7 Best Moving Companies in Minnesota

By Sean Donnelly

Oct 25, 2023
Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota at night time as seen from the famous stone arch bridge

Planning a move of any size is draining. Professional movers can help you with every step of the process, from packing to transporting your belongings to your new home. We’ve evaluated the best moving companies nationwide and narrowed our recommendations down to the best Minnesota movers. Below, learn more about our top picks and how they can help with your local or long-distance moving needs in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.


The Best Movers in Minnesota

Best for International Moves: International Van Lines 

Why International Van Lines Stands Out

International Van Lines (IVL) was founded in 2000 as a logistics management company and international mover. Since 2004, it has provided local and long-distance moving services in all 50 states. Its moving packages are handled by either in-house IVL crews or partner carriers. IVL doesn’t offer binding estimates but specializes in speedy customer service and quick quotes.

Benefits and Drawbacks

IVL’s extensive service range helps set it apart from its competitors.

➕ Operates in all 50 states and 180 countries

➕ Features a cost calculator on its site for quick quotes

➕ Provides quality customer service

➖ Operates primarily as a broker in Minnesota

➖ Provides non-binding estimates

Cost 

International Van Lines provides non-binding pricing but was quick to offer a quote when we called for an estimate. When you call, have your inventory list, service requirements, and origin and destination addresses ready. We got a ballpark estimate in 15 minutes, but we recommend allotting more time for a visual inspection of your home via video call.

Services

IVL and its partner companies offer long-distance moves, local moving help, and international moving and logistics management. IVL also provides the following services:


Best for Artwork and Antiques: American Van Lines

Why American Van Lines Stands Out

American Van Lines (AVL) is a carrier that offers long-distance moving in the 48 contiguous states. Its moving crew members average 10 years of experience on the job, making them experts in packing and providing customer satisfaction for moves of all sizes. As a bonus, AVL offers binding estimates for all moves. However, its local moving options are limited in Minnesota. 

Benefits and Drawbacks

AVL’s carrier status and experienced crews make it stand out for artwork and antique moving.

➕ Features experienced moving crews

➕ Offers flat-rate pricing

➕ Operates solely as a carrier

➖ Requires large deposits for booking

➖ Features limited local moving options in some areas

Cost 

American Van Lines provided a thorough free quote process when we called for an estimate. We spent nearly 40 minutes speaking with an AVL representative about our move’s particulars and service needs. They mentioned that we would have to schedule an in-home consultation to receive truly binding pricing.

Services

American Van Lines offers both local and long-distance service. However, its local offerings are more limited outside of its central locations in Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. Residential or commercial moving packages with this provider can include the following services:


Best for Major Cities: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group 

Why Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Stands Out

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is a Florida-based moving broker with a nationwide reach. Its moving partners provide everything from labor for loading moving trucks to full-service relocation assistance. IMRG offers a cost calculator tool and moving guides online, including a blog post with tips for moving from Minnesota to Florida, to make the moving process more accessible to the average moving client.

Benefits and Drawbacks

IMRG’s breadth of partner companies makes it a leading moving broker in the United States.

➕ Has partners in all 50 states

➕ Provides price matching for competing quotes

➕ Offers partner company bios online to help you understand your moving options

➖ Provides non-binding estimates

➖ Operates solely as a broker

Cost 

IMRG provides price matching for clients who receive lower competing quotes. As a broker, it requires larger deposits to secure your booking. The customer service team at IMRG offers reliable estimates.

Services

IMRG’s partner companies offer local and long-distance service throughout all 50 states. Some of these companies can provide limited international service, but this will depend on your exact location. This broker offers the following services:


Best for Coordinated Moves: Moving APT

Why Moving APT Stands Out

Moving APT is a nationwide moving broker based in Florida. Its customer service team brokers out moving services to all 50 states. It has more than 2,500 individual partners spread across the country and can provide self- and full-service moving experiences to most locations in Minnesota.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Moving APT’s efficiency and speedy quotes make it a top broker option for many moving needs.

➕ Offers quick quotes over the phone and online

➕ Provides moving guides and resources online

➕ Offers company bios for its partners for full transparency

➖ Requires large deposits to book

➖ Has reviews that mention spotty quality across its service area

Cost 

Moving APT provides quick quotes via a cost calculator tool online and in-depth quotes over the phone. We received a non-binding estimate in about 20 minutes. You should schedule an in-home consultation to get an accurate residential moving quote.

Services

Moving APT offers quality moving services on short notice. Fast booking and quotes make it a great choice for local or long-distance moves planned in a short time. Note that you may need to pay added fees for moves booked at the last minute. Moving APT can offer the following:


Best for Condos and HOAs: Safeway Moving Inc. 

Why Safeway Moving Inc. Stands Out

Safeway Moving Inc. is a moving carrier and broker based in Fort Lauderdale. This mover specializes in long-distance relocation packages and provides flat-rate pricing for all moves. As a bonus, Safeway’s insurance policies offer added protection for all moving clients.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Safeway’s flat rates and national reach help it stand out from the competition.

