Safeway Moving Review: Pricing and Customer Feedback

Here’s the bottom line: Safeway Moving provides quality services at an affordable cost, all backed by a reputation for military-style precision throughout the moving experience. We think Safeway’s overall value and efficiency make it one of the best long-distance movers in the industry.

This veteran-owned company has earned a 4.5 out of 5 stars on our rating scale, thanks to their competitive pricing (average move costs come around $5,000), clear communication, and professionalism.

Here’s how to know if Safeway is the right choice for your move.

Pros & cons of moving with Safeway

Our Thoughts

• Safeway Moving, INC (US DOT#3756000) provides full-service long-distance moving services at competitive pricing, including a price-match guarantee. Their triple-verification quoting system, which includes a video walkthrough helps ensure you get an accurate quote for your move.
• They offer everything from packing and unpacking to free storage for 30 days and customizable insurance packages.
• You’ll need to contact them via phone for a quote or for any questions, but they get high marks on our rating methodology for their stellar customer service. However, they do have some negative reviews that mention damaged items and inconsistent communication right before the move. This has typically happened with moves that Safeway has brokered through its nationwide network of local moving partners.

Jump to the Safeway info you’re looking for

• Safeway pricing: How much does it cost to move?
• Safeway offers a wide variety of services
• Safeway customer reviews: Here’s what people had to say
• How does Safeway stack up against the competition?
• How moving with Safeway works
• Should you use Safeway to move
• FAQ
• Our rating methodology

Safeway pricing: How much it costs to move

One of the best parts of using Safeway is their free quotes and competitive, transparent pricing. Keep in mind that Safeway moving costs vary depending on your specific move, so it’s always a good idea to get a quote for accurate price estimates. You can use our moving cost calculator to get a general idea of pricing, but getting a thorough in-home or virtual estimate from Safeway will give you a more accurate picture of cost.

If you’re gathering quotes from other moving companies, be sure to share them with Safeway, since the company has a price-matching guarantee. Safeway may also give you an early reservation discount if you book two months in advance.

Safeway doesn’t provide instant online quotes. Instead, you can either fill out a form on their website and submit your email and phone number, or you can call them directly at (844) 569-4550. Safeway offers a thorough inventorying process to ensure you get an accurate binding quote for your move — something that is frequently mentioned in positive customer reviews.

Here’s a closer look at examples of Safeway’s move costs, taken directly from the experiences of our Better Move Project participants:

It’s worth noting that some Safeway customers incurred an additional long carry charge because the moving truck couldn’t get close enough to their building, or were charged extra because the movers had to pack household goods that hadn’t been packed ahead of time. Be sure to read the fine print to understand which scenarios could result in extra fees.

Safeway offers a wide variety of services

Safeway offers competitive pricing and has access to a national network of moving trucks, which makes them one of the best moving companies for people moving across the country.

Here’s a closer look at their service offerings:

• Long-distance moves: Safeway offers long-distance moving services to all 50 states.Deliveries include GPS tracking and barcode-scanned inventory.
• International moves: Safeway provides some international relocation services, although its specialty is interstate moving. Safeway has limited information about international moves on its website. If you are making an international move, you should contact a customer service representative for more information.
• Custom crating: Safeway can provide custom crates for packing your heavier items to ensure they’re not damaged during shipping.
• Loading and unloading: Crews will load your packed items into the moving trucks and unload them at your new destination.
• Packing and unpacking: Professional movers will wrap, pack, cushion, and label your household goods and fragile items and will also unpack them at your destination. Last-minute packing services can also be provided if needed, but will likely result in an additional charge if they weren’t part of your original quote.
• Insurance: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all carriers to have insurance. Safeway offers basic insurance and also offers custom insurance packages. All of its trucks and crews carry $1 million liability coverage, making them a good fit for apartments and condos with higher insurance requirements.
• Storage options: If you need to store your possessions before moving them into your new home, Safeway will keep them in a climate-controlled storage facility for up to 30 days free of charge. They also offer long-term storage solutions for commercial or personal goods with no term limits. You can cancel at any time to avoid charges for the upcoming month, which will then be prorated.
• Flat-rate pricing: Safeways moving experts use virtual walk-throughs to provide accurate quotes and prevent any hidden fees at the end of your move.
• Price matching: Safeway guarantees that it will meet or beat lower quotes from qualified competitors.
• 24/7 customer service: Safeway’s moving experts are available at all times by phone to ensure any questions or concerns you have about your move are addressed immediately.

Safeway customer reviews: Here’s what people had to say

At moveBuddha, we’ve worked with hundreds of people who’ve chosen Safeway Moving for their moves. While not every move went smoothly, most customers had a good experience and many would recommend Safeway.

For example, we talked to Isabel about her experience using Safeway to move from San Francisco to New York City. She told us she knew she wanted to hire a full-service moving company for her 2,911-mile move across the country.

Isabel also knew she and her boyfriend would need packing services and wanted professionalism at a competitive price. After shopping around, Safeway’s affordable quote and professional reputation played a large part in her decision to entrust her move to them.

In the end, she felt her move was a success, despite one hiccup that had nothing to do with Safeway.

