare us for this. … I called another moving coordinator Nancy, who assured me that it is OK to add one more piece of furniture, which was not true … Two movers, Freddie and Henry, were very polite, nice and did a good job packing so far. I believe all the misunderstanding and stress could’ve been avoided if the coordinator ( who is in Florida) have more details or connect me with local (WA State) office before move.”

      What to consider when hiring a moving company in Washington

      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 Washington

      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 Seattle (98101)

      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 Washington

      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 Washington have a high cost of living?

      Due in large part to the Seattle metro’s high housing costs, Washington’s cost of living is higher than average. The eastern part of the state tends to be more affordable.

      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 Washington, we started with the 80 popular providers listed in our main moving guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in Washington. 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 Washington 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 Washington moving company reviews

        Sort
        • Best Rated
        • Most Reviewed
        • Highest Rated

        Want your company to be on this guide?

        Yes, continue
        Comparing

        ×