5 Best Short-Distance Moving Companies (Updated Review)
Here’s the bottom line: The best short-distance moving companies are Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, North American Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, and Budget Truck Rental, depending on whether you want full service or a DIY move. Most short-distance moves run under 50 miles and are billed hourly by local movers, so small-move programs and truck rentals can save you money. This guide compares services, costs, and ways to save, plus moveBuddha Certified options from our list of the best moving companies.
rating
4.23 / 5
- Specialty packing services
- White-glove reputation
- 80+ years' experience
Why moveBuddha:
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Jump to the short-distance moving info you’re looking for:
What are the best short-distance moving companies?
We analyzed quotes, interviewed moving customers, and compared services to pick the best movers for local moves:
| Company | Best for |
|---|---|
| Safeway Moving | Flat-rate pricing |
| American Van Lines | Last-minute moves |
| North American Van Lines | Specialty items |
| Allied Van Lines | Customization |
| Budget Truck Rental | DIY moves |
Best for flat-rate pricing: Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving is a veteran-founded, moveBuddha Certified carrier that owns its trucks and employs its own crews, and it offers local moves as well as long-distance moves across the 48 contiguous states. Safeway quotes flat-rate prices that it says match your final invoice, and its support line runs 24/7.
Pros & cons
- Flat-rate quotes
- In-house crews & trucks
- 24/7 customer support
- Local & long-distance moves
- No service in Alaska or Hawaii
- Storage costs extra
Read our full Safeway Moving review.
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
Best for last-minute moves: American Van Lines
American Van Lines is a licensed carrier with its own crews, and its flat-rate pricing covers expedited moves with no per-hour surcharge. You can get a virtual estimate or schedule an in-home estimate, often within 24 – 48 hours, which helps when your move date is close.
Pros & cons
- Flat-rate pricing
- Virtual & in-home estimates
- Carrier with in-house crews
- App to track your move
- Prices only by quote
- Deposit terms vary
Read our full American Van Lines review, or see why it’s one of our best military movers.
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best for specialty items: North American Van Lines
North American Van Lines is a strong pick for moving a piano, antiques, or artwork, since it builds custom wooden crates for fragile and oddly shaped items. It also sells specialty packaging like mattress boxes in every size and stand-up wardrobe cartons, and it holds an A+ BBB rating.
Pros & cons
- Custom crating
- Specialty packing supplies
- 250+ agent locations
- A+ BBB rating
- Service varies by local agent
- Storage not available everywhere
Read our full North American Van Lines review.
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
Best for customization: Allied Van Lines
Allied Van Lines builds a Personal Moving Plan for each customer, so you can pick services like packing, furniture disassembly, and supplies. Allied has moved households since 1928, holds an A+ BBB rating, and offers storage-in-transit for up to 90 days if you need temporary storage.
Pros & cons
- Personal Moving Plans
- Up to 90 days of storage-in-transit
- Large agent network
- A+ BBB rating
- Can cost more than other options
- May need to book weeks ahead
Read our full Allied Van Lines review.
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
Best for DIY moves: Budget Truck Rental
Budget Truck Rental offers 12-foot, 16-foot, and 26-foot trucks for DIY movers, with up to 25% off local rentals picked up Sunday through Thursday. You provide your own labor and supplies, like with other moving truck rental companies.
moveBuddha’s moving truck size calculator matches your home size and furniture to a truck length, so you don’t rent more truck than you need.
Pros & cons
- Cheapest short-distance option
- Round-trip & one-way rentals
- Student, military & AARP discounts
- You do all the lifting
- Add-ons raise the price
- No rentals in Alaska or Hawaii
Read our full Budget Truck Rental review.
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
How do the best short-distance movers compare?
Here’s a quick look at how our top picks stack up:
| Company | Service | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Safeway | Full service | $$ |
| American | Full service | $$ |
| North American | Full service & crating | $$$ |
| Allied | Full service & storage | $$$ |
| Budget | Truck rental | $ |
What other companies are good for short-distance moves?
National brands aren’t your only option. These small-move specialists and labor platforms also work well for short moves:
| Company | Why consider it |
|---|---|
| United & Mayflower | Snapmoves programs for small moves |
| MiniMoves | Dedicated to small loads |
| Zippy Shell | Containers for small, flexible moves |
| U-Pack | Pay for the space you use |
| Bellhop & HireAHelper | Hourly help for loading & unloading |
Local moving companies often offer hourly rates and flexible minimums that suit moves within the same city.
What types of short-distance moving services are there?
