The BEST Long-Distance Movers in San Rafael, CA
Quick answer: Our top pick for the best long-distance moving company in San Rafael, CA, is Safeway Moving. We like Safeway Moving for its overall value. The company provides high-quality service without the high price tag.
- Best overall value: Safeway Moving
- Best San Rafael-based company: Luigy's Moving & Storage
- Best for small moves: MiniMoves
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only company: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
|
|
|
 rating
 
4.25 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
|
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 San Rafael for those moving out of state
If you’re leaving San Rafael and crossing state lines for a new home outside of California, these are our recommendations for top interstate movers:
- 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 San Rafael for those staying in state
Are you moving from San Rafael but staying in California? Depending on how far you’re relocating, some in-state moves are still considered long-distance.
If your move within California is a couple hundred miles or more, you should hire one of the best long-distance moving companies.
Consider these top San Rafael, CA, movers:
- Luigy's Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- OCD Moving Services: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- ShipShape Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (41%)
- Professional and polite staff (36%)
- Careful handling (31%)
- Unexpected charges (24%)
- Damage to items (20%)
- Lack of communication (16%)
Company Info
State license #: 0192210
Years in Business: 23
DOT #: 02740355
Luigy's Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around San Francisco, CA since 2001. Compared to other nearby companies, Luigy's stands out with their comprehensive service offerings, including packing, unpacking, and crating services, as well as specialized handling for pianos, hot tubs, art, and antiques. Boasting exceptional consumer reviews with an average rating of 4.7 on Yelp and 4.6 on Google, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Luigy's reputation for reliability and quality is well-earned. While a deposit is required, they accept both cash and credit cards, ensuring flexible payment options for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- 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 (34%)
- Professional and polite staff (32%)
- Careful handling (30%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (18%)
- Lack of communication (15%)
Company Info
State license #: 159465
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 2611854
Alternate Names: Johnson & Daly Moving & Storage
Johnson & Daly Moving and Storage has been a cornerstone of the San Rafael, CA community since 1980, providing exceptional local residential moving services. Consistently receiving high praise, this company boasts an impressive 4.7 average rating from both Yelp and Google My Business reviews, and holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, reflecting their commitment to customer satisfaction. Unlike some nearby movers, Johnson & Daly offers a full suite of services including packing, unpacking, crating, and specialized moving for items like pianos and antiques. With no deposit required and the convenience of credit card payments, they stand out as a reliable and versatile choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (45%)
- Professional and polite staff (38%)
- Careful handling (35%)
- Higher-than-expected costs (15%)
- Damage to items (10%)
- Lack of communication (9%)
Company Info
State license #: 0191594
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2597230
Alternate Names: OCD Moving Services LLC
OCD Moving Services has been a trusted name for local residential moving in and around El Sobrante, CA since 2016. With stellar reviews averaging 5.0 stars on both Yelp and Google My Business, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, their reputation for excellence stands out. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer a plethora of specialized services such as packing, unpacking, crating, and moving delicate items like pianos, hot tubs, and antiques. Additionally, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, providing full valuation insurance coverage for peace of mind.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- 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 San Rafael, CA, for small moves
Did you know that most professional moving companies have a minimum requirement for the total weight of your belongings? This means that if you are moving a small amount of items, those companies will likely not be an option for your relocation.
Some companies, however, specialize in small moves. So, if you are moving a studio apartment or just have a few pieces of furniture to relocate from San Rafael, check out these 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 San Rafael, CA
Moving containers, also known as pods, offer short- and long-term storage so you can move from San Rafael at your own pace. With this option, you pack and load the container yourself and the professionals drive the container to your new home for you.
Our top picks for moving containers for long-distance moves from San Rafael include:
- 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
Rental trucks in San Rafael, CA for a total DIY long-distance move
Rental trucks are often the cheapest way to move long-distance from San Rafael, but also require the most work. You do everything yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading, driving the whole way, and unloading on your own. Costs can increase dramatically when you add on mileage fees, tolls, and gas though so make sure this option really is cheaper for your move before making a final decision.
Here are our favorite rental truck companies for long-distance moves:
- 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
Labor-only moving companies in San Rafael, CA
Labor-only companies handle the heavy-lifting for you, offering services related to packing, loading, and assembly. You’ll provide the truck, packing supplies, and other materials. Think of it as hiring professional movers without the truck.
Hire these top-notch labor-only movers for your long-distance move from San Rafael, CA:
- 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
Comparing the best long-distance movers in San Rafael, CA
How we chose the best long-distance movers in San Rafael, 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%): Companies that consistently deliver services in a timely manner — with good communication and within the estimated cost — score the highest within this category.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry, so we look for companies that take a customer-focused approach to handling their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
- Industry reputation (15%): We look at whether a company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): It’s important to us that a company maintains a professional website with accurate information and promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
- Service options (10%): We look for companies with a wide breadth of services, including packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Read more about our moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of a long-distance move out of San Rafael, CA
The average cost for professional movers in California is $122 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.
Here’s the average long-distance move cost from San Rafael, CA to popular cities:
| Destination | Distance | Home size | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | 2,313 miles | 3 bedroom | $4,998 - $7,157 |
| Waterbury, CT | 2,974 miles | 2 bedroom | $4,044 - $7,706 |
| Seattle, WA | 803 miles | 1 bedroom | $1,958 - $4,420 |
To get an accurate estimate of the cost for your long-distance move out of San Rafael, use our moving cost calculator. And, be sure to check out our detailed post about moving costs in California.
FAQs
What else should you know about moving out of state?
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 the San Rafael 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 the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move document from the FMCSA.
Should I use a local company or a national company when moving from San Rafael?
If you’re moving across town, a local moving company in San Rafael is going to be the most cost-effective approach. If you’re moving out of California, using a national moving company like Safeway Moving comes with more experience, which may cost a bit more.
When is the cheapest time of year to move away from San Rafael?
Moving companies in San Rafael are usually slower in November and December due to 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 San Rafael?
DIY moving will always be cheaper, especially when moving within 50 miles of San Rafael. The cheapest options for moving out of San Rafael 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
Helpful San Rafael Resources
San Rafael Moving Services
Nearby Cities
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
