New York City Long-Distance Moving Services
Welcome to Colonial Van Lines, where we combine extensive long-distance moving experience with the personal care of our family-owned business.
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For a fast and accurate quote, call one of our Relocation Specialists at (800) 356-1855
Ready to make the move out of New York City? Our team of long-distance movers has been offering professional New York State moving services for decades. We have the experience and know-how to handle any move out of the Big Apple. Whether you’re leaving a Brooklyn brownstone, a Midtown high-rise, or a third-floor walk-up in Harlem, Colonial Van Lines understands the many nuances of a New York City move.
Here are some New York City moving quirks to be aware of:
- A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is necessary to move in or out of many buildings in NYC and the specific requirements vary from one building to the next. Colonial Van Lines takes care of the COI so you don’t have to worry about it.
- Elevator reservations are required in many high-rise and mid-rise buildings in NYC and may need to be made weeks in advance.
- “No Parking” signs may not be required, but they’re a good idea. These “moving permits” from the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) allow you to reserve a parking spot in front of your building for the moving truck. This helps speed everything up on moving day.
- Walk-ups can be a headache — particularly those on the 4th through 6th floors of a building — but our team of professional movers is trained to maneuver boxes, furniture, and decor down narrow NYC stairwells.
- Narrow doors and hallways can make moving furniture more difficult. Colonial Van Lines movers are experienced in moving furniture in and out of old buildings and are trained in furniture disassembly and reassembly in case it’s necessary.
- Alternate Side Parking (ASP) regulations can make parking difficult. The moving truck may be required to park on the opposite side of the street if your moving day coincides with street-cleaning day.
- Many NYC buildings restrict moving times. You may be required to complete your move during certain hours of the day, and missing your window could cause costly delays. Colonial Van Lines handles NYC moves in a streamlined and efficient manner to avoid these sorts of delays.
- Waste disposal rules must be followed. NYC residents are required to separate compost and recyclables from their trash and to follow specific guidelines for street placement. Moving often generates more waste than usual, so it’s especially important to continue to follow the local laws to avoid unnecessary fines.
- NYC streets can be difficult to navigate in a large box truck. However, Colonial Van Lines movers have extensive experience moving in and out of New York City and understand the best way to navigate this busy metro.
New York, NY
Colonial had good prices compared to some of the other competitors I was looking at to move out of state so I chose them. The reps were extremely helpful, right to the point in answering my questions about what I was curious about, and they were very present every step of the move. I packed on my own and they helped bring the stuff from the apartment into the truck and then from the truck into the new place. They were easy to work with and I would recommend them, especially for long-distance moves.
Brooklyn, NY
I was impressed with the help that Colonial was offering me and the quote that they gave to me was perfect. I felt comfortable with them 'cause I was moving some furniture from Brooklyn to Chicago and I was trying to find a good place. Their rep, Tom, worked with me from the beginning to the end. There were no damages and everything went beyond my expectation.
Brooklyn, NY
My wife called around and Colonial was the one that seemed to be most responsive. It was short notice. We wanted to leave in a couple of days. My daughter was moving from New York to Florida. The rep spoke with her, my wife and me, and he was able to switch back and forth between all three of us easily. It worked out well. The crew was awesome, too. They did a great job. I've had a lot of experience with movers and this particular one was a good experience.
Bronx, NY
I had a great experience with Colonial Van Lines... I was able to pack some things and then when I couldn’t pack, they did it once they got here during my moving day. It was seamless and they gave me a good window after they picked up my furniture up to getting to my new place. They also put my things where I wanted them like they placed the furniture where I want it to be placed. Their delivery people were courteous and friendly too. It was really easy... Overall, I was very pleased with the move and with everything that Colonial Van Lines has done. I would definitely recommend them.
