Top Moving Companies in San Luis Obispo, CA (August 2026)
Meathead Movers is our pick for the best movers in San Luis Obispo, CA, earning 534 reviews with 85.0% positive feedback. After analyzing 374 moving companies serving San Luis Obispo, we ranked the top options to help you compare and choose.
For long-distance relocations from San Luis Obispo, we think Colonial Van Lines is the best overall choice. Their national reputation is built on honest flat-rate pricing, reliable service, and satisfied customers nationwide.
Meathead Movers |
Central Coast Moving Co. |
ASAP Movers |
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Meathead Movers | 4.86
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Colonial Van Lines | 5.0
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PODS | 4.5
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Budget Truck Rental | 4.3
Why Trust FreightWaves Checkpoint?
At FreightWaves Checkpoint, we routinely evaluate more than 4,000 moving companies across the country using a data-driven scoring system built around performance, accountability, and overall customer experience. Our editorial team assigns weighted scores to the factors that matter most to consumers planning a move.
Here's how we rank movers:
Customer feedback (40%): Verified consumer reviews carry the most weight in our methodology. We evaluate overall ratings, review volume, consistency across platforms, and patterns in customer experiences to measure satisfaction and service reliability.
Complaint track record (20%): While issues can arise in any move, resolution matters. We review complaint history through public consumer databases, focusing on frequency, severity, and how proactively a company works to address and resolve disputes.
Pricing transparency (15%): Clear estimates, well-defined deposits, and straightforward contracts score higher in our system. We prioritize movers that make it easy to understand what you'll pay — without hidden fees or vague pricing language.
Service offerings (12%): Companies that provide a wide range of services — including full packing, specialty item handling, storage solutions, and interstate moving — earn stronger marks for flexibility and convenience.
Online experience (8%): We look at how easy a company makes it to get information, request a quote, and understand its services online. Up-to-date websites, clear contact details, and responsive review engagement all factor into the score.
Company track record (5%): Longevity, proper licensing, and overall business stability also play a role. Movers with a consistent operating history and verified credentials receive higher marks.
Our rankings are updated regularly to reflect new data, evolving consumer feedback, and shifts in company performance — helping you compare movers with confidence.
Top-Rated Local Movers in San Luis Obispo, CA
Settling into a new spot within San Luis Obispo doesn't have to be stressful. With the right local moving company, even a quick move across town can be efficient and hassle-free.
Check out these highly recommended movers to simplify your local move:
Top-rated movers in San Luis Obispo:
- Meathead Movers: 534 reviews (85.0% positive)
- Central Coast Moving Co.: 312 reviews (96.8% positive)
- ASAP Movers: 436 reviews (94.3% positive)
- Martian Movers: 295 reviews (95.3% positive)
- Louie’s Central Coast Movers: 82 reviews (95.1% positive)
Meathead Movers
3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
Meathead Movers (DOT: 921143) is an active moving company offering full-service moving, including local intrastate and interstate relocations. They provide packing, unpacking, storage, office moving, and senior moving services, with credit card payments accepted. One potential downside is that they do not offer international moving, junk removal, or specialty services like piano, pool table, or antique moving.
"The easiest, smoothest move we have ever had. The guys arrived early, worked hard, and were friendly and respectful of our belongings. Very fair prices. We highly recommend this moving company!"
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Cons
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Poor packing quality
Services
- Full-service
- Out-of-state
- Senior moving
- Full unpacking
- Offsite storage
- In-state
- Accepts credit cards
- Full packing
Central Coast Moving Co.
3051 Propeller Dr, Paso Robles, CA, 93446
Central Coast Moving Co. offers full-service intrastate moving with packing, unpacking, storage, and climate-controlled storage options. They can also handle specialty items such as pianos, antiques, artwork, hot tubs, and safes, along with junk removal and labor-only services. Customers may appreciate available senior and military discounts, including a specific senior discount. A potential downside is that they do not offer interstate or international moving services.
