Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines (NAVL) are our top picks for interstate moves in Oklahoma.
Allied offers all moving services as a carrier, so you won’t have to worry about it brokering out your move to a third-party company. NAVL’s “bottom-line” and “not-to-exceed” pricing options provide peace of mind to customers who are moving on a set budge
If you’re booking a local move, we recommend 2 Fellas & a Big Vehicle due to its multiple locations in Oklahoma, numerous positive reviews, comprehensive add-on service profile and quick response time to our quote request.
Each moving company on this list scored highly on our rating system for services offered, coverage area, customer review scores and more. We recommend getting at least three quotes from professional movers to ensure you book with a well-priced company that meets your needs.
Considerations when moving in Oklahoma
- Diverse locales: Oklahoma is not just composed of farmlands and prairies dotted by small towns. The state is home to many college towns and larger cities that offer a more lively atmosphere, including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Edmond and Norman.
- Quick commutes: Wherever your Oklahoma move takes you, you likely won’t have to worry about a long commute. On average, Oklahoma residents report a total one-way drive time of just under 22 minutes, which is among the shortest commute averages in the country.
Our top choices for Oklahoma moves
Based on our research and provider scoring rubric, the following are the best providers for local and long-distance Oklahoma moves.
Compare top long-distance movers for Oklahoma
See how our top long-distance moving companies compare according to our rating out of 5 stars and their deposit requirements.
Best national movers to and from Oklahoma
According to our research, the following nationwide moving companies offer Oklahoma residents the best range of moving options.
Best movers for a local Oklahoma move
The following movers offer the best options for local moving assistance. Read here to learn more:
If you’re looking for other recommendations for your Oklahoma moving needs, we recommend the following licensed companies:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk Oklahoma City
- Serenity Moving Services
- Bigger Better Movers
- The Armstrong Company
- Two Scots Moving
Common moves for Oklahoma moving clients
U.S. Census Bureau data shows that Texas was the most common moving destination for Oklahoma residents between 2021 and 2022, with more than 24,000 people moving between the two states. Here, we’ve listed the best movers in a few states to which Sooner State residents move:
- Texas moving companies
- Kansas moving companies
- Colorado moving companies
- Arizona moving companies
- New York moving companies
How do you choose your Oklahoma mover?
Choosing the right moving company comes down to a few key factors. This can seem overwhelming if you’re new to dealing with professional movers. Our guide below will help you make an informed decision.
Know the cost
Local and long-distance moving companies bill clients differently. We’ve outlined the basic differences between these two estimate types so you know what to expect when you get quotes.
Long-distance moving costs
Long-distance movers provide all-inclusive rates for service. These rates take move distance and estimated shipment weight into account. In some cases, movers will offer binding estimates for longer relocations.
Binding estimates will not shift between quote day and moving day unless your inventory or service needs do. Written binding quotes will include language indicating they are binding, so always obtain written copies of quotes if pricing discrepancies pop up on moving day.
The following table outlines average long-distance moving costs based on 16 different moving quotes. Costs range from $7,155 for an 1,800-mile move with no packing to $13,820 for a cross-country move with packing.
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 |
Local moving costs in Oklahoma
Local moves are almost always quoted at ballpark rates based on hourly pricing. The number of movers and moving trucks needed for your relocation will determine hourly rates. These costs can change throughout the year, depending on the demand for movers at a given time.
We surveyed 900 moving customers in November 2023. Of the survey respondents, 143 stated that their move was 50 miles or less. Their total reported costs ranged from $500 to $5,000, with an average overall cost of $1,437.
The following table shows average costs for a few different move distance ranges based on this survey.
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 |
Get the services you need
Most moving companies offer specialty services in addition to basic loading, unloading and transportation; however, not all companies provide the same services at the same price. Before requesting quotes, determine which add-ons you might need and research moving companies that fit the bill.
