American Van Lines and Allied Van Lines top our list of the best moving companies for small moves. Most moving companies define small moves as those with belongings weighing less than 2,000 pounds, which is roughly the size of an average one-bedroom or studio apartment. If your upcoming move is this small, you have two main options: hire professional full-service movers or do the move yourself.
While we usually recommend hiring one of the best moving companies, especially for long-distance moves, you may prefer saving money by handling smaller moves with do-it-yourself (DIY) methods. We’ve included a mix of full-service and partial-service movers in our list so you can find a provider that fits your needs and budget.
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 (AVL) 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, AVL 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, AVL 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 high average ratings overall, earning 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews, 4.2 out of 5 stars on the BBB, and 4.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Read two examples of American Van Lines customer reviews below:
“The moving team arrived on time and got to work immediately. They were super polite and respectful and knew exactly what they were doing. I had a couple of very large, heavy items they handled with the utmost care and expertise. The three gentlemen made a great team and worked in tandem with one another.” —Maria M. via Google Reviews, April 2024
“I have moved across the country several times for my career. During my most recent move, I used American Van Lines. It was a terrible experience, and I would never again use or recommend their services.” —Benjamin W. via Google Reviews, February 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 (AVL) 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 1.9 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
“This has been the worst moving experience of my life, and I’ve moved a number of times. These people just do not care about your belongings. Most of my furniture was either damaged beyond repair or scraped up. The price was high, the packing was poor, the delivery was a week late, [and] the inventory was completely illegible and nondescript.” —Don R. via Trustpilot, August 2024
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 respectable scores on third-party review sites, earning 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google, 2.9 out of 5 stars on the BBB, and 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Here’s an example of positive and negative customer feedback:
“I recently used International Van Lines for my move, and I couldn’t be more impressed with their service. From start to finish, the entire team was amazing, cooperative, friendly, and professional. They made what is usually a stressful process feel smooth and manageable. The crew arrived on time, handled my belongings with care, and communicated clearly every step of the way.” —Karina N. via Google Reviews, April 2025
“We moved from Kansas to Illinois in July 2024 using International Van Lines. Our experience with them was a nightmare. The process of estimating costs seemed designed to seriously underestimate expenses. Judging from reviews, underestimates of 25% are common with the company.” —Martin L. via the BBB, January 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:
“The representative at the desk was welcoming, polite, and professional. I felt respected as a customer and all my needs were seamless at this facility. I did a move with U-Box and rented a large U-Haul truck for the local move.” —Nick T. via Google Reviews, January 2025
“Unorganized and unprofessional. My unit flooded and the manager had no idea what to do in regards to insurance claims. Communication between staff is terrible. It was far more difficult to get a new unit than it should have been. If you can rent storage space somewhere else, do it.” —Cameron W. via Google Reviews, March 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 is a smaller company with fewer online reviews than competitors. The company has mixed reviews, with 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google and a 1.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Here are two examples of what customers have said about Zippy Shell:
“Our movers showed up promptly, were very careful with our belongings, and had everything moved into our apartment within the two-hour window in which they were scheduled to come. They took extra care to rearrange furniture as instructed when we asked. They were easygoing, polite and made moving in a very efficient process.” —Heather R. via Google Reviews, January 2025
“I can unfortunately confirm what others have shared: last-minute cancellations are common, lots of hidden fees, [and] property damage and loss. [Over] $10,000 of my stuff magically ‘disappeared’ from their rickety shell, [and] my claim was of course immediately denied). Nonexistent customer service.” —Amy S. via Trustpilot, October 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.
