The BEST Long-Distance Movers in Houston, TX
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: After comparing prices, services, quality ratings, and customer satisfaction, we recommend Safeway Moving as the top long-distance moving company in Houston, TX. Safeway Moving provides the best overall value, thanks to its balance of stellar service and reasonable rates.
- Best overall value: Safeway Moving
- Best Houston-based company: Bellhop Moving
- Best for small moves: MiniMoves
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only company: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: 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 Houston for those moving out of state
If you’re moving out of Texas, here are our top picks for best interstate moving companies in Houston:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
Best long-distance movers in Houston for those staying in state
Even if you’re just relocating from Houston to another Texas city, your move could still be a couple hundred miles or more. In that case, you’ll want to hire one of the top long-distance movers.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies that are located within Houston:
- Bellhop Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- 3 Men Movers: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- A Better Tripp Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Student Movers Inc.: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Johnnie T. Melia Moving & Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (38%)
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Good communication (26%)
- Damage to items (38%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (26%)
- Lack of communication (21%)
Company Info
State license #: 007018347C
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving Services
Bellhop Moving, established in 2012, offers local residential moving services across Houston, TX. With a blend of packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, they stand out among nearby movers for their comprehensive offerings. Customer feedback is mixed, with a 3.6 average rating on Yelp and a stronger 4.6 average on Google My Business, though their BBB rating sits at a C+. They accept credit cards but do require a deposit, making them a convenient but commitment-needed choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff (34%)
- Efficient service (30%)
- Careful handling (28%)
- Damage to items (27%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (22%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 000534796B
Years in Business: 39
DOT #: 1914113
Alternate Names: 3 Men Movers LTD
3 Men Movers, a local expert in residential moving, has been serving Houston, TX, and its surrounding areas since 1986. Known for their comprehensive range of services, they offer not only local and long-distance moving but also office relocation, and meticulous packing and unpacking services, even catering to specialized needs like moving pianos and safes. With an impressive reputation, 3 Men Movers boasts a high average rating of 4.8 on Google from 3962 reviews, a commendable 3.9 on Yelp from 499 reviews, and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many competitors, they require no deposit, making them a convenient and reliable choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Efficient service (30%)
- Careful handling (27%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
- Higher-than-expected costs (18%)
Company Info
State license #: 005972633C
Years in Business: 28
DOT #: 679167
A Better Tripp Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Houston, TX since 1997. With a solid reputation bolstered by an impressive Google rating of 4.7 from 218 reviews and a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, they stand out among nearby moving companies. Their extensive service list includes packing, unpacking, crating, and the expertise to move delicate items like pianos, hot tubs, and antiques. While their Yelp rating averages at 3.3 from 30 reviews, the majority of customers seem highly satisfied with their professional and reliable services. Notably, they accept cash and credit cards with no deposit required, making the moving process even more convenient for clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (20%)
- Efficient service (18%)
- Good communication (15%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
- Lack of communication (17%)
Company Info
State license #: 000556730B
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 1888352
Alternate Names: Variety Movers, Inc. Commercial Division
Student Movers Inc. has been providing local residential moving services in and around Houston, TX, since 1998, establishing a strong foothold in the area. Unlike some other nearby moving companies, Student Movers Inc. also offers packing, unpacking, and crating services, and they don’t require a deposit. Customers should note that while the company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a high average rating of 4.4 based on 691 reviews on Google, their Yelp profile shows more mixed feedback with an average rating of 2.8 from 229 reviews. Whether you need help with a local move or specialized services like piano moving, Student Movers Inc.'s extensive experience and comprehensive offerings make them a solid choice.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Efficient service (32%)
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Careful handling (28%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Unexpected charges (21%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
Company Info
State license #: 0000005457
Years in Business: 56
DOT #: 436264
Johnnie T. Melia Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in the Houston area since 1970. With over five decades of experience, they stand out among nearby moving companies for their specialized services, including packing, unpacking, crating, and handling delicate items like pianos and antiques. Consumer reviews reflect a strong reputation, with an average rating of 4.1 on Yelp and 4.7 on Google, and an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They accept both cash and credit cards, and do not require a deposit, making them a convenient and reliable choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Best long-distance movers in Houston for small moves
Many full-service moving companies have a 3,000-pound minimum requirement and may not be able to help you if you are moving a college dorm or studio apartment — or have decided to just take a few items with you.
