West Virginia ranked first nationally for inbound migration percentage in 2024, with 66% of all United Van Lines moves going inbound – the highest share of any qualifying state. The following year it held second place at 62% inbound, reflecting sustained growth as a destination. Primary draws include median home prices around $240,000, low property taxes, proximity to Washington DC, Pittsburgh, and Columbus, and outdoor recreation across the Appalachian highlands. Moving to be closer to family (35%) and job or company transfer (31%) were the top cited reasons for relocating in 2024.
West Virginia deregulated intrastate household goods carriers in 2017 under Senate Bill 174, eliminating Public Service Commission oversight of residential movers. There is no state-issued mover’s license or licensed-mover database for household goods. Consumers must rely on FMCSA verification, Secretary of State business registration checks, and third-party reviews. For interstate moves, FMCSA regulates all carriers nationally – verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
The state’s Appalachian terrain means many rural properties sit at the end of narrow or unpaved roads where large moving trucks cannot navigate. Most moves are either short local hauls within the Charleston-Huntington-Parkersburg-Morgantown quadrant or longer interstate moves along I-64 (Huntington and Charleston to Virginia), I-79 (Charleston and Morgantown to Pittsburgh), and I-77 (north-south through the western panhandle). Peak season runs May through August.
Top-Rated Movers in West Virginia
Central Van Lines (Central Van & Storage of Charleston)
Address: 37 Jacobson Dr, Poca, WV 25159
Website: https://www.centralvan.com
USDOT: #1243887
Central Van & Storage of Charleston, operating under the Central Van Lines brand, is an Allied Van Lines agent that has served West Virginia since 1996 and holds eight locations across WV and the Pittsburgh, PA area. The Charleston-area office covers local moves throughout the Kanawha Valley and statewide hauls, with access to Allied Van Lines’ national network for interstate and international relocations. Services include residential and commercial moving, packing and unpacking, vehicle and boat transport, climate-controlled warehouse storage, and corporate relocation programs. Allied Van Lines named Central Van Lines its 2017 Agent of the Year, and the company is enrolled in the Ascend WV program, providing preferred mover status for remote workers relocating to West Virginia under the state’s relocation incentive initiative.
Watts Brothers Moving & Storage Systems
Address: 1301 7th Ave, Suite A, Huntington, WV 25701
Website: https://www.wattsbrothersmoving.com
USDOT: #587135
Family-owned and operating since 1988, Watts Brothers Moving & Storage is based in Huntington and serves the Tri-State area of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, as well as interstate moves. The company holds an A+ BBB rating and was voted the number one moving and storage company in the Tri-State area for 12 consecutive years. Services include residential local and long-distance moves, full packing and unpacking, military and GSA moves, storage, record retention, and labor-only assistance. Watts Brothers is fully licensed, insured, and bonded, and accepts credit cards with no deposit required. The Huntington base covers service to Beckley, Bluefield, Oak Hill, Flatwoods, and the broader southern West Virginia region.
Country Roads Moving LLC
Address: 1801 Morgantown Ave, Fairmont, WV 26554
Website: https://crmovingwv.com
USDOT: #3094022
Country Roads Moving LLC is a Fairmont-based company serving North Central West Virginia, including Morgantown, Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Weirton, and Uniontown. The company operates seven days a week and offers full-service residential moves, household packing services, labor-only loading and unloading (including PODS and U-Haul), and specialty moves for fragile items including pianos, antiques, and safes. Customer feedback rates Country Roads exceptionally well, with approximately 99% positive ratings across 221 verified reviews, consistent praise for punctuality, careful handling, and strong pre-move communication. The company handles both intrastate West Virginia moves and long-distance interstate relocations.
Moving Companies in West Virginia: Common Questions
Is my moving company required to be licensed in West Virginia?
Not at the state level for household goods specifically. West Virginia deregulated intrastate moving companies in 2017, eliminating Public Service Commission oversight of residential movers. There is no WV-specific mover’s license to look up. However, legitimate moving companies must still register as a business entity with the West Virginia Secretary of State and obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the State Tax Department. For interstate moves, federal FMCSA registration and a valid USDOT number are required. Verify any mover’s USDOT status at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov, and ask to see current proof of insurance before booking.
How much does a local move typically cost in West Virginia?
According to MoveBuddha data, the average hourly cost for movers in West Virginia is approximately $133 per hour – below the national average and noticeably lower than neighboring Virginia or Maryland. Published ranges for local moves typically fall between $95 and $150 per hour for two to three movers and a truck, with total move costs varying by home size and add-on services. Contact movers directly for current quotes, as rates fluctuate with seasonal demand and fuel costs.
How does West Virginia’s geography affect moving logistics?
The state’s Appalachian terrain creates real logistical constraints that other states don’t face. Many rural properties sit at the end of steep, narrow, or unpaved roads where standard 26-foot moving trucks cannot navigate; movers may need to use smaller shuttle vehicles or stage loads at a nearby access point, adding time and cost. Interstate move corridors – I-64 westbound toward Kentucky, I-79 northbound toward Pittsburgh, and I-77 northbound toward Ohio – are efficient highways, but mountain grades and winter weather can cause delays. Always inform your mover in advance about road access at both origin and destination addresses.
How do I protect myself when hiring a mover in West Virginia?
Because West Virginia does not require a state-specific moving license, due diligence falls entirely on the consumer. Verify the company’s USDOT number through FMCSA’s SAFER system (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) to confirm active registration, insurance status, and safety record. Confirm the company is registered as a valid business with the West Virginia Secretary of State (wvsos.gov). Request a written estimate before any work begins, get a binding estimate if possible, and never pay the full amount upfront. Photograph all valuables before the move, and retain copies of all signed documents.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in West Virginia?
Without state-level moving regulation, consumer complaints go to the West Virginia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, which investigates claims of unfair or deceptive business practices under the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act. File complaints online at ago.wv.gov. For interstate moves, also file with FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov. If a mover holds your belongings hostage or refuses delivery without additional payment, contact both the AG’s office and local law enforcement immediately.