7 Best Moving Companies in California (2024)

• Award: Our pick for insurance plans
• Service Model: Full service
• Founded: 2000

International Van Lines (IVL) is licensed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and is available in all 50 states and more than 180 countries for local, long-distance and international moves.

However, the company’s local moving services are limited when compared to its competitors. International Van Lines does partner with local moving companies within its network, but customer experiences can vary depending on location and provider.

If you have rare or high-value items like family heirlooms, fine art and antiques, International Van Lines’ coverage options may appeal to you. The company offers comprehensive coverage in the form of all-risk insurance and total-loss insurance. Available with the purchase of packing services, all-risk insurance covers the full value you claim on your belongings at a cost of 4% of the declared value. Total-loss insurance is provided to customers who opt for self-packing; it provides full reimbursement of your items, as well, but it comes with more coverage limitations. Total-loss insurance costs 2% of the declared value of your items.

International Van Lines is a full-service moving company, handling packing and unpacking, as well as loading and unloading. The company has numerous options for add-on services, such as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, vehicle transport and short- and long-term storage. Keep reading to learn more about IVL services.

You can customize your moving package with International Van Lines by selecting either a full or partial packing service. IVL uses the same industry-standard factors as most of its competitors to determine cost: the distance and date of your move, the size and weight of your items, mileage, fuel and any applicable toll charges. The addition of any optional services will increase your total cost, as well.

International Van Lines requires an up-front deposit of 25% of your total estimate. Credit cards and cash are accepted. The company also offers a military discount that averages between 10% and 15% of your total moving cost.

International Van Lines is transparent with its associated moving fees, listing the cost and frequency of each fee broken down to a per-item cost on its website. For example, IVL has industry-standard elevator and stair fees, applied when crews use either or both to transport items from your home or apartment. The elevator fee is a one-time charge or $75, whereas the stair fee is $75 per flight of stairs.

Get a Quote: International Van Lines

To Learn More: International Van Lines Review

• Award: Our pick for long-distance moves
• Service Model: Full service
• Founded: 1995

American Van Lines is an experienced full-service mover that specializes in long-distance relocation. The company is equipped for international and commercial moving, as well as corporate relocations.

While the company can handle local moves, it currently only does so in North Carolina, the Dallas-Fort Worth area and South Florida. Therefore, it may not be the best choice for local CA moves, since working with a network provider could have mixed results, depending on your location.

Those relocating long-distance, on the other hand, have access to American Van Lines movers, all of whom work full time and receive ongoing training and education. The average experience level for crew members with American Van Lines is approximately 10 years, the company says.

American Van Lines is also a great option for those who want to support green business practices. The company says it has set goals to increase sustainable practices and guidelines for reducing fuel consumption. However, like North American Van Lines, American Van Lines requires an up-front deposit that can be steep — as much as half the total cost of your move.

American Van Lines offers full-service and partial-packing options as well as moving supplies, storage and custom crating for local, long-distance and international relocations in every state but Hawaii and Alaska. Keep reading to learn more about American Van Lines services.

American Van Lines provides flat-rate pricing, ensuring moving costs will not change after you sign a contract or schedule your move. It does not provide an instant quote online or by phone. The company will first conduct a virtual or in-person assessment of your home, review your detailed inventory and calculate the cost of moving your items to their new location before giving you a detailed binding estimate, meaning your rate will be locked in at that price.

This fixed-rate pricing approach greatly reduces the risk of surprise fees and helps customers stick to a moving budget. Just remember that a fixed rate will lock you into the moving inventory you provide the company. Any items added after the cost estimate will be moved at an extra charge, so it’s important to be thorough during the quote process.

American Van Lines matches competitor pricing and accepts cash, checks and credit cards. An up-front deposit of 10%–50% is required.

Get a Quote: American Van Lines

To Learn More: American Van Lines Review

• Award: Most flexible payment options
• Service Model: Full service
• Founded: 1999

Moving APT is the only company that operates solely as a broker in our guide to the top California movers. The company is also the only one on our list that meets all the payment option standards by which we evaluate and rank moving companies.

As a broker, Moving APT does not actually provide moving services. Instead, the company matches you with one of the more than 2,500 independent movers in its network that can assist you with your California move. All of the companies in Moving APT’s national network are pre-screened to ensure they are licensed and reputable.

Moving APT accepts payments over the phone, online and in person. The company can even assist with in-house financing by phone, a service no other provider on our list offers.

