The BEST Long-Distance Movers in Raleigh, NC
Quick answer: After comparing prices, services, quality ratings, and customer satisfaction, we recommend Safeway Moving as the top long-distance moving company in Raleigh, NC. Safeway Moving provides the best overall value, thanks to its balance of stellar service and reasonable rates.
- Best overall value: Safeway Moving
- Best Raleigh-based company: Athens Moving Experts
- 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 Raleigh for those moving out of state
If you’re moving out of North Carolina, here are our top picks for best interstate moving companies in Raleigh:
- 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 Raleigh for those staying in state
Even if you’re just relocating from Raleigh to another North Carolina 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 Raleigh:
- Athens Moving Experts: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Excel Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Little Guys Movers : 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Crabtree Family Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff (36%)
- Efficient service (32%)
- Careful handling (29%)
- Damage to items (28%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (25%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 2657
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3205320
Athens Moving Experts has been a reliable staple in the Raleigh, NC moving industry since 2018, offering top-tier local residential moving services. This company stands out with its impressive consumer reviews, boasting a 4.5 average rating on Yelp and a near-perfect 4.9 on Google, complemented by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Beyond typical moving services, Athens Moving Experts excels in packing, unpacking, and the specialized handling of items like pianos, antiques, and safes, setting them apart from other local movers. For those in need of trustworthy, comprehensive local moving services, Athens Moving Experts consistently delivers satisfaction and peace of mind.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (36%)
- Efficient service (30%)
- Good communication (26%)
- Damage to items (32%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (28%)
- Lack of communication (24%)
Company Info
State license #: 2934
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhops, Inc.
Bellhop Moving has been providing reliable local residential moving services in and around Raleigh, NC, since 2012. Known for their impressive customer satisfaction, they boast an outstanding 4.7 average rating on Google from 626 reviews, although their Yelp profile holds a more modest 3.7 average from 85 reviews. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, making them a versatile choice compared to many nearby movers. While they do require a deposit, they accept credit cards for added convenience. With a B+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Bellhop Moving is a reputable choice for those looking to relocate locally.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff (42%)
- Efficient service (38%)
- Careful handling (35%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Lack of communication (22%)
- Unexpected charges (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 2311
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 076235
Excel Moving & Storage, based in Raleigh, NC, has been providing local residential moving services since 1999. While their 2.7 average rating from 58 Yelp reviews suggests some mixed feedback, their more robust presence on Google with an average rating of 4.4 from 188 reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau indicates strong overall satisfaction and reliability. Unlike some nearby moving companies, Excel also offers comprehensive packing and unpacking services, and they are capable of moving delicate items such as pianos, pool tables, and art. Additionally, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a convenient choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (38%)
- Efficient service (34%)
- Careful handling (31%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Higher-than-expected costs (19%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (16%)
Company Info
State license #: 2548
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 1931566
Little Guys Movers, serving Raleigh, NC, has been a cornerstone in the local moving industry since 1994, specializing in residential relocations. Known for their comprehensive services, they also excel in packing, unpacking, and moving delicate items like pianos and hot tubs. In comparison to other local movers, they stand out with an impressive customer satisfaction record, boasting a 4.6 rating on Yelp and a 4.9 rating on Google. Their A+ Better Business Bureau rating further underscores their reputation for reliability and excellence. Whether you’re moving across town or require specialized moving services, Little Guys Movers is a proven, trustworthy choice.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (40%)
- Efficient service (35%)
- Careful handling (32%)
- Damage to items (28%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (22%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 2533
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2507399
Crabtree Family Moving has been a reliable choice for local residential moves in and around Raleigh, NC since 2012. Known for their comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and office moves, they stand out in the local market. While their Yelp reviews average a 3.6 rating, they excel with a 4.9 rating from 200 reviews on Google, indicating highly satisfied customers. Unlike some competitors, Crabtree Family Moving accepts credit cards and requires no deposit, adding convenience for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Best long-distance movers in Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
A moving container can be a great solution if you want to save a little money on your move from Raleigh to another North Carolina 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 Raleigh
If you don’t mind driving from Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh costs $19–$39 a day for a truck rental, plus a per-mile fee of $0.59–$0.79.
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 Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh
The average cost for professional movers in Raleigh is $93 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 Raleigh
- 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 Raleigh to another North Carolina 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh.
FAQs
What else should I know about moving out of North Carolina?
A moving company helping you move out of North Carolina must be properly licensed and have a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Of course, all of the Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
If you’re moving across town, a local moving company in Raleigh is going to be the most cost-effective approach. If you’re moving out of North Carolina, 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 Raleigh?
Moving companies in Raleigh are usually slower in November and December due to the average winter low of 30°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 Raleigh?
DIY moving will always be cheaper, especially when moving within 50 miles of Raleigh. The cheapest options for moving out of the City of Oaks 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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