The BEST Long-Distance Movers in Oakland, CA
Quick answer: After comparing prices, services, quality ratings, and customer satisfaction, we recommend Safeway Moving as the top long-distance moving company in Oakland, CA. Safeway Moving provides the best overall value, thanks to its balance of stellar service and reasonable rates.
- Best overall value: Safeway Moving
- Best Oakland-based company: West Coast Moving Systems, Inc
- Best for small moves: MiniMoves
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only company: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best long-distance movers in Oakland for those moving out of state
If you’re moving out of California, here are our top picks for best interstate moving companies in Oakland:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best long-distance movers in Oakland for those staying in state
Even if you’re just relocating from Oakland to another California city, your move could still be a couple hundred miles or more. In that case, you’ll want to hire one of the top long-distance movers.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies that are located within Oakland:
- West Coast Moving Systems, Inc: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Got2Move Moving and Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Big Family Movers: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- ShipShape Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff (40%)
- Efficient service (38%)
- Careful handling (35%)
- Damage to items (15%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (10%)
- Lack of communication (9%)
Company Info
State license #: 0192456
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 3071646
Alternate Names: West Coast Movers, West Coast Moving Systems
West Coast Moving Systems, Inc, a reputable local moving company serving Oakland, CA, has been easing moves since 2007. Unlike many competitors, they offer an extensive range of services, including office moving, packing, unpacking, and specialized care for fragile items and art. Their strong consumer feedback, with 476 Yelp reviews averaging 4.8 stars and 51 Google reviews at 4.7 stars, highlights their commitment to quality service. Additionally, an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau underscores their reliability and customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Excellent Service
- Professional Staff
- Reasonable Prices
- No Major Issues Reported
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
NorthStar Moving Company, established in 1996, offers premier local residential moving services throughout San Francisco, CA, and its surrounding areas. With an impressive track record, they boast 931 Yelp reviews averaging 4.6 stars and 701 Google My Business reviews with an average rating of 4.9 stars. Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, NorthStar stands out among local competitors. They also provide comprehensive packing, unpacking, and crating services, ensuring a seamless moving experience. Notably, NorthStar accepts both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, offering convenience and peace of mind for customers.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (38%)
- Professional and polite staff (31%)
- Good communication (29%)
- Damage to items (24%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
- Lack of communication (17%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191707
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 3070307
Alternate Names: Got2Move
Got2Move Moving and Storage, based in San Leandro, CA, has been a trusted local residential moving service since 2007. With an impressive consumer review profile boasting a 4.6 average rating on Yelp and a 4.7 average on Google, the company stands out for its customer satisfaction, reinforced by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Offering a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and specialty item moves such as pianos and antiques, Got2Move outshines many nearby competitors. Additionally, they provide full valuation insurance coverage and accept credit cards, although a deposit is required.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (36%)
- Professional and polite staff (29%)
- Careful handling (27%)
- Damage to items (21%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
- Lack of communication (15%)
Company Info
State license #: 0189403
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 2916075
Big Family Movers offers dependable local residential moving services in Oakland, CA, and has been a trusted name in the community since 2024. With impressive consumer reviews, boasting an average Yelp rating of 4.7 from 163 reviewers and a 4.9 average on Google My Business from 27 reviews, the company stands out as a reliable choice among nearby moving companies. Their A- rating from the Better Business Bureau further underscores their reputation for excellent service. In addition to standard moving services, Big Family Movers excels in packing, unpacking, and safely transporting delicate items like pianos and antiques. For those seeking a reputable company for a local move, Big Family Movers offers quality and peace of mind.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (38%)
- Friendly and professional staff (34%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (22%)
- Damage to items (18%)
- Lack of communication (16%)
Company Info
State license #: 192323
Years in Business: 4
DOT #: 3549568
ShipShape Moving, a local moving company based in Berkeley, CA, has quickly established itself as a top-tier choice since its inception in 2021. With a stellar reputation, as evidenced by its average Yelp rating of 4.9 from 388 reviews and a perfect 5.0 rating on Google My Business from 138 reviews, ShipShape Moving stands out in a crowded market. The company offers comprehensive services including residential moving, office relocations, and specialized moves for pianos and safes, all without requiring a deposit. ShipShape Moving’s A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau further cements its status as a reliable and trusted mover in the Berkeley area.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Full-valuation coverage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Best long-distance movers in Oakland for small moves
Many full-service moving companies have a 3,000-pound minimum requirement and may not be able to help you if you are moving a college dorm or studio apartment — or have decided to just take a few items with you.
