American Van Lines and Allied Van Lines top our list of the best moving companies for small moves. American Van Lines stands out for its flat-rate pricing, which helps customers better control moving costs, while Allied Van Lines offers dependable service nationwide.
A small move typically involves fewer than 2,000 pounds of household goods, making it easier to manage than a full household relocation. Smaller moves give you more flexibility when deciding how much professional help you need. Instead of hiring a top moving company for every step, you can save money by handling packing, loading, or transportation on your own. We’ve reviewed both full-service and partial-service movers to give you more options for your small move.
Key Takeaways
- We chose American Van Lines and Allied Van Lines as the best options for small moves because of each company’s industry experience, service options, and pricing structures.
- The average cost of a small move is $2,356, based on quotes we collected for one-bedroom moves across various distances.
- Partial-service movers offer the most cost-effective option for small moves, but if you’d prefer a hands-off experience, full-service movers can handle every step of the process.
Top Small Moving Companies
Here’s our list of the best moving companies for small moves, including both partial- and full-service options:
- American Van Lines: Best for Transparent Pricing
- Allied Van Lines: Best for Industry Experience
- International Van Lines: Best for International Moves
- U-Haul: Best for DIY Moves
- Zippy Shell: Best for Small Moves
Comparing Top Movers for Small Moves
When researching moving companies and comparing prices, it helps to look at your options side-by-side. We gathered more than moving quotes for moves of all sizes and distances throughout the country to get an accurate picture of what each company charges for their services. Check out the table below to get a quick overview of each company and compare our top movers.
Our Reviews of the Best Moving Companies for Small Moves
When choosing the best moving companies for small moves, we specifically looked for providers that offer a wide range of services in multiple states, affordable pricing, and DIY options. Read on to learn more about what each provider has to offer and find the one that suits your moving needs best.
American Van Lines
Company Overview
- Offers flat-rate pricing with all-inclusive services
- Background checks employees
- Offers price matching if you receive a better deal from another company
Keep in Mind
- Only offers local moves in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina
- Doesn’t have a mobile app
Our Review
American Van Lines stands out for its flat-rate pricing, offering binding estimates that shouldn’t increase once your move begins. These types of moving estimates include select services like furniture assembly and disassembly, relocating antiques and fragile items, and piano moving, though you’ll have to pay extra for specialty add-on services like packing and unpacking. American Van Lines is also one of the few companies in the industry to offer price matching, making it a good option for customers who want competitive rates.
However, American Van Lines only offers local moves in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, meaning customers in other parts of the country will have to look elsewhere for moves across town. Still, American Van Lines services all of the continental U.S. for long-distance moves, and the security of its bottom-line pricing is helpful for small and large moves alike, protecting customers from surprise price hikes.
Customer Experiences
American Van Lines has solid average ratings overall, earning 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews, 4.3 out of 5 stars on the BBB, and 3.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Read two examples of American Van Lines customer reviews below:
“Movers showed up early on the first day promised of the three day window. They worked efficiently and were very careful with our furniture and other belongings. Everything was delivered promptly the next morning to our new location. Couldn’t have asked for anything better.” —Chris M. via Trustpilot, October 2025
“Communication was lackluster. It was extremely frustrating working with this company as [they] missed the deadline for pickup twice and we had to call to find out why … Will not recommend to anyone.” —Donald D. via Trustpilot, September 2025
Allied Van Lines
Company Overview
- Available for local moves in all 50 U.S. states
- Doesn’t require a deposit to book a move
- Offers 24/7 GPS shipment tracking
Keep in Mind
- May charge more than other moving companies, based on our quotes
- Doesn’t offer customer service hours on nights and weekends
Our Review
Allied Van Lines is one of the largest and oldest full-service moving companies in the industry, offering customers nearly 100 years of experience. The company has more than 500 agents, 3,500 moving trucks, and 4,200 trained drivers in North America, giving it plenty of resources for moves of all shapes and sizes. Allied handles local and long-distance moves in all 50 U.S. states, making it one of the few options available for smaller local moves throughout the whole country.
However, despite claims on its homepage that it offers 24/7 customer support, Allied’s customer support line is only open Monday through Friday during business hours. Still, Allied offers deposit-free booking, making it easier to book a last-minute small move without breaking the bank.
