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Moving Companies in California

Compare California movers based on your route, move size, service needs, and budget.

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Royal Alaskan Movers

In Business Since: 2010
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Full Service, Specialty, Labor Only
Office Locations: Anchorage, San Diego
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U-Pack

In Business Since: 1997
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Self Service
Office Locations: Nationwide
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Colonial Van Lines

In Business Since: 2003
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Full Service, Specialty
Office Locations: Across 5 States
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North American Van Lines

In Business Since: 1933
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Full Service, Specialty
Office Locations: Nationwide
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All My Sons Moving & Storage

In Business Since: 1992
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Full Service, Specialty
Office Locations: Across 32 States
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Allied Van Lines

In Business Since: 1928
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Full Service, Specialty
Office Locations: Nationwide
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U-Haul

In Business Since: 1945
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Truck Rental
Office Locations: Nationwide
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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

In Business Since: 1981
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Full Service, Specialty
Office Locations: Across 46 States
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PODS

In Business Since: 1998
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Self Service
Office Locations: Across 46 States
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1‑800‑PACK‑RAT, LLC

In Business Since: 2003
Move Type: Commercial, Residential
Services: Self Service
Office Locations: Across 37 States
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Before Hiring a California Mover

For a California-only household move, verify that the company has a current Household Mover license from the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). California requires household movers to be licensed before operating, and consumers can verify authorization through the BHGS License Search. The mover must also provide a written Not-to-Exceed price, which is generally the maximum you can be charged unless you request additional services documented in a change order.

California Movers

Finding the right moving company in California depends heavily on where you’re moving. A mover that works well for an apartment move across Los Angeles may not be the best choice for a relocation from San Francisco to San Diego or a long-distance move such as California to Texas, California to Florida, or California to New York.

California also has unusually detailed rules for household-goods movers. Companies performing residential moves within California are regulated and licensed by the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). Interstate moves are also subject to federal requirements through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Use this page to compare California moving companies, understand which type of mover you need, and know what to verify before accepting a quote.

How We Analyze California Movers

We evaluate California moving companies using information that can help consumers make a better hiring decision rather than relying solely on ratings or advertising.

Factors we consider include:

California licensing: For moves within California, we look for an active household-mover license through the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services.

Federal authority: For interstate moves, we check whether the mover or broker has appropriate FMCSA registration and operating authority.

Carrier vs. broker status: We identify whether the company physically transports household goods or arranges transportation with another mover.

Service area: Some movers primarily serve one California metro area, while others handle statewide relocations or moves throughout the country.

Services offered: Packing, storage, labor-only services, specialty moving, vehicle transportation, and other services differ by company.

Company history: Time in business can provide additional context when comparing movers.

Customer feedback: We look for recurring patterns involving estimates, communication, pickup, delivery, damages, claims, and unexpected charges.

Regulatory history: California consumers can review licensing information and certain citations or disciplinary actions through BHGS.

Pricing transparency: Movers should clearly explain what’s included in the estimate and which circumstances could change the price.

Fit for the move: A company experienced with a San Francisco apartment move may have different strengths than one specializing in large interstate shipments from Southern California.

No single factor automatically makes a company the best California mover. The right choice depends on your origin, destination, shipment size, moving date, home type, budget, and required services.

California Moving Company Licensing

The most important regulatory check depends on whether your move remains within California or crosses a state line.

Moving Within California

Residential moving companies performing household-goods moves entirely within California must be licensed by the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services before operating. BHGS took over regulation of household movers from the California Public Utilities Commission.

This applies to moves such as:

Los Angeles → San Diego
San Francisco → Sacramento
San Jose → Los Angeles
Fresno → Bakersfield
Irvine → San Francisco
Sacramento → Lake Tahoe

Before hiring a mover, use the official BHGS Household Mover License Search to verify that the company is authorized to operate. BHGS also provides information about citations and disciplinary actions involving licensees.

Compare the information you find with the company giving you the estimate:

Legal business name
Advertised or DBA name
License status
Address
Phone number

A polished website or large number of online reviews should not replace this check.

Moving From California to Another State

If your household goods are moving from California to another state, federal interstate moving regulations apply.

Interstate movers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a U.S. DOT number. FMCSA’s official mover database provides information about registration status, headquarters, business type, complaints, and safety records.

Examples include:

California → Arizona
California → Nevada
California → Texas
California → Florida
California → New York
California → Washington

California law also requires a household mover transporting goods into or out of California to have applicable federal operating authority, and BHGS has a separate interstate mover licensing category for businesses that move household goods only into or out of California.

Don’t stop after confirming that a U.S. DOT number exists. FMCSA recommends making sure the mover is actually authorized to transport household goods and is insured.

California Has Special Consumer Protections for In-State Moves

California has several rules that make an intrastate household move different from a typical move in many other states.

