Summer temperatures peak at more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in most parts of Arizona, with several regions reaching well over 80 degrees Fahrenheit through November. Moving to your new home in such heat could slow the process and pose safety risks. We recommend booking a pro mover in late fall, winter or early spring to avoid moving difficulties due to excessive heat.
After researching several moving companies in Arizona, we determined that Allied Van Lines is the best option for long-distance service. It offers in-house vehicle shipping, express moving packages for small moves and a network that spans all 50 states. Dose Moving & Storage’s Phoenix location features customer reviews offering favorable feedback for service within the city and beyond.
Each top moving company we reviewed scored highly on our proprietary grading scale. We rated these companies based on key factors such as service offerings, coverage area and quote process.
Considerations when moving in Arizona
- Summer heat: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in most of Arizona. This could result in moving delays and potentially harm you, your pets and your belongings. Make a plan to keep cool and know the signs of overheating. We recommend moving early in the morning or after the sun goes down.
- Urban development: Many of Arizona’s large cities have expanded in recent years, leading to population inclines and worsening traffic congestion in metropolitan areas. Phoenix alone has added nearly 200,000 residents since 2020. In 2021, it topped urban growth among U.S. cities for the fifth consecutive year. Consider traffic when moving around Phoenix and other major cities in Arizona.
Best moving companies
The following movers offer basic and specialized moving services for in-state and out-of-state clients.
Long-distance:
Compare top long-distance movers for Arizona
See how our top moving companies’ deposit requirements and overall ratings compare:
Best national long-distance movers in Arizona
The following providers offer long-distance and interstate service to Arizona residents.
Allied Van Lines
North American Van Lines
Moving APT
Best movers for a local Arizona move
The following Arizona movers offer the best local moving service in the state.
Dose Moving and Storage
Two Men and a Truck AZ
E-Z Move
A guide to professional movers: Making an informed choice
Before getting quotes from Arizona moving companies, be aware of the key factors that will affect your moving cost and experience.
Moving services
All moving companies provide slightly different service ranges apart from their basic offerings. To determine your service needs, create a comprehensive inventory list that includes all the goods you plan to take with you and everything you want to toss.
Based on this, note any additional services you may need and discuss them with your move coordinator during your quote. Add-ons can include the following:
- Packing and unpacking services
- Custom crating for fine arts, antiques and fragile items
- Vehicle shipping
- Junk removal
- Home staging
- Packing supplies
Carriers vs. brokers
Understand your mover’s service model before booking. Professional moving companies operate as either carriers or brokers.
Moving carriers are what most people think of when researching movers. These companies directly handle all services booked and do not contract labor or other add-ons out to third parties.
Brokers, however, operate as middlemen between clients and carriers. Such companies usually take large upfront deposits as booking fees and do not assume liability for lost or damaged goods.
Moving regulations
All movers must comply with local or federal regulations depending on their service ranges. Obtain proof of a company’s registration status before signing a moving contract.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
Any moving company providing interstate moving services must maintain licensing through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This requires they also have active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Use these to look up a mover’s registration status on the FMCSA database.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers
Moving companies solely providing intrastate or local moving services are regulated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Look up a local mover’s registration status to confirm that it can legally operate and assist you.
Moving costs
Having a full picture of your desired moving company’s pricing structure before you get an estimate can help you set your budget ahead of time.
Long-distance moving costs
Long-distance moving companies bill moves according to move distance and overall shipping weight. You’ll be quoted a bottom-line rate which takes these factors and add-on service requirements into account. You should request a binding estimate for any interstate or long-distance relocation, as these estimates will not shift unless your inventory or service needs do so before moving day.
Local moving costs in Arizona
Local moves are billed at hourly rates. These rates are set by the number of movers and moving trucks needed for your relocation package. In most cases, companies have minimum charges for such moves, which typically equal two to four hours of labor at your set hourly rate. You won’t be able to get a binding estimate for this type of move.
Moving insurance
The federal government requires all moving companies to offer basic insurance to reimburse clients in case of loss or damage to their goods during moves. The minimum coverage is called “released-value protection” and offers 60 cents per pound per item.
Beyond this, most moving companies provide full-value protection. This comes at an additional cost and offers increased damage protection. You and your move coordinator will determine a maximum reimbursement amount and the corresponding added cost during the quote phase.
Final take: Start your quote process with Allied Van Lines and Dose Moving & Storage for your Arizona move
We recommend getting at least three quotes from licensed and well-reviewed professional movers before signing any moving contract. Dose Moving & Storage and Allied Van Lines each offer reliable service to Arizona clients via well-reviewed locations in Phoenix. Get quotes at least four to six weeks ahead of your planned move date to give yourself enough time to prepare and vet your options.
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.
BBB and Google Reviews scores are accurate as of May 2024.
Local moving pros near you
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
As a former mover myself, I know how difficult it can be to uproot your life and move to a new home — but getting quotes from licensed and well-reviewed moving companies can make the process easier. Using our proprietary rating methodology, we ranked International Van Lines (IVL) as the best moving company overall for…
We recommend International Van Lines (IVL) and Allied Van Lines for long-distance and interstate California moves. Both movers provide long-distance service in all 50 states and international relocations in more than 100 countries. IVL has a wide range of specialty services, including white-glove service, while Allied employs its own moving crews and offers vehicle shipping…
We’ve reviewed the top moving companies in Colorado for local and interstate moves. Each provider offers comprehensive and basic service and has a proven customer service record with positive reviews. We recommend starting with quotes from Allied Van Lines, Mayflower Moving and Local Moving LLC for your Colorado move. Allied and Mayflower have locations within…
Utah saw the 13th-highest influx of new residents in 2023, making this western state a busy place for local and long-distance moves. We researched dozens of companies and requested multiple quotes to find the best moving companies in the state. After careful vetting, we trust North American Van Lines, Momentum Moving and Two Men and…