Best Movers Near Lake Riverside, CA (2025 Guide)

Quick answer: After comparing 277 moving companies in California, our recommended local mover in Lake Riverside, CA, is Best California Movers thanks to their pricing, variety of moving solutions, and great customer reviews. Safeway Moving earns our top pick for out-of-state or long-distance moves from California because they are affordable without cutting corners on service.

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I've helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that's right for you.
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Recommended by Time Magazine
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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
  • 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
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  • Fact-checked for accuracy

6 Cheapest movers when moving locally in Lake Riverside, CA

Whether you're moving within Lake Riverside, relocating to nearby Idyllwild-Pine Cove or Valle Vista, or heading to another California city less than 50 miles away, here are some affordable and highly-rated movers to consider:

Preferred Partner
Best California Movers: 5.0 out of 5 stars

Other top partners:
https://www.facebook.com/BestCAMovers/,
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Inaccurate estimates
  • Poor complaint handling
Review Analysis
Moving perfection is rare, but Best California Movers comes close. Out of 1,177 pieces of customer feedback, over 98% are positive. Customers highlight the company's efficient service, careful handling, quick moving process, professional staff, and great communication. Moves are completed swiftly without sacrificing care, and teams are consistently polite and attentive. Transparent pricing and quick response times also set this company apart from many others. On the flip side, a small number of people mention issues like item damage, inaccurate estimates leading to unexpected costs, and slow resolution to complaints. While most customers found pricing and final charges accurate, those few negative experiences reflect the main risks found in the industry—miscommunication, claim delays, and the rare mishandling of belongings. Compared to typical movers, Best California Movers receives far fewer complaints about property damage and shows higher reliability and responsiveness. The feedback shows why so many recommend them for hassle-free, well-managed moves.
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Company Info

State license #: T0192283

Pricing: $109/hr

Years in Business: 6

DOT #: 3489907

Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
https://www.facebook.com/OakleyRelocation, https://twitter.com/oakleyrelo
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Efficient service
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Lack of communication
  • Unexpected charges
Review Analysis
Customer feedback for Oakley Relocation showcases consistent professionalism, efficient service, and care for customer belongings, with 93% of reviews being positive across 229 total inputs. Clients frequently describe the staff as polite, effective, and reliable, often highlighting quick and seamless moves, attentive communication, and careful handling of items. Many mention that the employees go out of their way to make the moving process less stressful, offering peace of mind from start to finish. On the flip side, a small number of clients experienced significant problems, most commonly citing damage to items, difficulty reaching the company when issues arose, or unexpected charges. Compared to similar moving companies, Oakley earns standout marks for staff professionalism and speed, but the occasional unresolved damage claim or communication gap keeps a small number of users from full satisfaction.
Get a Quote (858) 602-1756

Company Info

State license #: 0190480

Years in Business: 15

DOT #: 070851

Alternate Names: Agent for North American Van Lines


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Shipment tracking
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/RUFFANDREADYMOVING/,
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Efficient service
  • Quick moving process
  • Helpful movers
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Higher-than-expected costs
  • Misplaced or lost items
Review Analysis
Loading up satisfaction with impressive teamwork, Ruff and Ready Moving receives strong praise from 418 reviewers, earning a notable 75.6% positive feedback. Customers highlight the professionalism and politeness of the staff, their careful handling of belongings, speedy service, and friendly, helpful movers as standout strengths. Many found the moving process efficient, with teams consistently on time and communicating well, delivering on promises and treating each item with respect. On the flip side, nearly a quarter of customer input spotlights concerns. The most frequent issues include damaged property, unexpected higher final costs, and misplaced or lost items, often accompanied by frustration over slow claims handling. Although most moves go smoothly, report patterns show that damage and missing goods are more common than with top-tier competitors, and cost overruns can catch clients off-guard. Input also reveals the company excels at friendly, reliable service and can handle both local and long-distance moves capably. Those considering Ruff and Ready Moving should ask for written estimates and clear communication about claims to ensure peace of mind. Many reviewers declare this team among the best for attentive, trustworthy service, yet caution is advised for those with fragile or valuable possessions and anyone concerned about strict budgeting.
Get a Quote (951) 834-3539