BHGS advises consumers that a licensed mover must provide specific documents and follow California’s household-moving rules.

You Should Receive a Not-to-Exceed Price

For California household moves, the moving company must provide a Not-to-Exceed price.

This is particularly important because it establishes the maximum amount you can be required to pay for the services included in the agreement. The amount can change when you request additional services and properly authorize them through a change order, but BHGS states that a mover cannot simply issue a change order because it underestimated the original job.

Before moving day, check that your agreement clearly shows:

Your Not-to-Exceed amount
The services included
Your inventory or scope of the move
Packing services
Additional charges
Pickup and delivery information

If you add services after the original agreement, make sure the additional charges are documented.

California Estimates Have Specific Requirements

BHGS states that a California mover may provide a written estimate only after conducting a visual inspection of the items being moved and warns that verbal or internet-only estimates are not permitted under the state’s household-moving rules.

That makes an extremely specific quote generated without adequately reviewing your household inventory worth questioning.

Ask how the company determined:

Number of movers
Estimated hours
Truck size
Packing requirements
Inventory size
Access requirements
Expected additional services

The more accurately the mover understands the job before moving day, the easier it is to compare estimates.

California Moving Costs

There is no single useful average price for hiring a California moving company.

Moving a studio apartment across Sacramento is entirely different from moving a four-bedroom home from Los Angeles to San Francisco or transporting a household from California to the East Coast.

Your price can depend on:

Distance: A move across town, a 400-mile California relocation, and a 2,500-mile interstate move require very different transportation arrangements.

Shipment size: Larger households require more labor, truck capacity, loading time, and transportation.

Crew size: Local movers may use two, three, four, or more crew members depending on the size and complexity of the move.

Moving date: Weekends, summer periods, and dates near the beginning or end of the month can affect availability.

Packing: Full packing, partial packing, fragile-item packing, and custom crating add labor and materials.

Access: Stairs, elevators, parking restrictions, long walks, steep streets, narrow roads, and difficult loading locations can increase the work involved.

Storage: Temporary storage or storage-in-transit can increase the total bill.

Specialty items: Pianos, safes, artwork, antiques, oversized furniture, pool tables, and other difficult belongings may require extra equipment or labor.

Origin and destination: Access conditions in downtown San Francisco can be very different from those at a suburban home in Riverside or a rural property in Northern California.

When comparing moving quotes, make sure each company is working from approximately the same inventory, access conditions, and requested services. You can also review the main factors that affect moving costs.

For California intrastate moves, BHGS maintains a Maximum Rate Tariff containing rules and maximum rates applicable to household movers; a 2026 version is currently in effect.

Local vs. Long-Distance California Moving Costs

Understanding how the move is priced makes estimates easier to compare.

Local California Moves

Local moving companies may base their quotes on factors such as:

Number of movers
Estimated labor hours
Travel time
Truck requirements
Packing
Additional services
Access conditions

Before booking, ask when billable time starts and ends and whether there is a minimum charge.

Longer Moves Within California

California is large enough that an in-state move can still involve hundreds of miles.

Examples include:

San Francisco → Los Angeles
Los Angeles → Sacramento
San Diego → San Jose
Fresno → San Diego
Sacramento → Palm Springs

Even though these moves remain within California, the transportation distance can make them very different from an ordinary local move.

Ask whether your estimate includes:

Driving time
Mileage-related charges
Crew travel
Overnight requirements
Storage
Delivery scheduling

Interstate Moves

Long-distance interstate pricing can depend heavily on:

Shipment size or weight
Route
Exact origin and destination
Moving date
Packing
Storage
Carrier availability
Additional services

Make sure every company you’re comparing has received approximately the same inventory and move details.

Carrier or Broker: Know Who You’re Hiring

This distinction is especially important for California residents planning an interstate move.

A moving carrier physically transports your household goods.

A moving broker arranges for another moving company to transport the shipment.

FMCSA registers interstate carriers and household-goods brokers, and its mover-search database identifies the type of moving business associated with each registration.

Using a broker is not automatically a problem, but you should know when you’re dealing with one.

Ask:

Are you a carrier or a broker?
Will your company physically transport my belongings?
If not, which carrier will?
Has the carrier already been assigned?
What is that carrier’s U.S. DOT number?
Who handles damage claims?
Who handles pickup or delivery problems?
Who receives my deposit?
Who receives my final payment?

For moves entirely within California, arranging household-goods transportation can itself fall within California’s household-mover regulatory framework, so don’t assume a company can avoid California licensing requirements simply because it describes itself as a broker.

What to Look for When Hiring a California Moving Company

Verify the License Through BHGS

If you’re moving within California, start with the official BHGS license database.

BHGS specifically advises consumers to verify that a moving company is authorized before hiring it.

