15 Best Moving Companies in San Diego in 2023

The 2020s marked the beginning of a massive relocation trend spurred by changes in both the job and housing markets. As a result, the demand for moving services has skyrocketed, making it more important than ever to research and choose a reliable moving company for your relocation.

You’ll want to vet your moving company based on their prices, moving specialty, reliability, additional services and more. In this case, we’re looking at the best moving companies to help you relocate to or from the San Diego area. Your aim should be to make your moving experience as stress-free as possible. Whether you are moving to or from the region, here’s a list of companies you should consider for your upcoming move.

Our top picks for the best moving companies in San Diego

Best for local moves: Elite Moving San Diego
Best for accurate estimates: Two Men and a Truck
Best for piano moves: QShark Moving Services
Best for storage: PODS
Best for international moves: Mayflower
Best for efficient moves: Aid-U Moving Company
Best for relocation moves: Ace Relocation Systems, Inc.
Best for cross-country moves: MovingAPT
Best for truck rental: Red Rover
Most Affordable: Rhino Moving, LLC
Best for residential moves: Vector Moving and Storage
Best for overall full-service moves: North American Van Lines
Best for long-distance moves: United Van Lines
Best for experienced movers: American Van Lines
Best customer reviews: Best Fit Moving and Storage

Best moving companies in San Diego reviews

About the company: Elite Moving San Diego is a local, family-owned and operated moving company that specializes in residential and commercial moves. They also offer hauling services to dispose of unwanted household items like furniture, appliances and yard waste.

Why we picked it: We like Elite Moving San Diego because they’ve been around for over ten years and seem like the most simple, straightforward option for local and interstate moves. If you’ve got a smaller residential or business move, this no-fuss option could help you save time and money. Plus, we like the fact that despite having a smaller fleet and crew, they will show up fully equipped with dollies and packing materials as needed.

One downside is that the website doesn’t provide a lot of pre-sales information or the ability to request a quote with a detailed form. Essentially, you complete the contact form and wait for a call back from a company representative. With this call, you’ll give more details about your move, get an estimate and then book your move. The company has only a nominal presence on review sites like Google Business and Yelp but averages over 4 out of five stars across both platforms.

Bottom line: Elite Moving San Diego doesn’t have any unique bells and whistles, and it seems most of its clients are for smaller, local moves. If you want to save money with a trusted local name in moving, Elite Moving San Diego should be a top consideration.

About the company: Two Men and a Truck is a national franchise moving operation with over 350 locations worldwide, offering help for long-distance moves, business and in-home moving, packing services, junk removal and storage solutions. Every Two Men and a Truck franchise is independently owned and operated, so moving rates will vary by location.

Why we picked it: We like Two Men and a Truck for many reasons. The fact that it’s a franchise means that there are many standardized systems in place, plus a corporate office backing independent business owners for a potentially more efficient moving operation. The company’s website features plenty of pre-sale information, a detailed quote form, and the opportunity to get an in-house estimate. If you’re looking for the most accurate estimate possible, both features are immensely helpful.

Whether you move with Two Men and a Truck or not, you can get free access to their app, movetrac, and a PODs-like moving option (ValueFlex) to save money on long-distance moves. The San Diego operation has decent review averages on Google Business and Yelp (4 out of 5 and 3.5 out of 5 stars, respectively).

Bottom line: Two Men and a Truck has huge corporate backing along with the personalized service that small businesses tend to provide. If you like the efficiency of a national moving chain with the attention and customer service of a mom-and-pop business, Two Men and a Truck could be exactly what you need.

About the company: Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, QShark Moving Services has been around since 2010 and serves four counties in California, including San Diego County. The company’s services include packing, residential and commercial moves and piano moving.

Why we picked it: Although QShark stands out for its excellent customer reviews and being a finalist in the Better Business Bureau (BBB) ethics award category, we’ve noticed another company feature that deserves praise. This company offers piano moving services along with all the insurance you’d need moving a higher-risk item:

• Workers’ compensation (so you’re not liable for any injuries)
• Liability insurance for any accidental damage to your piano
• Cartage insurance for when your piano is in transit

It’s also pretty cool that the company doesn’t use day laborers or contracted help for customer moves. All labor is employed directly by the company, which likely contributes to the excellent customer satisfaction record we’ve noted from online reviews.

