The Best Long-Distance Movers in Los Alamitos, CA
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The best long-distance mover in Los Alamitos is Sterling Van Lines (4.7/5) 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 Los Alamitos?
moveBuddha's top-rated interstate movers for Los Alamitos 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 Los Alamitos for in-state moves?
Sterling Van Lines (4.7/5) is moveBuddha's top-rated Los Alamitos-based mover for long-distance moves within California, followed by Merit Moving Systems (4.5/5) and Seka Moving (4.7/5). Of the 92 intrastate-capable movers serving Los Alamitos, 94 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 Los Alamitos are listed below.
Below are moveBuddha's top picks for long-distance movers that serve Los Alamitos but stay within California:
- Sterling Van Lines: 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Merit Moving Systems: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Seka Moving: 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Best Moving Service: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Best Fit Movers: 4.52 out of 5 stars
Professional and polite staff
Careful handling
Good communication
Efficient service
Affordable rates
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Sterling Van Lines has been in business for 33 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and estate moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Sterling Van Lines has about 85% positive reviews across roughly 362 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 3.9.
Quote accuracy 4.6
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Sterling Van Lines. Discounts may be available for groups like military, seniors, law enforcement.
Customer service 4.1
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Sterling Van Lines emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"They moved a very old family piano along with other furniture across the country and delivery was perfect. They kept me informed of timings and any hold ups. The guys were very nice, respectful and made an emotional move easier."
"Sterling Van Lines delivered my piano efficiently. The delivery crew worked like clockwork. Everything arrived in perfect shape. I would recommend them for any important move."
Good communication
Professional and polite staff
Careful handling
Efficient service
Quick moving process
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Merit Moving Systems has been in business for 39 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. Merit Moving Systems has about 95% positive reviews across roughly 258 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.6.
Quote accuracy 4.0
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from Merit Moving Systems.
Customer service 4.7
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Merit Moving Systems emphasizes clear communication, careful handling, and visibility during transit through shipment tracking.
Recent reviews
"Merit Moving Systems provided excellent customer service for my most recent move. Phone calls were returned timely, scheduling was flexible and easy, and communication was consistent during the entire process. The best part was none of my household goods were damaged."
"The best end to end moving experience we've ever had. The value Lisa and Shellie provided exceeded our expectations as they handled every facet. Despite changes on our side, Lisa proactively managed everything."
Professional and polite staff
Careful handling
Efficient service
Quick moving process
Helpful movers
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Seka Moving has been in business for 7 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and small-scale moving.
Review quality 5.0
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Seka Moving has about 88% positive reviews across roughly 34 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.3.
Quote accuracy 4.0
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from Seka Moving, and Seka Moving makes deposit expectations clear upfront.
Customer service 5.0
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Seka Moving emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"The team that packed us and moved us were efficient, careful, and personable. Moving is clearly stressful, but with Seka running the show, it was a lot less stressful than it could have been."
"Everything went smooth. We also stored our items using their storage- nothing breaks and well maintained. They offer wrapping, disassemble and assemble services. Very professional, caring, effective!"
Efficient service
Careful handling
Professional and polite staff
Quick moving process
Good communication
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.7
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Best Moving Service has been in business for 32 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. Best Moving Service has about 90% positive reviews across roughly 389 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.6.
Quote accuracy 4.3
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Best Moving Service. Discounts may be available for groups like seniors, teachers.
Customer service 5.0
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Best Moving Service emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"They moved all my belongings quickly. Didn’t damage anything! They have very high attention to detail. Love these guys! We will definitely use them next time we move! Highly recommend!"
"Our movers moved us in April 2025, and the team was phenomenal. Super nice, super efficient and they went above and beyond... Couldn't recommend them enough."
Efficient service
Careful handling
Professional and polite staff
Quick moving process
Helpful movers
Show details Hide details
Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Best Fit Movers has been in business for 8 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and estate moving.
Review quality 4.6
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Best Fit Movers has about 93% positive reviews across roughly 227 total reviews.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Best Fit Movers, and Best Fit Movers makes deposit expectations clear upfront.
Customer service 5.0
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Best Fit Movers emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"Great communication and the guys arrived on time. Well organized and very efficient. It took less time than I anticipated and everything arrived in great condition."
"Eugene and Dmitrii were very fast and careful with my property. Very satisfied and will repeat. Thank you"
What add-on services do Los Alamitos movers offer?
Not every mover in Los Alamitos offers specialty services. Based on moveBuddha's review of 94 Los Alamitos movers, here is what is available and how often:
- Art handling: offered by 62.77% of Los Alamitos movers, compared to 61.76% statewide and 45.83% nationally.
- Junk removal: offered by 12.77% of Los Alamitos movers, compared to 19.25% statewide and 36.39% nationally.
