Best Movers Near Altoona, PA (2026 Reviews)
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Gearharts Moving & Storage is Altoona's top-rated local mover on moveBuddha, earning a 4.22/5 , followed by Appalachian Movers LLC at 4.5/5. moveBuddha scored 4 movers based in Altoona out of 105 reviewed across Pennsylvania, drawing on 95 verified customer reviews across Pennsylvania.
Local movers in Altoona charge by the hour. The PA average is $128/hour for a 2-person crew. Use the moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a fast cost baseline before you collect quotes.
How do Altoona moving companies compare?
Altoona's 4 reviewed moving companies are ranked by moveBuddha score, a composite of verified customer reviews, BBB rating, and proximity to Altoona, with a market average of 4.18/5, drawing on 95 verified customer reviews across Pennsylvania. The ranked list above also includes movers that serve Altoona from nearby locations, so scores reflect performance across the full local service area, not just companies with a Altoona address.
Proximity to Altoona is a ranking factor, so a mover ranked higher on the list may have a lower score than one ranked below. A nearby company can outrank a higher-scored mover based further out. Each company's positive review rate and BBB rating are included so you can compare quality and reputation side by side.
| Company | Our rating | Positive reviews | BBB | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.22 |
77% | A+ | ||
|
4.5 |
71% | A+ | ||
4.0 |
61% | NR | ||
|
4.26 |
85% | A+ | ||
|
4.16 |
75% | A+ | ||
|
4.0 |
60% | N/A | ||
|
4.08 |
60% | A+ | ||
|
4.34 |
97% | A+ | ||
|
4.3 |
79% | D+ | ||
|
4.12 |
41% | A+ |
What are the top-rated moving companies in Altoona?
Gearharts Moving & Storage is Altoona's top-rated moving company on moveBuddha, earning a 4.22/5, followed by Appalachian Movers LLC at 4.5/5.
Each review profile below covers pricing transparency, crew quality, and claims handling, the 3 factors most predictive of move-day outcome, alongside each company's BBB grade, years in business, and positive review rate.
moveBuddha scored 4 Altoona movers drawing on 95 verified customer reviews across Pennsylvania, with a market average score of 4.18/5. Rankings include movers based in Altoona and those serving the area from nearby locations. Proximity is a ranking factor, so a mover's position in the list below does not always correspond directly to its score.
- Gearharts Moving & Storage: 4.22 out of 5 stars
- Appalachian Movers LLC: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Walk's Moving & Storage: 4.0 out of 5 stars
- McNaughton Bros Inc: 4.26 out of 5 stars
- Packer Up Moving LLC: 4.16 out of 5 stars
- Keystone Relocation, LLC : 4.0 out of 5 stars
- Shaffer's Transfer and Moving: 4.08 out of 5 stars
- Diversity Moving Company: 4.34 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- Legacy Moving and Storage: 4.12 out of 5 stars
Careful handling
Professional and polite staff
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. Gearharts Moving & Storage has been in business for 58 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like international moving and interstate moving.
Review quality 3.8
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Gearharts Moving & Storage has about 77% positive reviews across roughly 35 total reviews.
Quote accuracy 3.9
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Gearharts Moving & Storage.
Customer service 4.4
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Gearharts Moving & Storage emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
As soon as DYLAN, NICK, JOHN arrived they shook our hands, and introduced themselves. they were on time. They were quick but also VERY careful NOTHING AND I MEAN NOTHING is broken of ours. Very neatly organized.
Gearharts helped us move from State College, PA to New Hampshire. They carefully packed up our home and moved everything into storage for several months before the interstate move. The entire team was prompt, friendly, professional, and efficient.
Professional and polite staff
Careful handling
Efficient service
Quick moving process
Highly recommended
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.7
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Appalachian Movers LLC has been in business for 12 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like estate moving and interstate moving.
Review quality 4.5
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Appalachian Movers LLC has about 71% positive reviews across roughly 14 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.0.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Appalachian Movers LLC.
Customer service 4.4
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Appalachian Movers LLC emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
Moved my two bedroom apartment in 3 hours. They were very professional, put a red carpet so floors didn't get dirty. Extremely pleased, will refer them to my friends.
Quick to load and unload, never banged the wall or dropped stuff, courteous, neat, and inexpensive. Highly recommend them.
Efficient service
Careful handling
Professional and polite staff
Quick moving process
Affordable rates
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.4
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Walk's Moving & Storage has been in business for many years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and small-scale moving.
Review quality 3.8
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Walk's Moving & Storage has about 61% positive reviews across roughly 105 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 2.8.
Quote accuracy 4.0
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Walk's Moving & Storage, and Walk's Moving & Storage makes deposit expectations clear upfront.
