Best Moving Companies in Hawaii (2021)

Moving is a huge life change. Whether you are moving across town, from one island to another, or onto the mainland, there are a lot of logistics that need to be sorted out before all your household goods are packed, loaded, and ready to go. A big one is finding a moving company to move your belongings safely and securely.

To help with your move to the state of Hawaii, either to the big island or one of the smaller ones, we’ve compiled a list of the best moving companies available.

Prior to scheduling moving services with a moving company, get a free moving quote from at least three different companies, especially if your move is more than 1,500 miles.

Top 6 Best Moving Companies in Hawaii

Through in-depth research, we determined that the best moving companies in Hawaii are:

• International Van Lines: Best Overall Full-Service Mover
• Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation
• JK Moving: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover
• PODS: Most Convenient
• Safeway Moving Systems: Best Moving Broker
• uShip: Best Mobile App

International Van Lines: Best Overall Full-Service Mover

With more than 20 years of experience and two million moves under its belt, International Van Lines (IVL) is our choice for “Best Overall Full-Service Mover.” This award-winning mover provides local and international moves in all 50 states, including Hawaii.

Pros and Cons of International Van Lines

✓ Recipient of numerous customer service awards, including Newsweek’s “Best Customer Service Award” for 2021
✓ Offers full-service moves for local, interstate, and international moves to more than 150 countries
✓ Provides air freight services, auto and car shipping, and warehousing and storage options
✘ No sample pricing is listed on the website
✘ Has only a few local branches in five states around the country
✘ Use of third-party companies leads to a higher margin of error in shipping

Services

A licensed carrier founded in 2000, International Van Lines offers packing, disassembly and reassembly of furniture, transportation, auto transport, and storage solutions. For long-distance moves, or moves across state lines, estimates include disassembly and reassembly of basic furniture, moving supplies, mileage, fuel, and any tolls during travel. International Van Lines also offers liability coverage up to $10,000 with its long-distance moves.

Cost

Using IVL’s online moving calculator to estimate moving a three-bedroom house provided a quote of $4,200–$6,150, depending on the distance traveled. To get a more accurate estimate, speak with the company directly and provide information on how many belongings or rooms you need to move, your origin location, the distance of your move, and your move date.

Get a free quote from International Van Lines by filling out this simple online form.

Learn More: International Van Lines Review

---

Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation

Allied Van Lines can help with local moves, interstate moves, and long-distance moves and provides a variety of services to help customers enjoy a hassle-free moving experience. We found the company’s vehicle relocation service particularly impressive. Allied Van Lines provides its own movers and trucks to transport a variety of vehicles, which is a rarity in the moving industry.

Pros and Cons of Allied Van Lines

✓ Offers vehicle relocation services for numerous types of vehicles using the company’s own trucks and movers
✓ Offers GPS tracking on all shipments
✓ Offers additional fragile packing services for delicate, breakable, or high-value items
✘ Specialty services may be priced higher than traditional competitor prices
✘ Customer reviews mention that the claims department is hard to reach and the claims process can be difficult
✘ Prices for Allied’s Do It Yourself Packing service are significantly higher than competitors’

Services

Allied Van Lines provides a large selection of full-service moving options, including:

• Packing supplies
• Packing and unpacking
• Specialty moving services, including fragile-only packing and moving items that are valuable and difficult to move, such as expensive art work, pianos or antiques.
• Vehicle relocation with its own movers and trucks to transport:
• Cars
• Trucks
• SUVs
• Boats
• Yachts
• Jet skis
• Motorcycles
• RVs
• Other vehicles

Cost

Allied’s website states that the average cost of a long-distance move with the company is $3,500. This is based on an average weight of 7,000 pounds, which is roughly seven rooms’ worth of belongings. This quote also includes a traveling distance of 1,000 miles, which is roughly the distance between Chicago and Dallas.

Allied Van Lines bases its overall cost on the total weight and mileage of your move. Pricing will increase if you add additional services, such as crating, labor, and vehicle relocation, to your move.

Get a free quote from Allied Van Lines by calling 877-483-9424 or filling out this simple online form.

Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

---

JK Moving: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover

JK Moving was founded in 1982, and after nearly 40 years in the business, the company is now the largest fully licensed and insured independent mover in the United States. The company provides 24/7 customer support and its moving crew is drug-tested, background-checked, and trained in the company’s fully furnished on-site training home.

Movers on a budget should know that JK Moving is one of the few professional movers that offers financing on its moves. The company’s partnership with Enhancify allows customers to connect with lenders offering loan rates as low as 0%.**
** Subject to credit approval

Pros and Cons of JK Moving

✓ GPS tracking offered on all shipments
✓ Financing options are available through Enhancify
✓ Accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating*
✘ Quote process is lengthy and available only by phone
✘ Local moves are limited to Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

* BBB rating is accurate as of September 2021.

Services

JK Moving offers a wide array of moving services, including full or partial packing services and contents protection, that can be customized to your needs. Other services include:

• Specialty item moving
• Financing options with Enhancify
• GPS tracking on all shipments

JK Moving has physical locations in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. and provides local moving and storage services in those areas. Throughout the rest of the country, JK Moving acts as a brokerage service to find local equipment and services you need from third-party vendors.

Cost

For a full-service move of a two-bedroom residence over 720 miles, we received an estimate of $7,521. However, a representative may need to schedule an appointment with an estimator to give you a more accurate quote. Information to have on hand includes: the total distance of your move, the total weight of your shipment, any difficult or challenging furniture you have, how many crew members your move needs, and any additional services you want to purchase.

Get a free quote from JK Moving by calling 1-571-487-8929 or filling out this simple online form.

Learn More: JK Moving Review

---

PODS: Most Convenient

A recognizable name in nontraditional moving services, PODS is a self-service portable storage container mover that offers flexible solutions for many different customers’ needs. If you are looking for a service that is convenient, affordable, and allows you to DIY your move, PODS is an excellent choice.

You can find a PODS location in all U.S. states except the following:

• Alaska
• Montana
• North Dakota
• Vermont
• Wyoming

Pros and Cons of PODS

✓ Less expensive than a traditional full-service mover
✓ Has durable, weather-resistant containers
✓ Allows you to take your time while you pack your belongings
✘ Packing and loading services are add-ons offered by third-party companies
✘ Restrictions on parking the PODS and drop-off areas

Services

PODS storage containers are available in numerous sizes: eight-feet, 12-feet, and 16-feet (12-footers are also available for local moves). There are no limits on the number of containers you may reserve. If you need help packing and unloading your items, PODS can give you a referral for service providers in your area.

The moving process with PODS is customizable to your needs:

• The PODS team delivers a weather-resistant moving container to your home;
• PODS storage containers are stored on-site (at your home) for as long as you need;
• Once loaded, a driver will pick up your PODS container and either move it to your new home or have it stored at a PODS storage center.

Cost

A PODS quote typically ranges from $820 to move a small apartment 100 miles to $5,850 to move a big home across the country.

Get a free quote from PODS by filling out this simple online form.

Learn More: PODS Review

---

Safeway Moving Systems: Best Moving Broker

Safeway Moving Systems is a veteran-owned-and-operated moving company that aims to provide efficient moving solutions. Available across the United States, Safeway is a moving broker that focuses on long-distance moves rather than local moves. It stands out for requiring local carriers to hold an insurance policy of at least $1,000,000, which is 25% more than the federal requirement.

Pros and Cons of Safeway Moving Systems

✓ Offers binding quotes without any hidden fees or add-on costs
✓ All carriers must hold $1,000,000 in insurance
✓ Offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee
✘ No local moving services available
✘ Doesn’t offer instant quotes and provides little information about pricing or specialty services on its website
✘ No online shipment tracking option

Services

Safeway Moving Systems is a moving broker that helps arrange your move and connects you with qualified movers in your area. Services available through its third-party partners include packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and unpacking. The company can also connect you with storage solutions.

Cost

Safeway does not offer online estimates or ballpark estimates, so you have to provide detailed information with a company representative to get a quote. Safeway promotes its binding estimate that has no hidden surcharges or fees and requires local carriers to hold an insurance policy of at least $1,000,000, which is 25% more than the federal requirement.