Bottom line: QShark Moving Services offers more than a few reasons to work with them on your local and long-distance moves, but we believe their piano moving services deserve to be highlighted. They have the experience and insurance coverage to ensure every aspect of this type of delicate move goes well.

About the company:  Firefighter and paramedic Peter Warhurst invented the original PODS unit to help families protect their belongings in the case of displacement, likely due to a fire or natural disaster. The concept caught on in the moving industry, and the idea of combining storage and moving services was born.

Why we picked it: We like PODS for people who need a little more time to sort out and pack their belongings. Moving can be stressful enough, so if there’s anything you can do to make it easier, it can be extremely helpful. In the case of PODS, the company will deliver a storage unit to your home to put items in at your own pace. When you’re ready to move, you simply alert PODS and arrange a pick-up and drop-off location.

Bottom line: If you are looking for a less expensive DIY option that combines both the storage and the transport of your items, PODS definitely fits the bill. There are plenty of other moving companies that have copied the PODS model, but because they offer nationwide storage and delivery, we think it’s worth at least getting an estimate to see how their rates compare with other similar services.

About the company: Mayflower is a part of a large moving conglomerate called UniGroup. This company owns several moving brands that include Mayflower, which has been in business for over 90 years. According to their website, they offer assistance for local and long-distance moves, corporate and military moves, car transport, packing, storage, and full-value moving protection.

Why we picked it: We like Mayflower because the company has nearly a hundred years of experience and a track record of providing high-quality service around the world. It offers a full range of moving services including storage and packing and unpacking. As part of a larger organization that’s no stranger to the transportation industry, Mayflower could be a top choice for your international move. Mayflower can help you move your belongings by land, air, and sea to over 150 countries.

Bottom line: This company has been around since 1927 and specializes in complex moves with lots of moving parts. If you’ve got a relocation that involves bespoke services like getting through customs or tracking your overseas shipments, Mayflower has the experience and expertise to do so.

About the company: Although the San Diego-based Aid-U Moving Company can move your household items anywhere in the U.S. (except Hawaii), most of their moves begin and end in Southern California.

Why we picked it: Aid-U Moving Company is a smaller operation with just one truck registered on its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) profile. Despite this, the company has an extremely positive track record on consumer review websites like Google Business and Yelp. Many customers mention how fast, efficient and timely the movers are.

Even if they aren’t the cheapest (or the most expensive) moving company in town, they seem to show up and complete jobs very quickly. Many customers also report that the company was able to accommodate last-minute requests.

Bottom line: If you absolutely need your move to be on schedule, even if you waited until the last minute, there’s a good chance that Aid-U could come through for you. We suggest getting an estimate from them as soon as possible for your local, 11th-hour move.

About the company: If you plan to relocate using a moving company’s services, you’ll want to work with an experienced partner like Ace Relocation Systems. Ace is on the Federal Supply Schedule (also known as the GSA Schedule). This means they hold a contract with the federal government to relocate government employees, including members of the armed services.

Why we picked it: Ace has a strong track record of assisting moves for government employees and organizations. These moves often require additional paperwork, protocols and flexibility that some moving companies can’t provide. The company is licensed, bonded, and insured with an additional designation as a registered ProMover from the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), which attests to ethical and responsible business conduct.

Bottom line: If your move is more of a relocation connected to a corporation or a government entity, Ace Relocation Systems should be your first stop as you begin to gather estimates. Although you can use their services for an upcoming residential move, it could be overkill given their expertise and experience with massive relocation projects.

About the company: MovingAPT is based in Miami but has relationships with several moving companies throughout the U.S. to accommodate cross-country moves. This moving broker works with several reputable companies to ensure a hassle-free long-distance move. Depending on your needs, MovingAPT will coordinate a move with one more of the following moving companies:

• United Van Lines
• Arpin Van Lines
• Allied Van Lines
• Adams Van Lines
• Pricing Van Lines
• All My Sons
• Two Men and a Truck
• iMoving

Through this network of vetted movers, MoversAPT can offer everything from professional packing services to auto transport and storage in your new city.

Why we picked it: Although MovingAPT is a moving broker, they have several strategic partnerships in place to help you access licensed, insured moving companies, no matter where you are starting or ending your move. If you’d like to explore more than one moving option, MovingAPT is equipped to go over your choices and help you select the best carrier for your move.