Customer service 3.5
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Walk's Moving & Storage emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"Walk’s just completed our move yesterday and we are so grateful to them! They were responsive, timely and took care with our belongings. They placed furniture where we wanted and were so fast!"
"Walks just recently moved my mom into her new home and it was the best first experience we've had in a long time, especially after moving ourselves over 34 times. The men were extremely fast and professional."
Professional and polite staff
Efficient service
Careful handling
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. McNaughton Bros Inc has been in business for 105 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and small-scale moving.
Review quality 3.8
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. McNaughton Bros Inc has about 85% positive reviews across roughly 81 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 3.6.
Quote accuracy 3.9
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from McNaughton Bros Inc.
Customer service 4.1
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. McNaughton Bros Inc emphasizes clear communication, careful handling, and visibility during transit through shipment tracking.
Recent reviews
"The BEST!!! I have done 8 military moves with 8 different moving companies - none have been even close to the level of quality, professionalism, and engagement of McNaughton Moving & Storage."
"From scheduling to the actual move, working with McNaughton was so easy. The crew was so friendly, professional, and efficient! They were also very careful not to damage anything. Highly recommend this company."
Careful handling
Professional and polite staff
Affordable rates
Helpful movers
Efficient service
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Packer Up Moving LLC has been in business for 14 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like interstate moving and intrastate moving.
Review quality 4.1
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Packer Up Moving LLC has about 75% positive reviews across roughly 4 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 4.3.
Quote accuracy 3.8
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from Packer Up Moving LLC, and Packer Up Moving LLC makes deposit expectations clear upfront.
Customer service 4.1
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Packer Up Moving LLC emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
Just completed a move from Centre County to the Pittsburgh area. Everything about this company was top notch. All our stuff was handled with care and arrived safely in our new home. Adam Packer is a super nice guy.
Packer Up Moving moved furniture and belongings from my five bedroom home to a local storage facility. They were timely, courteous and the owner that I dealt with, Adam, was very helpful and informative.
Careful handling
Respectful of property
Helpful movers
Secure storage facilities
Friendly and approachable staff
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.1
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Keystone Relocation, LLC has been in business for many years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and estate moving.
Review quality 3.8
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Keystone Relocation, LLC has about 60% positive reviews across roughly 5 total reviews.
Quote accuracy 4.1
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from Keystone Relocation, LLC .
Customer service 4.4
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Keystone Relocation, LLC emphasizes clear communication, careful handling, and visibility during transit through shipment tracking.
Recent reviews
John and his crew moved us from storage in PA to Michigan with no damage at all. Super careful, pleasant, and took great care of our property. Thanks for storing our stuff for 3 months!
No damage to items, walls, or floors during the move. Movers were friendly and really respected our property—grateful for the safe storage as well.
Efficient service
Careful handling
Professional and polite staff
Quick moving process
Experienced movers
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.1
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Shaffer's Transfer and Moving has been in business for many years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like interstate moving and intrastate moving.
Review quality 3.8
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Shaffer's Transfer and Moving has about 60% positive reviews across roughly 15 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 1.0.
Quote accuracy 3.9
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from Shaffer's Transfer and Moving.
Customer service 4.4
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Shaffer's Transfer and Moving emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
They did a fantastic job and even took inventory of what they were moving. Worth every penny not to struggle moving boxes and furniture.
Very responsive. Used them for an appliance move. They worked with my schedule and managed to muscle the refrigerator in with no damage.
Professional and polite staff
Efficient service
Careful handling
Good communication
Quick moving process
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.7
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Diversity Moving Company has been in business for 16 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and small-scale moving.
Review quality 4.1
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Diversity Moving Company has about 97% positive reviews across roughly 264 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 Diversity Moving Company.
Customer service 4.1
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Diversity Moving Company emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"These 4 guys rocked it. They are super funny and know how to get the job done. They had the truck packed so well. Nothing was broke. They made sure to wrap all furniture that had the possibility to break."
"The team was efficient, extremely kind, and professional the entire time and we found the pricing to be very competitive and reasonable. I cannot recommend this company enough!"
Professional and polite staff
Efficient service
Careful handling
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. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has been in business for 13 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like labor-only moving and interstate moving.
Review quality 4.1
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has about 79% positive reviews across roughly 124 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 2.6.
Quote accuracy 3.9
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.
Customer service 5.0
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"Absolutely top notch moving company! Bill and John were quick, careful, efficient, and polite. They exceeded my expectations by a mile! Process was seamless. Megan in the office was so helpful and professional."
"From the moment your team arrived, their professionalism, efficiency, and care were evident. They handled my belongings with the utmost respect and ensured everything was transported safely and securely."
Efficient service
Quick moving process
Careful handling
Professional and polite staff
Experienced movers
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 5.0
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. Legacy Moving and Storage has been in business for 12 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like interstate moving and intrastate moving.
