Oklahoma ranked among the top ten outbound states in the 2025 Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns Study, placing it alongside Louisiana, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Iowa in a year when national move volume dipped roughly 3%. The outbound trend reflects a combination of oil and gas market cycles – which have historically governed population swings in western Oklahoma and the Tulsa energy corridor – and broader affordability-driven migration to lower-cost neighboring states. The primary interstate corridors serving Oklahoma moves are I-35 running north-south between Dallas and Kansas City through Oklahoma City, I-40 connecting Little Rock and Albuquerque across the center of the state, and I-44 linking Tulsa to Missouri and St. Louis. Oklahoma City and Tulsa, separated by 100 miles via I-44, generate the highest volume of intrastate moves.
Intrastate household goods movers in Oklahoma are regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Companies must obtain a Household Goods Carrier Certificate from the OCC’s Transportation Division before operating legally within the state; carriers must also hold an active USDOT number, carry proof of liability and cargo insurance filed with the OCC, and register with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. Minimum liability insurance is $750,000. Each vehicle must display a valid USDOT number and carry an OCC-issued annual identification device – a stamp or decal purchased for $7.00 per vehicle. Carriers must also file their tariff rates and service terms with the OCC. Written estimates – either binding (guaranteed total price) or nonbinding (subject to adjustment) – are required before any move begins. Released Value Protection ($0.60 per pound per item) must be offered at no charge; Full Value Protection is available for an additional fee.
The OCC publishes a list of certified household goods carriers at oklahoma.gov/occ. To verify a mover’s certificate or request a copy of the rules, contact the OCC Transportation Division at (405) 521-2251. For suspected fraud or unfair practices, complaints can also be filed with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit. For interstate moves, FMCSA registration and a USDOT number apply.
Local moves in Oklahoma City average approximately $98 per hour for a two-person crew combined. Typical total costs range from roughly $340 for a studio apartment move to $3,400 or more for a four-bedroom home. Long-distance interstate moves from Oklahoma generally start around $2,878 for a one-bedroom load over 1,000 miles. Peak season is May through August; spring tornadoes and severe weather occasionally cause short-notice disruptions to moving schedules, particularly in the April-May window.
Top-Rated Movers in Oklahoma
Ace Moving & Storage
Address: 1700 S Eastern Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73129 (also Tulsa: 9111 West 96th St)
Website: https://aceatlas.com
USDOT: #34170
Founded in 1927, Ace Moving & Storage is the oldest operating moving company in Oklahoma and one of the longest-established movers in the South-Central region. The company holds OCC Certificate No. 1711 and Motor Carrier authority MC-128463, and operates as an owner-agent of Atlas Van Lines – one of only 52 independent agencies that own shares in the Atlas network. With two offices serving Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Ace covers both of the state’s major metropolitan markets from a single locally owned company. Services include local, long-distance, international, residential, commercial, military, and government moves, along with packing, storage, and corporate relocation. Ace has handled major commercial moves including the Oklahoma City National Memorial document relocation and Devon Energy’s headquarters move.
2 Fellas & A Big Vehicle Moving Company
Address: 105 NE 16th Pl, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Website: https://2fellas.com
USDOT: #1017321
2 Fellas has been operating since 1996 and has completed over 250,000 moves across its network of locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Stillwater, Dallas, Phoenix, and Northwest Arkansas. The company has served as the official mover of the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA franchise since 2008. Services include local and long-distance residential and commercial moves, packing, loading and unloading only, storage, specialty items, and in-house furniture moves. The company’s multi-location Oklahoma presence – covering both the OKC and Tulsa markets – makes it one of the few locally founded movers in the state with genuine statewide reach, as well as capacity for cross-state moves along I-35 and I-40.
Sherpa Moving and Storage
Address: 401 W 33rd St, Suite D, Edmond, OK 73013
Website: https://sherpamovingokc.com
USDOT: #3429977
Sherpa Moving and Storage is a veteran-owned and operated company based in Edmond, serving the Oklahoma City metro and surrounding communities including Norman, Moore, Guthrie, Stillwater, and Tulsa. The company holds OCC state license 332313 and offers residential and commercial moves at flat-rate pricing, along with packing, specialty item handling including artwork and antiques with custom crating, and storage services. Sherpa’s flat-rate pricing model – rather than an open-ended hourly rate – provides cost certainty for customers. The CEO relocated from the Marine Corps and New York to launch the company in Oklahoma, and the company markets itself on white-glove care standards and a thorough crew vetting process.
Moving Companies in Oklahoma: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in Oklahoma?
Yes. Any company performing intrastate household goods moves within Oklahoma must hold a Household Goods Carrier Certificate issued by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). The mover must also display a valid USDOT number on all vehicles and carry an OCC annual identification device on each truck. You can verify a mover’s certificate by searching the OCC’s published list of licensed household goods carriers at oklahoma.gov/occ or by calling the OCC Transportation Division at (405) 521-2251. For interstate moves, the company must hold FMCSA registration with a valid USDOT number, searchable at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in Oklahoma?
Local moves in Oklahoma City and Tulsa average approximately $98 per hour for a two-person crew. Total costs typically range from around $340 for a studio apartment to $3,400 or more for a four-bedroom home, depending on home size, crew size, services, and any specialty items. Long-distance interstate moves from Oklahoma start around $2,878 for a one-bedroom load over 1,000 miles; contact movers directly for current pricing on specific routes and home sizes.
What is a binding estimate and how does it protect me under Oklahoma rules?
A binding estimate guarantees the total price for the services specified in the written estimate, regardless of whether the actual weight or time differs. Oklahoma law requires movers to provide written estimates before beginning any move, and any additional charges must be disclosed and agreed to in writing before the mover proceeds. A nonbinding estimate is a projected cost that may change based on actual weight and services. Released Value Protection – covering $0.60 per pound per item – must be offered at no charge on all Oklahoma intrastate moves; Full Value Protection, which covers the replacement or repair value of lost or damaged items, is available for an additional fee.
How does tornado season affect moving timing in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s severe weather season runs primarily from April through June, with a secondary active period in November. Tornadoes and damaging thunderstorms are most frequent in May, which also falls at the start of peak moving season. Moves scheduled during active severe weather windows carry a risk of short-notice cancellation or delay. If you are moving during spring, confirm the mover’s policy on weather-related rescheduling before booking, and plan to monitor National Weather Service forecasts in the days before your move date. Late summer and early fall – particularly September and October – offer both favorable weather and lower demand than peak summer months.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Oklahoma?
For intrastate moves within Oklahoma, file a complaint with the OCC Transportation Division by contacting them at (405) 521-2251, or in writing to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission Transportation Division, P.O. Box 52000, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-2000. For fraud or unfair practices, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit is an additional resource. For interstate moves, file with FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov. Keep copies of your written estimate, the bill of lading, and any communications with the mover to support your complaint.