Bottom line: Working with a moving broker can open up your options and give you access to more choices to plan for the best move possible. If you’ve got a unique moving situation or other specific moving needs, a broker can match you with a moving company that specializes in the type of move you’re undertaking. MovingAPT is a reputable broker with online review profiles to prove it.

About the company: Red Rover was founded by the creator of PODS, Peter Warhurst. This “fetchable” storage solution offers a twist on both storage and truck rental; the portable storage unit allows you to use a Red Rover truck to move your storage unit around as needed. In other words, there’s no need to wait for someone to transport your storage unit. You can do it yourself!

Why we picked it: Red Rover combines both moving and storage services but adds another service that enhances their offerings: truck rental. The free use of a Red Rover truck to fetch and load your storage item can save you plenty on your move. The truck allows you to place your storage container in a Red Rover facility which offers convenient off-site storage. As long as you pay for at least one month of storage, you’ll get free use of the truck, including gas and tolls.

Bottom line: The Red Rover storage-and-truck-rental model allows you to fetch, transport and store your unit off-site for more convenience. In addition to free use of the rental truck, you can arrange a moving packing that works for your preferred level of involvement and budget.

About the company:  Rhino Moving, LLC has been around for 11 years offering residential and commercial moving services for both local and long-distance moves.

Why we picked it: This is another moving company with a relatively smaller business footprint. They’ve got 5 vehicles registered under their FMCSA profile but have glowing reviews on platforms like Google Business and Yelp. They’ve received kudos for their professionalism, timeliness and competitive pricing.

Bottom line: If you don’t mind dealing with a smaller outfit with local ties for a tighter moving budget, get an estimate from Rhino. The company serves many areas in southern California and can likely provide competitive pricing.

About the company: Vector Moving and Storage is another San Diego-based moving company offering the same moving services as other local companies. Vector has plenty of options for residential and commercial moves and storage. However, we noticed that the company website takes a different approach to pre-sale information, which we’ll cover below.

Why we picked it: Vector Moving and Storage does a great job of setting expectations for people moving in the San Diego area. The company’s website provides a significant amount of detail regarding the average costs for a move based on the number of bedrooms, distance and other factors. There’s even information regarding tipping and how to negotiate the best price on your move.

We also like that their online estimate form, powered by Elromco, is extremely detailed and allows you to create an inventory of your belongings for the move and the ability to upload pictures. The company also offers plenty of complimentary moving accessories such as dollies, moving blankets, ratchet straps and more.

Bottom line: Vector Moving and Storage is a smaller, local moving company that takes a bold step towards pricing transparency and takes care in preparing its customers for what to expect in an upcoming move. The company also makes it easier to get an accurate quote and provides free supplies that ultimately make your move more affordable.

About the company: North American Van Lines has been around since 1933, providing full-service moving packages worldwide. The company has a fleet of over 1,000 vehicles, operating as both a moving broker and a carrier.

Why we picked it: North American Van Lines is an established moving company that can help you with packing regular and fragile items, disassembly and assembly of furniture, loading and unloading your belongings, storage, installation of appliances and more. The company can give you suggestions on which household moving services are the best fit for your situation and how to move more efficiently. We like the consultative approach to adding services because, as the adage goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” So having an experienced team of moving agents to help you choose the additional moving services you need could be helpful.

Bottom Line: North American Van Lines is a full-service moving company with a long, steady track record of providing even the most complicated moving services. It may not be the best choice for small moves: large moving companies have a lot of overhead to support and that’s often reflected in their prices.

About the company: We consider United Van Lines one of the best long-distance movers due to its size and massive reach. The company has access to movers at more than 500 locations, which is good news for people contemplating long-distance moves. More locations mean more options to facilitate your move to any region of the United States.

Why we picked it: United Van Lines is federally licensed and touts itself as a leader in the long-distance moving industry. We like this company for long-distance moving because it has almost 9,000 moving trucks, tractors, and trailers registered on its FMCSA profile. The vast nationwide network allows the company to coordinate long-distance moves easily.

Bottom line: If you want a company with a long history of performance and multiple locations, agents, and customer service options, get an estimate from United Van Lines. If you choose United for your long-distance move, you can track your shipment and manage your account through your online customer portal.

