The Best Long-Distance Movers in Foster City, CA
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The best long-distance mover in Foster City is Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.62/5) for in-state moves and Safeway Moving (4.9/5) for moves out of California, per moveBuddha's analysis of 374 California movers.
Who are the best interstate movers serving Foster City?
moveBuddha's top-rated interstate movers for Foster City residents moving out of California are Safeway Moving (4.9/5), American Van Lines (4.9/5), Allied Van Lines (4.2/5), Mayzlin Relocation (4.8/5), and North American Van Lines (4.8/5). National carriers operate dedicated long-haul networks, carry interstate FMCSA authority, and price moves by weight and mileage, the standard model for cross-state relocations.
Who are the best long-distance movers in Foster City for in-state moves?
Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.62/5) is moveBuddha's top-rated Foster City-based mover for long-distance moves within California, followed by Gentle Giant Moving Company (4.58/5) and Zapt Movers (4.48/5). Of the 101 intrastate-capable movers serving Foster City, 100 offer full packing services, which can meaningfully reduce the physical load of a longer in-state move. Full rankings for local long-distance movers serving Foster City are listed below.
Below are moveBuddha's top picks for long-distance movers that serve Foster City but stay within California:
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Zapt Movers: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- West Coast Moving Systems, Inc: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Ontrack Moving, LLC: 4.56 out of 5 stars
Efficient service
Careful handling
Professional and polite staff
Quick moving process
Good communication
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. has been in business for 15 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like interstate moving and intrastate moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. has about 87% positive reviews across roughly 634 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.4.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc..
Customer service 5.0
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"The movers wrapped all my furniture and moved quickly. Nothing was damaged, and they were efficient and professional. Highly recommend their service and would definitely use them again!"
"Fantastic team! They showed up on time, worked hard, took great care with our stuff, and got the move done faster than quoted. The best moving experience I’ve had."
Efficient service
Professional and polite staff
Careful handling
Quick moving process
Friendly and approachable staff
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Gentle Giant Moving Company has been in business for 46 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like international moving and interstate moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Gentle Giant Moving Company has about 95% positive reviews across roughly 130 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.7.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Gentle Giant Moving Company.
Customer service 4.4
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Gentle Giant Moving Company emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"Gentle Giant packed up everything for me and moved me into my new apartment within three hours! Courteous, efficient, and careful with all my belongings. Highly recommend!"
"They moved our two-bedroom apartment with incredible speed and care. Not a dent or scratch anywhere. The crew was professional, friendly, and really impressive. Worth every penny!"
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.7
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Zapt Movers has been in business for 6 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and international moving.
Review quality 4.1
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation.
Quote accuracy 4.2
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Zapt Movers. Discounts may be available for groups like law enforcement.
Customer service 5.0
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Zapt Movers emphasizes clear communication, careful handling, and visibility during transit through shipment tracking.
Recent reviews
Efficient service
Professional and polite staff
Careful handling
Good communication
Quick moving process
Show details Hide details
Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. West Coast Moving Systems, Inc has been in business for 18 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and international moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. West Coast Moving Systems, Inc has about 96% positive reviews across roughly 635 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.9.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from West Coast Moving Systems, Inc, and West Coast Moving Systems, Inc makes deposit expectations clear upfront.
Customer service 4.7
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. West Coast Moving Systems, Inc emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"The moving crew was extremely professional, careful, and efficient. Scheduling with the office was easy and every item was transported with care. Best move ever, nothing broken or lost. I highly recommend West Coast Moving Systems!"
"I can't say enough about how professional and attentive these folks are. They arrived when they said, treated our goods with care, and delivered on time with no damage. Would use them again!"
Efficient service
Careful handling
Professional and polite staff
Quick moving process
Good communication
Show details Hide details
Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Ontrack Moving, LLC has been in business for 15 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like interstate moving and intrastate moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Ontrack Moving, LLC has about 96% positive reviews across roughly 994 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.9.
Quote accuracy 3.9
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from Ontrack Moving, LLC.
Customer service 4.7
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Ontrack Moving, LLC emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"Ontrack was excellent. Movers were professional and didn’t damage anything. Will definitely hire again."
"Movers were fast and very organized. Totally recommended. Thanks Jerome and Justin!"