Here’s what she had to say:

“I’ve been planning this move for 6 months but booked the movers 3 weeks in advance because I had to find an apartment first. I chose Safeway Moving for their amazing customer service and they also gave the best quote. I received multiple emails, phone calls and texts from both Safeway Moving and the local movers they contracted. I would have loved a text morning of giving a better time estimate of when they were arriving. I was told the day before it would be anytime between 8-11 am. I would have loved to be told morning of it would be around 1030, just to narrow it down. I would absolutely recommend Safeway. Everything happened on time and went smoothly. Considering I was moving cross country and to NYC, it was very low stress.” – Isabel P.

Here’s what other Better Moves Project participants had to say about their experience with Safeway Moving:

“I would recommend Safeway to others depending on the circumstances of their move and/or their priorities.

If they want clear point of contact and consistency on the price then another company like JK Moving (who I used in the past) might be a better choice.

But if their priority is their belongings being well packed and arriving undamaged then yes, I’d recommend Safeway Moving.” – Shannon M.

“My move with Safeway went pretty well. Once I booked the move I didn’t hear from anyone until right before the move and I would have liked a little more lead time. They were good at getting back to me, but the quote was less than what we paid.

In hindsight, I wish I had done a video visit to go over our items since I underestimated. That way we would have had a more accurate quote at the beginning.

The moving staff were great!  They wrapped things carefully and needed to do extra wrapping due to the very wet weather.” – Shayndel K.

“Overall, I think my move with Safeway went mostly as expected. All my goods arrived in the same condition and the pricing was reasonable.

I purchased a professional full-service move including disassembly and reassembly of all standard furniture, wrapping of all furniture with specialized moving blankets, and all transportation, taxes, tolls, mileage, labor, and fuel surcharges. The sales rep at Safeway, Jake, was incredibly helpful. He was very thorough and professional.

Throughout the move, I wish the mover had been more communicative especially as I moved during the busy summer months. Be sure to read the contract and base your pick-up around the “first date of delivery” to minimize the time you spend without your items.” – Marcel M.

“I would recommend Safeway if you can get an in-person moving quote. The price was very affordable, and my moving consultant Andrew was great. He explained the process to me and he put together a detailed quote for me over the phone. He answered all my questions and was very friendly and helpful.

When the movers arrived, they did a great job pulling the truck up the hill in front of my house. We then went through the house and I told them where everything was to be placed. They followed instructions and were very helpful and pleasant. My items were delivered safely and the team did a good job keeping fragile items on top, and took care handling my large furniture upstairs. I was pleased with the timeliness of the delivery.” – Laurel H.

How does Safeway stack up against the competition

Safeway Moving compares favorably to other moving services from our list of the best moving companies like Mayzlin Relocation, JK Moving Services, and International Van Lines.

But which of these cross-country moving companies is right for your move? Here’s a closer look at how these providers compare.

Safeway Moving vs. Mayzlin Relocation

Mayzlin Relocation is a family-owned moving company that offers professional services with a personal touch. They offer a consistent level of service and therefore have a strong reputation among their customers.

In comparison to Safeway, Mayzlin has the upper hand in its ability to provide local moving services (something Safeway doesn’t offer). They also have a straightforward cancellation policy that includes a full refund if you cancel seven days before your move date.

However, while Mayzlin offers full-service packing and unpacking, they don’t have crating options like Safeway. While they technically serve all 50 states, Mayzlin is primarily based on the East Coast, and availability can be somewhat limited in other areas. They also don’t service international moves.

Safeway Moving vs. JK Moving Services

JK Moving Services offers premium moving services at premium pricing. JK Moving has a reputation for true white glove service, with extremely responsive customer service, and uses AI technology during the quoting process for accurate quotes. Like Safeway, JK Moving also has secure, climate-controlled storage options.

The biggest drawback of JK Moving is the price. Its prices tend to be much higher than Safeway and other competitors, meaning they generally aren’t a good fit for budget-minded customers.

JK Moving’s local services are limited to Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. For most households, both JK Moving and Safeway Moving are really only options for long-distance moves.

Safeway Moving vs. International Van Lines

International Van Lines (IVL) provides excellent service and transparent pricing for domestic and international moves alike. The company has competitive rates, and can even service last-minute domestic moves within 48 hours.

Similar to Safeway Moving, IVL offers 30 days of free storage on all long-distance moves, and it makes charitable donations for each of its moves. In addition to packing and unpacking, IVL can also provide furniture assembly and disassembly.

IVL handles international moving to 180 countries, thanks to its large network. Prices can vary, so get a quote from both IVL and Safeway to see who has the better estimate for your move.

How moving with Safeway works

Safeway tries to guarantee customer satisfaction throughout the moving process, from quotes to delivery. Here’s what it’s like to use their moving services.

Getting a quote

Obtaining a price quote requires speaking directly with a company representative or filling out an online contact form. There’s no instant or ballpark pricing available from the Safeway company website, but you can use our moving cost calculator to get a general idea of price before contacting the company.

Not being able to get an online quote isn’t actually a negative. By speaking directly with you and performing a virtual estimate, Safeway is able to get a more accurate idea of the amount you have to move. This allows them to provide a binding estimate that contains no hidden fees.