Moving APT can accommodate full-service local, long-distance and international moves nationwide. The company operates one of the largest networks of third-party movers in the industry, so it is well-equipped to provide a variety of optional services, such as short-term storage and disconnection and reconnection of appliances. You can also find a mover through Moving APT to assist with furniture disassembly and reassembly and boat or car shipping.

You can get a general idea of cost through Moving APT’s website. For more accurate pricing or a binding estimate, you will need to speak with a customer service representative. Moving APT will only provide a binding estimate after a virtual home review.

Senior citizens, military members, veterans and differently abled individuals will receive a discount on their total moving cost. Moving APT also provides ongoing deals for early reservations and local moves of 50 miles or less.

Moving APT charges a deposit to schedule your move. The exact amount depends on the company handling your relocation and the size and distance of your move. In addition to moving loans, Moving APT accepts all major credit cards, cash and checks.

Get a Quote: Moving APT

• Award: Our pick for easy claims process
• Service Model: Full service
• Founded: 1933

With a range of full- and partial-service options, North American Van Lines gives customers the opportunity to customize their moving package. The company offers three main packing options for long-distance moves: full-service, fragile-only packing and self-packing. Those who choose to handle their own packing can purchase supplies directly through North American Van Lines.

As an experienced long-distance and international mover, North American Van Lines provides other services, such as crating, short- and long-term storage and vehicle transport. For those making a relatively small local move, hiring the company for support services could prove more cost-effective than a DIY approach. Keep reading to learn more about NAVL services.

Cost estimates with North American Van Lines are based on the distance of your move as well as the size of your move and the time of year you plan to relocate. The special handling of any items is also factored into your quote. Other factors that can affect your total moving cost include: the number of bedrooms in your home, the layout of your home, including any access issues, any items that need special handling services, such as crating, the time of year of your move and the addition of any optional services.

The company’s discount program for American Legion members provides up to $100,000 in replacement coverage protection on household items while in transit for a bottom-line savings of $850. Discount program members also receive access to exclusive moving and storage discounts, non-peak rates year-round and guaranteed quotes. A similar program for union members and their families includes up to $50,000 in replacement coverage (a savings of $560) and all perks provided to Legion members, with the addition of packing discounts.

Cash, credit cards and certified checks are accepted. No up-front deposit is required.

Get a Quote: North American Van Lines

To Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

• Award: Our pick for convenience
• Service Model: Full service
• Founded: 1928

While focusing on full-service moves, Allied Van Lines also accommodates partial moves through services like fragile-only packing and moving kits. Allied offers an a la carte-style approach to moving, but basic-price moves include: an assigned relocation consultant; loading, transport and unloading of your items; and minimum protection coverage. Services like full-valuation coverage and packing and unpacking are available at an additional cost.

Allied offers flat-rate pricing through binding estimates, which means the price you are quoted in your estimate won’t change on your moving day. The process for determining a binding estimate includes calculating a number of factors, including the distance and date of your move, the size and weight of your items and any add-on services. Allied will also require a virtual or in-person home visit and a detailed list of all items in your move. Be sure to list all items in your shipment inventory, as miscalculating or adding major items after your binding estimate could increase overall costs.

Allied Van Lines does not require an up-front deposit and accepts cash, credit cards and certified checks.

Get a Quote: Allied Van Lines

To Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

• Award: Our pick for self-service mover
• Service Model: Self-service
• Founded: 1998

PODS offers containers in three sizes: 8 feet, 12 feet and 16 feet. For reference, a 16-foot container will usually accommodate homes up to 1,200 square feet, or roughly the equivalent of three to four rooms’ worth of furniture and household items. Containers are all ground-level for easy loading and unloading. PODS offers full-value coverage and will adjust your coverage amount to match the actual value of your belongings. Keep reading to learn more about PODS services.

PODS operates on a flat monthly rental fee schedule, so you won’t receive a prorated amount for using your container for less than 30 days. The company also offers discounts, such as free delivery and up to 15% off rent with the purchase of at least three months of storage for customers who are moving locally (less than 50 miles) away. The company gives only local moving quotes online. For long-distance moves, you must call to receive your free quote. Quotes are valid for up to seven days and include the first month rental fee for your containers, as well as delivery and pick-up charges.

PODS accepts all major credit cards. Acceptance of cash and check payments varies by location.

To Learn More: PODS Moving & Storage Review