Check that the company shown in the database matches the mover you’ve been communicating with.

If the website uses one name, the estimate uses another, and the business receiving your payment uses a third, get an explanation before proceeding.

Check Citations and Disciplinary Actions

A current license is an important first step, but it doesn’t tell the complete story.

BHGS advises consumers that its online license lookup may not reveal every underlying licensing document and encourages consumers to review citations and disciplinary information where available.

Consider both:

Current licensing status
Regulatory history

alongside customer feedback and the terms of your estimate.

Verify Interstate Movers Through FMCSA

For a move crossing state lines, search the mover through FMCSA’s official mover database.

You can review information including:

U.S. DOT number
Registration status
Headquarters
Contact information
Carrier or broker classification
Complaint information
Safety information

FMCSA recommends checking authority and insurance and comparing written estimates before choosing an interstate mover.

Don’t Automatically Choose the Cheapest California Mover

Price matters, especially in an expensive moving market, but it should not be the only factor.

Suppose three companies estimate your move at approximately $4,000 to $5,000 while another offers to do it for $2,200.

The lower quote may be legitimate, but first determine what’s causing the difference.

Check whether every mover included the same:

Furniture
Number of boxes
Pickup address
Destination
Stairs
Elevators
Walking distance
Packing
Storage
Specialty items
Moving date

For California intrastate moves, also compare the Not-to-Exceed amount, rather than focusing only on a salesperson’s preliminary discussion of what the move might cost. BHGS states that the Not-to-Exceed amount establishes the maximum total price for the agreed services unless properly authorized additional services are added.

Apartment and Condo Moves in California

Apartment and condominium moves can involve logistical costs that aren’t obvious when requesting a quote.

Before moving day, check for:

Elevator reservations
Loading-dock reservations
Building move-in hours
Parking restrictions
Long carries
Stair access
Gate codes
Certificate-of-insurance requirements
HOA restrictions

These issues can be particularly important in dense urban areas where moving trucks cannot simply park directly outside the residence.
Tell the mover about these conditions before the estimate is finalized.

Parking and Difficult Access

Truck access can significantly affect a California move.

Potential problems include:

Narrow residential streets
Hills
Parking restrictions
Limited loading zones
Long apartment hallways
Underground parking
Low-clearance garages
Gated communities
Homes located far from the nearest truck-accessible area

Ask the mover whether its normal truck can access both addresses.

If not, ask whether:

A smaller vehicle will be required
Your belongings will be shuttled
There is an additional fee
Additional labor time will be required

Resolving access questions before moving day can reduce disagreements over extra charges.

High-Rise Moves

Moving into or out of a high-rise building requires additional coordination.

Ask the building management about:

Freight-elevator availability
Elevator deposits
Required reservations
Loading dock access
Approved moving hours
Insurance documentation

Then provide those requirements to your mover before the move.

If the mover arrives and discovers that it must wait two hours for an elevator or cannot access the loading area, your move can take considerably longer than expected.

California Long-Distance Moves

California generates many interstate relocations simply because of its population and geographic position.

Common routes include:

California → Arizona
California → Nevada
California → Oregon
California → Washington
California → Texas
California → Colorado
California → Florida
California → New York

For an interstate move, FMCSA requires movers to provide consumers with federal information explaining their rights and responsibilities.

Before booking, understand:

Who is transporting your belongings
Whether your shipment may be transferred
Expected pickup window
Expected delivery window
Storage arrangements
Valuation coverage
Payment requirements
Claims procedures

A long-distance move is not simply a longer version of a local move. Your belongings may be on the road for days and may share truck capacity with other shipments depending on the service you purchase.

Understand Your Damage Protection

Don’t assume that hiring a licensed or insured moving company means every damaged item will automatically be replaced at full retail value.

For interstate moves, federal rules provide different liability options, and FMCSA requires movers to provide information explaining your rights when household goods are lost or damaged.

For California intrastate moves, BHGS also advises consumers to review the protection options available for their belongings.

Before moving day, ask:

What protection is included?
Can I purchase additional protection?
Are there deductibles?
How are high-value items handled?
Are there exclusions?
What documentation should I keep?
How do I file a claim?
What are the claims deadlines?

Photographing valuable furniture and fragile items before the move can also help document their pre-move condition.

Be Careful With Hostage-Load Situations

A serious moving dispute occurs when a company loads a customer’s belongings and then demands significantly more money before releasing them.

California law provides specific protections concerning a household mover’s lien and the amount that may be demanded before household goods must be released. The state’s Household Movers Act ties that amount to the written maximum amount and properly authorized additional services.

Keep copies of:

Estimates
Moving-services agreements
Not-to-Exceed documents
Change orders
Inventory sheets
Bills of lading
Receipts
Emails
Text messages

If a dispute develops, those documents can become critical.

