Safeway Moving Review 2026: Real Customer Experiences

Here’s the bottom line: Safeway Moving reviews are mostly positive, especially for long-distance moves. Customers consistently praise the company’s communication, fair pricing, professional crews, and handling, though some report delayed updates or storage-related delivery slowdowns. While Safeway isn’t the best fit for local moves or very small shipments, it is one of our top picks for interstate movers.

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At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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Safeway Moving reviews at a glance: Safeway Moving reviews are mostly positive, especially for long-distance moves. moveBuddha found that customers frequently praise Safeway’s communication, pricing transparency, service quality, and careful handling. The most common complaints are occasional update gaps during the busy season and delivery or storage delays on some cross-country moves. Safeway is best for interstate customers who want flat-rate pricing and free storage, but it isn’t a good fit for local moves or very small shipments.

Our track record

Recommended by Time Magazine
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Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
  • 4,500+ moving companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving grants delivered
  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

Safeway Moving is best for:

  • Long-distance and cross-country moves
  • Customers who want flat-rate pricing
  • Military families and customers looking for discounts
  • Movers who may need up to 30 days of storage

Safeway may not be ideal for:

  • Local moves
  • Very small moves
  • Customers who want robust online shipment tracking

If Safeway doesn’t sound like the right fit, we recommend Mayzlin Relocation for more personalized service and American Van Lines for customers who want highly experienced specialty crews.

Pros & cons of Safeway Moving

  • Triple-check verification system to ensure accurate quotes
  • Flat-rate pricing and price matching, so you don’t have to worry about hidden fees
  • 30 days of free storage included with all interstate moves
  • Veteran-owned company that offers military discounts
  • No local moves
  • Not ideal for small moves
  • No online tracking options while your belongings are in transit

Safeway pricing: How much it costs to move

Safeway’s pricing is generally competitive for long-distance moves, and several moveBuddha readers reported that their final cost matched or came in under their quote.

See how much your Safeway move could cost.

Here’s what some of our Better Moves Project participants paid for their move with Safeway:

Better Moves Participant Approximate Distance Route Cost
Shannon M. 550 miles Boston to Richmond, VA $7,774
Laurel H. 1,730 miles Saratoga, CA, to Austin, TX $11,900
Christian T. 2,900 miles Brooklyn, NY, to San Francisco $4,731

The biggest pricing risk on a move is an incomplete inventory, which is why virtual or in-person estimates matter. The good news is that Safeway requires video surveys for all moves as part of its triple-check verification process. While a virtual walk-through with a moving rep will take a little time, it’s worth it in the long run to get an estimate that closely matches your final price. A moving rep will be well-equipped at itemizing household goods, estimating your move size, and anticipating any additional expenses like long-carry or stair fees.

Here’s a cautionary tale that emphasizes the importance of a video survey, which Safeway didn’t previously require. In 2023, the company gave Joshua $400 off for booking his move from New Jersey to New Orleans on the phone. While that was a great incentive at the time, Joshua’s initial, over-the-phone quote jumped by almost $1,000 on moving day because he underestimated the total weight of the belongings in his 675-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment.

Below is a breakdown of the quotes Joshua received from various movers, based on moving an estimated 2,500 pounds approximately 1,300 miles:

Company Estimated cost
Safeway Moving $4,300
American Van Lines $5,800
US Relocation, Inc. $3,100
Jersey Moving Pro $5,200

Joshua did the right thing by getting quotes from multiple companies before deciding on the best option. You can use our moving cost calculator to quickly gather and compare costs.

Safeway Moving reviews: what real customers say

We’ve collected detailed Safeway Moving reviews from real customers through our Better Moves Project. Below, you can see what readers had to say about their move with Safeway to decide whether the company is right for you.

Common themes in Safeway Moving reviews

  • Most common praise: Helpful communication, accurate quotes, professionalism, careful handling, and good overall value
  • Most common complaints: Limited updates during busy periods, minor damage, and storage or delivery delays on long-distance moves
  • Overall takeaway: Safeway tends to perform best for customers booking long-distance full-service moves who want predictable pricing and included storage

Safeway review summary from real moveBuddha readers

This table covers an overview of the route, cost, praises, and complaints of six real customers.

