Utah does not require movers to hold a state-issued household goods license – the state has no dedicated mover licensing program. That regulatory gap makes USDOT verification through FMCSA’s online lookup tool the primary method Utah consumers use to confirm a mover is legitimate before signing a contract. Despite no state licensing barrier, Utah’s moving market stays active: the Census Bureau’s July 2023-July 2024 data puts Utah among the fastest-growing states in the West, with population rising 1.8% to 3.5 million. Net migration accounts for about 52% of that growth, drawing primarily from California (16.6% of arrivals), Texas (7.2%), and Idaho (6.6%).
Growth concentrates along the Wasatch Front – the urban corridor hugging I-15 from Ogden through Salt Lake City south to Provo – where the bulk of intrastate moves occur. Salt Lake and Utah counties together absorb the majority of new arrivals, and most local moves stay within that corridor. I-15 is the dominant north-south spine, while I-80 connects Salt Lake City east-west toward Nevada and I-70 provides the corridor into Colorado for southern Utah moves.
Peak moving season runs May through September, with summer months seeing the highest demand. July heat in the Salt Lake valley regularly tops 95 degrees, and wildfire smoke can become a factor in late summer. The Wasatch Front’s canyons and foothill neighborhoods introduce access challenges – narrow roads, steep driveways, and limited truck parking – that require experienced crews. For long-distance moves into the Intermountain West, winter road closures through mountain passes can affect timing. Consumers planning interstate moves should verify both USDOT registration and FMCSA operating authority, as Utah offers no state-run equivalent.
Top-Rated Movers in Utah
Best of Utah Moving Company
Address: 10291 S 1300 E, Ste 142, Sandy, UT 84094
Website: https://www.bestofutahmoving.com
USDOT: #2920944
Founded in Sandy in 2013, Best of Utah Moving Company offers local, long-distance, and interstate residential moves throughout the Wasatch Front, with service areas covering Salt Lake City, West Jordan, Provo, Ogden, Park City, and surrounding communities. The company provides full-service packing and unpacking, climate-controlled storage, and specialty item handling for pianos, safes, and treadmills. Labor-only moves are available for customers supplying their own trucks or PODS containers. Best of Utah holds an A+ BBB accreditation and has accumulated over 4,500 five-star reviews across review platforms.
Moving Connections
Address: 412 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Website: https://www.movingconnections.com
USDOT: #2028429
Moving Connections has been operating out of Salt Lake City for over 35 years and serves 36 Utah cities up and down the Wasatch Front, with long-distance service extending through the 11 Western states. The company’s primary offering is a full-service move including a 26-foot truck and two movers; labor-only service is also available for customers using rental trucks, PODS, or trailers. Pricing is published on the company’s website – the most popular full-service option is listed at $149 per hour. Moving Connections covers residential, office, and apartment moves, and also sells packing materials through a sister company operating as a U-Haul dealer. The company holds an A+ BBB rating.
Bailey’s Moving & Storage
Address: 400 N 700 W, North Salt Lake, UT 84054
Website: https://www.baileysallied.com
USDOT: #321642
(National chain with Utah operations)
Founded in Orem in 1952 and headquartered in North Salt Lake, Bailey’s Moving & Storage operates as an Agent of Allied Van Lines with Utah locations in North Salt Lake and Lehi, plus additional offices in Colorado. Services span local intrastate moves (over 50 miles within Utah), interstate moves through the Allied Van Lines network, international moves, commercial office relocations, employee relocation programs, and both short- and long-term climate-controlled storage. Bailey’s serves moves throughout Utah – from Logan in the north to St. George in the south – and its Allied affiliation provides access to a nationwide network for customers relocating out of state. The company has held multiple Allied Van Lines Agent of the Year awards and does not act as a broker, performing its Utah moves with its own crews.
Moving Companies in Utah: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in Utah?
Utah does not issue a state-specific household goods mover license – there is no Utah PUC or state agency that registers intrastate movers the way some other states do. What the state does require is that companies operating commercial vehicles register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and obtain a USDOT number. Consumers can verify any Utah mover’s status and safety record by looking up the company’s USDOT number at the FMCSA website before booking.
How much does a local move typically cost in Utah?
According to MoveBuddha’s data for Utah, the average hourly rate for local movers in the state is approximately $156 per hour, with total local move costs typically ranging from $506 to $1,455 depending on home size and services selected. Moving Connections publicly lists its most popular full-service local option at $149 per hour. These figures apply to hourly-rate local moves; long-distance moves priced by weight and distance follow a different structure.
How does Utah’s geography affect moving costs and timing?
The Wasatch Front corridor – I-15 from Ogden to Provo – is where the majority of Utah’s population lives and where most local moves occur, typically keeping drives short. However, moves involving foothill neighborhoods, canyon roads, or properties with steep driveways may require smaller trucks and additional crew time, which affects hourly totals. For southern Utah communities like St. George or Moab, distance from Salt Lake City adds substantially to cost. Winter moves through mountain passes on I-80 or US-6 carry road closure risk, and summer wildfire smoke in August and September can affect scheduling.
How do I verify a mover is legitimate in Utah?
Because Utah has no state mover license database, the primary verification tool is FMCSA’s online lookup at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov, where you can search by company name or USDOT number to confirm registration, insurance on file, and safety record. Ask any prospective mover for their USDOT number before signing a contract. For complaints against movers in Utah, the Utah Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) enforces the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act and accepts complaints online at consumerprotection.utah.gov. Interstate move disputes can also be filed with FMCSA directly.
When is the best time to move in Utah, and what months should I avoid?
Summer – particularly June through August – is peak season in Utah, when demand is highest and pricing and availability are tightest. July and August bring the harshest heat in the Salt Lake valley, regularly exceeding 95 degrees, making early morning start times important. Late August and September can bring wildfire smoke that complicates outdoor work. Winter months (November through March) are typically the slowest and may offer more scheduling flexibility and better rates, though snowstorms and icy canyon roads introduce logistical risk. April, May, and October offer a middle ground of moderate weather and lower demand.