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 nationwide service. A small move typically involves fewer than 2,000 pounds of household goods or the contents of a studio or one-bedroom home.
To identify the best options for your small move, we looked into both full-service and partial-service moving companies based on pricing, services, and customer experience. We also surveyed 1,000 homeowners nationwide about their recent moves and analyzed responses from those who completed smalls moves to better understand the costs, services, and challenges.
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.
- In our recent moving survey, 100% of homeowners who completed a studio or one-bedroom move hired a full-service moving company.
Top Moving Companies for Small Moves
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 the Best Companies 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
We analyzed customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot to better understand American Van Lines customers’ experiences. Many reviewers praised the company’s professional crews, careful handling of belongings, transparent flat-rate pricing, and efficient moving process. Common complaints included communication issues, delivery delays, and discrepancies between initial estimates and final charges.
Below are two sample customer reviews for American Van Lines:
“These moving guys did great. They came through and knocked it out. There was a confusion on the offices end. Regardless, after it was sorted out, the three guys got down to business and made everything right. They met us in Georgia and cleaned house. [C]an’t wait to meet up in West Virginia. The owner of the truck company was responsive and vigilante to any situation. It was nice to deal with professionals.” —Brandon M. via Trustpilot, March 2026
“Customer service was absolutely terrible. I [have] moved 14 times and their service was by far the worst. They promised me a delivery date before I hired them and then changed it multiple times to dates that were unacceptable. I had to escalate things multiple times to finally get resolution. It was a horrible experience.” —Joe via Trustpilot, June 2026
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
Many positive reviewers liked Allied Van Lines for its professional movers, careful handling of belongings, and responsive customer service throughout the moving process. Some customers also appreciated the company’s communication and efficient long-distance moves. Several negative reviews reported delivery delays, damaged items, and difficulty resolving claims.
Below are two sample customer reviews for Allied Van Lines:
“Everything was so easy for our move from South Carolina to Ohio. [Our representative] did an excellent job providing a reasonable and fair price. He was quick on the response and just a great guy. Very professional and answered our calls immediately—even at night! The movers were incredible! We have very heavy furniture and they did not complain at all. They professionally wrapped each and every piece of furniture for us. We cannot recommend this company and these people enough!” —Michele K. via Google Reviews, September 2025
“The movers themselves were fine, [but] everything else was terrible. We paid to have them pack and move our house. The packing was a complete joke. Clothes just thrown into boxes, heavy things placed on top of fragile things, boxes mislabeled, [and] clothing used as packing material. To be determined how they handle our damage claims, but the overall experience has been awful.” —Jeremy B. via Trustpilot, July 2026
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 received positive feedback for its competitive pricing, knowledgeable moving crews, and ability to coordinate long-distance and international relocations. Reviewers also noted that the booking process was straightforward and that customer support was helpful before moving day. The most common complaints involved delivery delays, communication issues, and occasional reports of damaged belongings.
Below are two sample customer reviews for International Van Lines:
“I could not be more happy with my move with International Van Lines! They worked tirelessly for nine hours, and everything arrived in pristine condition! They were affordable, friendly, and made what is usually a dreaded task very bearable! I highly recommend them to anyone planning to move in the near future!” —Rodolfo B. via the BBB, June 2026
“They were late, had terrible communication, my TV arrived broken because they set a mattress on top, and they forgot/lost my living room chair. The team who picked up my stuff moved quickly and were professional, but my drop off team was the opposite.” —Anna B. via Trustpilot, March 2026
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
Many homeowners mentioned choosing U-Haul for its affordable pricing, widespread availability, and convenient pickup and drop-off locations. Positive reviews also mentioned the ease of reserving trucks and moving equipment, though experiences varied by location. Negative feedback mentioned vehicle maintenance issues and unexpected charges,. Other reviews reported long wait times, and inconsistent customer service.
Below are two sample customer reviews for U-Haul:
“We’ve used U-Haul twice now and couldn’t recommend this company enough! They went above and beyond both times to ensure we were able to access what we needed at an unbeatable price. We had to change the dates and times multiple times for our first reservation and they not only worked with us, but kept our price locked in. They were more than $500 less than their competitors. The second time, we ended up running behind schedule and they stayed after hours to make sure we could pick up our order.” —McKenzie H. via Trustpilot, April 2026
“Just the worst company. I spend a lot with U-Haul each year and there is always some sort of issue or problem. I recently did two of their U-Boxes. When I made the reservation, it said five to nine days delivery. It now has been 13 days and they keep pushing the delivery date back. If it goes past a month, they will charge me another month of storage.” —DV via Trustpilot, April 2026
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. Based on these reviews, homeowners appreciated Zippy Shell’s flexible moving containers, convenient storage options, and the ability to pack at their own pace. Many also described the booking process as straightforward and found the service to be a good value. Negative reviews reported delivery delays, billing concerns, and inconsistent service between locations.
