Partner content: This content was created by a business partner of Dow Jones and researched and written independently of the MarketWatch newsroom. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission. Learn More

Moving to a new home in Washington State can be an exciting but stressful time. A professional moving company can ease some of your anxiety and streamline the moving process so you can focus on settling into your new home. 

We at the Home Media reviews team have researched dozens of moving companies in-depth to identify the best moving companies in the nation. We sorted through long-distance and local movers and ranked them on their services, reputation, benefits, availability and other key criteria. Below, we rounded up the best moving companies in Washington State for your local or long-distance move.

Based on our research, here are the best movers in Washington State:

Founded in 2000, International Van Lines (IVL) now handles more than 20,000 moves each year. IVL allows customers to choose a self-pack, partial-pack or full-service move, all of which include complimentary limited liability insurance that covers 60 cents per pound per article. For 3% of the declared value, self-pack customers can upgrade to named perils insurance. If IVL handles the packing, you can choose from two premium insurance options: weight-based valuation or an itemized valued inventory. This insurance costs 4% of the declared value.

IVL is licensed as a carrier and a broker, allowing it to contract with a third party to handle your delivery. That means a subcontractor may transport your belongings rather than IVL itself. The company does require a deposit to book your move, but the deposit is 100% refundable if you cancel with at least 48 hours’ notice.

As its name suggests, International Van Lines is well-equipped to handle international moves plus interstate and local moves.

Other services IVL offers include the following:

The IVL website features a moving calculator to estimate your costs, but you can contact the company for a more precise estimate. IVL does not offer binding estimates. To reserve your moving date with IVL, you must make a 25% deposit via check, credit card or ACH. The remaining balance will be split into two equal payments due on the day of pickup and the day of delivery. Available payment methods include cash, money order, company check or cashier’s check.

Get a quote: Fill out a quick form on the IVL website or call 888-375-6309 for a free quote.

To learn more: International Van Lines review

Starting as a two-truck family business, American Van Lines (AVL) has since grown into a nationwide moving company with more than 25 years of experience. Still family-owned and operated, the company specializes in long-distance moves across the contiguous United States and more than 180 countries with weekly shuttles to major cities. AVL does not operate in Alaska or Hawaii.

When moving long-distance, you may be concerned about who is handling your items. AVL stands out for its experienced moving crews. Each full-time, background-checked employee has a minimum of 10 years of experience in moving and is regularly trained to handle large and fragile items, such as pianos and fitness equipment.

AVL specializes in long-distance moves, but affordable hourly rates make it a great choice for local moves, too. The company offers flexible service options so customers can control their moving costs.

AVL offers the following services:

After requesting a moving quote online, AVL will contact you to provide an estimate. AVL offers binding estimates after a virtual or in-home review based on moving distance, shipment weight and selected services.

AVL recommends booking your move at least one month in advance to ensure availability but charges no additional fee for last-minute moves. AVL posts special offers for moves from Houston, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Greensboro, Dallas and Miami to select locations. It also offers a price-matching policy.

To secure a moving date, you must pay a deposit between 10% and 50% of your estimate via credit card. The remaining balance is due upon delivery and may be paid via cash, post office money order, credit card or cashier’s check. AVL only accepts VISA, MasterCard and Discover credit cards.

Get a quote: Enter your moving details on the AVL website for a free quote, or call 877-960-3186 .

To learn more: American Van Lines review

JK Moving Services has 40 years of experience in the moving industry and a workforce of 100% background-checked employees. Further, JK Moving is among the few Washington moving companies offering financing options. When you choose JK Moving, you can apply for a financing plan through Enhancify to turn your moving expenses into an affordable monthly payment. Interest rates as low as 0% are available.

Although this moving company can handle both residential and commercial moves, its local moving services are limited to Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Long-distance small moves can be completed within nine days and include seven days of free storage in one of JK Moving’s secure facilities. Online estimates are not available, but each customer has access to a dedicated personal moving coordinator and 24/7 live customer service.

JK Moving does not offer local moving services in the state of Washington. However, it can handle interstate, cross-country and international moves to or from Washington.

JK Moving also offers the following:

JK Moving accepts credit cards, cash and checks. It also offers financing through Enhancify. Customers must pay a 10% or $500 deposit, whichever is greater, and settle the remaining balance before their items are shipped. 

JK Moving does not provide instant online quotes but offers binding estimates based on a virtual self-survey, virtual consultation or in-home consultation. Furniture size, home layout and moving distance will all affect your quote, as the company uses these factors to determine the number of hours, trucks and crew members needed to handle your move.

Get a quote: Fill out a quick form on the JK Moving website or call 571-487-8929 for a free quote.

To learn more: JK Moving review

Moving APT is a moving broker rather than a carrier, meaning it does not provide moving services directly but matches you with local moving companies that fit your needs and budget. In the two decades since the company was founded, it has served more than 500,000 customers through its network of more than 2,500 contractors.

Moving APT has some of the most flexible payment options of the companies on this list. It accepts personal checks in addition to credit cards and cash and provides moving loans to those who qualify. You can make payments online, over the phone, or in person.

Moving APT can broker local, long-distance moves and international relocations, whether you’re moving from Washington, D.C. to Washington State or simply relocating to a home along Puget Sound.

Moving APT’s partners also offer the following services:

Moving APT offers binding estimates and a price-match policy. You can get a general idea of available rates via Moving APT’s online moving cost calculator, but you will need to complete a detailed moving inventory for a binding estimate.

Moving APT offers discounts for military members, senior citizens and differently abled individuals. It also offers deals for early reservations and short-distance moves. A deposit that varies between moving companies is required to reserve your move, but it’s refundable if you cancel with at least seven days’ notice. You can pay with a credit card, cash or personal check. Moving loans are also available to qualifying customers.