Customer Route Cost Would recommend? Biggest praise Biggest complaint
Isabel P. CA to NY $4,730.52 Yes Great communication and low-stress experience Delivery delayed by NYC moving restrictions
Melissa O. FL to TN $5,060 Yes Accurate pricing, strong communication, careful wrapping Minor furniture damage and one delayed call
Shayndel K. CA to FL $8,345 Yes Careful crew and strong packing during bad weather Wanted more lead time and communication before move day
Marcel M. NJ to TX $5,290 No Reasonable pricing and goods arrived in good condition Very limited updates and slow responsiveness
Laurel H. CA to TX $11,900 Yes Affordable price, safe delivery, careful handling Strongly preferred an in-person quote
Kaley M. CA to IL $5,950 Yes Stress-free move and convenient text communication A few minor issues along the way

Isabel’s Move with Safeway

When Isabel made a cross-country leap from California to the Big Apple, she learned that New York City’s weekend moving restrictions would delay Safeway’s delivery of her belongings by a couple of days.

While those kinds of setbacks are beyond anyone’s control, Isabel was impressed with how well Safeway communicated on the issues that arose. The company stayed in touch with her throughout the entire process, and Isabel shared that she would hire Safeway again because of how well they handled her move.

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Isabel's Move with Safeway
“I chose Safeway Moving for their amazing customer service and they also gave the best quote. I would absolutely recommend Safeway. Everything happened on time and went smoothly. Considering I was moving cross-country and to NYC, it was very low stress.” – Isabel P.
From
CA
To
NY
Cost
$4,730.52
Size
apartment
Read The Full Story

Melissa’s Move with Safeway

Like Isabel, Melissa was pleased with Safeway’s communication before, during, and after moving day and leading up to the delivery of her items from Florida to her new home in Tennessee. This was even despite some slight annoyance when her rep was nearly an hourly late for one of their calls due to technical issues.

Melissa’s items arrived in Tennessee in just four days, when Safeway had estimated it would take 10. Yet her move had a few hiccups, including slight damage such as a broken cabinet leg and a small tear in her couch. Neither were significant enough to warrant filing a claim, though, and a moving crew member was able to repair the cabinet on the spot.

That kind of service might be why Melissa told us she wouldn’t hesitate to use Safeway again in the future. The accurate quote she received (her final costs were actually slightly under her initial estimate) and quick delivery overrode anything that didn’t go quite as seamlessly.

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Melissa's Move with Safeway
“I liked that my move cost less than original quote and there were no surprises. I liked how well they wrapped my furniture. I liked the communication. And I like that they are military owned and donate to charity.” — Melissa O.
From
FL
To
TN
Cost
$5,060
Size
2 bdrms
Read The Full Story

Like what you’re seeing? Get a free Safeway quote here.

Here are some insights on Safeway Moving from a few other Better Moves participants.

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Shayndel's Move with Safeway
“My move with Safeway went pretty well. Once I booked the move, I didn’t hear from anyone until right before the move, and I would have liked a little more lead time. But the moving crew was great! They wrapped things carefully and needed to do extra wrapping due to the very wet weather.” – Shayndel K.
From
CA
To
FL
Cost
$8,345
Size
1200 sq. ft. home
Read The Full Story
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Marcel's Move with Safeway
“Overall, I think my move with Safeway went mostly as expected. All my goods arrived in the same condition and the pricing was reasonable. Throughout the move, I wish the mover had been more communicative, especially because I moved during the busy summer months. I received very few updates and very little responsiveness.” – Marcel M.
From
NJ
To
TX
Cost
$5,290
Size
2 bdrms.
Read The Full Story
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Laurel's Move with Safeway
“I would recommend Safeway only if you can get an in-person moving quote. The price was very affordable, and my moving consultant was great. My items were delivered safely and the team did a good job keeping fragile items on top, and took care handling my large furniture upstairs. I was pleased with the timeliness of the delivery.” – Laurel H.
From
CA
To
TX
Cost
$11,900
Size
condo
Read The Full Story
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Kaley's Move with Safeway
Kaley loved how her move turned out. Despite a few very minor issues along the way, Safeway Moving was as advertised, ensuring Kaley had as stress-free a move as possible. She especially appreciated that Safeway handled a lot of communications via text, which was faster and better suited to her communication preferences as a millennial!
From
CA
To
IL
Cost
$5,950
Size
1 bdrm
Read The Full Story