Customer Experiences
Allied Van Lines has decent reviews on Google, earning up to 4.8 out of 5 stars for some locations, but lower-than-average reviews on Trustpilot and the BBB, with 2.4 out of 5 stars and 1.1 out of 5 stars, respectively.
Here’s an example of a positive and a negative review from Allied Van Lines customers:
“The quoting process was done professionally and courteously, and the actual move was completed with a great deal of care and attention to detail by both groups of movers. They were polite and worked non-stop and wrapped up anything I had not thought to.” —Chris B. via Google Reviews, January 2025
“They only broke two things, so I guess they did an OK job. However, they refused to pay for the damages, which totaled about $1,000, even though we paid for the extra insurance. They send a shoddy ‘repairman’ to take a look at the damage who then, of course, recommends that they don’t claim responsibility for the damage. I wouldn’t use them again and I certainly wouldn’t pay for the insurance.” —John N. via the BBB, July 2025
International Van Lines
Company Overview
- Provides 24/7 customer service, unlike many competitors we’ve reviewed
- Offers 30 days of free storage with each move
- Provides discount codes online and a 15% discount for senior citizens
Keep in Mind
- Only offers local moves in Florida and Texas
- Has a history of inaccurate estimates in customer reviews
Our Review
International Van Lines (IVL) covers more ground than any other company on our list, offering moves to all 50 U.S. states and more than 180 different countries. However, the company only offers local moves in Florida and Texas, so if you plan on booking a small move across town, you can’t use IVL unless you live in those states. IVL uses hourly rates for local moves, starting at $150 per hour for a crew of three movers.
IVL offers plenty of convenient perks for customers, like 24/7 customer support, an online chat on its website, and a free month of storage with every move. If you’re moving out of a small apartment and don’t have a new place lined up yet, you can keep your belongings in a storage facility for up to 30 days for free. Whether you’re moving across town, across the country, or across the globe, IVL has the resources to handle your move with ease.
Customer Experiences
International Van Lines has high scores on third-party review sites, earning 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews, 4.4 out of 5 stars on the BBB, and 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Here’s an example of positive and negative customer feedback:
“Their service was really good and the team took great care of my things. They kept me updated the whole time which made the move a lot less stressful. My stuff showed up on time and in the same condition it left in, which I loved. The whole experience went smooth and I’d definitely recommend them to anyone who needs a dependable moving company!” —Angel G. via Google Reviews, December 2025
“They lost our boxes! Thirteen out of the 75 boxes were never found. We were advised by a competitor not to use IVL because they use third party movers. Should have listened. When the boxes arrived the [delivery people] didn’t even have a checklist they were delivering against. They could have given the lost boxes to anyone or they are rotting in a warehouse somewhere. Irreplaceable possessions. We are heart broken.” —Yette via Trustpilot, October 2025
U-Haul
Company Overview
- More affordable rates than most competitors we’ve reviewed
- Offers DIY options like rental moving trucks, portable moving containers, packing supplies, and self-storage services
- Has a convenient mobile app for truck booking, check in, drop off, and more
Keep in Mind
- Doesn’t offer full-service moving options like loading, unloading, and packing
- Requires refilling moving trucks with gas after usage, which can add to costs depending on the distance
Our Review
U-Haul has become a household name in the world of DIY moving by offering all the services you could need for a move from start to finish, including moving trucks, packing supplies, storage units, and portable moving containers. While U-Haul isn’t limited to small moves, its DIY-friendly options work well for budget-friendly one-bedroom and studio apartment moves. Customers can book a truck or purchase packing supplies online, then pick everything up at the nearest location and complete the rest of the move themselves.
The most significant benefit of going with U-Haul is the cost savings. U-Haul’s average price is roughly $1,000 cheaper than the cheapest full-service movers we’ve reviewed. U-Haul’s daily rental rates for large moving trucks start at $30, with an additional fee of $0.59–$0.99 per mile. You can’t book a moving crew or purchase additional services like packing or piano moving with U-Haul, but if you plan on completing a small move yourself, it’s the most affordable option on our list.