You have several types of moving services to choose from for a short move. Here’s how they compare:
| Service | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Whole homes, hands-off moves | $$$ |
| Small-move specialist | A few items or one room | $$ |
| Labor-only | Loading & unloading | $ – $$ |
| DIY or hybrid | Budget moves | $ |
| Container | Flexible timing & storage | $$ |
Full-service movers handle packing, loading, transport, and unloading, but minimums can make them pricey for small jobs. Small-move specialists use smaller trucks for loads that don’t meet traditional minimums, while labor-only crews handle the heavy lifting and you supply the truck or container.
A short-distance move is a relocation under about 50 miles, usually within your city or metro area. A small move is about volume instead, like a studio, dorm, or a few pieces of furniture, no matter the distance.
How much does a short-distance move cost?
Short-distance moves up to 50 miles cost anywhere from $50 for a DIY truck to $2,500+ for full-service movers. Here’s what to expect by service type:
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Full-service mover | $500 – $2,500+ |
| Small-move specialist | $350 – $1,500 |
| Labor-only | $100 – $400 per mover |
| Truck rental | $50 – $200 + fuel |
| Moving container | $150 – $600 |
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so you can see which option costs least for your specific move.
How can you save money on a short-distance move?
A short-distance move can be inexpensive if you’re resourceful. Here are a few ways to save money on your move.
Get free moving supplies from local businesses
Restaurants, grocery stores, and retail shops often have spare boxes they’ll give away. Check our list of places to get free moving boxes, and skip any with holes or water damage.
Ask family & friends to help
Friends are more likely to pitch in on a short move, since it takes less of their day. Thank them with pizza, coffee, or a little cash.
Downsize & declutter
The less you move, the less you pay, whether you DIY or hire movers. Declutter before your move so you can rent a smaller truck, and sell unwanted items to help cover costs.
Bring your perishable food
On a local move, you can bring refrigerated food in your car instead of tossing it. Keep it cool and put it away right when you arrive.
How do you choose a short-distance moving company?
The right mover depends on your budget, your belongings, and your date. Check these factors before you book:
| Factor | What to check |
|---|---|
| Estimate type | A binding or not-to-exceed estimate |
| Experience | Years in business & local track record |
| Reviews | Recent reviews about fees & care |
| Licensing | Proof of state license & insurance |
| Services | Packing, loading, or labor only |
| Availability | Open dates near your move |
moveBuddha’s pricing tools draw on 1,000+ live price points collected every month, so you can tell whether a local quote is fair before you sign.
What add-on services help with short moves?
Many companies offer extras that make a short move easier:
| Add-on | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Junk removal | Clears items before you move, like 1-800-GOT-JUNK |
| Furniture rearranging | Labor help for heavy items at home |
| Storage | Covers gaps between move-out & move-in |
| Furniture setup | Crews take apart & rebuild furniture |
How do you book a short-distance move?
Booking early and sharing details upfront keeps a short move on track. Follow these steps:
- Inventory your items, including bulky pieces, stairs, elevators, and parking needs.
- Pick a full-service mover, small-move specialist, labor-only crew, container, or hybrid move.
- Get at least three written quotes and ask about minimums, travel time, and add-on fees.
- Check availability early, since local movers book up on weekends and at month-end.
- Confirm times, payment terms, and cancellation policies, and reserve elevators or parking.
- Label boxes by room, then check your inventory at pickup and delivery before you sign.
Pro tip: Tell movers exactly what you’re moving, even if it’s just a couch and a few boxes, so they can send the right crew. Our guide to small moves explains how to price a light load.
FAQ
What’s the minimum charge for short-distance moving companies?
The minimum charge for short-distance moving companies varies widely. Full-service movers may set 2 – 4 hour minimums or 1,500 – 2,000 pound weight minimums, while labor-only crews often book 2-hour minimums plus travel time. Small-move specialists often waive weight minimums.
Is it better to hire hourly or flat-rate movers for a short move?
Hourly movers are usually better for a short move, since local moves are typically billed by the hour. Being packed and ready keeps your hours down. Flat-rate quotes make more sense for long-distance moves or when you want a fixed price.
Are short-distance moving companies licensed & insured?
Reputable short-distance moving companies are licensed and insured, but always ask for proof. If your building needs a certificate of insurance, request it a few days before your move. Check your state’s requirements for local movers.
What is the average cost of a short-distance move?
The average cost of a short-distance move is $500 – $2,500+ with full-service movers and $50 – $200 plus fuel for a DIY truck rental. Your price depends on your home size and services. See our guide to the cost to move a four-bedroom house for larger homes.
What is the cheapest way to move a short distance?
The cheapest way to move a short distance is a DIY move with a rental truck and your own labor. You only pay for the truck, fuel, and supplies. Compare the cheapest moving truck rentals before you book.
Why hire professional movers for a short-distance move?
Hiring professional movers for a short-distance move saves you the heavy lifting and the risk of injury. Movers load, drive, and unload the truck, and many offer packing and furniture assembly. It’s worth it for full homes or tight timelines.
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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