We’ve reviewed the top national and local moving companies for relocations of any size in the state of New Jersey. Whether you’re planning an in-town or interstate move, this information will help you throughout your moving process.
Mayflower provides the best options for long-distance or cross-country moves on our list. Its expedited small-move options and fleet of large moving trucks make it well-suited to handle moves of all sizes.
Local moves are best handled by local providers. We’ve singled out Vector Movers NJ and NJ Great Movers due to their respective service ranges and number of Google Reviews.
Regardless of your move type or size, we recommend getting at least three quotes from top moving companies to ensure you make the right choice for your needs. You can get started below.
Best moving companies in New Jersey
Long-distance:
Our top choices for New Jersey movers
We’ve rounded up the top movers in New Jersey based on our in-house methodology.
Best long-distance movers for New Jersey
The following carriers and brokers are the best overall options for long-distance moves to and from New Jersey. Each has experience in nearby New York and Philadelphia and can provide the necessary logistical support needed for more complicated interstate moves.
Mayflower
International Van Lines
Moving APT
Best movers for a local New Jersey move
The following providers are locally owned and operated, and they offer quality relocation services for most move types.
Vector Movers NJ
NJ Great Movers
All My Sons Moving & Storage
Making an informed choice: A guide to professional movers
Before signing a contract, thoroughly research moving companies to ensure a successful move. However, you do need to sign a contract before moving day to protect yourself in case something does go wrong.
We recommend beginning the research process at least eight weeks before your move date. This will allow you to book with a mover that can provide you with your desired basic and add-on services without any last-minute booking fees.
Moving services
The best way to determine what moving services you need is to go through your home and conduct a thorough inventory of your household goods.
Do this eight weeks before moving day, and be sure to note any items you plan to get rid of along with all additional services you could need. Keep these inventory breakdowns with you during any moving quote you receive.
Brokers vs. carriers
When you book, you should keep in mind the difference between carriers and brokers. While carriers directly handle all moving services they book, brokers contract jobs out to other providers. If you book with a broker, be sure to get a company name for the provider that will be handling your move before signing a contract.
Moving regulations
All moving companies must comply with local or federal licensing requirements. Local and long-distance movers are each regulated differently. We’ve outlined these differences here.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
Long-distance moving companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This governing body requires movers to carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Use these to look up the registration and operating status of any moving company before you book.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers
All New Jersey moving companies must comply with state-level registration requirements and are regulated by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. All local moving companies in the state must carry an active New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) number to legally operate in the state. If a mover also offers long-distance service within New Jersey, a USDOT number is required.
Moving costs
Moving companies’ billing practices depend on how far your move will take you. We’ve outlined the key differences for you to be aware of. After you’ve gotten quotes, be sure to budget at least 10%–20% more than your highest quoted price to cover any possible overages or added fees during your move.
Long-distance moving costs
Long-distance moving costs are primarily determined by total move distance and shipping weight. In most cases, your company representative will give you a quote based on estimated shipping weight. Add-on services also play a role in determining your exact price. We got average rates for service from nine different interstate moving companies for 1,812-mile, three-bedroom moves. With full-service packing included, the average quoted rate was $9,155. Without packing, the average rate went down to $7,329.
Local moving costs in New Jersey
Local moves are billed at hourly rates. These rates will depend on how many movers and moving trucks are assigned to your move. Some moving companies bill minimum rates for service, which usually amount to two to four hours at your quoted hourly rate. Such minimums are applied to shorter moves for clients moving smaller homes within the same town.
Moving insurance
All moving companies provide a baseline level of coverage for lost or damaged goods as mandated by federal regulations. This released liability coverage provides clients with 60 cents per pound per item at no additional cost.
Beyond this coverage, most moving companies provide additional coverage called valuation coverage or full-value coverage. This will cost extra beyond your basic service costs. Added charges usually amount to 3%–5% of your total dollar amount of added coverage. So, if you purchase $10,000 in added coverage with your move, your added cost should be between $300 and $500.
Final take: Get multiple quotes before booking your New Jersey move
Mayflower — via its location in Wayne, New Jersey — provides professional moving crews with years of experience for small and large cross-country moves. For a local move, Vector Movers NJ and NJ Great Movers offer clear pricing via concise hourly rates.
We recommend getting a few different professional movers to assess your moving needs before you book. Doing so will ensure that your chosen mover can provide a positive experience within your budgetary restrictions.
Remember to get written copies of all estimates and contracts from any mover you interact with to ensure that you have a hassle-free moving experience.
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 ratings and Google Reviews are accurate as of April 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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