Get a free quote from Safeway by calling 844-509-4899 or filling out this simple online form.

Learn More: Safeway Moving Systems Review

---

uShip: Best Mobile App

Best described as a cross between eBay and Uber, uShip is an online service that helps simplify the process of shipping one-off difficult items, such as cars or household appliances. The company’s mobile app provides an online marketplace for freight companies to bid on moving jobs that you post, and then you get to determine which company best fits your shipping requirements. It’s a good option for those who may have a few large or unusual items that need to be moved cross-country.

Pros and Cons of uShip

✓ Inexpensive compared to traditional moving services
✓ Has an A+ BBB rating and accreditation*
✓ Provides a mobile app for checking postings and bids
✘ Not suited to moving entire homes or apartments
✘ Truck drivers aren’t vetted by uShip
✘ Doesn’t offer storage or local moving services

* BBB rating is accurate as of September 2021.

Services

uShip isn’t a traditional moving company in that it doesn’t send a team to help pack and load your belongings into a truck for you to transport. Rather, it is a marketplace where you can find a long-distance truck driver with available space in its trucks to transport your belongings.

There are two approaches: You can either look for available trucks or you can make a post declaring what you need to ship and where it needs to go. Be aware that you’ll be dependent on who’s going where and when, and there’s no guarantee that what you need will be available at any given time. As a result, it’s likely to take some time and effort to arrange a shipment.

Cost

Because uShip works on a bidding system, there isn’t a ballpark estimate that can be provided on the website. With this online bidding system, you pay only for the space you need and the moving process. While you can’t get an estimate in advance, uShip can show you what customers have paid in the past.

---

Which Is the Best Moving Company in Hawaii for You?

Planning a move to Hawaii can be overwhelming, but hopefully you can narrow down a few choices with the information we’ve provided. All the movers we reviewed provide free quotes for their services, so do some comparison shopping before making a final decision in your move to Hawaii.

For a full-service move, we recommend International Van Lines for its balance of value, expertise, customer service, and specialty services. If you prefer to manage the move yourself or need a long-term storage solution between residences, PODS is our choice. With locations across the country, the convenience of loading and unloading at your own pace makes PODS a great option.

Other Considerations When Moving in Hawaii

When you move, you’ll have to consider how to get your belongings to your new home and how to protect them once you have arrived. Home warranties can cover major systems and appliances when they break, preventing you from paying expensive repair or replacement costs out of pocket. Additionally, a homeowners insurance policy can protect the structure of your home if it’s damaged due to fire or other natural disasters.

Below are some helpful resources for Hawaii residents:

• Best Home Warranty Companies in Hawaii

---

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Companies in Hawaii

How much do movers cost in Hawaii?

Hawaii movers charge between $500 and $10,000. The price range varies greatly because most companies consider moving from island to island long-distance.

Will Hawaii pay me to move there?

The Hawaiian program Movers & Shakas will pay selected cohort fellows with a free round-trip ticket to Hawaii, facilitated accommodations, and authentic local experiences.

What are some questions to ask moving companies prior to selecting them?

Some questions you want to ask include:

• What is an estimate for moving services? Are there additional fees?
• Do you use subcontractors?
• Do you provide packing or storage services?
• Do you offer insurance?
• How do you handle complaints and claims?
• Do you have referrals or discounts?

---

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for moving service providers is on a 100-point scale based on 7 factors:

• Moving Services (30): Does the company offer its services for local, long-distance, and or international moves?
• Additional Services (29): What additional services does the company provide, such as packing and unpacking or loading and unloading?
• Coverage (10): Does the company offer any additional insurance plans, such as full-value coverage?
• Scheduling (7): Are customers able to schedule online, over the phone, or on both platforms?
• Trailers/containers (7): How many trailer or container sizes does the company offer?
• Additional Benefits (12): What additional benefits does the company provide, such as storage options, moving truck rentals, and financing?
• Reputation (5): What rating does the company feature on popular review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.