What add-on services do Foster City movers offer?
Not every mover in Foster City offers specialty services. Based on moveBuddha's review of 102 Foster City movers, here is what is available and how often:
- Art handling: offered by 73.53% of Foster City movers, compared to 61.76% statewide and 45.83% nationally.
- Junk removal: offered by 22.55% of Foster City movers, compared to 19.25% statewide and 36.39% nationally.
- Fragile-only packing: offered by 27.45% of Foster City movers, compared to 28.61% statewide and 23.87% nationally.
- Storage: offered by 85.29% of Foster City movers, compared to 86.1% statewide and 84.85% nationally.
- Hot tub relocation: offered by 26.47% of Foster City movers, compared to 32.09% statewide and 21.93% nationally.
- Piano moving: offered by 80.39% of Foster City movers, compared to 79.41% statewide and 72.52% nationally.
Specialty service costs below use moveBuddha's pricing dataset adjusted for Foster City's cost of living.
Does Foster City have movers that offer art handling?
Art handling is available from 75 of 102 Foster City movers (73.53%), compared to 61.76% statewide and 45.83% nationally. Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.62/5) and Zapt Movers (4.48/5) rate highest for art handling in Foster City. Per-piece handling runs $67 to $670, with custom crates adding $201 to $268 per item.
| Art handling in Foster City | Details |
|---|---|
| Foster City movers offering this | 75 of 102 (73.53%) |
| California statewide | 231 of 374 (61.76%) |
| National average | 45.83% |
| Top-rated Foster City art movers | Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc., Zapt Movers |
| Per-piece handling fee | $67 to $670 |
| Custom crating per item | $201 to $268 |
UV exposure discolors pigments. Humidity shifts warp canvas and crack paint layers. Impact fractures damage sculpture and frames. Standard moving blankets address none of these risks adequately for high-value artwork. Archival packing materials and custom crates built to the dimensions of each piece are the professional standard for art moving. Verify the mover has documented experience with your specific media type before committing.
Does Foster City have movers that offer junk removal?
Junk removal is available from 23 of 102 Foster City movers (22.55%), compared to 19.25% statewide and 36.39% nationally. Standalone junk removal typically runs $201 to $670 per load.
| Junk removal in Foster City | Details |
|---|---|
| Foster City movers offering this | 23 of 102 (22.55%) |
| California statewide | 72 of 374 (19.25%) |
| National average | 36.39% |
| Typical cost per load | $201 to $670 |
| Single large item | $101 to $201 |
Bundling junk removal with a move is almost always cheaper than scheduling it as a separate service. Removing unwanted items before a mover arrives also reduces the billable weight of the shipment, which lowers the base moving cost on weight-based quotes.
Does Foster City have movers that offer fragile-only packing?
Fragile-only packing is available from 28 of 102 Foster City movers (27.45%), compared to 28.61% statewide and 23.87% nationally. Zapt Movers (4.48/5) and West Coast Moving Systems, Inc (4.62/5) rate highest for fragile-only packing in Foster City. Full professional packing runs $0.15 to $0.21 per pound; fragile-only packing covers dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps at a fraction of that total.
| Fragile-only packing in Foster City | Details |
|---|---|
| Foster City movers offering this | 28 of 102 (27.45%) |
| California statewide | 107 of 374 (28.61%) |
| National average | 23.87% |
| Top-rated Foster City providers | Zapt Movers, West Coast Moving Systems, Inc |
| Full professional packing rate | $0.15 to $0.21 per pound |
Fragile-only packing covers dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps without requiring a full-service packing contract. Professional packing adds $0.15 to $0.21 per pound on average to a move's total cost, so limiting crew packing to breakables is the most direct way to reduce that add-on while protecting the items with the highest in-transit breakage risk.
Does Foster City have movers that offer storage?
