The BEST Long-Distance Movers in Santa Monica, CA

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jul 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Hi, I'm Ryan.
Let's get moving.

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.

Preferred partner:

Best California Movers

4.76
Best overall value:

Safeway Moving

4.85
Best local mover:

Seka Moving

4.86
Best for small moves:

MiniMoves

4.8
Best moving container:

PODS

4.8
Best labor-only mover:

Best California Movers

4.76
Best rental truck:

U-Haul Truck Rental

4.15

Need more help? Build your move plan.

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Preferred partners

Company	Quote	Rating
Best California Movers	Get A Quote	4.76 / 5
Next Stop Moving & Storage	Get A Quote	4.24 / 5
Safeway Moving	Get A Quote	4.85 / 5

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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica:

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

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.85 / 5

Get A Quote

(855) 650-0657

At A Glance

GPS tracking en route
Veteran-owned
Dedicated move coordinator
Flat-rate pricing
Donates a portion of moves to charity

read our full review

Get A Quote

(855) 650-0657

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

Get A Quote

866-835-2392

At A Glance

Experienced & fully trained moving crews
Specializes in moving art & antiques
Competitive pricing
Can handle last-minute moves
Climate-controlled storage

read our full review

Get A Quote

866-835-2392

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

Get A Quote

(844) 950-2963

At A Glance

Custom crates for electronics & art
Satellite shipment tracking
1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
Self-packing option
No deposit required

read our full review

Get A Quote

(844) 950-2963

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.75 / 5

Get A Quote

866-825-0554

At A Glance

Fragile packing
Storage options
24/7 shipment tracking
Quick & efficient
Accurate quotes

read our full review

Get A Quote

866-825-0554

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.9 / 5

Get A Quote

(980) 217-6841

At A Glance

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

read our full review

Get A Quote

(980) 217-6841

Best long-distance movers in Santa Monica for those staying in state

Even if your move from Santa Monica keeps you within California, covering serious distance means it may still count as long-distance.

When relocating a few hundred miles in-state, we suggest working with one of the top long-distance movers.

These are our favorite picks for movers in Santa Monica, CA:

Preferred Partner

Best California Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars

Other top partners:

Next Stop Moving & Storage: 4.24 out of 5 stars
Seka Moving: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Rigo's Moving Company Inc: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Air 1 Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Walsh Moving and Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Best California Movers

7241 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91605 US

98% of all reviews were positive

2% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Moving made easy—that’s how customers describe Best California Movers. After analyzing 414 reviews, 98.3% of all input gave positive marks for efficient service, careful handling, polite staff, quick moves, and clear pricing with no surprise charges. Customers often mention the company sets higher standards compared to other movers, especially with speed and ensuring belongings stay safe.

A handful of negative reviews highlight problems such as item damage, slow or frustrating complaint responses, and some inaccurate estimates. Negative feedback is rare but should be noted if you worry about claims or high-value items. Most feedback points to a moving service that is fast, reliable, honest, and delivers what it promises.

Get a Quote (213) 377-5776

Company Info

State license #: T0192283

Pricing: $109/hr

Years in Business: 5

DOT #: 3489907

Alternate Names: An Moving Forward

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Next Stop Moving & Storage

6017 Randolph Street, Commerce, CA 90040 US

98% of all reviews were positive

1% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

A torrent of praise floods the feedback for Next Stop Moving & Storage. Out of 210 reviews evaluated, 98% express satisfaction, lauding the crew for their professionalism, efficiency, careful handling, fast process, and excellent communication. People frequently highlight polite, capable staff who handle belongings with attention.

Customers appreciate that the booking process is smooth and pricing is usually clear. The company’s service stands out in a market where moving horror stories are common, with many reviewers calling the team the best they’ve worked with and the process seamless. Negative input is rare (1.4%) but concentrated on cases of surprise charges, subcontracted movers, and damaged or missing items. A recurring issue cited in negative input was being charged extra beyond the quoted price, sometimes due to secondary companies being involved. The limited neutral feedback also noted unclear or unhonored pricing. Compared with other movers, Next Stop consistently provides a more reliable and courteous experience, but a small number of cases raise concerns about third-party involvement and unexpected costs. Most customers walk away relieved, often calling Next Stop their go-to recommendation, while a few urge caution about ensuring all project details are confirmed in writing.

