We trust International Van Lines to handle your long-distance move and all of the challenges that come with it. The company’s wide availability, including in isolated states such as Hawaii, makes its customizable service options accessible to more people.
We recommend Royal Hawaiian Movers and Island Movers for local moves in Hawaii. Royal Hawaiian Movers has great customer feedback and, in our experience, makes getting a quote easy. Island Movers has decades of experience and a responsive customer service team.
For many, moving to a beautiful island state such as Hawaii conjures images of swaying palm trees, sunny beaches and a laid-back lifestyle. However, the logistics of moving to Hawaii can make the dream of island life feel daunting. Getting quotes from at least three of the best moving companies will give you a full picture of your pricing structure before deciding on a provider.
We put every mover we review through a meticulous vetting process — rating them on availability, services and pricing — and compiled the following list of the six best providers for your Hawaii move.
Popular moving companies
Long-distance:
Compare top choices for Hawaii moving companies
These top long-distance Hawaiian moving companies scored high marks on our grading scale thanks to their positive feedback from clients, numerous service offerings and availability.
What are the logistics and costs of moving to Hawaii?
Moving to and within the island state of Hawaii presents unique logistical challenges and costs. The long-distance movers we spoke with consider relocations from the continental U.S. to Hawaii to be international moves, which can start with a base price of $2,000. That number will increase depending on the weight of your inventory, move distance and add-on service needs, such as vehicle shipping and storage.
Because shipping weight greatly affects your overall move cost, consider downsizing your inventory before moving to the Aloha State. Repurchasing household goods such as kitchenware, decorations and small furniture might be easier and more affordable than shipping all of these belongings.
Consider hosting a yard sale before your move to reduce your inventory load and make a little cash, which might come in handy, considering Hawaii is the most expensive state in the U.S.
According to PODS, larger items will likely require shipment by sea in a shipping container. Smaller items can be sent through the mail or in small shipments by air.
Move distance also plays a huge role in your final invoice. Hawaii sits about 2,000 miles southwest of the U.S. West Coast. The farther away you are from your moving destination, the more you can expect to pay. For example, moving from Los Angeles to Honolulu would be cheaper than relocating from New York to Honolulu, even if the inventory sizes are similar.
Best long-distance movers to and from Hawaii
Here are our choices for the best long-distance movers in Hawaii.
Best movers for a local Hawaii move
The following local Hawaii moving companies scored highly on our thorough grading scale, especially for customer service, client satisfaction and customizable service offerings.
A guide to professional movers: Making an informed choice
Before you book your mover, verify that the company holds proper licensing, offers the necessary services and fits within your budget. We recommend securing your preferred moving date at least a month in advance to guarantee the company’s availability.
Moving services
Add-on services make your move more convenient for an additional cost. Some of these services, such as vehicle shipping, might be pricer for a Hawaii move due to the longer move distance. Likewise, it may be advisable to sell your piano or give it to a family member rather than risk damage during overseas transport.
Do a rundown of your inventory to find out which specialty services you might require. Common services include the following:
- Packing and unpacking
- Packing supplies
- Crating
- Disassembly and assembly
- Junk removal
- Cleaning
- Short- and long-term storage solutions
- Vehicle shipping
- Piano moving
Carriers vs. brokers
Moving companies run under two basic service models: carriers and brokers. Your choice can significantly impact your moving experience, so confirm your mover’s service model before making a final decision.
Carriers directly provide your moving services. On the other hand, brokers serve as booking agents or the go-between for movers and clients. Brokers often require a convenience fee and do not provide moving services directly; they only facilitate the matching process and handle the booking.
Moving regulations
Moving companies must follow state-specific and federal regulations. These guidelines depend on the types of moves the company provides.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
All interstate and long-distance moving companies are subject to federal rules and required to hold active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Verify a mover’s registration status with these numbers through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers
The Public Utilities Commission regulates local movers in Hawaii. Verify that your intrastate moving company is properly registered before booking.
Moving costs
Move distance and inventory size are the largest determining factors of your moving estimate. Here are some key differences to note between local and long-distance estimates.
Long-distance moving costs
Move distance and shipment weight determine the cost of a long-distance move. Request a binding estimate if your relocation totals over 50 miles. With a binding quote, the mover must keep the final cost at or below the estimated amount, unless there are adjustments to the move distance, inventory or your service needs between your quote day and moving date.
Local moving costs in Hawaii
Local moves are billed hourly. The rate depends on the moving company and the number of movers assigned to the job. We got quotes ranging from $289 to $309 per hour for three movers and $189 to $216 for two movers. Most local movers have a labor minimum.
Moving insurance
All moving companies must offer basic insurance coverage at no charge. Released-value protection is mandated by the federal government and covers your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound per item. This coverage is generally included in all comprehensive moving packages.
Some companies provide additional coverage packages, such as full-value protection, for an additional cost. Under most full-value plans, you can specify a declared value for your shipment and pay a premium based on a percentage of that total. This coverage typically guarantees full reimbursement for any damaged or lost items.
Final take: Trust International Van Lines or Royal Hawaiian Movers for your Hawaii move
Despite the logistical challenges, the dream of living in Hawaii can become a reality with careful planning. Start your quote process by reaching out to International Van Lines and Royal Hawaiian Movers.
IVL has wide availability for domestic and international moves, so you’ll likely never be too far from a provider. The company’s transparent rates for add-on services make budgeting easier. Royal Hawaiian Movers’ multiple branches throughout the islands and well-trained staff make it a great choice for local relocations.
We recommend giving yourself at least a few months to plan your Hawaii move and try to schedule your move date as far in advance as possible. Obtain at least three quotes before you make your final booking decision.
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, Trustpilot and Google Review ratings are accurate as of May 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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