To figure out your service needs, walk through your home and write up a full inventory. Break it down room by room and list all the items you plan to take and all that you plan to throw away. Based on your inventory, think about what services might make your move easier, such as the following:
- Packing and unpacking
- Custom crating for antiques and fragile items
- Piano moving
- Vehicle shipping
- Junk removal
- Packing supplies
- Short- or long-term storage
Find a mover you trust
Before you get quotes, research and vet three to five moving companies and their backgrounds. Here’s what to check.
Check regulatory info
All moving companies must maintain local or federal registration, depending on the move types they provide.
Interstate moving companies
Any mover offering long-distance or interstate moving services must maintain licensing through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This body requires movers to carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Use these numbers to check your company’s registration status on the FMCSA’s website.
Local and intrastate Oklahoma movers
All movers offering primarily intrastate or local service are regulated by the Oklahoma Corporate Commission. This governing body issues certificate numbers, which all legally-operating movers must carry.
Navigate customer reviews and complaints
Customer reviews are your best resource for evaluating moving companies. Google Reviews, Yelp, social media and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are all reliable sources for customer feedback.
When combing through reviews, ignore blank 1- and 5-star ratings. In addition, be on the lookout for reviews stuffed with industry buzzwords, including “punctual,” “professional,” “stress-free” and “hassle-free,” among others. Valid reviews can include these words, but ensure they offer details about the moving experience rather than just a string of compliments.
Get everything in writing
Any experienced moving company will provide written contracts and estimates without you having to ask. In most cases, movers will send this to you via email after you get a quote and after you verbally commit to moving with them. Remember to read through both thoroughly and to keep them on hand until you pay your final balance for your move.
Ask about insurance
All movers offer a federally mandated minimum amount of coverage for lost or damaged property during your move. This is called released-value protection and offers 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursement.
Beyond this, movers offer full-value protection at an additional cost. You’ll have to coordinate purchasing this with your move coordinator, as you’ll set a maximum dollar amount of coverage and will then pay a low percentage of this amount for the added protection.
How do you plan your Oklahoma move?
Advance planning is key to a stress-free moving process. Regardless of your move size, we suggest starting the process at least eight weeks before your relocation date.
Packing
Handling your own packing is a great way to cut down on moving costs. According to the quotes we got, full-service packing for three-bedroom homes can cost between $2,140 and $2,604 on average. Here’s a potential packing timeline for the most efficient move:
- Eight weeks before your move: Compile an inventory list and begin slowly packing out-of-season items, including clothing and decorations. Aim to pack one or two boxes per day, depending on home size.
- Six weeks before your move: Continue packing at the same pace. Be sure to label all boxes with their destination room and contents.
- Four weeks before your move: Begin packing seldom-used kitchen items and cookware. At this point, you can begin packing books and office supplies that you don’t often use, along with some in-season clothing.
- Two weeks before your move: Start planning your outfits and meals for the week before the move. Begin packing more frequently used kitchenware and clothing.
- Moving week: Finish packing your clothing, linens, kitchenware, and office and tech items. If you’re hiring full-service moving assistance, you may consider moving the boxes to an area near your home’s easiest means of egress. This will make it easier for your movers to handle loading boxes first. Be sure to keep all doors to the outside and within your home clear for them.
Other pre-move tasks
You’ll have plenty of other tasks to complete before you move, such as the following:
- Filing a change of address with your post office
- Changing your address with any financial institutions or banks
- Notifying your employer of your change of residence
- Disposing of unwanted items or downsizing
- Scheduling switch-off dates for utilities at your current address
When booking your Oklahoma move, we recommend avoiding the hot summer months. Not only do moving companies experience increased demand at this time, but hotter conditions can lead to slower moves and increased loading and unloading time.
Final take: Allied Van Lines and 2 Fellas Moving in Oklahoma City are our top choices for Oklahoma moves
We recommend Allied Van Lines for long-distance Oklahoma moves and 2 Fellas & a Big Vehicle for local relocations in the state. Both providers have multiple locations in Oklahoma and provide packing and storage in addition to basic loading, transportation and unloading.
Getting at least three quotes from high-quality professional movers is the best way to get your relocation process off to a smooth start. When you get quotes, remember to request copies of your estimate and contract to avoid hidden fees or surprise charges on moving day.
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.
Go Back to Top