Get a Quote (877) 307-0101

Company Info

Years in Business: 5

DOT #: 3756197

Alternate Names: Domus Logistics Inc

Services Offered

Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Art
Antiques
Crating
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Seka Moving

355 S Grand Ave Suite 2450, Los Angeles, CA 90071 US

88% of all reviews were positive

12% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Seka Moving receives high praise for delivering professional, careful, and efficient moves, according to 88% of analyzed feedback. Customers frequently mention polite staff, careful handling of belongings, quick and smooth processes, and genuinely helpful crew members. Many note that moves finished ahead of schedule, and damage-free delivery is a strong trend.

Clients appreciate Seka's responsive communication and flexibility, making relocation much easier and less stressful compared to other movers. While most feedback highlights reliable performance, some negative input mentions incidents of damaged items, unsatisfactory complaint handling, and at times, unprofessional behavior. These issues contrast sharply with the positive experiences, but are relatively rare—only 12% of reviews. Seka stands out as a leading choice in the moving industry for professionalism and diligence, though customers facing problems report dissatisfaction with how disputes are resolved.

Get a Quote (323) 483-4288

Company Info

State license #: 0192497

Years in Business: 7

DOT #: 3014539

Alternate Names: Seka Moving Corporation

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Pool Tables
Art
Antiques
Grandfather clocks
Crating
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Pay by money order
Pay by cash
Pay by credit card
Deposit Required

Rigo's Moving Company Inc

4385 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023 US

80% of all reviews were positive

20% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Move without the headache—most feedback for Rigo's Moving Company highlights fast, polite service, and movers who treat customers’ belongings with respect. Out of 522 reviews, almost 80% of clients offered positive input, more than is typical for moving companies. People value how efficiently teams load and unload, the professionalism of movers, and their careful approach to furniture and fragile items.

Staff routinely communicate well and work quickly to reduce stress during the move. Yet, some customers call out issues, especially regarding damages to furniture or property, unexpected fees, and crews arriving late. A few also mention being charged for unworked hours. Compared to other movers, Rigo's stands out for its reliability and strong work ethic, but should improve on punctuality and handling claims to give customers peace of mind. Most who used Rigo's would recommend the service and use it again, but caution others to clarify policies and extra charges before hiring.

Get a Quote (323) 519-2845

Company Info

State license #: 0191663

Years in Business: 11

DOT #: 3075110

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Pool Tables
Art
Antiques
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card

Air 1 Moving & Storage

9556 Cozycroft Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311 US

71% of all reviews were positive

27% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Night-and-day experiences define Air 1 Moving & Storage’s reputation, based on 545 customer reviews. About 71% of the feedback highlights professional and polite staff, careful handling of possessions, efficient and fast moves, and affordable prices. Many people praise the company for managing stressful relocations with skill, moving items without damage or delays, and maintaining courteous communication throughout.

Customers frequently mention the team’s reliability and trustworthiness, setting Air 1 apart from other movers. On the other hand, nearly 27% of the input focuses on negative incidents—most notably, unexpected charges, damaged or lost items, and delivery delays. Some report being billed far above initial quotes or experiencing broken or missing property without adequate resolution. Issues with last-minute fees and withheld communication stand out as significant frustrations. Compared to industry competitors, Air 1 garners above-average praise for its staff’s professionalism but struggles with cost transparency and consistency on long-distance moves.

Get a Quote (866) 485-1030

Company Info

State license #: 0189688

Years in Business: 22

DOT #: 1095485

Alternate Names: Air 1 Moving & Storage, Inc

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Pianos
Art
Antiques
Grandfather clocks
Crating
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Pay by credit card

Walsh Moving and Storage

1425 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance, CA 90501 US

87% of all reviews were positive

12% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Customers rave about Walsh Moving and Storage's skilled, friendly staff and their ability to move belongings efficiently while handling items with care. Nearly 87% of input highlights the team's professionalism, effective communication, and quick response, describing stress-free, punctual moves with transparent pricing. Many praise the company for making moving less daunting, often mentioning competitive rates and the crew’s exceptional attitude.

