The Best Long-Distance Movers in San Luis Obispo, CA
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Let's get moving.
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Meathead Movers
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Safeway Moving
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MiniMoves
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PODS
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Martian Movers
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U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best long-distance movers in San Luis Obispo for those moving out of state
If you’re crossing state lines for a new home outside of California, these are our recommendations for top interstate movers in San Luis Obispo:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
Best long-distance movers in San Luis Obispo for those staying in state
Are you moving from San Luis Obispo but staying in California? Depending on how far you’re relocating, some in-state moves are still considered long-distance.
If your move within California is a couple hundred miles or more, you should hire one of the best long-distance moving companies.
Consider these top San Luis Obispo, CA, movers:
- Meathead Movers: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- Martian Movers: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- ASAP Movers: 4.44 out of 5 stars
- Louie’s Central Coast Movers: 4.16 out of 5 stars
- Lompoc Van and Storage: 4.2 out of 5 stars
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
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
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
Company Info
State license #: 0190288
Years in Business: 23
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
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 71804
Years in Business: 79
DOT #: 517055
Alternate Names: Lincoln Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Offices
- Pianos
- Grandfather clocks
- Storage
- DOD certified
Moving services available in San Luis Obispo
Add-on services like delicate item handling or climate-controlled storage may be common nationally but harder to find locally. The table below compares availability among movers in San Luis Obispo, across the state, and nationwide. It’s a quick way to understand what’s realistic in your area when planning a move.
Storage
Comparing San Luis Obispo, CA, & national movers
San Luis Obispo
California
Nationwide
Top San Luis Obispo storage movers
Custom-built crates
Comparing San Luis Obispo, CA, & national movers
San Luis Obispo
California
Nationwide
Top San Luis Obispo custom crating movers
Antiques handling
Comparing San Luis Obispo, CA, & national movers
San Luis Obispo
California
Nationwide
Top San Luis Obispo antique movers
Piano loading & unloading
Comparing San Luis Obispo, CA, & national movers
San Luis Obispo
California
Nationwide
Top San Luis Obispo piano movers
Fragile-only packing
Comparing San Luis Obispo, CA, & national movers
San Luis Obispo
California
Nationwide
Top San Luis Obispo fragile-only packing movers
Best long-distance movers in San Luis Obispo, CA, for small moves
Most professional moving companies won’t take on moves below a certain weight limit. That means small relocations often don’t qualify for their services.
The good news? Some movers specialize in small moves. So if you're heading out of San Luis Obispo with only a few items or a studio’s worth of furniture, check out these recommendations:
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Moving containers for long-distance moves in San Luis Obispo, CA
Moving containers, also known as moving pods, offer short- and long-term storage so you can move from San Luis Obispo at your own pace. With this option, you pack and load the container yourself and the professionals drive the container to your new home for you.
Our top picks for moving containers for long-distance moves from San Luis Obispo include:
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Rental trucks in San Luis Obispo, CA for a total DIY long-distance move
Rental trucks are usually the most budget-friendly option for a long-distance move from San Luis Obispo, but they also come with the most responsibility. You’ll be in charge of everything: packing, loading, driving, and unloading. While you can save money this way, mileage fees, tolls, and gas costs can add up quickly. It’s good to double-check these hidden costs to confirm that a truck rental really is the most affordable choice for your situation.
These are our top rental truck picks for long-distance moves:
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Labor-only moving companies in San Luis Obispo, CA
Labor-only companies handle the heavy-lifting for you, offering services related to packing, loading, and assembly. You’ll provide the truck, packing supplies, and other materials. Think of it as hiring professional movers without the truck.
Hire these top-notch labor-only movers for your long-distance move from San Luis Obispo, CA:
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Comparing the best long-distance movers in San Luis Obispo, CA
| Company | Our Rating | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Safeway Moving |
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Get A Quote |
| American Van Lines |
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| North American Van Lines |
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Get A Quote |
| Allied Van Lines |
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Get A Quote |
| Mayzlin Relocation |
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Get A Quote |
How we chose the best long-distance movers in San Luis Obispo, CA
Over the past 10 years, we’ve developed a rigorous review process to identify the absolute best moving companies. We look at:
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Companies that consistently deliver services in a timely manner — with good communication and within the estimated cost — score the highest within this category.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry, so we look for companies that take a customer-focused approach to handling their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
- Industry reputation (15%): We look at whether a company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): It’s important to us that a company maintains a professional website with accurate information and promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
- Service options (10%): We look for companies with a wide breadth of services, including packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Read more about our moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of a long-distance move out of San Luis Obispo, CA
On average, movers in California charge about $122 per hour. That said, final pricing depends on more than just hourly rates—factors like distance and shipment size still play a big role, even when working with the top interstate movers.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for a long-distance move from San Luis Obispo, CA to some of the most common destinations:
| Destination | Distance | Home size | Cost |
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| Chicago, IL | 2,165 miles | 3 bedroom | $4,779 - $7,081 |
| Kansas City, MO | 1,768 miles | 2 bedroom | $3,049 - $6,003 |
| Omaha, NE | 1,703 miles | 1 bedroom | $2,481 - $4,854 |
To get an accurate estimate of the cost for your long-distance move out of San Luis Obispo, use our moving cost calculator. And, be sure to check out our detailed post about moving costs in California.
FAQs
What else should you know about moving out of state?
Movers helping you relocate from California must carry proper licensing and a USDOT number. All San Luis Obispo movers on our list meet these standards, but you can confirm this info yourself via the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.
Don’t forget to check out the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet before your interstate move.
Is it better to use local or national movers to relocate from San Luis Obispo?
With 7 movers in San Luis Obispo, you’ve got a mid-sized set of choices. That’s enough to compare pricing and services, but not so many that it feels overwhelming. For reference, California has 317 movers statewide. We’ve flagged the most reliable local moving companies to save you time.
For out-of-state moves, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation because of their strong interstate capabilities.
Which groups can get moving discounts in San Luis Obispo?
Some moving companies in San Luis Obispo reward specific communities with reduced prices: 2 movers provide financial breaks for active duty or retired military. 2 companies extend discounts to older adults.
Exact discount amounts and requirements differ by company, so always ask about eligibility when requesting a quote.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from San Luis Obispo?
The moving industry in San Luis Obispo tends to slow down in November and December because of the holidays and school schedules. That means you may be able to negotiate a better rate with movers and save during that time.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of San Luis Obispo?
The most affordable way to move, especially within 50 miles of San Luis Obispo, is to go the DIY route. Your cheapest bets usually include renting a moving truck like U-Haul or using a moving container company like PODS. For more budget-saving tips, check out our guide to the cheapest ways to move out of state.
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