Cheapest Movers in Traverse City, MI (2025 Guide)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: Out of 46 movers in Michigan, we found Bellhop Moving to be the best option for local moves in Traverse City, MI, based on key areas like pricing, services, and reviews. Our go-to choice for long-distance or out-of-state moves from Michigan is Safeway Moving, since they consistently deliver quality service at a fair price.

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:

Bellhop Moving

4.14
Best local MI mover:

Bellhop Moving

4.14
Best interstate mover:

Safeway Moving

4.85
Best DIY moving option:

U-Haul Truck Rental

4.15

Need more help? Build your move plan.

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Preferred partners

Company	Quote	Rating
Bellhop Moving	Get A Quote	4.14 / 5
Safeway Moving	Get A Quote	4.85 / 5
International Van Lines	Get A Quote	4.45 / 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

1 Cheapest movers when moving locally in Traverse City, MI

Whether you're planning a move within Traverse City or relocating to a nearby Michigan city like Cadillac or Tustin (both under 50 miles away), we’ve rounded up some of the best local movers that combine solid reputations with affordable pricing.

Preferred Partner

Bellhop Moving: 4.14 out of 5 stars

Other top partners:

Bellhop Moving

1001 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 US

Customer Praise

Professional and polite staff (30%)
Efficient service (27%)
Good communication (23%)

Customer Complaints

Damage to items (35%)
Delayed arrival or delivery (31%)
Lack of communication (29%)

Review Analysis

Bellhop Moving earns high marks for efficient service, friendly and professional movers, and careful handling of clients’ belongings, with 72% of the 104 customer submissions giving favorable input. Feedback often describes smooth, speedy moves and polite staff who go out of their way to help. Teams consistently arrive on time, work quickly, and keep items protected, which distinguishes Bellhop from other moving companies. Yet a quarter of feedback highlights issues, with most complaints centered around damaged items, late or missing crews, and poor communication. Some users faced delays, last-minute cancellations, or unexpected extra costs, mentioning trouble reaching support and problems with resolving claims. Compared to typical movers, Bellhop stands out for its courteous teams and quick jobs but should address reliability and claims handling for a more consistent service experience.

Get a Quote (866) 774-5063

Company Info

DOT #: 2878240

Services Offered

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

Other local MI movers

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

Cheapest movers when moving out of Michigan

If you're relocating from Michigan 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:

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 Traverse City, MI

While a full-service mover is the most convenient option for your Traverse City, Michigan relocation, it will also likely be the most expensive route. To save some money, you may want to consider using one of the top moving container companies, or moving truck rental companies in Traverse City 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 Michigan cities

See less

How we chose the best movers in Traverse City, MI

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 46 Michigan 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 Traverse City, MI

Check out the pricing table below to get a rough idea of what local moves typically cost in and around the Traverse City area. For a deeper dive, be sure to explore our guide on the moving costs in Michigan.

Keep in mind that the moving quotes shown are general estimates. Your actual expenses may vary based on your specific moving situation. For a more accurate estimate, try our moving cost calculator.

Home Size	Avg. Total Cost	Cost/hour	# of Movers	# Hours
Studio	$569	$200	2 movers	3 hours
1 Bedroom	$753	$206	2 movers	4 hours
2 Bedroom	$1,196	$288	3 movers	5 hours
3 Bedroom	$2,723	$408	4 movers	8 hours
4 Bedroom	$3,183	$396	4 movers	9 hours
5+ Bedroom	$4,773	$559	5 movers	10 hours

Compare the top Traverse City, MI movers

Let’s compare how the top movers in Traverse City, MI stack up in terms of their reputation.

Company	moveBuddha rating	BBB rating	Yelp rating	Google rating
Bellhop Moving	4.1/5		1.9/5	4.3/5

FAQs

How do I know if my mover is properly licensed?

The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts.

All of the movers on our list are properly licensed. Take a look at our best movers in Michigan list for more recommendations.

How do I find a reputable Traverse City mover?

Looking for a reliable Traverse City moving company can be difficult, but there are certain things to consider to ensure you choose a trustworthy mover. These include:

Reputation: A mover's reputation is crucial, whether they're a new mom-and-pop business or a seasoned van lines company.
Dispute resolution: It's best to avoid movers with lots of unresolved customer complaints. Every Traverse City moving company will face customer issues. The best companies resolve customer disputes in a timely manner.
Relevant experience: Even if a mover has great reviews for local moves, they may not have the experience needed to handle a cross-country move. Check if they have experience with the type of move you require.

Do Traverse City moving companies handle long-distance moves?

Some of the moving companies that service Traverse City can handle long distance moves, while others only offer local moving services. If you're moving out of state, see our list of the best long distance movers in Traverse City.

What is the cheapest day to hire a mover in Traverse City, MI?

The cheapest day to hire a mover in Traverse City, Michigan, will typically be a weekday, since weekends are typically busier times for moving. In general, the cheapest time to move is between October and April. The peak season for movers is May–September, so you’ll pay more during this time due to increased demand.

The earlier you book your move from Traverse City, the better. Avoid weekends, holidays, and peak moving seasons (summer) to save money. Beware of choosing a mover solely based on the lowest quote, as some companies may low-ball their initial quote and raise the price significantly on moving day.

What is the cheapest way to move out of state from Traverse City, MI?

Renting a moving truck is the cheapest way to move out of state or locally within Traverse City, Michigan. Keep in mind, though, that this is also the most bare-bones moving option — you’ll have to handle the packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and driving.

Are moving containers a good idea for my move from Traverse City?

Moving containers allow you to move at your own pace… although you’ll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself. Once you’re loaded up and ready to move, the container company will pick up your container and transport it to your new home, so you won’t have to worry about driving.

What if I need help loading my moving container in Traverse City?

Labor-only moving companies can be a great addition to a more DIY move done with a rental moving truck or moving container. Hiring third-party assistance with loading and unloading can help cut down on the workload and make your move quicker and more efficient.

Do Traverse City movers offer storage?

Most Traverse City moving companies offer short- and long-term storage solutions. However, keep in mind that some Traverse City movers use third-party warehouses to store your items. It's best to ask about storage options and pricing when screening potential movers.

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