"Central Coast Moving was incredible. From the first phone call to the end of moving day, their team was professional, friendly, and efficient. Their attention to detail was impressive."
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
Cons
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Inexperienced movers
Services
- Full-service
- Junk hauling
- Senior moving
- Full unpacking
- Labor-only
- Piano
- Offsite storage
- Heavy safes
- In-state
- Accepts credit cards
- Full packing
ASAP Movers
925 Buckley Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
ASAP Movers (DOT: 1278931) is an active mover offering full-service local, intrastate, and interstate moves, with packing, unpacking, storage, and shipment tracking available.
They can handle small moves, offices, pianos, hot tubs, senior moves, and fragile-only packing, along with crating and full valuation coverage.
They are DOD certified and accept credit card payments, but they do not offer international moving, which may be a drawback for customers relocating overseas.
"We had the best experience with ASAP movers. They arrived on time and went above and beyond every step of the way to get us moved efficiently and protect our belongings."
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Cons
- Damage to items
- Unprofessional behavior
- Lack of communication
Services
- Full-service
- Out-of-state
- Senior moving
- Full unpacking
- Labor-only
- Piano
- Offsite storage
- In-state
- Accepts credit cards
- Full packing
Martian Movers
901 Buckley Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
Martian Movers (DOT: 3196615) is an active moving company offering full-service, interstate, intrastate, and international moves.
They provide packing, unpacking, crating, storage with climate-controlled options, junk removal, and specialty moving for items like pianos, antiques, pool tables, safes, hot tubs, and artwork.
They also support labor-only moves and senior moving services, but they do not offer small moves or debris removal, which may be a drawback for some customers.
"Super quick and efficient. They made my move stress-free and were very friendly and careful with all my things. Will gladly hire them again!"
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Cons
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unreliable timing
Services
- Full-service
- Out-of-state
- Junk hauling
- Senior moving
- Full unpacking
- Labor-only
- Piano
- Offsite storage
- Heavy safes
- In-state
- Accepts credit cards
- Full packing
Louie’s Central Coast Movers
810 E. Stanford Road, Santa Maria, CA, 93454
Louie’s Central Coast Movers provides full-service moving for local and interstate relocations, with packing, unpacking, storage, and climate-controlled storage available. They can also handle specialty items such as pianos, antiques, pool tables, safes, and hot tubs, and they offer junk removal and crating services. A potential downside for some customers is that they do not offer international moving, labor-only service, or small-move options.
"Had an absolutely wonderful experience with Central Coast moving. They were efficient, had amazing communication and I would use them again. Highly recommend!"
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Highly recommended
Cons
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Unreliable timing
- Broken promises
Services
- Full-service
- Out-of-state
- Junk hauling
- Senior moving
- Full unpacking
- Piano
- Offsite storage
- Heavy safes
- In-state
- Accepts credit cards
- Full packing
More California Moving Options
Curious about all moving solutions near you? Check out this list of the best moving companies in California.