Safeway Moving services

  • Long-distance moves: Safeway Moving is our pick for best long-distance movers. They serve all 50 states, and deliveries include GPS tracking and barcode-scanned inventory.
  • International moves: Safeway provides some international relocation services, although its specialty is interstate moving. Safeway has limited global relocation information on their website. If you are making an international move, contact a customer service representative for more information.
  • Packing and unpacking: Professional movers will wrap, pack, cushion, and label your household goods and fragile items and unpack them at your new home. Last-minute packing services can also be provided if needed, but will likely result in an additional charge if they weren’t part of your original quote.
  • Custom crating: Safeway can provide custom crates for packing heavy, fragile, high-value, or oddly shaped items like electronic equipment and art to ensure they’re not damaged during shipping.
  • Comprehensive insurance: In addition to the basic coverage the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all moving companies to provide free of charge, Safeway has optional full-value protection. That more comprehensive coverage provides compensation of $6 per pound for damaged, broken, or lost items, compared to $0.60 per pound with the basic plan.
  • Storage options: If you need to store your possessions before moving them into your new home, Safeway will keep them in a climate-controlled storage facility for up to 30 days free of charge. They also offer long-term storage solutions for commercial or personal goods with no term limits. You can cancel at any time to avoid charges for the upcoming month, which will then be prorated.
  • Flat-rate pricing: Safeway moving experts use virtual walk-throughs to provide accurate quotes and prevent any hidden fees at the end of your move.
  • Price matching: Safeway guarantees that it will meet or beat lower quotes from qualified competitors.
  • 24/7 customer service: Safeway’s moving experts are available at all times by phone to ensure any questions or concerns you have about your move are addressed immediately.
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89% of users select this mover

Safeway is moveBuddha Certified

When you see the moveBuddha Certified badge next to Safeway or any other mover, you can trust that our team has completed a thorough audit of its licensing, insurance, safety record, pricing practices, and customer service. Companies that earn and maintain this badge agree to ongoing oversight from the moveBuddha team.

Choosing a moveBuddha Certified company provides you with extra protection. To carry this badge, Safeway is required to offer clear rate tables, provide binding estimates by default, maintain accurate inventories, deliver honest delivery windows, send proactive updates, and handle deposits and claims fairly.

If something goes wrong, moveBuddha can step in to help you with mediation, and eligible customers may receive up to $1,000 in bonus coverage in addition to what Safeway provides. If you’re ready to get started with this moveBuddha-Certified company, you can check Safeway’s pricing here.

How Safeway stacks up against the competition

Safeway Moving stands out for providing quality service at a reasonable rate, and our readers overwhelmingly praise their efficient and skilled moving crews. But depending on your specific needs and budget, another pro mover may be better-suited for you.

Take a look at how Safeway compares to some of our other recommendations for top moving companies.

Safeway Moving Mayzlin Relocation American Van Lines
Our rating 4.9/5 stars 4.9/5 stars 4.5/5 stars
BBB score B- A- A
State availability 50 48 (not in AK or HI) 48 (not in AK or HI)
Best for Overall value Personalized service Moving experience
Mover Certified by moveBuddha
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
Mover Certified by moveBuddha
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.23 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience

Safeway Moving vs. Mayzlin Relocation

Mayzlin Relocation is a family-owned moving company that provides professional services with a personal touch.

In comparison to Safeway, Mayzlin has the upper hand in its ability to provide local moving services, which Safeway doesn’t offer. They also have a straightforward cancellation policy that includes a full refund if you cancel seven days before your move date.

However, while Mayzlin offers full-service packing and unpacking, they don’t have crating options like Safeway. Mayzlin is primarily based on the East Coast, and availability can be somewhat limited in other areas.

Mayzlin consistently receives high marks from our Better Moves participants for the one-on-one attention they give their customers. Michelle was anxious about hiring a mover to relocate her belongings, particularly her 3D printer, but liked how Mayzlin’s moving rep instantly put her at ease. Although her final bill was a bit higher than anticipated, with $180 extra in long-carry fees, she thought the company’s pricing was fair and accurate.

mover
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Michelle's Move with Mayzlin
“I didn’t know what to expect — moving was stressful and a little crazy — but it went well. Overall, they were communicative and well priced and everything went pretty smoothly.” — Michelle M
From
CA
To
TX
Cost
$3,330
Size
1 bdrm
Read The Full Story

Safeway Moving vs. American Van Lines

Like Safeway, American Van Lines stands out for its affordability. And as a pro mover with a reputation for experienced crews, American doesn’t skimp on service in order to keep costs low. American only handles domestic moves with the Lower 48, so if you are in Alaska or Hawaii, Safeway is the better choice.

American provides the same 30-day free storage deal on all long-distance moves as Safeway, and can similarly build customized crates for artwork, antiques, electronics, and other items.

Where American edges out Safeway is in terms of its specialized moving crews. American’s team of movers has an average experience level of 10 years, and crew members are required to undergo ongoing training and certification for pianos and antiques.

Based on feedback from Better Moves participants like Kathy, American Van Lines is on par with Safeway in terms of professionalism and efficiency. Kathy describes an overall positive experience with American, despite her moving date being unexpectedly pushed back a couple days. However, others, including Jen, say that professionalism was a bit inconsistent, resulting in some delays and damage.