Get a quote: Use the form on Moving APT’s website to request a free moving estimate or call 800-360-0037 to speak to a representative.

Allied Van Lines has nearly a century of experience with long-distance moves. Customers can choose a full-service, DIY or a la carte approach to their move depending on their needs and budget. Basic liability coverage that pays 60 cents per pound per item is included with every move. Allied also offers Extra Care Protection, a comprehensive plan that covers the full cost to repair or replace items that are lost, damaged or destroyed during transit.

Some of Allied’s services, such as cleaning and appliance connections, are contracted out to third parties. As a result, prices may vary, and you may find that some services are cost-prohibitive. However, every Allied customer is assigned a Personal Relocation Assistant to answer any questions and guide them through the moving process.

Allied Van Lines specializes in full-service cross-country and interstate moves, but it can also handle local moves. Allied operates in all 50 states and 130 countries. In addition to full- and partial-service moves, Allied offers Allied Express mobile moving-and-storage containers for DIY movers. Unlike most self-service providers, container rental comes with complimentary moving labor.

Other services include the following:

Allied can provide a binding estimate after a free in-home or virtual consultation. Non-binding estimates based on weight are also available. Allied bases its transportation costs on weight and mileage. All charges must be paid via cash, money order, certified check or credit card before unloading. However, Allied does not require a deposit to schedule your move.

Get a quote: Request an InstaQuote on the Allied website or speak to a moving service representative at 877-483-9424 .

To learn more: Allied Van Lines review

For nearly nine decades, North American Van Lines (NAVL) has been helping customers move — whether they’re heading across town, state lines or the country. The company offers an exceptionally easy claims process for customers whose items are lost, damaged or destroyed during the moving process. Both international and domestic claims can be filed electronically using NAVL’s simple online forms. Its website also features resources to guide you through the claims process. If you’d rather speak to a representative, there’s a dedicated claims support line.

NAVL customers can choose from full-service packing, fragile-only packing or self-packing options. Shipments are tracked via WorldTrac, a satellite tracking system that can pinpoint a truck’s location at any time. NAVL does require a deposit that can be up to 50% of your total charges, depending on the type of move. Also, some services, such as appliance installation, may be contracted out to third-party vendors.

NAVL handles local and long-distance moves in all 50 states and more than 130 countries, including interstate and international moves.

Other services include the following:

To prevent sticker shock, NAVL provides three types of estimates: bottom-line pricing, not-to-exceed pricing and customized pricing. Its long-distance moving quotes are based on weight, size, mileage, labor costs and destination. For local moves, NAVL charges a flat hourly rate. Binding estimates require a phone interview and a virtual home walk-through.

NAVL may require a deposit ranging from 10% to 50%, with the remaining balance due upon delivery. NAVL accepts cash and money orders as well as certified, cashier’s and travelers’ checks. Some agents may accept credit cards, too.

Get a quote: Visit NAVL’s website for a free quote or call 877-624-0912 to speak to a customer service representative.

To learn more: North American Van Lines review

PODS is one of the most convenient self-service movers in Washington State. PODS will drop off a portable storage container before your moving day so you can load your belongings into it. When you’re done, the company will pick up the container and either take it to a storage center or drop it off at your new home. Each container rental offers you 30 days to complete your moving process.

PODS offers 8-foot, 12-foot and 16-foot containers that are comparable to 10-foot, 15-foot and 20-foot trucks, respectively. However, 12-foot containers are only available for in-town moves. Customers with larger homes or lots of furniture may require more than one container. 

Note that six states do not currently have PODS locations: Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. Locations in neighboring states can serve some ZIP codes in Vermont and West Virginia.

Because PODS is a self-service moving company, its list of services is not as long as its full-service counterparts. However, its portable storage containers make both local and long-distance moves simpler — and cheaper. PODS can connect you with third-party moving labor if you need packing or loading assistance.

PODS can provide or help you coordinate the following moving and storage services:

PODS rents out its containers monthly. You can take as long as you want to load or unload your container, but every 30 days, you will be charged another month’s rent. Before booking, check online for promo codes. 

For local moves, you will be charged one day before delivery. Long-distance moves are split into three sets of charges that occur seven days before the relevant service: initial delivery and first month’s rent, transit and shipping charges, and redelivery charges. Payments are made automatically when due using whatever credit card you have on file. Some locations may accept alternative forms of payment, such as cash or check.

Get a quote: Fill out a simple online form to request a quote via the PODS website .

To learn more: PODS review

See how the best moving companies compare on key metrics.

*Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings are accurate as of September 2022.

What size moving truck you need depends on the size of your home. Here are some general guidelines for what size truck you’ll need for different home sizes:

The best way to find a moving company is to ask family, friends, coworkers and neighbors for referrals. You can also check review sites, look for recommendations on reputable sites such as BBB and Trustpilot, and request quotes from different companies to compare.

We collected data on dozens of moving companies, both full service and self-service, and created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings, grade each company and provide objective findings to our readers. The end result of weighing a wide range of factors is a cumulative score for each provider.

We called each moving company directly, spoke with representatives to get an in-depth understanding of their offerings and simulated the quote and scheduling process. We also reviewed each company’s contents protection (insurance) plan information in detail, and we closely examined more than 100 customer reviews to understand the customer service experience with each provider.

All company data is monitored on an ongoing basis so that all rankings and information remain up-to-date.

Once we gathered all relevant data, we used the following scoring system to grade each moving company on a 100-point scale:

Copyright © 2022 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved.

By using this site you agree to the Subscriber Agreement & Terms of Use, Privacy Notice, and Cookie Notice.