Customer Experiences
While reviews for individual U-Haul locations on Google may vary, the company has lower ratings overall on other platforms, with 1.1 out of 5 stars on the BBB and 1.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Here are two examples of firsthand customer feedback about U-Haul:
“I moved from Washington to Tennessee this summer and had three U-boxes [to] transport my belongings. Before actual transport, U-Haul kept them in dry storage for a couple of months for a very reasonable cost. Excellent communications and updates. Drop off, pick up, transport time and delivery—every step done right. I was concerned about delivery down my sloped driveway but by the time I was home, the boxes were in the spot I requested and even in an better orientation than I indicated. Would not hesitate to use them again and recommend to family and friends.” —John Z. via Trustpilot, August 2025
“They overcharged me on multiple occasions instead of the amount we agreed upon. They did not issue receipts on most occasions. They claim to have attempted to contact me and not able to reach me, yet they were able to reach into my bank account for the same amount twice in the same month for over $2,000. Think twice if you plan on using U-Haul.” —Rosalba C. via Trustpilot, September 2025
Zippy Shell
Company Overview
- Offers DIY-friendly portable storage units
- More affordable than traditional full-service movers, based on our quote comparison
- Provides customer service hours on weekends
Keep in Mind
- Only available in 36 U.S. states and Washington D.C.
- Doesn’t offer full-service moving, but can recommend local movers to help with loading and unloading
Our Review
Much like the popular rental companies U-Haul and PODS, Zippy Shell is better suited for DIY movers who want to pack and load their belongings themselves. The company specializes in portable moving containers that double as long-term and temporary storage. Zippy Shell can also help facilitate full-service moves, though the company doesn’t staff the moves itself. Optional loading, unloading, and packing services are available through third-party referral companies not affiliated with Zippy Shell.
The overall process is straightforward: Zippy Shell delivers your portable container, which you can take up to three days to pack yourself. Then, an employee will pick up the container and either drop it off at your new home or store it in one of the company’s facilities until you’re ready for it. Zippy Shell is more affordable than most full-service movers, but not as budget-friendly as other DIY companies like U-Haul. This makes Zippy Shell a good middle-of-the-road option for customers who don’t want to drive a moving truck or store containers themselves. Zippy Shell has 79 locations in 36 U.S. states, so make sure to check if the company operates in your area before booking.
Customer Experiences
Zippy Shell merged with 1-800-PACK-RAT in 2018, so its headquarters is listed on the BBB under 1-800-PACK-RAT. The company holds a 2.6 out of 5-star rating on the BBB. Google Reviews vary by location, with individual branches maintaining separate scores. On Trustpilot, the company has a low rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars.
Here are two examples of what customers have said about Zippy Shell:
“[I] moved from South Carolina to Michigan and they were timely and efficient. The loaders and unloaders [the company] hired on each end were knowledgeable, fast, and professional. Would definitely recommend. No issues [and] no damaged items.” —J. McBride via Trustpilot, October 2025
“Do not use Zippy. Unexpected charges. Several delays in moving. Poor customer service. I’ve done four cross country moves and Zippy was by far the worst experience. [The] pod is also essentially a big metal cage, so all of your stuff is exposed to potential pests.” —PD B. via Trustpilot, December 2024
Pricing for Small-Load Moves
The national average cost of a move is roughly $3,020, including moves of all distances and home sizes. However, most small moves typically involve enough items for a studio or one-bedroom apartments, which brings the average cost down to $2,356 per one-bedroom moves across all distances. Your individual rate will vary based on where you live, the company and moving method you choose, the distance you’re traveling, and the size of your home.
Your home size and the distance to your new home have the biggest impact on the cost of your move. The bigger size home you have, the more items you’re likely to own, which can take more time and labor to load, leading to a higher bill. Likewise, the longer the distance you’re traveling to get to your new home, the more you’ll pay for your move.
Cost by Move Distance
The further you travel, the higher your bill since companies must compensate for fuel costs, hourly wages, lodging, and vehicle wear and tear. However, the method of moving you choose also has an impact on your cost. If you decide to rent a truck from a company like U-Haul and do your move yourself, it will generally cost less than hiring full-service movers for the same job.