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Kathy's Move with American Van Lines
“My moving date was delayed by two days due to an issue with the truck, but they let me know ahead of time, and everything arrived in St. Louis on time and damage-free. AVL communicated well throughout the process and provided a solid value on my long-distance move.” — Kathy G.
From
D.C.
To
MO
Cost
$4,074
Size
1 bdrm
Read The Full Story

How moving with Safeway works

Safeway’s nationwide network of partner locations allows the company to offer affordably priced full-service moving services year-round, even in the peak moving season of summer.

After you book your move, you will typically be assigned a moving date based on your preferences and when moving crews are available. Prior to that reserved date, your moving coordinator will give you a moving-day time range of a few hours for when the moving crew will show up.

If you’re planning to use Safeway for a cross-country move, your items may go into storage while another truck is procured to transport them to their final destination. For example, Christian was happy with the crew Safeway sent, but he was surprised to learn his items would be stored in New Jersey until a truck bound for California showed up. It took 60 days from Christian’s moving date for his items to arrive at his new home in California.

Typically, items will be delivered within 30 days, but unforeseen issues like inclement weather, equipment issues, or logistic delays can push back your delivery date.

FAQ

How much does Safeway Moving charge for add-ons like stairs, long carry, and packing?

Safeway Moving uses flat-rate pricing based on a virtual walk-through, which means add-on fees for things like stairs, long carries, and packing are typically identified and included in your quote upfront rather than billed as surprises on moving day. Customers who completed a thorough video survey reported final costs that matched or came in under their estimate. To get a precise breakdown for your move, request a free quote and ask your moving coordinator to itemize any accessorial charges.

How long does Safeway Moving take to deliver?

Most Safeway deliveries are completed within 30 days, but cross-country moves can take longer if items go into storage while a connecting truck is arranged. One moveBuddha reader moving from Brooklyn to San Francisco waited 60 days for delivery. Shorter routes tend to arrive much faster.

Is Safeway Moving worth it compared to other long-distance movers?

For long-distance moves, Safeway is consistently one of the most competitively priced full-service options. moveBuddha readers paid between $4,731 and $11,900 depending on distance and move size, and most said their final cost matched their quote. Safeway also includes 30 days of free storage on all interstate moves, which competing movers often charge extra for.

Does Safeway Moving offer full value protection, and how much does it cost?

Safeway offers optional full value protection (FVP) in addition to the federally required basic coverage. The standard plan covers $0.60 per pound for lost or damaged items, while FVP increases compensation to $6 per pound.

What are the best moving companies?

The best moving companies include Safeway Moving, Mayzlin Relocation, and American Van Lines. Safeway is one of our top recommendations for long-distance mover and among our list of the best international movers.

If you’re looking for a more DIY approach, check out options like U-Pack or Budget Truck Rental, another two of our picks for best long-distance moving companies. Just keep in mind with DIY moves, you’ll have to do the heavy lifting yourself.

Where is Safeway Moving located?

Safeway Moving is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and offers moving services in all 50 states.

Is Safeway Moving a scam?

No, Safeway Moving (also known as Safeway Moving Systems) is not a scam. They’re registered with the FMCSA.

However, there are other moving companies that also use the name “Safeway” that unfortunately are shady. To make things simple, this is Safeway Moving, Inc.’s website. That link goes to the Safeway Moving discussed in this review. Sites that use a mover’s name with small tweaks to the provider website is a common sign of a moving scam.

Does Safeway Moving’s services include cross-country relocations?

Yes, Safeway Moving services include cross-country relocations. Safeway specializes in long-distance and cross-country moves. For example, several moveBuddha Better Moves Project participants have used Safeway to move from New York to California (or vice versa).

Can I find customer reviews for Safeway Moving online?

Yes, you can find customer reviews for Safeway Moving online through the moveBuddha website and other consumer feedback sites. In addition to checking reviews on websites like Google or Yelp, moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project offers in-depth reviews of actual customers who used Safeway Moving for their moves.


How we chose the best moving companies

The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:

Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.

Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.

Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.

State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.

Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).

Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.

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Ryan Carrigan
Ryan Carrigan is the co-founder of moveBuddha and a leading voice in the moving industry, helping hundreds of thousands of Americans make smarter, safer relocation decisions each year. With more than a decade of experience analyzing moving companies, pricing trends, and industry regulations, Ryan brings hands-on industry knowledge and data-driven insight to every guide and review. His research has been featured in Forbes, Consumer Reports, The New York Times, and NBC News.

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