Our picks for the best long-distance moving companies in New Mexico are North American Van Lines (NAVL) and Lobo Moving. NAVL’s national presence and location in Albuquerque and its binding quotes make it the best option for long-distance moves. Lobo Moving’s numerous customer reviews and full-time professional moving crews make it our top choice for local moves.
New Mexico experiences 280 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest states in the country. This, and its low cost of living, scenic landscapes and wealth of outdoor recreational activities make it an attractive destination for new residents.
We reviewed all of the top moving companies for local and long-distance relocations in New Mexico. Each company listed below rated well on our rating scale based on reputation, availability, services, cost and customer service.
Considerations when moving in New Mexico
- Housing is affordable: New Mexico’s average housing costs are more than 15% below the national average, according to BestPlaces. The state median home price is now $267,100, compared to $338,100 across the U.S. as a whole.
- It’s not all desert: New Mexico still has chilly winters despite its reputation for scorching hot weather. The Northern and Central regions of the state even get some snowfall during the colder months, so you’ll have to have a wardrobe for all seasons when you move here.
Our top choices for New Mexico moves
Each of these movers offers highly rated moving services in New Mexico. Whether your moving needs entail local or long-distance service, we’re confident that one of these companies can help you.
Long-distance:
Compare top long-distance movers for New Mexico
See how our top nationwide moving companies compare according to our rating out of 5 stars and their deposit requirements.
| Provider | Rating | Average Cost | Deposit | BBB Rating | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500–$4,300 | 25% | A | |||
| N/A | None | A+ | |||
| N/A | $250 | A+ | |||
| N/A | None | A+ | |||
| N/A | 25%–33% | B+ | |||
| $3,200–$3,500 | 10%–50% | A+ | |||
| $6,300–$7,500 | 20%–33% | B- |
| Provider | Rating | Average Cost | Deposit | BBB Rating | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500–$4,300 | 25% | A | |||
| N/A | None | A+ | |||
| N/A | $250 | A+ | |||
| N/A | None | A+ | |||
| N/A | 25%–33% | B+ | |||
| $3,200–$3,500 | 10%–50% | A+ | |||
| $6,300–$7,500 | 20%–33% | B- |
Best national movers to and from New Mexico
The following providers are our top picks for long-distance and interstate moves. Each offers well-reviewed service from the Land of Enchantment to the rest of the country.
North American Van Lines
Allied Van Lines
Mayflower
Best movers for a local New Mexico move
The following movers offer the best options for local moving assistance. Read here to learn more:
Lobo Moving
Zen Movers
Other notable New Mexico movers include the following:
- ProRelo Bekins Moving and Storage
- All My Sons Moving & Storage Albuquerque
- JP Moving
- Johnson Storage & Moving
- Faith Moving Company
Common moves for New Mexico moving clients
Between 2021 and 2022, more than 58,000 new residents moved to New Mexico, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Texas contributed the most residents out of any state, with more than 17,000 people. If you’re looking to move to New Mexico from any of the most frequent contributors to the state’s population, we’ve listed the best movers in these locations here:
- Texas moving companies
- Arizona moving companies
- Colorado moving companies
- Florida moving companies
- California moving companies
How do you choose your New Mexico mover?
When you get quotes from professional movers, you’ll have to consider a few factors. Knowing what your final cost will be and what to look for in a reputable provider will lead to a more hassle-free moving process.
Know the cost
Moving companies charge clients differently based on the types of service they provide. We’ve outlined the different types of free quotes you may get during your initial move-planning process here.
Long-distance moving costs
Long-distance and interstate relocations are billed primarily according to shipment weight and move distance. They are assigned more all-inclusive rates that take into account these factors and add-on service requirements. If you’re booking a long-distance move, you’ll be eligible for a binding estimate, which will not shift unless your move parameters or service needs change before your move date.
| Move Length | Average Cost With No Add-ons | Average Cost With Full-service Packing |
|---|---|---|
| 1,800 miles | $7,155* | $9,760* |
| 2,900 miles | $11,680** | $13,820** |
**Average of quotes from the above companies except Interstate Moving & Relocation Group and North American Van Lines.
Local moving costs in New Mexico
Local or intrastate moving companies charge hourly rates for all moves. They usually give you an estimated total price when completing any moving quote, but these rates will never be binding. While your hourly rate is set, your total will entirely depend on how long your relocation takes on moving day. Movers typically “start the clock” for billable time when they leave their office and “stop the clock” when the last box is unloaded, or at their estimated arrival time back at their office.