Still, your price will increase if you travel a longer distance, regardless of whether you’re hiring movers or doing it yourself, because of gas and toll costs. The table below compares costs by distance so you can see how these different options affect moving rates.
| Distance | Self-Pack Cost Range | Full-Pack Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| <1,000 miles | $2,091 | $3,150 |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | $3,590 | $5,135 |
| 1,500–2,000 miles | $3,943 | $5,718 |
Other Factors That Impact Moving Costs
While distance and home size are the main factors that affect the cost of your move, they’re hardly the only ones. Here are a few other things to consider when getting an estimate for your small move:
- Weight and size of your items: Most long-distance movers charge by the weight of your shipment, regardless of whether you’re moving from a studio apartment or a five-bedroom house. If you have a lot of items, particularly heavy pieces of furniture, this could increase your overall costs.
- Full-service vs. partial service: In most cases, the services you purchase will directly influence the price of your move. If you invest in extra services like packing, unpacking, vehicle shipping, and custom crating, that will tack on additional fees to your base loading and unloading rate.
- Time of year: Spring and summer are typically the busiest times of year for moving companies, and since the demand is high, rates get more expensive. If you have a flexible schedule and want a lower price, try booking on weekdays during the fall and winter off-seasons to get a better rate.
- Tipping your movers: Many customers forget about tipping until the last minute, and while it may not represent your biggest expense, it’s still important to factor into your costs. We recommend tipping $5–$10 per mover per hour for an excellent job, or lowering the rate slightly if the service is sub-par or if you have any significant damages during the move.
For more information on what to expect during your move, read our ultimate moving checklist.
FAQs About Small Moving Companies
Is it cheaper to use PODS or a moving company?
Generally speaking, it’s almost always cheaper to use DIY companies like PODS or U-Haul for your move because you eliminate the cost of labor. However, hiring professional movers is worth it for some customers and can help make your move stress-free and give you better results.
Do I need to tip my movers?
Tipping is not a requirement, but it is an expectation in the industry. Aim to tip your movers $5–$10 per mover per hour for a job well done. If the service is lacking or if the workers are disrespectful, you may consider lowering or withholding your tip.
What are the best moving companies for long distance?
Some of the best long-distance moving companies include American Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, and International Van Lines. These companies have industry experience and handle moves throughout the entire country.
What is the cheapest method of moving?
It’s usually cheapest to rent a moving truck and do the packing and loading yourself. Most moving truck rental companies offer daily rates in the $20–$30 range with an additional fee of roughly $0.59–$0.99 per mile.
How We Evaluated Small Movers
To rank the best moving companies for small moves, we used a combination of our unique moving company methodology, response to our 2025 moving survey, and data we collected from more than 1,000 moving quotes. This information helped us determine accurate pricing information, get a feel for customer experiences, and determine unbiased company ratings.
Our Rating System
We developed a 100-point rating system to accurately rank moving companies across six different categories. Once we assigned point values to each category and sub-category, we added up the scores to determine a final rating out of 5 stars. To score the best moving companies for small moves, we used the following factors:
- Customer service (18%): Good customer service encapsulates everything from customer reviews on third-party sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to the company’s website and support team. In addition to customer reviews, the best movers also offer user-friendly website features like online chatting, moving cost calculators, and visible contact info.
- Reputation (14%): A company’s reputation refers to its status with governing agencies, like the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The best moving companies have registration as carriers instead of brokers, a USDOT number, fewer than 22.26% of trucks out of service, and background check movers before hiring.
- Value (18%): Overall value is more than just a low price—it’s the quality of services you get for that price. We compared average costs across providers using real moving quotes for three-bedroom moves ranging from 500–800 miles to determine which companies offer the best prices. We gave the highest scores to movers with average prices below $2,750, flat-rate or binding pricing options, and convenient billing features like price matching, financing, and discounts.
- Service offerings (19%): Every moving company offers a set of services, but some can provide more than others. We assigned points for each service offering, including packing, unpacking, vehicle shipping, piano moving, and more, and movers with the most services scored the highest.
- Item protection (20%): Some of the most common complaints in the moving industry are about damaged items, so it’s important companies try to protect your belongings. The best moving companies offer three or more different moving insurance options to cover your items and offer special services like custom crating, temperature-controlled storage, and GPS shipment tracking.
- Scheduling (11%): It’s important that you can easily book a moving date and stay in contact with your moving provider. We gave companies points based on how easy it is to request a free quote, speak to a representative, and book a home inspection. The companies with the highest scores offer multiple methods of contact, have an online portal and mobile app, and allow virtual home tours using a smartphone.