Storage is available from 87 of 102 Foster City movers (85.29%), compared to 86.1% statewide and 84.85% nationally. Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.62/5) and Gentle Giant Moving Company (4.58/5) rate highest for storage in Foster City. Storage-in-transit runs about $0.50 per cubic foot per month, putting a 1-bedroom load (about 514 cu ft) at roughly $344/month.
| Storage in Foster City | Details |
|---|---|
| Foster City movers offering this | 87 of 102 (85.29%) |
| California statewide | 322 of 374 (86.1%) |
| National average | 84.85% |
| Top-rated Foster City storage movers | Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc., Gentle Giant Moving Company |
| Storage-in-transit rate | About $0.50 per cubic foot per month |
| 1-bedroom monthly estimate (~514 cu ft) | $344 |
| 2-3 bedroom monthly estimate (~1,000 cu ft) | $670 |
Storage-in-transit keeps belongings with the mover's network between pickup and delivery, avoiding the cost of a third-party facility transfer. At $0.50 per cubic foot per month, a standard 1-bedroom load (about 514 cu ft) runs roughly $344 per month. For longer gaps, confirm whether the mover's valuation coverage remains active while items are in storage.
Does Foster City have movers that offer hot tub relocation?
Hot tub relocation is available from 27 of 102 Foster City movers (26.47%), compared to 32.09% statewide and 21.93% nationally. Zapt Movers (4.48/5) and Cross Country Moving Company (4.56/5) rate highest for hot tub moves in Foster City. Hot tub moves typically run $201 to $536 per item when bundled with a full-service move.
| Hot tub relocation in Foster City | Details |
|---|---|
| Foster City movers offering this | 27 of 102 (26.47%) |
| California statewide | 120 of 374 (32.09%) |
| National average | 21.93% |
| Top-rated Foster City hot tub movers | Zapt Movers, Cross Country Moving Company |
| Bundled with full-service move | $201 to $536 |
| Standalone hot tub move | $402 to $1,072 |
Empty weight for most hot tubs is 500 to 1,000 lbs. The unit must be fully drained, and electrical or plumbing disconnection may require a licensed contractor before the mover can load it. Narrow side-gate access or no direct truck access to the backyard can add a crane or shuttle relay fee. Get a site-specific quote that accounts for access conditions before committing to a price.
Does Foster City have movers that offer piano moving?
Piano moving is available from 82 of 102 Foster City movers (80.39%), compared to 79.41% statewide and 72.52% nationally. Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.62/5) and Gentle Giant Moving Company (4.58/5) rate highest for piano moving in Foster City. A standalone piano move typically costs $1,072 to $4,690, depending on instrument type.
| Piano moving in Foster City | Details |
|---|---|
| Foster City movers offering this | 82 of 102 (80.39%) |
| California statewide | 297 of 374 (79.41%) |
| National average | 72.52% |
| Top-rated Foster City piano movers | Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc., Gentle Giant Moving Company |
| Upright piano | $1,072 to $2,010 |
| Baby grand piano | $1,608 to $3,350 |
| Grand piano | $2,412 to $4,690 |
Uprights weigh 400 to 800 lbs and grands top 1,200 lbs. Moving either without a piano board, padded blankets, and proper straps risks cracking the soundboard or snapping the legs, damage that a mover's standard released-value policy covers at just $0.60 per pound regardless of the instrument's value. Requesting full valuation coverage specifically for the piano is the most direct way to close that gap. For most moves, bundling piano service into a full-service household move costs less than a standalone piano carrier.
Who are the best movers in Foster City for small long-distance moves?
Cross Country Moving Company leads Foster City's small-move providers with a 4.56/5 moveBuddha score, followed by NorthStar Moving Company at 4.58/5. DIY options like moving containers and rental trucks reduce costs by roughly 30% compared to full-service moving and are worth comparing for loads under 3,000 pounds.
What are the best moving containers for long-distance moves from Foster City?
Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5), U-Pack (5.0/5), and MovingYourself (5.0/5) are moveBuddha's top-rated container options for moves out of Foster City. Moving containers reduce costs by roughly 30% compared to full-service moving, making them the most cost-effective option for Foster City residents who can handle their own loading and unloading. Container pricing varies by distance, container size, and the number of units required, so use the moveBuddha cost calculator to compare quotes for your specific move before committing to a provider.
What are the best labor-only movers in Foster City?
53 of 102 Foster City movers (51.96%) offer labor-only services, compared to 52.14% statewide and 54.55% nationally. Zapt Movers (4.48/5) is moveBuddha's top-rated labor-only mover in Foster City, followed by West Coast Moving Systems, Inc (4.62/5). Labor-only movers handle loading and unloading without providing a truck, making them the right fit for Foster City residents who plan to drive themselves or who have rented their own vehicle. Combining a labor-only crew with a rental truck or moving container reduces total move cost by roughly 30% compared to full-service moving, based on moveBuddha's pricing dataset.
