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Best Moving Companies in California (2024)

Author Icon By Shane Sentelle + 1 other Reviewer Icon Reviewed by Kent Sisneros Updated 01/29/2024

International Van Lines is our recommended moving company in California. IVL offers intrastate moves within California and provides a variety of additional services making IVL an ideal choice for long-distance moves into and out of California.

We researched some of the best moving companies in the United States, and scored them using our detailed rating methodology. In this guide, we’ll shed light on the best options for moving companies in California and detail each company’s services, overall cost, pros, and cons.


9 Top Moving Companies in California

We name the following moving services the best in California based on in-depth research:

International Van Lines: Best Service Offerings
American Van Lines: Best Overall Moving Labor
Safeway Moving Inc.: Most Reliable Pricing
JK Moving Services: Most Customizable Full-Service Moves
Moving APT: Best Customer Service
North American Van Lines: Best for Claims
Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation
Mayflower Moving: Best for Large Moves
United Van Lines: Best Base Moving Coverage

Compare Moving Companies in California

Star Rating BBB Rating Sample Quote Deposit Required Link
International Van Lines International Van Lines
B $2,519–$4,306 25% VISIT SITE
American Van Lines American Van Lines
A $4,544 Up to 50% up-front VISIT SITE
Safeway Moving Inc. Safeway Moving Inc.
A+ $4,000–$5,000 Up to 40% VISIT SITE
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
B $3,823–$4,824 Up to 33% VISIT SITE
Moving APT Moving APT
B $3,566–$6,266 Varies between partners VISIT SITE
JK Moving Services JK Moving Services
A+ $5,600–$6,622 $250 up-front VISIT SITE
North American Van Lines North American Van Lines
A+ $4,700–$5,540 None VISIT SITE
Allied Van Lines Allied Van Lines
A+ $5,442 – $6,312 None VISIT SITE
United Van Lines United Van Lines
A+ Call for quote None VISIT SITE
Mayflower Mayflower
A+ $3,500–$4,500 None VISIT SITE
International Van Lines
Logo International Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
Sample Quote $2,519–$4,306
Deposit Required 25%
VISIT SITE
American Van Lines
Logo American Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A
Sample Quote $4,544
Deposit Required Up to 50% up-front
VISIT SITE
Safeway Moving Inc.
Logo Safeway Moving Inc.
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
Sample Quote $4,000–$5,000
Deposit Required Up to 40%
VISIT SITE
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Logo Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
Sample Quote $3,823–$4,824
Deposit Required Up to 33%
VISIT SITE
Moving APT
Logo Moving APT
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
Sample Quote $3,566–$6,266
Deposit Required Varies between partners
VISIT SITE
JK Moving Services
Logo JK Moving Services
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
Sample Quote $5,600–$6,622
Deposit Required $250 up-front
VISIT SITE
North American Van Lines
Logo North American Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
Sample Quote $4,700–$5,540
Deposit Required None
VISIT SITE
Allied Van Lines
Logo Allied Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
Sample Quote $5,442 – $6,312
Deposit Required None
VISIT SITE
United Van Lines
Logo United Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
Sample Quote Call for quote
Deposit Required None
VISIT SITE
Mayflower
Logo Mayflower
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
Sample Quote $3,500–$4,500
Deposit Required None
VISIT SITE
Company Star Rating BBB Rating Estimate Info Visit Site
4.9
B $2,500–$4,300 VISIT SITE
4.4
A $3,200–$3,500 VISIT SITE
4.2
A+ $6,300–$7,500 VISIT SITE
4.4
B $2,800–$4,000 VISIT SITE
4.4
B $2,968–$5,668 VISIT SITE
4.7
A+ $7,550 VISIT SITE
4.5
A+ $4,700–$5,350 VISIT SITE
4.8
A+ $4,730–$5,380 VISIT SITE
4.8
A+ $5,169–$7,003 VISIT SITE
4.8
A+ Contact for Pricing VISIT SITE

International Van Lines

Best Service Offerings
4.9
Phone 888-293-1891
VISIT SITE

International Van Lines

Best Service Offerings
4.9
International Van Lines Review

American Van Lines

Best Overall Moving Labor
4.4
Phone 877-960-3186
VISIT SITE

American Van Lines

Best Overall Moving Labor
4.4
American Van Lines Review

Safeway Moving Inc.

Most Reliable Pricing
4.2
Phone 844-886-1118
VISIT SITE

Safeway Moving Inc.

Most Reliable Pricing
4.2
Safeway Review

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Most Efficient
4.4
Phone 866-209-1298
VISIT SITE

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Most Efficient
4.4
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Review

JK Moving Services

Best Specialized Packing
4.7
Phone 571-487-8929
VISIT SITE

JK Moving Services

Best Specialized Packing
4.7
JK Moving Review

Moving APT

Best Customer Service
4.4
Phone 855-910-1001
VISIT SITE

Moving APT

Best Customer Service
4.4
Moving APT Review

North American Van Lines

Best for Claims
4.5
Phone 877-624-0912
VISIT SITE

North American Van Lines

Best for Claims
4.5
North American Van Lines Review

Allied Van Lines

Best for Vehicle Relocation
4.8
Phone 877-483-9424
VISIT SITE

Allied Van Lines

Best for Vehicle Relocation
4.8
Allied Van Lines Review

Mayflower

Best for Large Moves
4.8

Mayflower

Best for Large Moves
4.8
1-800-PACK-RAT Review

United Van Lines

Best Base Moving Coverage
4.8
Phone 877-740-3036
VISIT SITE

United Van Lines

Best Base Moving Coverage
4.8
1-800-PACK-RAT Review

Compare the Top California Movers

California witnesses a lot of migration and moving. Perhaps you’re part of the large exodus leaving the state currently or maybe you’re looking to move into the state for the booming tech industry in San Francisco or the vibrant cultural scene of Los Angeles. Either way, a professional moving company helps make this daunting task simple and stress-free.

See how the best moving companies in California stack up against each other:

ProviderLocalLong-DistanceLabor IncludedQuoted Rate

IVL

$2,015–$3,445

American

$2,015–$3,445

Moving APT

$6,500

JK Moving

N/A

NAVL

$6,135–$7,010

Allied

$6,158–$7,038

Mayflower Moving

Call for quote

United Van Lines

Call for quote

Find Local Movers in CA


Other Considerations When Moving to California

When moving, there are several other services you may need or want to consider besides a moving company. You will need home insurance, and you may want a home warranty; especially given California’s reputation for wildfires and earthquakes.

Depending on the type of home you are moving into, you may need a lawn care service or pest control service. Both of these services are highly important in California as the state witnesses all kinds of problems with gophers, rats, and ants.

Consider reading some of the articles listed below to help better prepare you:


Our Conclusion

The size of your move, the overall distance of your move, your moving budget, challenging and fragile items you own, and the amount of labor needed will all impact which company will be the best option for your move to, away from, or within the Golden State. Think about what you and your family want most out of a professional moving service before deciding on a moving company. We recommend gathering multiple quotes to accurately compare each company and what they can bring to your California move.


FAQ About Moving Companies in California

How much are local movers in CA?

If you’re looking to move locally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $1,500. This price depends greatly on the size of your move.

What is the best month to move?

Typically, moves during late September to April see some lower rates. Demand for movers usually slows down during this time frame, so companies lower their rates to encourage you to book with them.

Will movers move alcohol?

If you are looking to relocate with your California wine, most moving companies will handle alcohol, both closed and open bottles. We suggest you use a double-layer cardboard box with some padding in between bottles to minimize the risk of them breaking.


Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.

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