Safeway now requires video surveys for all moves as part of their triple-check verification process, so be prepared to do a virtual walk-through with one of their moving experts when getting your quote. Be sure to share any additional relevant details for your move so that your move consultant can generate an accurate quote and avoid any last-minute changes.

Booking and moving

Safeway operates as a carrier and also brokers moves with a nationwide network of carriers, which means they have the ability to offer affordably priced full-service moving services year-round. So even in the summer — when peak moving season is in full swing — they can get a moving truck to you.

After you book your move, you will typically be assigned a moving date based on your preferences and when moving crews are available. Prior to moving day, you will get an update from your moving coordinator with a time range of a few hours for when the moving crew will show up.

If you’re planning to use Safeway for a cross-country move, be aware of the possibility that your items may go into storage while another truck is procured to transport them to their final destination.

For example, Christian told us he was happy with the crew Safeway sent, which arrived at 10 a.m. and finished loading by 1:30 p.m., but he was surprised to learn his items would be stored in New Jersey until a truck bound for California showed up. It took 60 days from Christian’s moving date for his items to finally arrive at his new home in California.

Overall, Christian said he would use Safeway again. He believes he found the best pricing for a cross-country move and that the moving team itself was professional and efficient.

Should you use Safeway to move?

So, is Safeway the right option for your move? Here are some key scenarios to consider.

Use Safeway if:

• You want to get an accurate quote. Safeway’s triple-check verification system includes extensive training for its moving coordinators and video walkthroughs to provide accurate binding estimates.
• You need temporary storage. With 30 days of storage included for free and long-term storage options available, Safeway is a good choice if you won’t be able to move into your new home right away.
• You need quality full-service movers. With packing and unpacking services and crating for heavy or fragile items, Safeway generally has a good reputation for treating household goods with care.

Don’t use Safeway if:

• You’re planning a local move. Safeway Moving only provides long-distance moving services. Quite simply, they’re not a fit for small local moves.
• You want to move in quickly. Safeway can experience longer delivery times than other movers, which can create inconveniences if you’re hoping to move into your new home right away.

FAQ

What are the best moving companies?

The best moving companies include Safeway Moving, one of our top recommendations for long-distance mover and among our list of the best international movers. However, there are other full-service movers worth considering, including Mayzlin Relocation and International Van Lines.

If you’re looking for a more DIY approach, we suggest you check out options like U-Pack or Budget Truck Rental, another two of our picks for best long-distance moving companies. Just keep in mind with DIY moves, you’ll have to do the heavy lifting yourself. And truck rental companies require that you also transport your belongings yourself.

Where is Safeway Moving located?

Safeway Moving is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and offers moving services in all 50 states.

Is Safeway Moving a scam?

No, Safeway Moving (also known as Safeway Moving Systems) is not a scam. They’re registered with the FMCSA

However, there are other moving companies that also use the name “Safeway” who unfortunately are shady. To make things simple, this is Safeway Moving, Inc.’s website. That link goes to the Safeway Moving discussed in this review. Be wary of any other sites that use the name Safeway Moving with small tweaks to the website or company name — this is a common sign of a moving scam.

Do Safeway Moving services include cross-country relocations?

Yes. Safeway Moving services include cross-country relocations. Safeway specializes in long-distance and cross-country moves. For example, several moveBuddha Better Moves Project participants have used Safeway to move from New York to California (or vice versa).

Can I find customer reviews for Safeway Moving online?

Yes, you can find customer reviews for Safeway Moving online through the moveBuddha website and other consumer feedback sites. In addition to checking reviews on websites like Google or Yelp, moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project offers in-depth reviews of actual customers who used Safeway Moving for their moves. These reviews provide a comprehensive look at the pros and cons of their moving experiences so you can get a better idea of what working with Safeway Moving is like.

Our rating methodology

At moveBuddha, we understand that all moving companies aren’t created equal. We undertake a rigorous review process to rate and review companies like Safeway Moving to ensure we provide accurate recommendations.

Here’s a breakdown of the methodology we use to rate movers:

• Customer satisfaction: In addition to looking at reviews with the BBB, Google, and other third-party sites, we rely heavily on interviews with Better Moves Project participants to understand the pros and cons of each mover.
• Standard services: We look at what services are included as part of a company’s standard offerings, and which ones you can only get for an additional fee.
• Reputation: We evaluate a company’s industry ratings, including aspects like carrying sufficient insurance coverage and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Add-on services: We look at any add-on services that can simplify a move, such as custom crating or storage options — services that aren’t offered by all moving companies.
• Availability: The areas a company serves — as well as whether they offer local, long-distance, or international services — is another important consideration. Widespread availability is most useful.
• Type of mover: A moving company’s capability (such as full-service vs. DIY) will directly impact its service offerings.
• Payment: Ease of making a payment (including submitting a deposit) with multiple options (credit card, check, cash, etc.) can also make moving easier.
• Scheduling: How easy is it to book a move? What kind of lead time is needed? Readily available booking services and streamlined scheduling will help get your move underway.