Local moves take place within a single state over distances that can be covered in less than a day. They seem like they might be easy to accomplish, but they can actually be surprisingly difficult to arrange. Well-known national moving companies usually don’t prioritize short-hop moves. The local moving industry is decentralized and localized, leaving consumers uncertain about whom to call—and whom to trust.
Best Local Moving Company Network: Load to Road
Enter Load to Road
, an experienced moving company that’s spent 12 years developing an extensive network of 650 local movers. To be considered for the network, a local mover must have at least five trucks, have been in business at least three years under the same name, have active insurance coverage, offer packing and storage, and not have any “hostage” complaints with the DOT. Load to Road monitors network members for customer service issues and will de-list any company with ten or more serious complaints.
Load to Road’s local movers all provide unlimited packing and boxing services at an hourly rate that includes boxes, packing materials, and tape. By contrast, many other local movers charge for boxes and tape, sometimes at a substantial markup. This may be of particular interest to people who are moving fine furniture, breakables, and antiques. Although one of Load to Road’s network members does the actual local moving, Load to Road follows up with each customer to ensure quality service.
Many consumers are surprised to learn moving across town or to the nearest suburb doesn’t cost much less than moving cross country. That’s because the biggest part of moving is usually the packing, loading, and unloading—and those things are the same whether you’re moving across town or across the country. Load to Road charges a minimum of $1,295 for a local move that involves six hours of labor and one hour of travel. Comparable moves from coast to coast only cost a few hundred dollars more.
Pros
- Do business with a local mover that meets high standards for customer care and service
- Avoid the hassle of finding local movers on your own
- Clear and fair pricing
Cons
- Full-service local moves are expensive--almost as costly as cross-country moves
- Risk of letting an agent choose the mover for you
Best Local Moving DIY Option: PODS
PODS are a flexible option for people who are moving short distances. You can order a shipping container and either pack it yourself or hire PODS to do it for you. The containers come in various sizes, ranging from those suitable for moving small apartments to those that can handle everything in a large family home. Once the container is packed, it's picked up by a PODS truck and taken to your new home.
Pros
- Pack at your own pace
- Have access to your stuff before you move in
- Save money by packing yourself
- PODS double as storage units
Cons
- May not be suitable for urban locations that lack space to put a POD
- Security concerns with having an unattended POD outside your home
Best Outside-the-Moving-Box Option: USPS
For those who want an even more DIY approach to moving, the United States Post Office is a clever option for moving your smaller possessions. While mailing your stuff not be a practical way to move beds, sofas, tables, and the like, it can be an easy and economical way to have non-furniture items delivered right to your new home.
Pros
- Use the USPS media rate for economical shipping of books, CDs, videos, etc.
- Shipping costs are set by volume, not weight
- Especially attractive for moving small, heavy items
Cons
- Is generally a supplement to other moving options
- Not suitable for moving appliances and furniture