Alaska records the highest outbound migration percentage of any U.S. state, with 57% of tracked moves heading out rather than in – a rate driven by its extreme climate, geographic isolation, and an economy that cycles sharply with oil prices, fishing seasons, and military assignment schedules. That dynamic also runs in reverse: roughly 30,000 people move to Alaska from other states in a typical year, and close to 60% of the state’s total population was born elsewhere. The result is one of the highest population turnover rates in the country, which sustains year-round demand for professional movers even as the net flow trends outward.
The moving market here is dominated by Anchorage, where the vast majority of the state’s 738,000 residents are concentrated. From Anchorage, the limited road network shapes every logistics decision. The Parks Highway connects Anchorage to Fairbanks; the Seward and Sterling Highways serve the Kenai Peninsula; and significant portions of the state – including Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, and most bush communities – have no road connection to Anchorage at all, requiring barge or air transport for household goods. Moving to or from off-road communities is a specialty service that only a handful of carriers offer, and pricing for those moves cannot be compared to standard highway-based estimates.
Military PCS cycles are a primary driver of move volume. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage and Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks cycle thousands of service members in and out each year on federal orders, creating concentrated demand windows in late spring and early summer that can stretch capacity across all major Anchorage providers. Winter moves – from November through March – face road restrictions, freezing temperatures that require climate-controlled trucks for electronics and liquids, and shortened daylight windows for loading crews.
Alaska does not require a state-issued license specifically for intrastate household goods movers. All moving companies must hold a valid State of Alaska Business License from the Department of Commerce, and commercial vehicles over applicable weight thresholds require registration with the Alaska Department of Transportation. For any move crossing a state line, FMCSA registration and a valid USDOT number apply, verifiable at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Complaints against movers can be filed with the Alaska Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit, which enforces the state’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act. Local move costs within Anchorage typically range from $489 to $1,469 depending on home size, with interstate moves from Alaska starting at approximately $4,000 and commonly reaching $9,500 or higher depending on origin and whether the destination requires barge or freight forwarding.
Top-Rated Movers in Alaska
Royal Alaskan Movers
Address: 2216 N Post Rd, Anchorage, AK 99501
Website: https://royalalaskanmovers.com
USDOT: #2077580
Founded in 2010 and based in Anchorage, Royal Alaskan Movers serves the full state including Juneau, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Kodiak, and remote hard-to-reach locations, and also handles interstate moves to the lower 48. The company is part of The DeWitt Companies, a fourth-generation family-owned logistics group with experience serving military, residential, and commercial clients. Services include local and interstate moves, packing, vehicle transport, logistics coordination, and storage, with particular experience handling military PCS relocations and the logistical complexity of moving to or from off-road Alaska communities. The company holds an A+ BBB rating and offers virtual pre-move surveys.
AAA Moving & Storage (dba Allied Alaska)
Address: 747 E Ship Creek Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Website: https://alliedalaska.com
USDOT: #466500
In business since 1983, Allied Alaska is the largest full-service moving and storage company in Alaska and an accredited agent for Allied Van Lines, giving it access to a nationwide network for lower-48 and international moves to more than 200 countries. It serves Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kodiak, Ketchikan, Sitka, and surrounding areas and provides local residential, long-distance, commercial, international, and military relocation services, as well as climate-controlled warehouse storage with up to 28,000 square feet of capacity. The company holds an A+ BBB rating and has been named Allied Van Lines Agent of the Year multiple times, with ProMover certification from the American Moving and Storage Association.
Golden North Van Lines
Address: 940 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518
Website: https://goldennorthvanlines.com
USDOT: #163057
Operating since 1976 and headquartered in Anchorage with a second location in Fairbanks (620 Old Richardson Hwy.), Golden North Van Lines is one of the longest-established movers in the state and the United Van Lines agent for Alaska. The company covers residential, commercial, military, and international moves, including international relocation to more than 200 countries, and provides climate-controlled storage at both Anchorage and Fairbanks facilities. Its dual-city footprint makes it particularly suited for moves involving Interior Alaska, the Fairbanks market, and points along the Alaska Highway corridor. Full packing, unpacking, and furniture assembly are available as add-on services.
Moving Companies in Alaska: Common Questions
Is my mover required to hold a state license in Alaska?
Alaska does not require a special state-issued license specifically for intrastate household goods movers. However, all businesses operating in Alaska must hold a valid State Business License from the Alaska Department of Commerce. You can verify a company’s license status through the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing online database. For interstate moves crossing state lines, FMCSA registration and a valid USDOT number are required.
How much does a local move in Anchorage typically cost?
Local moves within Anchorage generally range from $489 to $1,469, depending on home size and the services required. Alaska’s cost of living index is among the highest in the country, which is reflected in labor and logistics pricing. Off-road or bush community moves involve barge or air freight components that can increase costs substantially beyond those of standard highway moves. Contact movers directly for current pricing specific to your location and home size.
What makes Alaska moves logistically different from moves in the lower 48 states?
Much of Alaska has no highway connection to the rest of the state or country. Communities including Juneau, Ketchikan, and Kodiak, as well as the majority of Alaska bush communities, require household goods to travel by barge or cargo plane. Even highway-connected moves can involve the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system for certain routes. Interstate moves between Alaska and the lower 48 states typically take 10 to 21 days due to barge schedules and mainland transit time – far longer than the 5-to-10-day windows common in the contiguous 48 states.
When is the worst time to move in Alaska, and what should I plan for?
Winter moves from November through March present the most significant challenges: extreme cold that can damage electronics, liquids, and wooden furniture; shorter daylight hours that limit loading time; and road conditions that can restrict truck access to certain areas. Summer is peak season, driven primarily by military PCS orders from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage and Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, which concentrate demand in May, June, and July. Booking 8 to 12 weeks in advance is recommended during summer months, as capacity across Anchorage providers fills quickly.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Alaska?
Because Alaska does not have a specialized agency regulating household goods movers, the primary consumer protection recourse is the Alaska Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit, which enforces the state’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act. Complaints can be submitted through the Consumer Protection Unit’s online form at alaska.gov. For interstate moves, you can also file complaints through FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov.