Cheapest Movers in San Luis Obispo, CA (2025 Guide)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: Out of 278 movers in California, we found Meathead Movers to be the best option for local moves in San Luis Obispo, CA, based on key areas like pricing, services, and reviews. Our go-to choice for long-distance or out-of-state moves from California is Safeway Moving, since they consistently deliver quality service at a fair price.

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Best local CA mover:

Meathead Movers

4.86
Best interstate mover:

Safeway Moving

4.85
Best DIY moving option:

U-Haul Truck Rental

4.15

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Preferred partners

Company	Quote	Rating
Safeway Moving	Get A Quote	4.85 / 5
International Van Lines	Get A Quote	4.45 / 5
Mayzlin Relocation	Get A Quote	4.9 / 5

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5 Cheapest movers when moving locally in San Luis Obispo, CA

Whether you're planning a move within San Luis Obispo or relocating to a nearby California city like Los Ranchos or Avila Beach (both under 50 miles away), we’ve rounded up some of the best local movers that combine solid reputations with affordable pricing.

Meathead Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Martian Movers: 4.72 out of 5 stars
ASAP Movers: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Central Coast Moving Co.: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Hazelwood Allied Moving and Storage, Inc: 4.58 out of 5 stars

Meathead Movers

3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (29%)
Professional and polite staff (24%)
Careful handling (22%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (21%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
Unexpected charges (18%)

Review Analysis

Moving made easy—fast, careful, and professional. Across 534 customer accounts, 85% were satisfied with Meathead Movers, who consistently impress with prompt, efficient service, courteous staff, careful attention to belongings, and effective communication. Many point to their speed, skill, and ability to reduce moving stress as unmatched compared to other movers. Staff go out of their way to ensure everything is handled safely and customers feel supported throughout. Most praise the company’s organization and transparency, with workers often finishing ahead of schedule and providing clear updates. While Meathead stands out for reliability, a number of customers highlighted problems including damage to items, higher-than-expected costs than initial estimates, and issues with packing quality—especially when using packing services. Some experienced final bills much greater than the quotes they received, contributing to frustration. A few customers also reported items arriving broken or poor claim handling after reporting damage. Compared to other moving firms, feedback shows Meathead’s team typically provides a smoother, faster, and friendlier move—but attention to better estimate accuracy and meticulous packing would boost trust even further.

Get a Quote (805) 544-6328

Company Info

State license #: 189849

Years in Business: 27

DOT #: 921143

Alternate Names: Meathead Packers

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Storage
Pay by credit card

Martian Movers

901 Buckley Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (30%)
Friendly and polite staff (25%)
Careful handling (20%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (35%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
Unexpected charges (15%)

Review Analysis

Rave reviews pour in for Martian Movers, spotlighting efficient service, polite staff, careful handling, fast move times, and reliable communication. Among 295 reviews, 95% of feedback describes stress-free moves by friendly, professional crews attentive to property and timing. Clients often mention rapid service, courteous demeanor, and exceptional care with belongings—even challenging items like pianos—setting them apart from less consistent competitors. For value, they frequently finish under quoted prices, with transparent estimates and easy scheduling. Less than 5% of feedback details significant issues during long-distance moves, including damaged items, late deliveries, unreliable timing, and poor handling. Some clients cite missed arrival windows, mishandling, or lack of follow-up on claims for damages. For most customers, though, reviews indicate Martian Movers outperforms other moving companies on efficiency, professionalism, and customer care, while a few experienced notable problems with high-value or out-of-area jobs.

Get a Quote (805) 549-5122

Company Info

Years in Business: 7

DOT #: 3196615

Alternate Names: Cal-Safe Movers

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Pool Tables
Art
Antiques
Crating
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Safes
Pay by credit card

ASAP Movers

925 Buckley Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (35%)
Professional and polite staff (30%)
Careful handling (28%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (22%)
Unexpected charges (18%)
Lack of communication (15%)

Review Analysis

ASAP Movers earns top scores with 94% of customer feedback highlighting efficient service and highly professional, polite staff. Most people praise how carefully their belongings are handled and how quickly moves are completed, with clear communication throughout each step. While most customers note friendly, attentive teams, a handful cite concerns over damaged items or unprofessional behavior, and some mention lapses in communication. The company’s strong record for reliability and care outpaces many competitors, but those seeking flawless handling should remain mindful of rare, but notable, incidents involving broken or mishandled property. With over 400 reviews analyzed, ASAP Movers stands out for dependable, courteous service at a competitive price.