In that case, you might be better off going with a long-distance company in Houston that specializes in small moves.
Here are our top suggestions:
- No minimum size
- Top-quality materials
- Full-service packing
- Specializes in small moves
- Guaranteed delivery date
- Online chatbot and resources for a seamless move
- Car shipping services
- Gives back with charitable donations
Moving containers for long-distance moves in Houston
A moving container can be a great solution if you want to save a little money on your move from Houston to another Texas city or out of state. While you will have to handle the heavy lifting, you can load and unload containers at your preferred pace over several days or more. And the container company will still handle the driving for you.
Container costs vary depending on the distance of your move and the size and number of your containers, so it’s good to get multiple moving quotes to compare pricing for your specific relocation.
You can start with these two companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Labor-only moving companies in Houston
If you don’t mind driving from Houston but want some helping hands in terms of loading and unloading, look into labor-only moving companies.
Here’s who we suggest:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Rental trucks in Houston for a total DIY long-distance move
While you’ll save some money with the two alternatives above, the cheapest way to move out of state is by handling all aspects — the heavy lifting and the driving — yourself. On average, a full DIY move from Houston costs $19–$39 a day for a truck rental, plus a per-mile fee of $0.69–$0.99.
Using moving rental trucks definitely requires the most work, but if budget is your biggest concern, check out these options:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
How we chose the best long-distance movers in Houston, TX
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%): 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, expedited delivery, and more.
Read more about our moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of long-distance movers in Houston
The average cost for professional movers in Houston is $75 per hour, but even the best interstate moving companies need more information about the distance and size of your move to give you a moving quote.
Factors that affect the cost of moving from Houston
- How far you’re moving: Distance is the most impactful cost factor. Naturally, the farther you are moving, the more it will cost. Relocating a couple hundred miles from Houston to another Texas city will not be as expensive as a cross-country move.
- The moving option you choose: Your costs will vary significantly depending on whether you choose a full-service mover, a moving container, or a rental truck. Every move is different, so balance your needs and your budget when deciding on the best relocation method.
- The amount of belongings you have: Movers determine cost by the total estimated weight of your household items and furnishings, so be sure to itemize your belongings to get the most accurate quote. You may also want to consider downsizing before moving out of Houston to reduce your moving expenses.
- Any add-on services you choose: Additional services like third-party labor assistance or packing and unpacking help are convenient, but they will also contribute to your total moving costs.
- When you move: The time of the year, month, and even week can all affect what you pay. Summer moves are typically more expensive because they are the busiest season for movers. Moving between October and April can be more cost-effective. Mid-month and mid-week moves are also cheaper, since most people tend to move on the weekends around the start or end of the month.
To give you an accurate estimate, we’ve created a moving cost calculator to help you get a good idea of your long-distance move cost. Plus, we’ve put together a detailed post all about moving costs in Houston.
FAQs
What else should I know about moving out of Texas?
A moving company helping you move out of Texas must be properly licensed and have a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Of course, all of the Houston movers we’ve included on this list have everything in order but you can check for yourself on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.
If you’re moving from one state to another, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move document from the FMCSA.
Should I use a local company or a national company when moving out of Houston?
If you’re moving across town, a local moving company in Houston is going to be the most cost-effective approach. If you’re moving out of Texas, using a national moving company comes with more experience, which may cost a bit more.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Houston?
Moving companies in Houston are usually slower in November and December due to the average winter low of 43°F, the holidays and kids being in school, so you can negotiate with a mover more during those months and save some money.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of Houston?
DIY moving will always be cheaper, especially when moving within 50 miles of Houston. The cheapest options for moving out of the HOU are usually renting a moving truck like U-Haul or a moving container like PODS. We’ve also got a helpful guide if you’re looking for the cheapest ways to move out of state.
Long-distance movers in nearby cities
Helpful Houston resources
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