Minnesota was ranked as the fifth best state to live and work in 2023, according to CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business study. It’s not surprising, then, that Americans are flocking to the upper Midwest state in droves — 120,500 people moved to Minnesota in 2022. Luckily, moving companies in Minnesota are not lacking when it comes to local and long-distance services.
After careful vetting, we chose Allied Van Lines, Relief Moving Company and Good Stuff Moving as our top movers in Minnesota. Allied Van Lines’ lack of a deposit requirement, well-trained crews and in-house vehicle shipping make it ideal for longer moves to the state.
Relief Moving Company’s first-time client discount and easy quote process stand out for local moves. Good Stuff Moving is also a great choice thanks to the company’s years of experience and positive reputation in the state.
The USA TODAY Homefront team vetted movers using a proprietary review process. We measured companies on pricing, services, customer satisfaction and more. Here’s what you need to know about our list of the six best providers for a Minnesota move.
Best moving companies
Minnesota’s top long-distance and local moving companies have strong customer review scores, varied service options and competitive pricing models.
Long-distance:
Compare top long-distance movers for Minnesota
Our top choices for Minnesota moves received high marks on our thorough grading scale because of availability, value and services. See how the long-distance and interstate movers compare in the table below.
Best long-distance movers in Minnesota
Here are our picks for Minnesota’s best interstate and long-distance movers.
Best movers for a local Minnesota move
The following local Minnesota movers scored well on our rating scale due to the high volume of positive customer feedback, customizable moving services and great customer service.
A guide to professional movers: Making an informed choice
Verify that a moving company holds proper licensing, fits within your budget and provides the necessary services before you book. Try to secure your ideal moving date at least one month ahead of time to increase the likelihood of mover availability. This is especially crucial during the busy moving months of spring and summer.
Moving services
Add-on services can make your move more convenient and less stressful. Many movers offer the following services for an additional cost:
- Packing and unpacking
- Packing supplies
- Crating
- Short- and long-term storage services
- Cleaning services
- Debris removal
- Vehicle shipping
- Piano moving
- Safe moving
- Moving supplies
Carriers vs. brokers
The moving industry functions under two basic service models: carriers and brokers. This choice can impact your overall moving process, so it’s important to understand a moving company’s business model before you book. Some companies will be licensed as both a carrier and broker to widen their service area.
Carriers are directly responsible for providing moving services. Unlike brokers, carriers own and operate moving trucks, employ professional movers and have authorization to transport your belongings.
Brokers are not movers. They act as intermediaries, arranging the connection between clients and for-hire carriers. In other words, they sell your move to the moving company with the winning bid. While brokers can streamline the process by connecting you with a reputable carrier and managing the booking, they typically require an upfront convenience fee and do not handle your moving services directly.
Moving regulations
Movers must follow certain federal and state regulations depending on the types of moves they offer.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
All interstate and long-distance moving companies are subject to federal regulations and are required to hold active U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Verify a mover’s registration status using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database before booking.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Transportation oversees movers in the state. Check that your intrastate moving company is properly registered before booking.
Moving costs
Your move distance and inventory size play the biggest role in your moving estimate. Below, we broke down key differences between local and long-distance moving costs.
Long-distance moving costs
Shipping weight and move distance determine the price of a long-distance relocation. Request a binding estimate if your move is farther than 50 miles. When your estimate is binding, your invoice won’t exceed your estimated amount unless you adjust your inventory, service needs or move distance between your quote day and moving day.
Local moving costs in Minnesota
Local moves are usually billed hourly. Your rate depends on the moving company and the number of movers assigned to your move. Our estimates for a local Minnesota move fall between $195 per hour for two movers and $260 for three movers. Many local movers have a labor minimum as well that you should ask about when you get a quote.
Moving insurance
All moving companies are required to provide basic insurance coverage for free. This no-cost coverage is called released-value protection and typically covers 60 cents per pound per item. This coverage is generally included in all moving packages and is mandated by federal law.
Consider full-value protection if you want additional coverage. Under most full-value plans, you’ll specify a declared value for your shipment and pay a premium based on a percentage of that value before the move. This coverage can guarantee full reimbursement for any lost or damaged items.
Final take: Book with Allied Van Lines or Relief Moving Company for your Minnesota move
We believe Allied Van Lines and Relief Moving Company are the best movers for relocating to, from or within Minnesota.
Allied Van Lines’ range of in-house operations, such as vehicle shipping can streamline the moving process. The company’s straightforward pricing structures take the guesswork out of planning your move budget. Relief Moving Company’s easy quote process means you won’t have to stress over finding an estimate. They were able to take all of our information over the phone and email. The mover’s discount for first-time clients is also a plus.
Aim to book your moving company at least four to eight weeks in advance for better scheduling options. We recommend obtaining at least three quotes before making your final choice.
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 ratings are accurate as of May 2024.
Top local moving pros in cities 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.
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