Moving Companies Across California

You can compare moving companies serving communities throughout California, including:

Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Irvine, Stockton, Chula Vista, Fremont, Santa Clarita, San Bernardino, Modesto, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Oxnard, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Santa Rosa,
Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Oceanside, Elk Grove, Pasadena

The best mover can differ significantly depending on whether you’re moving within one neighborhood, between California cities, or across the country. If you are relocating into the state, see Moving to California for practical planning information.

Local vs. Long-Distance California Movers

Choose a company based on the type of move you’re actually making.

Local California Move: Look for a licensed California mover familiar with your metro area and housing type.

California Intrastate Move: For moves between California cities, verify the mover’s BHGS license and review the written estimate and Not-to-Exceed amount.

Interstate Move: If you’re moving from California to another state, verify applicable federal authority through FMCSA in addition to checking applicable California requirements.

Specialty Move: If you’re moving a piano, artwork, safe, antique, wine collection, or other difficult item, confirm that the company has the appropriate equipment and experience.

Labor-Only Move: If you’re renting your own truck or moving container, you may need only loading and unloading labor rather than a company transporting the shipment.

Before You Book a California Mover

Before paying a deposit or signing a moving agreement, make sure you can answer these questions:

What is the mover’s legal business name?

For a California move, can I verify its license through BHGS?

Does the company have any relevant citations or disciplinary actions?

For an interstate move, can I verify the company and its authority through FMCSA?

Am I dealing with a carrier or a broker?

Who will physically transport my belongings?

What is my Not-to-Exceed price for an in-state California move?

What services are included in that amount?

What could legitimately cause the price to change?

Are stairs, elevators, long carries, packing, storage, and specialty items accounted for?

What protection applies if something is lost or damaged?

Who should I contact if there is a pickup, delivery, payment, or claims problem?

California provides consumers with unusually detailed moving regulations, but those protections work best when you verify the mover before hiring it and understand the documents you’re signing.

A few minutes spent checking the company’s license, authority, estimate, and Not-to-Exceed amount can tell you considerably more than simply choosing whichever California moving company has the highest star rating or lowest advertised price.

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California Moving Companies by City

• Anaheim • Apple Valley • Auburn • Bakersfield • Barstow • Bay Area • Brentwood • Burbank • Burlingame • Camarillo • Canoga Park • Carson • Castroville • Ceres • Chatsworth • Chico • Chula Vista • Claremont • Clovis • Commerce • Concord • Corona • Costa Mesa • Culver City • Cupertino • Daly City • Davis • Downey • El Cajon • El Cerrito • Escondido • Fairfield • Fremont • Fresno • Fullerton • Garden Grove • Gardena • Glendale • Goleta • Hanford • Hayward • Hemet • Huntington Beach • Indio • Industry • Irvine • La Mirada • Lake Forest • Lancaster • Lincoln • Long Beach • Los Angeles • Lynwood • Martinez • Menlo Park • Merced • Millbrae • Modesto • Monrovia • Murrieta • Newark • Newport Beach • Nor Cal • Norco • North Hollywood • Northridge • Oakland • Oceanside • Ontario • Orange County • Oxnard • Pacific Grove • Pacoima • Palm Desert • Palm Springs • Palmdale • Panorama City • Pasadena • Paso Robles • Petaluma • Phelan • Pico Rivera • Poway • Rancho Cordova • Rancho Mirage • Redding • Redlands • Redondo Beach • Richmond • Ridgecrest • Riverside • Rohnert Park • Roseville • Sacramento • Salinas • San Bernardino • San Bruno • San Carlos • San Diego • San Francisco • San Jose • San Leandro • San Luis Obispo • San Marcos • San Ramon • Santa Ana • Santa Clara • Santa Clarita • Santa Cruz • Santa Maria • Santa Monica • Santa Rosa • Santee • Simi Valley • South San Francisco • Stockton • Studio City • Temecula • Thousand Oaks • Thousand Palms • Twentynine Palms • Upland • Vacaville • Valley Village • Van Nuys • Victorville • Visalia • Vista • Walnut Creek • Watsonville • West Covina • West Sacramento • Whittier • Woodland • Yuba City •

Popular State-to-State Moving Routes from California

• California to Arizona • California to Arkansas • California to Atlanta, GA • California to Charlotte, NC • California to Colorado • California to Florida • California to Georgia • California to Houston, TX • California to Illinois • California to Indiana • California to Kansas • California to Kentucky • California to Las Vegas, NV • California to Maryland • California to Massachusetts • California to Michigan • California to Minnesota • California to Nevada • California to New Jersey • California to New York • California to North Carolina • California to Ohio • California to Oregon • California to Philadelphia, PA • California to South Carolina • California to Tennessee • California to Texas • California to Virginia • California to Washington • California to Wisconsin •