About the company: American Van Lines was founded over fifty years ago in South Florida. The company offers a standard slate of moving services that include residential and commercial moves, antique and piano handling, and storage.

Why we picked it: We picked American Van Lines because they invest a lot in training and screening their movers. According to the company’s website, their employees have an average of ten years of moving experience. We also like the fact that the company is certified to handle fragile items like antiques and fine art.

Bottom line: If you need an experienced moving team, American Van Lines is poised to provide top-notch service for moves that range from the simple to the complex. It may not be the best choice for small moves — large moving companies have a lot of overhead to support and that’s often reflected in their prices.

About the company: Best Fit Moving and storage serves the San Diego and Orange county areas. The movers provide residential, commercial and military moving services and secure storage for their clients.

Why we picked it: Best Fit Moving and Storage has impressive ratings across multiple customer review sites:

• Google Business: 4.8 out of 5 stars (675 reviews)
• Facebook: 4.8 out of 5 stars (258 reviews)
• Trustpilot: 4.8 out of 5 stars (128 reviews)
• BBB: 4.31 out of 5 stars (52 reviews)
• Thumbtack: 5 out of 5 stars (10 reviews)

These reviews signal that the company likely offers a superior level of customer service. At the very least, it’s a good idea to get an estimate from them to compare their prices with any other moving company you’re considering.

Bottom line: Moving can be a stressful life event, but finding the right moving company to support the endeavor can make a huge difference. If you’d like a hassle-free move with a reputable name in the San Diego area, reach out to Best Fit Movers.

Other companies we considered

We did our best to present the best moving options when relocating to or from the greater San Diego area, but we also vetted a few companies that didn’t make the cut. Here are a few you should know about:

Across Town Movers

We didn’t add this San Diego moving company to our list for a few reasons. The Department of Justice filed suit against them back in 2015 for mishandling the belongings of some service members. The outcome of that case is unknown.

There are very few reviews online for us to verify the level of service that Across Town provides. We aren’t saying they are a bad moving company, but we suggest you research them thoroughly before working with them.

Cross Country Movers Group

We didn’t include Cross Country Movers Group on our list because there just wasn’t enough information available for us to verify their track record or performance. They only have a few Google reviews. For this reason, we didn’t include this company, even though it appears to be a legitimate moving company in the San Diego area.

U-PACK and ABF

U-Pack handles moving services while ABF offers truck rentals to customers. This moving and truck rental duo goes back several decades, but we think their business model could be confusing for anyone looking for a simple, straightforward move. It’s not a bad idea to get an estimate from U-Pack and ABF, but the two-company partnership might be confusing.

Moving companies in San Diego guide

Main things to know before moving to San Diego

You should know as much as possible about any restrictions or limitations you could face moving to your new home. For instance, if you’re moving to a condo or a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA), find out if these entities will restrict your move to certain times or areas.

It’s good to know that California has a double-time law that requires moving companies to double the origin-to-destination time (for hourly moves). The best moving companies in California should notify you of this pricing issue immediately. For example, if it takes 30 minutes to drive from your old home to your new home, you’ll be billed for 60 minutes. Knowing this upfront will prevent sticker shock and confusion once your moving bill is finalized.

How we found the best moving companies in San Diego

We considered the following factors when selecting our top-rated moving companies in San Diego:

• FMCSA registration, safety ratings and complaints
• Online customer reviews
• Type and scope of services
• Transparent pricing (i.e. those offering binding estimates and flat fees based on mileage or weight)

Summary of the best moving companies in San Diego of 2022

We’ve done our very best to review a good mix of local and national moving companies and brokers for your move to or from the San Diego area. Because every moving circumstance is unique and every person undertaking a move is different, we suggest you take as much time as possible to properly vet the San Diego movers you’re considering. During your vetting, ensure the company’s license and insurance is up to date, and don’t forget to do a few Google searches for complaints and online reviews to find out where you might run into problems.

Don’t be afraid to ask a company representative how they handle problems like delays, inaccurate estimates, or claims for damages. Once you’ve done your research, choose the company that you feel best fits your needs. Finally, if you can’t find the moving company you need in San Diego, consider checking out our reviews of the best moving companies in Los Angeles or even the best moving companies in Sacramento. With all of those resources at your disposal, we’re confident that you’ll find the mover that works for you.