Company Info

State license #: 0191454

Years in Business: 11

DOT #: 2714209

Alternate Names: Ruff & Ready Moving, LLC


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
  • DOD certified
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057481208808, https://twitter.com/meritmovingsyst
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Good communication
  • Efficient service
  • Careful handling
  • Organized packing
Customer Complaints
  • Misplaced or lost items
  • Damage to items
  • Unfriendly or rude staff
Review Analysis
Customer input raves about Merit Moving Systems' professionalism and strong communication, with 111 out of 121 reviews (92%) rating their experience positively. Clients frequently highlight the staff’s polite manner, careful handling of possessions, and efficient organization—more than typically seen with moving companies. Movements are executed smoothly, with packing done methodically and updates provided throughout the process. Several customers mention that everything arrived undamaged, on time, and that interactions from the quote to delivery were clear and friendly. Critical feedback is rare but noteworthy: the main problems involve lost or missing items, occasional property damage, and a few reports of unhelpful or rude staff members. A small number of customers cited dissatisfaction with complaint resolution and accountability when issues arose. Neutral feedback points to unexpected extra fees and isolated negative experiences with estimators but credits the rest of the team as helpful and professional. Compared to industry norms, Merit earns higher praise for reliability, communication, and the care shown by its moving crews, yet there is a need for consistent follow-through in resolving complaints and losses.
Get a Quote (760) 343-3464

Company Info

State license #: 0192009

Years in Business: 38

DOT #: 1839600

Alternate Names: Merit Moving & Logistics LLC


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Shipment tracking
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
  • DOD certified
https://www.facebook.com/MeatheadMovers/, https://twitter.com/MeatheadMovers
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Inaccurate estimates
  • Poor packing quality
Review Analysis
Moving with Meathead Movers feels less like a hassle and more like a well-organized project. After reviewing 529 pieces of customer feedback, 84% express satisfaction with professional, efficient crews known for careful handling and great communication. Most describe staff as polite and reliable, remarking on quick booking and prompt service. Positive input consistently references efficient service, professionalism, careful handling, speed, and strong coordination as standout qualities—qualities that set this company apart from many moving firms. Some clients encountered issues, notably with damage to items, underestimates leading to higher costs, and occasional poor packing by certain crews. These concerns represent about 13% of the feedback and highlight areas where attention to detail could be improved. Around 3% of reviews were neutral, often focusing on high costs, inconsistent packing, or small mistakes offset by decent customer support. Compared to most moving companies, Meathead Movers ranks high for service consistency and professionalism, but customers should clarify estimates and discuss special packing needs in advance.
Get a Quote (951) 501-8866

Company Info

State license #: 189849

Years in Business: 27

DOT #: 921143

Alternate Names: Meat Head Movers Inc, Meathead Movers Inc


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Storage
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/taclogmoving/,
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Careful handling
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Quick moving process
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Delayed arrival or delivery
  • Lack of communication
Review Analysis
TacLog Moving Services collects glowing praise for moving quickly, efficiently, and with professional care. In 122 pieces of customer feedback, 80% celebrated the team’s effort with careful handling, polite attitude, and clear communication. Fast work and protection of items set this company apart from competitors. Most reviewers noted affordable, transparent pricing and praised how courteous and attentive the movers were. Yet, nearly one out of five clients cited significant property damage, late arrivals, and communication issues as main drawbacks. Problems with broken items or no-shows tarnished some experiences, and claims for damages sometimes went unanswered. Compared to other movers, TacLog’s responsiveness and speed stand out, but reliability and follow-through on damage claims need improvement.
Get a Quote (951) 298-9559

Company Info

State license #: 191435

Years in Business: 9

DOT #: 3067622


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Pay by credit card

Other local CA moverstoggle

While these local California movers did not make our top list, they are still worth looking into:

Cheapest movers when moving out of California

If you're relocating from California to a new state, choosing a trusted interstate moving company is key to making the transition smooth. Here are a few of our top picks to get you started:

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
  2. International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
  3. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  4. PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Cheapest DIY moving options in Lake Riverside, CA

A full-service mover can make your Lake Riverside, California relocation stress-free, but it often comes with a higher price tag. To save a bit, you might want to look into the best moving container companies or explore rental truck options available in Lake Riverside.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts

Top-rated movers in other nearby California cities

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How we chose the best movers in Lake Riverside, CAtoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 277 California movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

Average cost of movers in Lake Riverside, CA

Take a look at the pricing table below to get a general idea of the costs associated with local moves in and around the Lake Riverside area. For more details, you can also check out our guide on the moving costs in California.

