Moving Experience: Sara’s Move with Safeway Moving
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Sara K. tackled a long-distance move in February 2026, relocating from Weehawken, New Jersey, to Dallas, Texas, a total of 1,548-miles. Her top priority was finding a company that communicated clearly and stayed responsive, especially once the move was in motion.While using moveBuddha’s resources, such as our list of the top long-distance movers, Safeway Moving stood out to Sarah early because booking was easy, and she could text with the team instead of playing phone tag. She also found our Better Moves Project, and she shared her experience in exchange for a $500 grant toward her move.
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
Move-day takeaways for Safeway Moving customers
Here are Sara’s biggest takeaways after going through the moving process with Safeway Moving.
- Communication: Once the move was underway, Sara felt like she had to prompt updates rather than receiving proactive check-ins. If you’re choosing a mover largely for communication, it’s worth asking exactly who you’ll talk to during transit and how frequently you should expect status updates.
- Pricing accuracy and transparency: Sara ran into unexpected add-on costs, including a $400 shuttle fee. Surprise fees are one of the most common reasons movers leave a bad taste, so it’s smart to ask about potential access-related charges (like shuttles, long carries, and stairs) before you sign.
- Timeliness: Pickup timing and ETAs shifted enough to disrupt planning and create stress. Ask your mover how they handle delays to make sure you are best prepared.
- Professionalism: Sara described the packing crew as “fantastic” and thorough, which helped protect her belongings and made move day itself feel more manageable.
- Loss and damage: Sara reported no damaged or missing items at the end of the move. That’s a big win on a long-distance relocation where shipments may be handled multiple times.
- Would she use Safeway Moving again? Sara said it’s not likely, mainly due to communication gaps and the frustration of unexpected fees. However, if you feel good about what you see here, you can get quote with Safeway and other top-rated movers with our moving cost calculator.
Sara’s move at a glance
The table below explores the basics of Sara’s relocation, including what she was quoted and what she ultimately paid for her New Jersey to Texas move.
| Move date | Feb. 25, 2026 |
| Moved from | Weehawken, NJ |
| Moved to | Dallas, TX |
| Distance | 1,548 miles |
| Move size | 1 bedroom (about 800 sq. ft.) |
| Moving company | Safeway Moving |
| Moving quote | $2,925 |
| Actual cost | $3,775.77 |
We found that when you use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator, you can save 30% on moving costs compared to customers who go with the first quote they receive.
The other quotes Sara considered
Sara didn’t just grab the first estimate and run with it. She compared a handful of companies, which is one of the best ways to spot pricing outliers and ask smarter follow-up questions about what’s included.
| Company | Estimated size | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Safeway Moving | 1,841 lbs; 1.5 rooms; ~8 large boxes | $2,925 |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Services | N/A | $3,573 |
| Pristine Vanlines | N/A | $1,732.50 |
| Flat Rate | N/A | $2,650 |
Benefits of choosing Safeway Moving
Early communication felt smooth and modern, and the packing crew made a strong impression once they arrived. If you’re evaluating Safeway, these are the areas where Sara felt the company showed real strengths.
First, booking was straightforward, and texting made it easier to get quick answers during the sales phase. Second, the crew’s packing work was careful and thorough, which helped prevent damage. Where the experience started to slip was after pickup, when proactive updates became harder to come by.
Packing experience
Sara’s actual packing day was a mix of excellent labor and frustrating logistics. She said the crew itself was “fantastic,” and she felt confident about how items were wrapped and prepared for transport. The bigger issue was timing. Arrival expectations shifted, and she was left adjusting her schedule as ETAs changed.
If you’re planning a move with tight timing, such as one with work travel or a lease end date, it can help to ask whether the company offers a guaranteed pickup option, and what happens if the crew misses the original window.
Delivery experience
![[Safeway Moving drop-off/pickup photo in Dallas, TX]](https://www.movebuddha.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1174-Sara-Koeniger-scaled.jpeg)
Sara’s delivery included a shuttle transfer, which added a $400 fee. Shuttles are common when a full-size moving truck can’t access your street, building, or parking area, but the cost can still sting if you weren’t expecting it. If you’re moving into an apartment complex, a neighborhood with narrow streets, or anywhere with strict parking rules, it’s smart to ask about shuttle triggers upfront.
Even with the delays and extra logistics, Sara said the final handoff met her expectations. The biggest challenge was the uncertainty leading up to the final delivery.
Our thoughts on Safeway Moving
Sara’s story is a good reminder that a mover can feel great at the quote-and-book stage, then struggle with communication once your items are in transit. In her case, the packing crew delivered a strong, professional experience, and she didn’t report any missing or damaged items.
But between shifting ETAs and unexpected fees, Sara walked away feeling that the overall experience didn’t match what she hoped she was paying for. If you’re considering Safeway Moving, we’d recommend getting every potential access fee in writing and clarifying how updates will work after pickup.
Sara’s rating breakdown
Here’s how Sara scored Safeway based on her end-to-end experience.
- Communication: 1 out of 5 stars. Sara felt updates weren’t proactive, and she often had to reach out to get clarity on next steps and timing.
- Timeliness: 1 out of 5 stars. Changing arrival estimates created scheduling headaches and made the process feel less predictable than she expected.
- Accuracy: 1 out of 5 stars. The surprise shuttle fee and overall cost uncertainty contributed to her low score in this category.
- Overall: 1 out of 5 stars. While the crew’s work was a bright spot, the communication and cost frustrations drove her overall rating down.
Advice for future movers
If you’re planning a long-distance move, Sara’s experience offers a few practical lessons that can save you money and stress. These tips are especially helpful if you’re moving to or from an apartment, where access issues can trigger extra fees.
- Get multiple quotes, and compare the details: Don’t just look at the bottom-line number. Ask each company what’s included, what’s excluded, whether it’s binding or non-binding, and which fees are most likely to pop up based on your building and parking situation.
- Plan for delivery windows and “access” charges: Long-distance moves often come with wider delivery ranges, and fees like shuttles can appear when a truck can’t reach your door. A quick walkthrough of your pickup and delivery access (street width, parking rules, stairs, elevators, and walk distance) can prevent surprises.
- If timing is critical, ask about guaranteed pickup options: If you have a lease end date or a hard deadline, find out whether the mover offers a guaranteed pickup day (and what it costs). Knowing your options upfront can be cheaper than last-minute storage or lodging.
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