Get a Quote (805) 544-9222

Company Info

State license #: 0190288

Years in Business: 21

DOT #: 1278931

Alternate Names: A S A P Movers

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Crating
Shipment tracking
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Pay by credit card
DOD certified

Central Coast Moving Co.

3051 Propeller Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (38%)
Efficient service (36%)
Careful handling (30%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (25%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (22%)
Unexpected charges (20%)

Review Analysis

Central Coast Moving Co. stands out for making moves fast, stress-free, and professionally handled. Out of 312 customer experiences, 97% praised their team's efficiency, professionalism, and careful handling of belongings. Customers highlighted superb communication, streamlined moving processes, and courteous staff. Flexible scheduling and transparent pricing also set this business apart from regional competitors. Negative feedback, though rare, focused mainly on occasional damaged items, surprise costs, and less experienced crew members on some jobs. Unlike many movers, Central Coast Moving consistently achieves outstanding customer satisfaction, with only 2% of reviews reflecting significant dissatisfaction. For anyone seeking punctual, polite movers who prioritize your property, this company clearly sets a higher benchmark for moving services on the Central Coast.

Get a Quote (805) 420-7526

Company Info

Years in Business: 6

Services Offered

Local moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Art
Antiques
Crating
Storage
Safes
Pay by credit card

Hazelwood Allied Moving and Storage, Inc

6338 Lindmar Dr, Goleta, CA 93117 US

Customer Praise

Efficient service (54%)
Professional and polite staff (52%)
Good communication (50%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (19%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)
Lack of communication (12%)

Review Analysis

Hazelwood Allied Moving and Storage shines with consistent, positive feedback from 56 customer reviews—every single one praises the company. Most customers highlight the staff’s professionalism, prompt and efficient service, clear and helpful communication, and careful handling of belongings. Customers regularly mention reliable timelines and an overall quick moving process, leading to low-stress experiences. While many moving companies receive at least occasional complaints about damage or delays, Hazelwood stands apart by avoiding such issues in reported feedback. No major negative experiences or recurring problems were found in the feedback analyzed. In comparison to similar businesses, Hazelwood Allied receives more frequent praise for its helpful team, organizational skills, and smooth-moving experience, which turns stressful situations into pleasant ones for their clients.

Get a Quote (805) 963-4493

Company Info

State license #: 0102801

Years in Business: 36

DOT #: 2645119

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Pool Tables
Art
Antiques
Crating
Crane vans
Shipment tracking
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Safes
Pay by cash
Pay by credit card

Other local CA movers

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

Cheapest movers when moving out of California

Moving from California to another state involves more than just packing boxes. You’ll also need the support of an experienced moving team. These interstate moving companies have the know-how and manpower to make your move as easy as possible::

Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Safeway Moving

rating

4.85 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned

Get A Quote

(855) 650-0657

International Van Lines

rating

4.45 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

24/7 cust. service
Competitive rates
10% discounts

Get A Quote

(855) 929-4120

Mayzlin Relocation

rating

4.9 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing

Get A Quote

(980) 217-6841

PODS

rating

4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount

Get A Quote

Visit Website

American Van Lines

rating

4.5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned

Get A Quote

866-835-2392

Cheapest DIY moving options in San Luis Obispo, CA

Choosing a full-service mover for your San Luis Obispo, California move is definitely the most convenient option, but it’s also usually the priciest. If you’re looking to cut costs, consider going with one of the top moving container companies. Or, check out moving truck rental companies in San Luis Obispo instead.

PODS

rating

4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount

Get A Quote

Visit Website

U-Pack

rating

5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Check prices Visit Website

MovingYourself

rating

4.5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Affordable pricing
Offers car shipping
No hidden fees

Check prices (352) 322-2920

Budget Truck Rental

rating

4.3 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Affordable pricing
Online pricing
Several discounts

Check prices Visit Website

Top-rated movers in other nearby California cities

See less

How we chose the best movers in San Luis Obispo, CA

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 278 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 San Luis Obispo, CA

The pricing table below offers a general sense of what you might pay for a local move in the San Luis Obispo area. To learn more, take a look at our full guide to moving costs in California.