We surveyed 900 moving clients in November 2023; of these, 143 reported moving 50 miles or less, with an average total price of $1,437. Here, we’ve included some average rates for local moves of all sizes:
| Move Distance Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1–10 miles | $1,413 |
| 11–20 miles | $1,475 |
| 21–30 miles | $1,319 |
| 31–40 miles | $1,323 |
| 41–50 miles | $1,689 |
The local moving costs above include homes of all sizes, from studio apartments to houses with three or more bedrooms. With the above distance ranges, home size is a more influential cost factor than move distance. This highlights the importance of getting your own detailed and personalized moving quote.
Get the services you need
Before you invite movers to your home for quotes, you must determine the services you need. To do this, conduct a full walk-through of your home and make lists of all of the goods you plan to take to your new home, and those you plan to get rid of. Also note any basic or add-on services you could need, including the following:
- Packing and unpacking
- Packing materials
- Crating for antiques or fragile items
- Vehicle shipping
- Piano moving
- Junk removal
- Home staging
- Assembly and disassembly
Bring your inventory lists and your list of desired services to any moving quote you receive.
Find a mover you trust
Checking a mover’s reputation is a vital step to take before you schedule quotes and before you book. We’ve listed a few key areas to look into with each mover you encounter.
Check regulatory info
All moving companies must comply with regulatory bodies in order to legally operate. These regulatory requirements will vary depending on the type of service a mover provides.
Interstate moving companies
All interstate and long-distance moving companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These companies must carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Use these to look up a company’s registration and operational status on the FMCSA’s website.
Local and intrastate New Mexico movers
Moving companies offering only local services in New Mexico have to maintain registration with the state Public Regulation Commission. You should look up a local mover’s registration status before scheduling a quote. Any mover that operates solely within New Mexico is not required to carry a USDOT number, so you shouldn’t be alarmed if you encounter an otherwise reputable company that isn’t federally registered.
Navigate customer reviews and complaints
Customer reviews are your most valuable asset when researching moving companies. Customer reviews from Google, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and social media are all valid sources to consult. We advise you to avoid “blank” 1- and 1-star reviews without any content, and to carefully consider any reviews that overuse industry buzzwords such as the following:
- Stress-free
- Professional
- Punctual
Get everything in writing
All reputable moving companies will freely offer written copies of moving estimates and contracts after the quote and after the booking phase of your move. If your moving company representative does not or will not provide such documentation before your move, you should book with another provider.
Ask about insurance
All moving companies offer a basic amount of coverage and reimbursement for lost or damaged goods. This is called released-value protection and provides 60 cents per pound per item.
Beyond this, many movers provide full-value protection or a similar plan for additional reimbursement for damage to your property or residence. You’ll have to pay extra for this coverage, but it will offer more peace of mind during your moving process.
How do you plan your New Mexico move?
Planning your move well ahead of time is the best way to ensure a stress-free moving day. Packing your own goods is labor-intensive but will save you more money and time than any other single task.
Packing
Full-service packing is the most commonly requested moving add-on service. According to the quotes we got from national moving companies, this add-on typically costs between $2,140 and $2,604 for a three-bedroom home.
Getting a head start on your packing will lead to a cheaper move overall.
- Eight weeks before your move: Begin researching movers and writing up your home inventory around this time. Start packing your goods at a pace of one or two boxes per day and pack out-of-season clothing and similar items.
- Six weeks before your move: Continue packing and arrange to get rid of undesired goods through a garage or yard sale or by selling them online. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are common destinations for people trying to sell such goods.
- Four weeks before your move: Continue packing less essential goods such as linens and seldom-used clothing.
- Two weeks before your move: Begin planning your moving week meals and outfits. Pack all kitchenware and clothing that you will not need at this time.
- Moving week: Finish packing essential goods, including commonly used clothing, home office items and kitchenware.
Other pre-move tasks
Aside from packing or organizing your goods, you’ll have many more move-associated items on your to-do list. These include the following:
- Filing a change of address form with your local post office
- Notify your employer and relevant financial institutions of your impending move
- Arranging for child care or pet care on moving day
Final take: Get quotes from NAVL and Lobo Moving to get your upcoming move off to a good start
NAVL and Lobo Moving are our top picks for any moving need in New Mexico. Starting your quote gathering process with these providers and getting at least three different professional moving quotes will ensure you have a full picture of what your total cost should be.
If you’re planning a New Mexico move, we recommend avoiding the summer months. Summer temperatures in the state routinely exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which could hamper your moving crew’s efficiency. Booking during the spring or fall will help you avoid this, and it will increase your chances of booking with your preferred mover due to the lessened demand for relocation services at this time.
Our rating methodology for moving companies
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
Google Reviews and BBB ratings are accurate as of July 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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