➕ Offers flat-rate pricing for all moves

➕ Carries $1 million insurance policies, which exceeds industry standards

➕ Features a thorough quote process

➖ Advertises relatively few add-ons

➖ Offers no local moving options in Minnesota

Cost 

Safeway Moving offered us the most in-depth quote experience of the movers on this list. We spent nearly an hour on the phone with our representative getting cost information. We were informed that our deposit, although large, would be fully refundable.

Services

Safeway advertises relatively few add-on services but provides many of the basics that you can expect from nationwide providers. These include the following services:


Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services 

Why JK Moving Services Stands Out

JK Moving Services is a moving carrier and broker based in Virginia. Since its founding in 1982, it has assisted more than half a million individuals with their moving needs. It doesn’t offer local moving help in Minnesota but can provide long-distance relocation assistance to and from the lower 48 states.

Benefits and Drawbacks

JK Moving’s mobile app and financing options make it a premium long-distance option for Minnesota clients.

➕ Features a mobile app for move tracking and payment

➕ Offers financing options as low as 0%

➕ Has well-trained moving crews for specialized packing and crating needs

➖ Offers no local moving option in Minnesota

➖ Features reviews that mention poor broker partner quality

Cost 

We recommend setting aside time for an in-person or visual assessment of your goods before you call to receive accurate pricing. We were able to get a ballpark estimate within 20 minutes. Our representative mentioned small deposit requirements and outlined all payment options, including financing.

Services

JK Moving’s crews are trained in an on-site facility that includes a fully furnished house. This makes its specialized packing and crating for antiques more reliable. JK Moving’s crews offer the following services:


Best Customer Experience: Allied Van Lines 

Why Allied Van Lines Stands Out

Allied Van Lines is one of the most reputable carriers in the United States and has more than 500 locations throughout all 50 states. It has numerous Minnesota locations, including agents in Minneapolis and St. Paul. These locations offer a standard range of services, along with specialized small move solutions and in-house vehicle shipping.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Allied’s quality teams and its broad range of services available in Minnesota set it apart.

➕ Offers local and long-distance service in Minnesota

➕ Provides in-house vehicle shipping

➕ Works primarily as a carrier

➖ Features somewhat limited customer service hours

➖ Has varied reviews across different locations

Cost 

Allied gave us a quick ballpark estimate when we called for pricing. Its representatives were friendly and mentioned that we would not have to pay a deposit to book. They also mentioned that we couldn’t secure binding pricing unless we scheduled a video call or visual estimate.

Services

Allied excels thanks to its diverse service profile. It provides vehicle shipping with its own trucks and a dedicated small-move service called Allied Express. Its quality crews offer the following service options:


Compare the Top Moving Companies in Minnesota

Quickly compare our picks for Minnesota moving companies in the table below.

Star Rating BBB Rating Link
International Van Lines International Van Lines
B VISIT SITE
American Van Lines American Van Lines
A VISIT SITE
IMRG Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
B VISIT SITE
Safeway Safeway Moving Inc.
A+ VISIT SITE
Moving APT Moving APT
B VISIT SITE
JK Moving JK Moving Services
A+ VISIT SITE
Allied Allied Van Lines
A+ VISIT SITE
North American North American Van Lines
A+ VISIT SITE
United Van Lines United Van Lines
A+ VISIT SITE
Mayflower Mayflower Moving
A+ VISIT SITE
International Van Lines
Logo International Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
American Van Lines
Logo American Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A
VISIT SITE
IMRG
Logo Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Safeway
Logo Safeway Moving Inc.
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Moving APT
Logo Moving APT
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
JK Moving
Logo JK Moving Services
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Allied
Logo Allied Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
North American
Logo North American Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
United Van Lines
Logo United Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Mayflower
Logo Mayflower Moving
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE

Our Recommendation

Regardless of the size or distance of your upcoming Minnesota relocation, we recommend requesting free moving quotes from three providers before booking. Undergoing a professional quote process can simplify your move and clarify your service needs. Start the process a few months in advance to ensure you’re less stressed come moving day


Minnesota Moving Companies FAQ

How are moving companies regulated in Minnesota?

All local moving companies are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Minnesota moving companies must also obtain necessary truck insurance and business licensing. Check this registration with any mover you consider.

What is the cost of moving labor in Minnesota?

The average cost of moving labor in Minnesota is $310, according to U-Haul MovingHelp data. This accounts for two movers and two hours of work. Costs will likely be higher in larger urban areas like the Twin Cities and lower in rural areas.

What is the cost of living in Minnesota? 

BestPlaces.net lists Minnesota’s cost of living at 2.8% below the national average. While healthcare costs 22% less than the nationwide average, the cost of miscellaneous amenities is 17% above average. The median cost of a home is $309,500.

Where are Minnesota residents moving to?

Minnesota residents are moving to Wisconsin, North Dakota, Arizona, and Florida. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, these states gained the most new residents from Minnesota between 2020 and 2021.


How We Chose the Top Moving Companies in Minnesota

We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.

Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.

We also gathered pricing data from each company and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. Finally, to determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and their overall score on Google Reviews.