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Comparing Long Distance Movers Out of California
Four companies worth getting a quote from, what each is actually good at, and how to read the quotes so the cheapest number on paper does not become the most expensive move.
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Worth a quote
Four long distance movers, and what each is good at
Get quotes from at least three. The differences below are real, but the right choice depends on your inventory, dates, and destination.
International Van Lines
A full-service carrier that handles packing, loading, and transport in-house rather than brokering the job out. A good fit if you want one company accountable for the whole move, including the packing. Also handles smaller partial loads, which many full-service carriers avoid.
Visit International Van Lines
Allied Van Lines
One of the largest van line networks in the country, with agents in most California metros. Suits a move where you want a local agent to survey the home in person before quoting. Offers both binding and non-binding estimates, so ask which one you are being given.
Visit Allied Van Lines
North American Van Lines
Another national van line with a large agent network and flexible service levels, from full packing down to transport only. A reasonable choice if your dates are not fixed, since its size gives it more scheduling flexibility than a small independent.
Visit North American Van Lines
American Van Lines
A carrier (not a broker) that runs its own trucks and crews out of a smaller regional footprint. Known for flat-rate style binding quotes on many moves, which suits you if price certainty matters more than having a local office nearby.
Visit American Van LinesHow to compare the quotes, if you have never done this
Binding versus non-binding estimates
A binding estimate is a fixed price for the inventory and services listed. A non-binding estimate is a guess; the final bill is based on the actual weight, and it can come in well above the quote. On a long haul, the difference can be thousands of dollars. Get the estimate type in writing, and if a mover will only quote non-binding over the phone without seeing your inventory, treat the number as a floor, not a price.
What a deposit should look like
A modest deposit to hold a date is normal. A large cash deposit, a demand for payment up front in full, or pressure to pay before a truck is assigned are warning signs. Most reputable carriers collect on delivery. If a company wants most of the money before your belongings are on a truck, walk away.
Why the cheapest quote often is not the cheapest move
The lowest quote usually assumes a lighter inventory, fewer packing materials, no stairs, and a flexible delivery window. Every change from those assumptions is billed. Compare quotes line by line on the same inventory, the same packing scope, and the same delivery window, or you are not comparing quotes at all.
Verify the mover is licensed for interstate moves
Any mover crossing state lines must have a USDOT number and be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Ask for the USDOT number and look it up in the FMCSA database before signing anything. The same database shows complaint history and whether the company is a carrier or a broker.
A move out of California is an interstate move
The moment your belongings cross a state line, federal rules apply instead of California ones. The mover must be registered with the FMCSA, must give you the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and must offer two levels of liability coverage: released value (minimal, included) and full value protection (costs extra, actually covers loss and damage). Ask which level each quote assumes before you compare prices.
Related resources
Moving containers
For smaller loads or flexible dates, a portable container can beat a full-service van line on price.
Own your California home? See the closing cost credit for homeowners selling here and buying in another state.