The moving quotes listed are ballpark figures—your final cost could be higher or lower depending on your individual move. For a more tailored estimate, use our moving cost calculator.

Home Size	Avg. Total Cost	Cost/hour	# of Movers	# Hours
Studio	$452	$136	2 movers	3 hours
1 Bedroom	$605	$139	2 movers	4 hours
2 Bedroom	$891	$190	3 movers	5 hours
3 Bedroom	$1,935	$269	4 movers	8 hours
4 Bedroom	$2,204	$266	4 movers	9 hours
5+ Bedroom	$3,369	$376	5 movers	10 hours

Compare the top San Luis Obispo, CA movers

Let’s compare how the top movers in San Luis Obispo, CA stack up in terms of their reputation.

Company	moveBuddha rating	BBB rating	Yelp rating	Google rating
Meathead Movers	4.9/5	A+	4.1/5	4.7/5
Martian Movers	4.7/5	A+	4.7/5	4.9/5
ASAP Movers	4.7/5	A+	4.7/5	4.8/5
Central Coast Moving Co.	4.7/5	A+	4.6/5	/5
Hazelwood Allied Moving and Storage, Inc	4.6/5	A+	5/5	4.9/5
Louie’s Central Coast Movers	4.3/5	NR	4.8/5	5/5
Bellhop Moving	4/5		4/5	/5
Lompoc Van and Storage	4/5	NR	/5	/5

FAQs

How can I verify if my mover is legally licensed?

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.

Every mover featured in our guide is fully licensed. Check out our best movers in California page for top picks.

What’s the best way to find a trustworthy San Luis Obispo mover?

Finding a dependable San Luis Obispo moving company can be a challenge, but there are a few key things that can help you identify a reputable mover:

Reputation: A strong reputation is important, whether the mover is a small local business or a well-established van lines company.
Dispute resolution: Steer clear of movers with a track record of unresolved complaints. While every San Luis Obispo mover may encounter customer issues, the best ones handle disputes quickly and professionally.
Experience with your type of move: Great reviews for short moves don’t guarantee success on a cross-country relocation. Make sure the mover has handled moves like yours before.

Can San Luis Obispo movers help with long-distance relocations?

Some moving companies in San Luis Obispo offer long-distance services, while others stick to local moves only. If you're planning an out-of-state move, check out our list of the best long distance movers in San Luis Obispo.

When is the most affordable day to hire movers in San Luis Obispo, CA?

Movers in San Luis Obispo, California, are usually cheapest on weekdays, as weekends tend to be busier and more expensive. Typically, the most affordable time to move falls between October and April. Moving costs spike between May and September due to high demand during peak season.

It’s best to book your San Luis Obispo move early. To save money, try to avoid weekends, holidays, and peak summer months. And remember, a low initial quote isn’t always a good sign. Some movers increase the price on moving day after low-balling up front.

How can I move out of state from San Luis Obispo, CA on a budget?

If you're looking to save money, renting a moving truck is the most affordable way to move out of state or even locally within San Luis Obispo, California. It’s a DIY solution, though, so you’ll be responsible for packing, loading, unloading, and doing all the driving.

Is using a moving container a smart choice for my move from San Luis Obispo?

Moving containers give you the flexibility to move on your schedule, but you’ll need to handle all the lifting and loading yourself. Once everything is packed, the container company will take care of transporting it to your new home, so you can skip the hassle of driving a moving truck.

Can I get help loading my moving container in San Luis Obispo?

If you’re going the DIY route with a rental truck or container, labor-only moving companies are a great way to get some extra help. Hiring professionals to assist with loading and unloading can lighten the workload and speed up the process.

Can I get storage from San Luis Obispo moving companies?

Many San Luis Obispo movers offer both short- and long-term storage options. Some companies may rely on third-party storage facilities, so be sure to ask how and where your belongings will be stored. It’s a good idea to confirm availability and costs when comparing movers.

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