Still, around 12% of feedback notes issues like higher-than-expected final bills, damaged or missing items, or delayed communication—issues common in the moving industry but called out more here than with top-tier competitors. A few customers reported a lack of accountability or unexpected charges at the end of their move. With over 270 reviews analyzed, Walsh stands out for courteous service but could improve by ensuring pricing clarity and consistent communication throughout each job.

Get a Quote (310) 299-5892

Company Info

State license #: 187258

Years in Business: 60

DOT #: 690093

Alternate Names: Thomas R. Sapper

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Art
Antiques
Crating
Storage
Pay by credit card

Best long-distance movers in Santa Monica, CA, for small moves

Did you know that many professional movers have minimum weight requirements for your shipment? That means if you're only moving a small load, those movers may not be a viable option.

Luckily, some companies focus on small moves. So, if you're relocating a studio apartment or just a few pieces of furniture from Santa Monica, consider these options:

MiniMoves

rating

4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

No minimum move size
Full-service packing
Short-term storage

Check prices Visit Website

Transit Systems Inc (TSI)

rating

4.7 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

34+ yrs experience
Online chatbot
Car shipping

Check prices 800-626-1257

Moving containers for long-distance moves in Santa Monica, CA

Moving containers, also known as moving pods, offer short- and long-term storage so you can move from Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica include:

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

Rental trucks in Santa Monica, CA for a total DIY long-distance move

Rental trucks are often the cheapest way to move long-distance from Santa Monica, but also require the most work. You do everything yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading, driving the whole way, and unloading on your own. Costs can increase dramatically when you add on mileage fees, tolls, and gas though so make sure this option really is cheaper for your move before making a final decision.

Here are our favorite rental truck companies for long-distance moves:

U-Haul Truck Rental

rating

4.15 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Greatest coverage
7 truck sizes
One way rentals

Check prices (800) 468-4285

Penske Truck Rental

rating

4 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Most expensive
4 truck sizes
Unlimited mileage

Check prices (844) 847-9517

Labor-only moving companies in Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, CA:

Best California Movers

rating

4.76 / 5

Years in Business: 5
Yelp: 4.8 / 5
BBB: A+

Get A Quote

(213) 377-5776

Next Stop Moving & Storage

rating

4.24 / 5

Years in Business: 5
Yelp: / 5
BBB: B

Get A Quote

(877) 307-0101

Seka Moving

rating

4.86 / 5

Years in Business: 7
Yelp: 4.4 / 5
BBB: A+

Get A Quote

(323) 483-4288

Comparing the best long-distance movers in Santa Monica, CA

Company	Our Rating	Quote
Safeway Moving	4.85 overall rating	Get A Quote
American Van Lines	4.5 overall rating	Get A Quote
North American Van Lines	4.5 overall rating	Get A Quote
Allied Van Lines	4.75 overall rating	Get A Quote
Mayzlin Relocation	4.9 overall rating	Get A Quote

How we chose the best long-distance movers in Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, CA to some of the most common destinations:

Destination	Distance	Home size	Cost
Des Moines, IA	1,699 miles	3 bedroom	$5,214 - $8,616
Louisville, KY	2,101 miles	2 bedroom	$4,319 - $7,539
Jackson, MS	1,853 miles	1 bedroom	$3,153 - $6,813

To get an accurate estimate of the cost for your long-distance move out of Santa Monica, 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?

Any company helping with your out-of-state move from California must be licensed and have a registered USDOT number. All Santa Monica movers featured here are fully compliant, but it’s always smart to double-check using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.

You should also read through the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move to understand your protections.

Should I use a local company or a national company when moving from Santa Monica?

For short moves within Santa Monica, a local moving company will generally be the most cost-effective. But if you’re relocating out of California, a national mover such as Safeway Moving can offer the added benefit of interstate moving expertise.

When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Santa Monica?

Movers in Santa Monica typically see less business in November and December due to the holidays and school schedules. That makes it a great time to negotiate with a moving company and potentially cut down on your moving costs.

What are the cheapest ways to move out of Santa Monica?

DIY options are generally the least expensive, especially for moves under 50 miles from Santa Monica. Some of the most budget-friendly methods include renting a truck like U-Haul or choosing a moving container company like PODS. You can also explore our guide to the cheapest ways to move out of state for more ideas.