Please note that the moving quotes provided in the table are rough estimates, and your actual costs may differ depending on the unique needs of your move. For a more precise estimate, consider using our moving cost calculator.

Home Size Avg. Total Cost Cost/hour # of Movers # Hours
Studio $557 $202 2 movers 3 hours
1 Bedroom $753 $204 2 movers 4 hours
2 Bedroom $1,184 $279 3 movers 5 hours
3 Bedroom $2,751 $404 4 movers 8 hours
4 Bedroom $3,216 $396 4 movers 9 hours
5+ Bedroom $4,823 $553 5 movers 10 hours

Compare the top Lake Riverside, CA movers

Let’s compare how the top movers in Lake Riverside, CA stack up in terms of their reputation.

Company moveBuddha rating BBB rating Yelp rating Google rating
Oakley Relocation 4.8/5 A+ 4.4/5 4.8/5
Ruff and Ready Moving 4.7/5 3.7/5 4.3/5
Merit Moving Systems 4.7/5 A+ 4.4/5 4.9/5
Meathead Movers 4.7/5 A+ 4/5 /5
TacLog Moving Services 4.7/5 B- 4.2/5 4.4/5
Aces Moving Pros Inc. 4.6/5 A+ 4.4/5 4.7/5
ACME Moving and Storage 4.6/5 A+ 4.6/5 4.4/5
Desert Moving Company & Storage 4.5/5 A+ 3.5/5 4.5/5
Honest A's Affordable Moving, Inc. 4.4/5 A+ 4.5/5 4.4/5
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving 4.4/5 A+ 4.9/5 5/5

FAQs

How can I tell if a moving company is licensed?toggle

When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.

All movers included in our listings hold the proper licenses. Visit our best movers in California roundup for suggestions.

How can I choose a reliable mover in Lake Riverside?toggle

Searching for a reputable Lake Riverside mover can feel overwhelming, but focusing on these important factors can help you narrow down your choices:

  • Reputation: Whether it’s a local startup or a national van lines company, their track record matters.
  • Dispute resolution: Avoid companies known for dragging out complaints. Every Lake Riverside mover will face customer feedback— the best ones respond quickly and fairly.
  • Specialized experience: Not all movers are equipped for every job. A company great at local moves might not be ideal for a cross-country relocation. Make sure they’ve done moves like yours.

What day is usually the least expensive to move in Lake Riverside, CA?toggle

The most budget-friendly days to hire movers in Lake Riverside, California, are weekdays, since demand tends to be higher on weekends. Generally, the least expensive time to move is during the off-season from October to April. Expect higher rates from May through September due to peak demand.

Booking early is key if you’re planning a move from Lake Riverside. For the best deal, steer clear of weekends, holidays, and the busy summer months. Be cautious with quotes that seem too low—some movers may hike the price significantly on moving day.

What’s the most cost-effective way to move from Lake Riverside, CA to another state?toggle

Renting a truck is typically the cheapest option for moving out of state or around Lake Riverside, California. Just keep in mind that it's a no-frills option. You’ll need to take care of all the packing, loading, unloading, and driving yourself.

Should I consider a moving container for my move from Lake Riverside?toggle

Moving containers are a convenient option if you prefer a flexible schedule. Just be ready to handle the loading and unloading yourself. Once you're packed up, the company picks up the container and delivers it to your new place — no need to worry about driving.

Can I get help loading my moving container in Lake Riverside?toggle

Yes! Labor-only movers can be a smart add-on if you're using a rental truck or moving container. They’ll take care of the heavy lifting, making your move smoother and more efficient without breaking the bank.

Are storage options available through Lake Riverside movers?toggle

Most moving companies in Lake Riverside provide storage solutions, whether you need something for a few days or indefinitely. Some movers, however, work with third-party storage providers. Always ask for details about storage services and fees when talking to movers.

Learn more: Should you use your mover's storage solutions?

Helpful Lake Riverside Resources

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