- Fragile-only packing: offered by 27.66% of Los Alamitos movers, compared to 28.61% statewide and 23.87% nationally.
- Storage: offered by 85.11% of Los Alamitos movers, compared to 86.1% statewide and 84.85% nationally.
- Hot tub relocation: offered by 30.85% of Los Alamitos movers, compared to 32.09% statewide and 21.93% nationally.
- Piano moving: offered by 76.6% of Los Alamitos movers, compared to 79.41% statewide and 72.52% nationally.
Specialty service costs below use moveBuddha's pricing dataset adjusted for Los Alamitos's cost of living.
Does Los Alamitos have movers that offer art handling?
Art handling is available from 59 of 94 Los Alamitos movers (62.77%), compared to 61.76% statewide and 45.83% nationally. Sterling Van Lines (4.7/5) and Merit Moving Systems (4.5/5) rate highest for art handling in Los Alamitos. Per-piece handling runs $83 to $825, with custom crates adding $248 to $330 per item.
| Art handling in Los Alamitos | Details |
|---|---|
| Los Alamitos movers offering this | 59 of 94 (62.77%) |
| California statewide | 231 of 374 (61.76%) |
| National average | 45.83% |
| Top-rated Los Alamitos art movers | Sterling Van Lines, Merit Moving Systems |
| Per-piece handling fee | $83 to $825 |
| Custom crating per item | $248 to $330 |
Archival materials and custom crates prevent UV exposure, humidity damage, and impact fractures that standard moving blankets cannot guard against for framed artwork and sculpture. Confirm the mover has direct experience with similar media before booking.
Does Los Alamitos have movers that offer junk removal?
Junk removal is available from 12 of 94 Los Alamitos movers (12.77%), compared to 19.25% statewide and 36.39% nationally. Standalone junk removal typically runs $248 to $825 per load.
| Junk removal in Los Alamitos | Details |
|---|---|
| Los Alamitos movers offering this | 12 of 94 (12.77%) |
| California statewide | 72 of 374 (19.25%) |
| National average | 36.39% |
| Typical cost per load | $248 to $825 |
| Single large item | $124 to $248 |
Scheduling junk removal before your move date reduces the total weight of your shipment, which directly lowers costs on weight-based long-distance quotes. Movers that offer junk removal as an add-on can often coordinate pickup on the same day as loading, eliminating the need to schedule a separate crew.
Does Los Alamitos have movers that offer fragile-only packing?
Fragile-only packing is available from 26 of 94 Los Alamitos movers (27.66%), compared to 28.61% statewide and 23.87% nationally. Sterling Van Lines (4.7/5) and Merit Moving Systems (4.5/5) rate highest for fragile-only packing in Los Alamitos. 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 Los Alamitos | Details |
|---|---|
| Los Alamitos movers offering this | 26 of 94 (27.66%) |
| California statewide | 107 of 374 (28.61%) |
| National average | 23.87% |
| Top-rated Los Alamitos providers | Sterling Van Lines, Merit Moving Systems |
| Full professional packing rate | $0.15 to $0.21 per pound |
Not every item needs professional packing. Dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps are the items most likely to break in transit and the items most worth paying a crew to pack. Fragile-only packing covers exactly those categories without a full-service packing contract, keeping the per-pound packing cost contained to the portion of the shipment that actually needs it.
Does Los Alamitos have movers that offer storage?
Storage is available from 80 of 94 Los Alamitos movers (85.11%), compared to 86.1% statewide and 84.85% nationally. Sterling Van Lines (4.7/5) and Merit Moving Systems (4.5/5) rate highest for storage in Los Alamitos. Storage-in-transit runs about $0.50 per cubic foot per month, putting a 1-bedroom load (about 514 cu ft) at roughly $424/month.
| Storage in Los Alamitos | Details |
|---|---|
| Los Alamitos movers offering this | 80 of 94 (85.11%) |
| California statewide | 322 of 374 (86.1%) |
| National average | 84.85% |
| Top-rated Los Alamitos storage movers | Sterling Van Lines, Merit Moving Systems |
| Storage-in-transit rate | About $0.50 per cubic foot per month |
| 1-bedroom monthly estimate (~514 cu ft) | $424 |
| 2-3 bedroom monthly estimate (~1,000 cu ft) | $825 |
At $0.50 per cubic foot per month, storage-in-transit for a 1-bedroom load of about 514 cubic feet costs approximately $424 per month in Los Alamitos. A 2 to 3 bedroom load near 1,000 cubic feet runs roughly $825 per month. The key question to ask any mover: does your valuation coverage extend to items held in storage?
Does Los Alamitos have movers that offer hot tub relocation?
