News & Politics

Smooth Moves: 16 Top Moving Companies

Want to get your belongings there safely and efficiently? These 16 firms are known for smooth moves.

Moving is stressful. You can ease some of that strain by
choosing a reputable, competent moving company.

These firms are highly recommended for residential moves. To
come up with this list, we first asked real-estate agents for
recommendations—they frequently make referrals to home buyers and sellers.
We also polled readers and industry experts, and we checked sites such as
protectyourmove.gov and the Better Business Bureau for the names of movers
in good standing.

The list ranges from companies with dozens of vans to smaller
firms with a handful of trucks. While most movers can handle an average
residence, you might need a large firm if you’re doing a long-distance,
complicated relocation—say, moving 5,000 square feet of belongings from
Virginia to California and, along the way, dropping off some furniture at
your daughter’s home in Colorado.

That’s not to say smaller firms can’t do interstate moves. With
midsize firms such as Big Green Moving and Majestic Moving & Storage,
you’ll get a dedicated truck and crew and a guaranteed delivery
date—because only your stuff is on the truck. You don’t share a van, as
you typically do with a larger company, though sharing one can save
money.

The bigger the firm, the more likely it is to offer
storage—though many midsize firms keep warehouses, too. Besides moving,
most of these firms offer packing and unpacking, and they sell boxes and
other materials.

Keep in mind that weekends and summer are busy times to move.
You’ll likely pay less if you schedule a move in a slower season or
between Monday and Thursday.

Top Area Movers

Beltway Movers, 301-420-2200 (DC),
301-340-2310 (Maryland), 703-971-3550 (Virginia). This company, which
began in the 1940s, has 52 trucks and moves households and small offices
within the Mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West
Virginia. Also offers self-storage.

Big Green Moving, 202-363-0770. This
12-year-old firm, which has two trucks and 12 employees, prides itself on
being a “green” mover. It purchases carbon offsets, uses biodiesel fuel,
and, instead of cardboard boxes for packing, offers reusable plastic bins
made of recycled materials.

Blake & Sons Moving & Storage,
301-610-5310. Family-owned and -operated, this 20-year-old Rockville firm
has 15 trucks and offers commercial and residential moving along the East
Coast.

BookStore Movers, 202-570-4697. This
company—started in 2005 by employees of a Capitol Hill bookstore as a way
to make extra money—has six trucks and is said to offer punctual, careful,
friendly, and reasonably priced service.

Commonwealth Movers, 301-670-4638 or
703-560-6683. This Gaithersburg firm, more than 20 years old, has eight
trucks. It specializes in local jobs but also handles moves along the East
Coast.

David Toran Chandelier Services Company,
202-328-9309. Transporting a fragile light fixture to your new
home? Toran, who spends most of his time cleaning and repairing
chandeliers, can expertly crate them for moving.

Great Scott Moving, 301-699-2066. This
Hyattsville company, in business 22 years, runs six trucks and handles
moves within a 1,000-mile radius.

Gulliver’s Movers, 202-483-9579 (DC),
301-209-0513 (Southern Maryland), 703-838-7645 (Northern Virginia).
Founded in 1990, this 22-truck fleet offers moving and storage on the East
Coast.

Johnson’s Piano Moving, 301-681-9655 (Maryland
and DC), 703-273-5813 (Virginia). Since 1978, Johnson’s has specialized in
one thing—and it has moved pianos in and out of the White House, the Vice
President’s mansion, and hotels throughout Washington.

Majestic Moving & Storage, 703-538-6683.
This nine-year-old, four-truck Arlington firm does mostly residential
moves—and is comfortable handling antique furniture.

Metropolitan Moving & Storage,
301-279-0090 (Maryland and DC), 703-837-0091 (Virginia). This Rockville
company offers local and long-distance moves, crating of artwork, piano
moving, and more with its 12-truck fleet.

Moyer & Sons Moving & Storage,
301-869-3896. This 44-year-old Clarksburg company has a fleet of 30 trucks
and 60 employees. It handles both local and interstate moves.

Rapport Relocations, 703-595-7564. This
Alexandria firm can handle local moves for both household and commercial
clients.

Ron’s Moving, 703-273-0781. A three-truck
Fairfax firm, locally owned for more than 40 years.

Titan Moving & Storage, 703-765-6426. This
14-year-old, three-truck Alexandria firm doesn’t leave you wondering who
will show up on moving day: You can read bios of its employees, or
“Titans”—many of whom are local college graduates or retired military—on
its website.

Town & Country Movers, 301-670-4600
(Maryland and DC), 703-560-8600 (Virginia and DC). Family-owned since
1977, this Gaithersburg company, with 105 trucks, also offers
international and military relocations and is a preferred vendor for many
senior-living communities.

Editor in chief

Sherri Dalphonse joined Washingtonian in 1986 as an editorial intern, and worked her way to the top of the masthead when she was named editor-in-chief in 2022. She oversees the magazine’s editorial staff, and guides the magazine’s stories and direction. She lives in DC.