Review quality 3.8
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. Legacy Moving and Storage has about 41% positive reviews across roughly 17 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 1.0.
Quote accuracy 3.9
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from Legacy Moving and Storage.
Customer service 3.5
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. Legacy Moving and Storage emphasizes clear communication, careful handling, and visibility during transit through shipment tracking.
Recent reviews
These guys were on time and moved fast.. but were cautious with what they were moving.. They were very pleasant even tho it was hot and there was a flight of stairs. Your interaction and conversation with her about her cats as you worked truly helped.
These guys were great. Moved everything quickly and safely. Thank you from The Tea Cupboard.
Which Altoona movers offer specialty services?
Specialty moving services are not standard across every Altoona mover. Based on moveBuddha's review of 4 Altoona moving companies, here is what is available, how common each service is in this market, and which movers lead each category:
- Piano moving: 4 of 4 Altoona movers (100.0%) offer it, vs. 72.52% nationally. Gearharts Moving & Storage (4.22/5) is Altoona's top-rated piano mover.
- Antique handling: 2 of 4 Altoona movers (50.0%) offer it, vs. 46.24% nationally. Appalachian Movers LLC (4.5/5) rates highest for antique care in Altoona.
- Art packing: 1 of 4 Altoona movers (25.0%) offer it, vs. 45.76% nationally. McNaughton Bros Inc (4.26/5) rates highest for art packing in Altoona.
- Fragile-only packing: 1 of 4 Altoona movers (25.0%) offer it, vs. 23.83% nationally. Gearharts Moving & Storage (4.22/5) rates highest for fragile-only packing in Altoona.
How much does piano moving cost in Altoona?
Piano moving is available from 4 of 4 Altoona movers (100.0%), compared to 72.52% nationally. Gearharts Moving & Storage leads Altoona piano movers with a 4.22/5 moveBuddha score, followed by Appalachian Movers LLC at 4.5/5. A standalone piano move in Altoona typically costs $616 to $2,695, depending on instrument type.
| Piano moving in Altoona | Details |
|---|---|
| Altoona movers offering this | 4 of 4 (100.0%) |
| National average | 72.52% |
| Top-rated Altoona piano movers | Gearharts Moving & Storage, Appalachian Movers LLC |
| Upright piano | $616 to $1,155 |
| Baby grand piano | $924 to $1,925 |
| Grand piano | $1,386 to $2,695 |
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.
How much does antique handling cost in Altoona?
Antique handling is available from 2 of 4 Altoona movers (50.0%), compared to 46.24% nationally. Appalachian Movers LLC (4.5/5) and McNaughton Bros Inc (4.26/5) rate highest for antique care in Altoona. Adding antique handling to a household move adds $770 to $1,925 to the total cost.
| Antique handling in Altoona | Details |
|---|---|
| Altoona movers offering this | 2 of 4 (50.0%) |
| National average | 46.24% |
| Top-rated Altoona antique movers | Appalachian Movers LLC, McNaughton Bros Inc |
| Added cost to a household move | $770 to $1,925 |
| Per-piece handling fee | $39 to $385 |
| Custom crating per item | $116 to $154 |
Custom crating and acid-free padding protect pieces that standard released-value coverage at $0.60/lb cannot adequately cover. A 50-lb antique valued at $5,000 receives only $30 under default protection, making full-value coverage the standard choice for heirloom and high-value items.
How much does art packing cost in Altoona?
Art packing is available from 1 of 4 Altoona movers (25.0%), compared to 45.76% nationally. McNaughton Bros Inc (4.26/5) and Keystone Relocation, LLC (4.0/5) rate highest for art packing in Altoona. Per-piece art handling in Altoona runs $39 to $385, with custom crates adding $116 to $154 per item.
| Art packing in Altoona | Details |
|---|---|
| Altoona movers offering this | 1 of 4 (25.0%) |
| National average | 45.76% |
| Top-rated Altoona art movers | McNaughton Bros Inc, Keystone Relocation, LLC |
| Per-piece handling fee | $39 to $385 |
| Custom crating per item | $116 to $154 |
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.
How much does fragile-only packing cost in Altoona?
Fragile-only packing is available from 1 of 4 Altoona movers (25.0%), compared to 23.83% nationally. Gearharts Moving & Storage (4.22/5) rate highest for fragile-only packing in Altoona. 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 Altoona | Details |
|---|---|
| Altoona movers offering this | 1 of 4 (25.0%) |
| National average | 23.83% |
| Top-rated Altoona providers | Gearharts Moving & Storage |
| Full professional packing rate | $0.15 to $0.21 per pound |
Fragile-only packing targets dishes, glassware, mirrors, and lamps without a full-service packing contract. Limiting professional packing to breakables keeps total packing cost down while covering the items most likely to break in transit.