New York, NY
This company was great for my interstate move! Great pricing, professional, fast move, and communicative! I moved from Florida to New York & everyone I worked with was very helpful & professional. The 2 movers in Florida did a wonderful job of protecting my furniture & moving everything into the truck... The 2 movers in New York let me know when my delivery would come & kept me posted even through NYC traffic & parking. They brought up my items & unpacked the protected furniture. Everything arrived safe & in great condition... I have already recommended them to a friend for their interstate move.
Call us or click here to get your quote today.
Popular Long-Distance Moves From New York City
Here are some helpful tips for moving long-distance as well as a look at some of the most popular moving routes out of New York City.
Call us or click here to get your quote today.
Colonial Van Lines has been rated among the top moving companies year after year. Most recently we were recognized as one of the best moving companies of 2025 by U.S. News & World Report — with special recognition for our highly trained movers.
Every single one of our long-distance movers receives between two and four weeks of rigorous training at Colonial Van Lines University (CVLU) — our specialized training center in Pompano Beach, Florida. In our fully furnished demo home, each driver, packer, and loader is professionally trained in the best practices for safe and efficient long-distance moving.
Interstate Moving Services
Only DOT-licensed interstate moving companies like Colonial Van Lines are permitted to transport your household goods across state lines. Our interstate moving services are delivered by expert packers, movers, drivers, and a moving coordinator dedicated to supporting your long-distance move.
Cross-Country Movers
With over 50 years’ experience as a cross-country moving company, Colonial Van Lines understands the complexities of moving great distances. We’ve built and trained a team of cross-country movers to support and simplify the moving process, ensuring the safe and secure transport of your belongings from one side of the country to the other.
We have extensive experience offering cross-country moving services from New York to cities on the West Coast, such as:
- Moving from New York to California
- Moving from NYC to LA
- Moving from NYC to San Francisco
Customizable Full-Service Moving
Every NYC move with Colonial Van Lines is full-service and includes loading, unloading, furniture assembly and disassembly, pad-wrapping furniture protection, transportation of goods, and standard limited liability insurance. However, there are additional services available to make your long-distance move out of NYC even easier.
Additional services to save you time and stress:
- Packing services
- Further insurance coverage
- Auto shipping
- Storage options
- Moving supplies
- Specialty item moving (antiques, pianos, etc.)
- And more
From Our Blog: Long-Distance Moving Tips From the Experts
As you prepare for your long-distance move from New York City, be sure to check out our moving checklist and pro packing and moving tips on our blog.
On average, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire movers in NYC. However, the actual cost will vary depending on several factors, such as when you’re moving, how much stuff you’re moving, and how far you’re moving.
To give you a better idea of what it might cost you to hire movers in NYC, here are some example full-service moving estimates for popular moving routes.
- Moving from New York to California: $6,000-$7,000
- Moving from NYC to LA: $6,000-$7,000
- Moving from NYC to San Francisco: $6,000-$7,000
Many residential buildings in NYC do require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before allowing movers to start hauling belongings in or out. This document shows that the moving company possesses all the necessary insurance coverage to perform the move.
When it comes to reserving an elevator for your move, some buildings require just two days’ notice while others require several weeks. Check with management and, if possible, make your elevator reservation as soon as you schedule your moving day.
The parking rules that apply to moving trucks in NYC can be complicated, which is why it’s so important to hire a long-distance moving company experienced with NYC moves. Some of the restrictions include no parking in bike lanes, bus lanes (during operation), “No Stopping” zones, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Some parts of NYC also have commercial vehicle restrictions that essentially prohibit moving trucks from using the parkway system.
Despite their roomy layouts and high ceilings, pre-war apartments in NYC often have narrow doorways and staircases, which make it difficult to move furniture in and out. Carrying furniture out of a walk-up is also tricky, particularly if you live above the second floor or in a building with lots of stairway traffic. This makes it important to hire skilled movers who know how to navigate tight spaces safely and efficiently without causing damage.
Get started on your cross country move! Call our moving specialists or click here to get your online quote today.