In that case, you might be better off going with a long-distance company in Oakland that specializes in small moves.
Here are our top suggestions:
- No minimum size
- Top-quality materials
- Full-service packing
- Specializes in small moves
- Guaranteed delivery date
- Online chatbot and resources for a seamless move
- Car shipping services
- Gives back with charitable donations
Moving containers for long-distance moves in Oakland
A moving container can be a great solution if you want to save a little money on your move from Oakland to another California city or out of state. While you will have to handle the heavy lifting, you can load and unload containers at your preferred pace over several days or more. And the container company will still handle the driving for you.
Container costs vary depending on the distance of your move and the size and number of your containers, so it’s good to get multiple moving quotes to compare pricing for your specific relocation.
You can start with these two companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Labor-only moving companies in Oakland
If you don’t mind driving from Oakland but want some helping hands in terms of loading and unloading, look into labor-only moving companies.
Here’s who we suggest:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Rental trucks in Oakland for a total DIY long-distance move
While you’ll save some money with the two alternatives above, the cheapest way to move out of state is by handling all aspects — the heavy lifting and the driving — yourself. On average, a full DIY move from Oakland costs $19–$39 a day for a truck rental, plus a per-mile fee of $0.79–$1.39.
Using moving rental trucks definitely requires the most work, but if budget is your biggest concern, check out these options:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
How we chose the best long-distance movers in Oakland, CA
Over the past 10 years, we’ve developed a rigorous review process to identify the absolute best moving companies.
We look at:
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
- Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, expedited delivery, and more.
Read more about our moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of long-distance movers in Oakland
The average cost for professional movers in Oakland is $147 per hour, but even the best interstate moving companies need more information about the distance and size of your move to give you a moving quote.
Factors that affect the cost of moving from Oakland
- How far you’re moving: Distance is the most impactful cost factor. Naturally, the farther you are moving, the more it will cost. Relocating a couple hundred miles from Oakland to another California city will not be as expensive as a cross-country move.
- The moving option you choose: Your costs will vary significantly depending on whether you choose a full-service mover, a moving container, or a rental truck. Every move is different, so balance your needs and your budget when deciding on the best relocation method.
- The amount of belongings you have: Movers determine cost by the total estimated weight of your household items and furnishings, so be sure to itemize your belongings to get the most accurate quote. You may also want to consider downsizing before moving out of Oakland to reduce your moving expenses.
- Any add-on services you choose: Additional services like third-party labor assistance or packing and unpacking help are convenient, but they will also contribute to your total moving costs.
- When you move: The time of the year, month, and even week can all affect what you pay. Summer moves are typically more expensive because they are the busiest season for movers. Moving between October and April can be more cost-effective. Mid-month and mid-week moves are also cheaper, since most people tend to move on the weekends around the start or end of the month.
To give you an accurate estimate, we’ve created a moving cost calculator to help you get a good idea of your long-distance move cost. Plus, we’ve put together a detailed post all about moving costs in Oakland.
FAQs
What else should I know about moving out of California?
A moving company helping you move out of California must be properly licensed and have a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Of course, all of the Oakland movers we’ve included on this list have everything in order but you can check for yourself on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.
If you’re moving from one state to another, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move document from the FMCSA.
Should I use a local company or a national company when moving out of Oakland?
If you’re moving across town, a local moving company in Oakland is going to be the most cost-effective approach. If you’re moving out of California, using a national moving company comes with more experience, which may cost a bit more.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from Oakland?
Moving companies in Oakland are usually slower in November and December due to the average winter low of 44°F, the holidays and kids being in school, so you can negotiate with a mover more during those months and save some money.
What are the cheapest ways to move out of Oakland?
DIY moving will always be cheaper, especially when moving within 50 miles of Oakland. The cheapest options for moving out of the Town are usually renting a moving truck like U-Haul or a moving container like PODS. We’ve also got a helpful guide if you’re looking for the cheapest ways to move out of state.
Long-distance movers in nearby cities
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