The Best Long-Distance Movers in San Luis Obispo, CA
Starting fresh from San Luis Obispo can unlock endless opportunities, whether you're headed to a nearby city or across state lines into new territories. Ensuring a good start to your transition means picking a dependable interstate mover, and these expert options can help pave the way:
Colonial Van Lines
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Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Colonial Van Lines
Colonial Van Lines (USDOT: 1434373) is a full-service moving company based in Pompano Beach, Florida, that handles long-distance moves across 48 states. With more than 50 years in the business and over 12,000 moves completed each year, they know their way around an interstate move. Colonial offers packing, storage, and long-distance transport throughout the continental US, all handled by highly trained crews. Their easy-to-use mobile app makes getting a quote quick, and customers often highlight the company’s friendly, professional, and reliable customer service.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Expert in-house crews
- Home electronics setup
- Trash & debris removal
Cons
- No local or international moves
- Not available in AK or HI
Services
- Long-distance moving (nationwide service across contiguous 48 states; excludes Alaska & Hawaii)
- Cross-country & interstate moving (full-service coordination from packing to delivery)
- Professional packing & unpacking (trained packers, specialty blankets, shrink-wrap, custom crating)
- Moving storage services (in-transit, short- & long-term climate-controlled storage options)
- Corporate & commercial relocation (efficient packing, storage, furniture assembly/disassembly)
- Full-service moving (end-to-end handling by CVLU-trained professionals)
- Customizable quotes via moving app or specialist (accurate, transparent estimates with virtual inventory)
- Colonial Moving App (virtual estimates, inventory updates, checklists, and box ordering)
- Colonial Van Lines University training (movers with 2–4 week curriculum and ~10-year average experience)
- Family-owned national service (50+ years, 250k+ moves, 4.6 Trustpilot rating)
Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving (USDOT: 3756000) is a veteran-owned moving company built around the idea of military-level precision. Thanks to its nationwide network of truck capacity, Safeway is able to offer very competitive pricing without cutting corners. The company also uses a multi-stage quality assurance process to keep moves on track from pickup through delivery. That combination of accurate pricing and consistent quality is a big reason Safeway earned a spot on our list.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 30 days of free storage on all interstate moves
- Long distance and cross country moves only
- A portion of every move is donated to charity
- Verification process to guarantee pricing and quality of service
- High level of customer service and support
- Veteran owned company
Cons
- Require a deposit at booking
- No local moving services offered
Services
- Long-distance moving (all 50 states, GPS tracking, barcode-scanned inventory)
- Flat-rate pricing (virtual walk-throughs, no hidden fees)
- Price matching (meets or beats quotes from qualified competitors)
- Comprehensive insurance ($6/lb full-value protection option)
- Packing and unpacking services (includes last-minute packing for an extra charge)
- Custom crating (for fragile, heavy, or high-value items like art and electronics)
- Storage options (30 days free, climate-controlled, long-term available, prorated billing)
- International moving (limited info online, contact customer service)
- 24/7 customer service (available by phone at all times)
American Van Lines
American Van Lines (USDOT: 614506) is a long-distance moving company known for its hands-on approach and experienced crews. Based in Florida, the company handles interstate moves nationwide and stands out for using full-time, background-checked movers rather than temporary labor. American Van Lines offers packing, storage, and specialty services for items like antiques and pianos, with a strong focus on careful handling. Customers often point to the company’s professionalism and attention to detail as key reasons it earns high marks.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Last-minute moves
- Private storage options
- Handles antiques, pianos & fine art
- Flat-rate pricing
Cons
- May require a deposit at booking
- Automated calls may be overwhelming
Services
- Local moving (affordable hourly rates, packing, custom crating)
- Long-distance moving (nationwide service, excludes Alaska and Hawaii)
- Packing services (upgrade to include professional wrapping, packing, inventorying)
- Antique and piano moving (specialized handling of fragile/oversized items, custom crating available)
- Military moves (in-home estimates, discounts, packing, storage, furniture assembly/disassembly)
- Corporate relocation (commercial moving, furniture disassembly/reassembly, storage)
- Storage options (secure, private units with surveillance, climate control, fire/storm protection)
- Moving boxes and supplies (available for purchase from AVL)
Allied Van Lines