What is the top-rated moving company in Altoona?
Gearharts Moving & Storage (4.22/5 on moveBuddha) is the highest-rated moving company in Altoona, drawing on 95 verified customer reviews across Pennsylvania. The Altoona market averages 4.18/5 across 4 reviewed companies. Use the moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a cost baseline before collecting quotes.
Frequently asked questions: moving in Altoona, PA
How much do movers cost in Altoona, PA?
Local movers in Altoona, PA charge by the hour. The PA average is $128/hour for a 2-person crew. Altoona's top-rated mover is Gearharts Moving & Storage, earning a 4.22/5 on moveBuddha, drawing on 95 verified customer reviews across Pennsylvania.
Key cost factors for a Altoona move, based on moveBuddha's review data:
- Access fees: stairs, elevators, long carries, and shuttle service each add $75-$500+ when the truck can't load directly. Get these costs itemized in your estimate before signing.
- Deposit requirement: 25.0% of Altoona movers require a deposit to hold your move date. Confirm refund terms before paying.
- Full valuation coverage: available from select Altoona movers. The default released-value protection covers only $0.60 per pound. Full valuation coverage costs extra and covers replacement value.
- Hours on-site: local moves bill by the clock. Home size, floor access, elevator waits, and how much packing work the crew handles are the primary time drivers.
- Long-distance pricing: moves leaving Altoona across state lines are priced by shipment weight and mileage, not hourly. 100.0% of Altoona movers (4.0 companies) handle interstate moves. Fuel surcharges on long-distance moves typically add 8%-15% to transportation charges.
- Packing services: 100.0% of Altoona movers (4.0 companies) offer full packing, and 50.0% supply packing materials. Professional packing adds $0.15-$0.21 per pound on average.
DIY options like a rental truck or moving container reduce costs by roughly 30% compared to full-service moving, based on moveBuddha's analysis. Use the moving cost calculator to get a market-specific baseline before collecting quotes.
What do full-service movers in Altoona include, and what costs extra?
A standard full-service move in Altoona, PA includes loading, transport, and unloading. Basic furniture padding and simple disassembly/reassembly for bed frames and standard furniture pieces are included in the base rate. Packing, valuation upgrades, storage, crating, and specialty-item handling are add-ons billed separately. The table below shows what Altoona movers offer and what each add-on typically costs, based on moveBuddha's review data.
| Add-on service | % of Altoona movers | Typical cost impact |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | 100.0% (4.0 companies) | +$0.15-$0.21 per pound on average |
| Packing materials | 50.0% | Priced per box or kit; confirm before booking |
| Storage | 100.0% | ~$0.50 per cubic foot per month; a 1-bedroom (~514 cu ft) runs ~$198/month |
| Crating (fragile/high-value items) | 50.0% (2.0 companies) | $150-$200 per item for antiques and artwork; $150-$400 for oversized pieces (safes, sectionals, appliances) |
| Labor-only (load/unload, no transport) | 50.0% (2.0 companies) | Hourly rate only; no truck or transport charge |
| Access fees (stairs, elevator, long carry, shuttle) | Situational | $75-$500+ when the truck can't load directly; shuttle service adds $0.08-$0.12 per pound with minimums starting around $200 |
Every add-on above requires written confirmation before booking. A binding estimate locks the final price. A non-binding estimate can change based on actual weight or time. See the hidden and unexpected moving costs guide for a full breakdown of what to request in writing.
Do movers in Altoona offer senior, military, or other discounts?
moveBuddha found no confirmed senior, military, AAA, student, teacher, or law enforcement discounts among the Altoona movers in its database. That does not mean discounts are unavailable. Ask each mover directly at the quote stage, since some companies offer unpublished rates for eligible groups. Confirm any discount in writing before signing.
How we chose the best moving companies in Altoona
moveBuddha's moving analyst team evaluated 105 Pennsylvania moving companies using a five-factor weighted scoring system: customer satisfaction (40%), dispute resolution (20%), industry reputation (15%), online reputation (15%), and service options (10%).
That scoring system draws on moveBuddha's dataset of 1,000+ live price points and research across 4,500+ movers nationwide, so you're getting recommendations built on real market data, not just review aggregation
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently completes moves on time, communicates proactively, and delivers within the estimated cost. These factors matter most when hiring a mover.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems happen in every industry. We reward companies that take clear ownership of issues and make genuine, documented efforts to resolve them.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company holds standing in professional moving organizations and participates in industry oversight, which signals accountability beyond customer reviews alone.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains accurate, up-to-date information online and responds promptly and professionally to customer inquiries and complaints.
- Service options (10%): We favor companies that offer full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery. These services matter on a complex move.
Read our complete moving company rating methodology for the full scoring breakdown.
