We’ve reviewed the best moving companies in New York, from Brooklyn to the Adirondacks and beyond. Based on our in-depth research and proprietary methodology, we suggest starting with quotes from International Van Lines and Piece of Cake Moving.
International Van Lines conducts moves in all 50 states and has a location in New York City; this allows it to provide direct service as a carrier throughout the state. For local moving needs, Piece of Cake’s quality and efficiency — evidenced by thousands of positive customer reviews and a quick response to our quote inquiry — make it a top choice.
Below, we’ve outlined the best movers‘ service offerings, quote process and overall reputation. Whether you’re planning a small intrastate move or a multiday long-distance relocation, one of the companies here can provide you with quality service.
Best moving companies in New York
We rated multiple national and local moving companies using our proprietary grading scale. The following providers received the highest ratings overall based on their service profiles, customer review scores and availability in New York.
Long-distance:
Our top choices for New York movers
This quick comparison of our top overall moving companies shows how the best interstate movers in New York measure up to other large-scale carriers and brokers.
Best long-distance movers in New York
The movers below offer comprehensive long-distance moving services in the Empire State and beyond.
International Van Lines
North American Van Lines
Moving APT
Best movers for a local New York move
We reviewed a few of the most prominent NYC and New York state movers below. Each company offers prompt service and is highly recommended by past clients.
Piece of Cake Moving & Storage
NYC Great Movers
Two Men and a Truck
Making an informed choice: A guide to professional movers
Here are a few things to consider before requesting a moving estimate from any provider.
Moving services
Make a list of all the moving services you’ll require before calling full-service movers for estimates. This will help you narrow down which companies are viable candidates. Conducting a full walk-through of your home and creating a comprehensive inventory list should help you determine your needs. Potential add-ons include the following:
- Packing
- Crating for antiques or fine arts
- Piano moving
- Vehicle shipping
- Storage
- Debris removal
- Assembly and disassembly
Carriers vs. brokers
Ensure you know the business model of each mover you request a quote from and consider hiring. Moving carriers are traditional moving companies that directly handle all moving services they book. They typically train their staff in-house and provide their own trucks and supplies.
Brokers, on the other hand, serve as middlemen between moving carriers and clients. Instead of servicing your move directly, they connect you with a company that will complete the job. This can make booking moves easier, but these companies typically take a large commission fee upfront as a deposit. They also aren’t as reliable since the movers brokers enlist vary based on customers’ locations.
Moving regulations
All moving companies must comply with certain regulations in order to legally operate. Local and interstate moving companies have different regulations and are overseen by different governing bodies.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates all interstate household goods movers. This governing body maintains safety information and ensures companies have the proper insurance. It also requires that companies maintain active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use these numbers to look up a moving company’s registration status before you book.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers
All intrastate moving companies within New York must carry a valid New York State Department of Transportation number to legally offer service. This number should be displayed on all moving trucks and on copies of the estimates they provide. In addition, all New York movers have to file up-to-date itemized cost breakdowns for all services, called tariffs, with the state.
Moving costs
Your relocation distance will ultimately affect your moving cost the most. Below, we explain what else factors into your quote.
Long-distance moving costs
Two main factors determine long-distance moving costs: move distance and shipping weight. Most long-distance movers assign flat fees that are dictated by these two variables. Often, moving companies weigh their trucks before and after loading to render accurate pricing.
Local moving costs in New York
Local moving companies often provide ballpark estimates based on hourly rates. Hourly rates are set and depend on how many movers and moving trucks are needed to assist with your move. Your final moving costs will depend on how long your move takes.
Moving insurance
All moving companies provide a basic level of reimbursement that comes at no added cost in case goods are lost or damaged during transit. This is called released-value protection, and it provides 60 cents per pound per item for damaged or lost goods. Many movers also offer full-value protection, which costs extra. The exact price of such coverage varies between movers but often costs 4%–5% of the declared value of your goods.
Final take: Get moving quotes early, starting with IVL and Piece of Cake
If you’re booking a New York move, particularly in one of the five boroughs of NYC, you may be hard-pressed to find adequate moving help at the last minute. We recommend beginning your quote-gathering process six weeks before your planned move date.
Start with quotes from our highest-rated providers in the state, International Van Lines and Piece of Cake Moving & Storage, then get a quote from at least one other mover. Compare each written estimate before you book a mover to ensure the best value for your buck.
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 Review ratings 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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International Van Lines (IVL) is our top choice for most interstate moving needs. IVL offers domestic service to all 50 states and demonstrates transparent pricing practices. Additionally, the company provides one month of free storage for qualifying moves. Allied Van Lines is the next best choice for interstate moves due to its extensive in-house vehicle…
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Hiring a full-service moving company saves you time and energy but is notoriously expensive. Luckily, there are ways to save on your upcoming local or long-distance relocation, even with a pro mover. Moving APT and International Van Lines are the cheapest moving companies for full-service moves of the seven companies from which we requested quotes.…
International Van Lines (IVL) is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. Its in-house moving teams and partner carriers offer a wide range of services, including fragile-only packing, climate-controlled storage, packing supplies and more. It posts prices online for many of these add-on tasks, allowing customers to set accurate moving budgets before getting fully…