What are the best moving truck rentals for long-distance Foster City moves?
Budget Truck Rental, Penske Truck Rental, and U-Haul Truck Rental are moveBuddha's top-rated rental truck options for a DIY move out of Foster City. A truck rental is the cheapest way to move out of state for those willing to handle both the loading and the driving. For moves over 500 miles, a local mover and a national mover price a rental truck the same, so distance alone does not change which provider to choose. Use the moveBuddha cost calculator to compare total DIY costs against container and full-service quotes before committing.
How much does it cost to hire long-distance movers in Foster City?
Moving costs across California range from $436 for a studio (2 movers, 3 hours at $171/hour) to $4,028 for a 5+ bedroom home (5 movers, 10 hours), according to moveBuddha's analysis of California mover quotes. The table below shows California statewide averages by home size. Your actual cost in Foster City will vary based on distance, access conditions, and your mover's pricing model.
Use our free moving cost calculator to get a personalized estimate for your move.
| Home size | Estimated interstate cost from California* |
|---|---|
| Studio apartment | $436 |
| 1-bedroom home or apartment | $608 |
| 2-bedroom home or apartment | $985 |
| 3-bedroom home | $2,281 |
| 4-bedroom home | $2,617 |
| 5+ bedroom home | $4,028 |
*Estimated costs above are based on varying types of moves that cross state lines in California. All exceed 150 miles, but might remain below 1,500. Your price depends on inventory, distance, timing, service level, and more.
Data reflects California statewide averages based on moveBuddha's analysis of mover quotes collected.
What affects moving costs in Foster City?
Here are some additional cost considerations for your long-distance Foster City move:
- Distance: The farther you move from Foster City, the more you pay. A short intrastate move costs far less than a cross-country relocation. Once you cross state lines, pricing structure changes entirely and costs rise considerably.
- Home size and weight: Movers price local moves by the hour and interstate moves by total shipment weight. Downsizing before your move reduces both your bill and your packing time.
- Move type: Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most. DIY options like rental trucks or moving containers reduce costs by roughly 30% compared to full-service, according to moveBuddha data.
- Add-on services: Professional packing adds an average of $0.15–$0.21 per pound. Shuttle service, if required, adds $0.08–$0.12 per pound with minimums often starting around $200.
- Timing: Summer moves (May through September) carry the highest rates. Mid-month and mid-week bookings are consistently cheaper than weekend or month-end dates.
FAQs about the best long-distance movers in Foster City
Do long-distance movers in Foster City need to be licensed?
Every mover handling a cross-state shipment from Foster City must hold a valid US Department of Transportation number and maintain FMCSA registration. Of the 102 movers moveBuddha has reviewed in Foster City, 81 are licensed for interstate moves — and every company recommended on this page is among them. Verify any mover's credentials in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's database.
Before your move, read the FMCSA's Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move guide to understand the consumer protections that apply once you sign with a licensed carrier.
Is a local mover or a national mover better for leaving Foster City?
Local movers in Foster City are the most affordable option for moves that stay within California. Of the 102 movers moveBuddha has reviewed in Foster City, 81 are licensed for interstate routes and average $133/hour. The top-rated options are highlighted on this page.
When a move crosses out of California, national movers with dedicated long-distance networks often handle the logistics more smoothly, though at a premium over local rates.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Foster City?
The cheapest moving window in Foster City is late fall through early winter. Average lows of 41°F, combined with school schedules and the holiday season, suppress demand and keep mover capacity high. Movers are most open to rate negotiation during this period. For anyone with scheduling flexibility, a November or December move date is the single most reliable way to lower your total cost.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of Foster City?
When cost is the priority, a DIY move out of Foster City is almost always the winner, particularly for moves within 50 miles. Rental trucks and moving containers save roughly 30% compared to full-service movers on equivalent routes, according to moveBuddha's data. The most economical options are a rental truck like U-Haul or a moving container like PODS. For more savings strategies on longer moves, see the cheapest ways to move out of state.