Allied Van Lines (USDOT: 076235) is one of the most recognizable names in the moving industry, with a nationwide and global network backed by more than 80 years of experience. Alongside full-service local, long-distance, and international moves, Allied offers Allied Express, a portable container option that includes professional loading and unloading. With packing, storage, and specialty services also available, Allied provides flexible solutions for a wide range of moving needs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Specialty packing services
- Short- and long-term storage
- Appliance disconnection & reconnection
- International shipping
Cons
- Pricing is generally higher than other van lines
- Pricing estimates can take 3-5 days
Services
- Household moving (local, long-distance, cross-country — packing, loading, transport, unloading, unpacking)
- Long-distance & interstate moving (contiguous U.S.; full-service options)
- International moving (130+ countries; online tracking, customs clearance, destination services)
- Military moves (PCS, deployment; temporary/in-transit storage; compliance with DoD regulations)
- Corporate & office relocation (employee moves, office packing, furniture disassembly/reassembly)
- Packing & unpacking services (professional crews, specialty materials, custom crating for fragile/odd items)
- Moving supplies & kits (boxes, shrink-wrap, moving kits available)
- Storage solutions (in-transit, short- & long-term climate-controlled units with security)
- Portable storage containers (rentable containers for packing/storing during move)
- Full-service moving coordinators & 24/7 support (dedicated move coordinator, transparent pricing, no hidden fees)
BLVD Moving
BLVD Moving (USDOT: 3342827) is a long-distance moving company that puts a strong emphasis on clear pricing and customer communication. The company coordinates interstate moves nationwide and is known for assigning a dedicated move coordinator to guide customers through each step of the process. With professional packing, storage options, and a focus on consistency from pickup to delivery, BLVD Moving is a solid choice for customers who want a more organized, transparent moving experience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Full-time professional crews
- Flexible rescheduling
- Last-minute services
Cons
- Limited insurance options
- Limited pricing on website
Services
- Long-distance moving (nationwide interstate relocations coordinated across the contiguous US), Cross-country & interstate moving (full-service coordination from packing through delivery), Professional packing & unpacking (trained crews, high-quality materials, specialty packing for fragile items), Moving storage services (short- and long-term storage options through partner facilities), Dedicated move coordinator (single point of contact from quote to delivery), Transparent pricing model (detailed estimates based on virtual or phone inventory reviews), Carrier-vetted moving network (licensed and insured interstate carriers meeting BLVD’s service standards), Specialty item moving (oversized furniture, antiques, and delicate household goods), Customer support throughout the move (proactive communication and scheduling updates from pickup to drop-off)
Moving Services Offered in San Luis Obispo
Moving services aren't one-size-fits-all, and availability often depends on your location. In San Luis Obispo, some companies provide extras like piano moving, storage, or expert packing for fragile items — while others may not offer these options at all.
Want to see how San Luis Obispo compares? The table below shows service availability locally, across California, and against the national average — helping you understand which moving services are easy to find and which are less common.
| Service | San Luis Obispo | CA | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing | 6 | 371 | 3,095 |
| Unpacking | 6 | 362 | 2,994 |
| Packing materials | 1 | 259 | 1,860 |
| Piano | 5 | 298 | 2,282 |
| Antiques | 4 | 228 | 1,453 |
| Art | 3 | 229 | 1,440 |
| Standard storage | 6 | 322 | 2,709 |
| Climate-controlled storage | 4 | 82 | 1,051 |
| Fragile-only packing | 2 | 105 | 747 |
| Custom crating | 5 | 291 | 1,914 |
Full-Service Moving Alternatives
Full-service movers handle everything from packing to unloading, but if you're looking to save money or just need muscle for part of the job, there are some solid alternatives. Options like moving container rentals, truck rentals, and hourly labor crews give you flexibility and control over your move.
PODS |
Budget Truck Rental |
Martian Movers |
Did you know? A DIY move doesn't have to mean actually doing it all yourself. In San Luis Obispo, there are 4 labor-only services available, so you can hire hourly crews to handle the loading for you.
FAQs
Do all San Luis Obispo movers handle out-of-state relocations?
Is it cheaper to move during certain times of the year?
Are San Luis Obispo movers insured and licensed?
Do San Luis Obispo movers offer discounts?
Yes. We found 2 offer military pricing, 2 offer senior discounts.
No AAA discounts are currently offered.
Can I pay movers in cash in San Luis Obispo?
How many San Luis Obispo movers provide packing services?
Do any San Luis Obispo movers specialize in fragile or high-value items?
How many movers in San Luis Obispo provide storage options?
San Luis Obispo, California Relocation Resources