Below are two sample customer reviews for Zippy Shell:
“Great experience for my long distance move. The service was exceptional and I would definitely use Pack Rat again! All of my belongings arrived in the exact same condition as packed. No damages to anything! The container was delivered as scheduled with transparent communication through the entire process.” —Terry M. via the BBB, June 2026
“Not all of their billing information is on the same page with their local pick up PackRat office. Calling puts you on hold for more than an hour. Spent four hours explaining my timeline and previous conversations to state my case as to why the rented container was still on my property. Continued to get billed beyond the single month I requested. I will say the several supervisors I spoke to with in the past three days were professional and nice. Convenient to have container delivered to use, but the hassle to make sure it’s picked up is a different story.” —Regina R. via the BBB, June 2026
How Much Does a Small Move Cost?
The average cost of a one-bedroom move is $2,356 across all distances. That’s about 22% less than the national average moving cost of $3,020 across all home sizes. Small moves typically involve the contents of a studio or one-bedroom home or apartment, though your actual price will vary based on factors such as distance, location, the company you hire, and any additional services you choose.
Our survey of homeowners who recently completed a studio or one-bedroom move reflects these findings. Nearly 83% of respondents completed a local move, which helps explain why many small moves cost less than the national average.
Home size and move distance have the biggest impact on your moving final bill. Smaller households generally require less labor and truck space, while long-distance moves increase costs due to additional travel time, fuel, and logistics.
Moving Cost by Distance
Distance is one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of a small move. In our pricing analysis, local one-bedroom moves averaged $1,492, while moves of 1,701 miles or more averaged $2,916. Longer moves cost more because movers must account for additional labor, fuel, travel time, and transportation expenses. If you’re planning a long-distance move, comparing quotes from multiple companies can help you find the best value and avoid paying for services you don’t need.
What Else Impacts Moving Costs?
While distance and home size have the biggest impact on moving costs, several other factors can affect your final bill.
Most long-distance movers charge based on your shipment’s weight. Even for a small move, bulky furniture, appliances, or specialty items can increase transportation costs.
Professional packing, unpacking, storage, vehicle shipping, and custom crating all increase the total cost of your move. Our survey revealed that for homeowners who completed small moves, packing was the most commonly purchased add-on service, followed by packing supplies and storage.
Moving rates are typically highest during the spring and summer when demand is greatest. If your schedule is flexible, consider booking a weekday move during the fall or winter to secure lower rates.
Basic mover liability is included with most moves, but you can purchase additional valuation coverage for greater financial protection. Only about 15% of small-move homeowners in our survey purchased extra coverage, making it one of the least common add-on services.
Tipping your movers isn’t required, but it’s a common way to recognize exceptional service. A good guideline is $5–$10 per mover per hour or $20–$50 per mover for a full day’s work, depending on the complexity of your move.
How To Save Money on a Small Move
Moving a smaller household doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get the lowest price. Taking a few extra steps before moving day can help you reduce costs without sacrificing the services you need.
- Consider alternative moving options: If you’re moving locally or have only a few large items, compare the cost of labor-only movers, moving containers, or a truck rental before booking.
- Declutter before your move: Selling, donating, or recycling items you no longer need can reduce the weight and volume of your shipment, helping lower transportation costs. It also makes packing and unpacking faster and easier.
- Carefully choose add-on services: Optional services like packing, unpacking, storage, and custom crating can quickly increase your moving costs. Decide which services you truly need and compare itemized quotes from multiple movers before booking.
Homeowner Insights
Our moving survey revealed that 60% of small-move customers skipped optional add-on services, making it one of the most common ways to keep moving costs down.
Is a Full-Service Mover Worth It for a Small Move?
A full-service mover isn’t always necessary for a small move, but you might find it worth the added cost depending on your circumstances. Professional movers can save time and reduce the physical demands of moving by handling packing, loading, transportation, and unloading. They’re especially helpful for long-distance moves, heavy furniture, or anyone who wants a more convenient moving experience.
If you’re moving locally with only a few belongings, compare the cost of a full-service mover with labor-only movers, moving containers, or a truck rental to determine which option offers the best value.
Homeowner Insights
Among homeowners in our recent moving survey who moved to a studio or one-bedroom, every respondent hired a full-service moving company rather than handling the move themselves.
FAQs About Moving Companies for Small Moves
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 required, but it is expected 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 Moving Companies for Small Moves
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.