Hot tub relocation is available from 29 of 94 Los Alamitos movers (30.85%), compared to 32.09% statewide and 21.93% nationally. Sterling Van Lines (4.7/5) and Merit Moving Systems (4.5/5) rate highest for hot tub moves in Los Alamitos. Hot tub moves typically run $248 to $660 per item when bundled with a full-service move.
| Hot tub relocation in Los Alamitos | Details |
|---|---|
| Los Alamitos movers offering this | 29 of 94 (30.85%) |
| California statewide | 120 of 374 (32.09%) |
| National average | 21.93% |
| Top-rated Los Alamitos hot tub movers | Sterling Van Lines, Merit Moving Systems |
| Bundled with full-service move | $248 to $660 |
| Standalone hot tub move | $495 to $1,320 |
Hot tub moves require full drainage, a crew of at least 3, and specialized equipment including a flatbed dolly rated for the unit's weight. Empty hot tubs range from 500 to 1,000 lbs, and access conditions such as stairs, narrow gates, or sunken decks can add crane or shuttle fees that significantly raise the total cost. Confirm access logistics with the mover before the quote is finalized to avoid day-of surcharges.
Does Los Alamitos have movers that offer piano moving?
Piano moving is available from 72 of 94 Los Alamitos movers (76.6%), compared to 79.41% statewide and 72.52% nationally. Sterling Van Lines (4.7/5) and Merit Moving Systems (4.5/5) rate highest for piano moving in Los Alamitos. A standalone piano move typically costs $1,320 to $5,775, depending on instrument type.
| Piano moving in Los Alamitos | Details |
|---|---|
| Los Alamitos movers offering this | 72 of 94 (76.6%) |
| California statewide | 297 of 374 (79.41%) |
| National average | 72.52% |
| Top-rated Los Alamitos piano movers | Sterling Van Lines, Merit Moving Systems |
| Upright piano | $1,320 to $2,475 |
| Baby grand piano | $1,980 to $4,125 |
| Grand piano | $2,970 to $5,775 |
Upright pianos weigh 400 to 800 lbs. Grand pianos exceed 1,200 lbs. Trained crews use piano boards, straps, and padded blankets to prevent structural damage that standard moving equipment cannot safely manage. Bundling a piano into a household move with full-service movers is usually cheaper than hiring a piano-only carrier.
Who are the best movers in Los Alamitos for small long-distance moves?
Sterling Van Lines leads Los Alamitos's small-move providers with a 4.7/5 moveBuddha score, followed by Seka Moving at 4.7/5. 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 Los Alamitos?
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 Los Alamitos. Moving containers reduce costs by roughly 30% compared to full-service moving, making them the most cost-effective option for Los Alamitos 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 Los Alamitos?
53 of 94 Los Alamitos movers (56.38%) offer labor-only services, compared to 52.14% statewide and 54.55% nationally. Sterling Van Lines (4.7/5) is moveBuddha's top-rated labor-only mover in Los Alamitos, followed by Merit Moving Systems (4.5/5). Labor-only movers handle loading and unloading without providing a truck, making them the right fit for Los Alamitos 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 Los Alamitos 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 Los Alamitos. 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 Los Alamitos?
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 Los Alamitos 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 Los Alamitos?
Here are some additional cost considerations for your long-distance Los Alamitos move:
- Distance: The farther you move from Los Alamitos, 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 Los Alamitos
What licenses does a long-distance mover in Los Alamitos need?
89 of the 94 movers moveBuddha has reviewed in Los Alamitos hold a valid FMCSA registration and USDOT number — the 2 federal credentials required before any company can transport household goods across state lines. All movers recommended on this page carry both. Confirm any company's status independently in the FMCSA's carrier database.
The FMCSA's Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move covers what to expect during an interstate move and what protections apply at every stage.
Should I hire locally or go national when moving from Los Alamitos?
Local Los Alamitos movers offer the best value for moves within California, with average hourly rates of $127 across the 94 movers moveBuddha has reviewed in the area. 89 of those hold FMCSA interstate authorization for cross-state routes. The top-rated options on this page cover both.
For moves that cross into another state, national carriers bring purpose-built long-distance logistics, a meaningful advantage when coordinating a move over a long distance.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Los Alamitos?
Movers in Los Alamitos run slowest in November and December, when temperatures drop to an average low of 46°F and moving demand falls well below its summer peak. Reduced competition for mover calendars creates a genuine window to push back on the initial estimate. Off-peak moves in Los Alamitos typically come with better availability and shorter booking lead times than any other time of year.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of Los Alamitos?
DIY moving is the most affordable option out of Los Alamitos, especially within 50 miles. moveBuddha's research shows that rental trucks and moving containers reduce costs by roughly 30% versus full-service movers. The cheapest options are renting a moving truck like U-Haul or a moving container like PODS. For longer moves, our guide to the cheapest ways to move out of state covers additional cost-cutting strategies.
