Vermont ranked first for inbound migration percentage in United Van Lines studies for three consecutive years (2021-2023), with 65% of moves going inbound in 2023 – though the raw numbers are small, with fewer than 250 families tracked each year. The state netted 7,592 residents in 2023 per Census Bureau analysis, the highest per-capita in-migration of any New England state and third highest nationally. Primary arrivals come from Massachusetts, New York, and California, drawn by remote work flexibility, lower housing costs than coastal metros, and outdoor recreation.
Vermont has no state-issued household goods mover license – the Vermont DMV does not operate a licensing program for intrastate movers. FMCSA verification is the primary consumer protection tool: confirm any mover’s USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before signing. Complaints against intrastate movers go to the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Nearly all Vermont moves stay within 50 miles – the state spans just 160 miles north to south and 90 miles east to west, with its largest city, Burlington, under 50,000 residents. I-89 runs the central corridor from Massachusetts through Burlington to Canada; I-91 connects the Connecticut River Valley towns on the eastern side. Rural properties with narrow gravel roads, mountain terrain, and seasonal road restrictions are common. Mud season (April through mid-May) can restrict heavy truck access to rural properties entirely. Average hourly rates run approximately $200 per hour for a two-person crew, with total local costs typically ranging from $490 to $1,492.
Top-Rated Movers in Vermont
Action Moving & Storage
Address: 2 Industrial Pkwy, Colchester, VT 05446
Website: https://actionmovingvt.com
USDOT: #434207
(National chain with Vermont operations)
Action Moving & Storage has operated as an Atlas Van Lines agent since 1985, making it one of Vermont’s longest-established full-service moving companies. Based in Colchester with a storage facility in St. Albans, the company serves the full state for local intrastate moves, interstate relocations through the Atlas network, international moves, and commercial and government relocations. With 60 employees and a large fleet of trucks and trailers, the company offers complete packing services and both heated warehouse storage and self-storage units. The Atlas Van Lines affiliation provides access to a national network of over 200 agents for customers moving out of Vermont.
Vermont Moving & Storage
Address: 276 East Allen Street, Suite 6, Winooski, VT 05404
Website: https://vtmoving.com
USDOT: #1596307
Vermont Moving & Storage operates out of Winooski with additional offices in Stowe and St. Albans, providing coverage across the northern half of the state. Services include local and long-distance residential moves, commercial relocations, packing and unpacking, and warehouse storage. The company’s multi-location structure enables same-day service to Burlington, the Champlain Valley, and points north. Vermont Moving & Storage handles both in-state and interstate moves and is locally owned and operated.
Local Muscle Movers
Address: 7 Ambrose Pl, Ste B, Burlington, VT 05401
Website: https://localmusclemovers.com
USDOT: #2162841
Local Muscle Movers was founded in Portland, Maine in 2010 and expanded to Burlington, Vermont, operating both locations with crews covering New England for local and interstate moves. Services include full-service residential and office moves, labor-only loading and unloading for rental trucks and PODS, packing, and specialty item handling for pianos, pool tables, safes, and hot tubs. The Burlington office holds an A+ BBB rating, and the company carries 96.6% positive feedback across 267 verified reviews with frequent mention of accurate estimates and on-time completion.
Moving Companies in Vermont: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed by the state of Vermont?
Vermont does not issue a state-specific household goods mover license. The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles has no dedicated regulatory program for intrastate movers. This means there is no Vermont state license database to check. Consumers should ask any prospective mover for their USDOT number and verify active status and safety record at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Business registration with the Vermont Secretary of State’s Corporations Division is a minimum legal baseline but does not verify moving qualifications.
How much does a local move typically cost in Vermont?
The average hourly rate for a professional moving crew in Vermont is approximately $200 for two movers and a truck – higher than the national average of around $139. Total local move costs in the Burlington area typically range from $490 to $1,492 depending on home size. Vermont’s above-average rate reflects the state’s relatively small mover pool and the terrain and access challenges common in rural and mountain properties.
How does Vermont’s geography and housing stock affect my move?
Vermont has a high share of rural and older housing – narrow gravel driveways, farmhouses with tight staircases, and properties accessed by seasonal roads that restrict heavy trucks during mud season (April through mid-May). Mountain passes and unplowed private roads can become inaccessible after winter storms. Moves between Burlington-area suburbs tend to be uncomplicated, but moves to hill towns or remote properties in the Northeast Kingdom or the Green Mountains may require smaller trucks and additional planning. Movers should survey access conditions before scheduling.
How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Vermont?
For intrastate moves (both origin and destination within Vermont), complaints can be filed with the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at ago.vermont.gov. The Consumer Protection Unit investigates unfair and deceptive business practices under Vermont consumer protection law. For interstate moves, complaints go to FMCSA at fmcsa.dot.gov, which has jurisdiction over all moves crossing state lines. Keep all written estimates, signed contracts, and correspondence as documentation.
When is peak moving season in Vermont, and what should I know before booking?
The peak season runs from late May through September, when college move-outs, summer weather, and the largest share of annual relocations all overlap. Moving companies in Burlington face particularly high demand in August when University of Vermont leases turn over. Vermont winters bring snow, ice, and reduced crew availability; mud season in April and early May creates additional access challenges for rural properties. Off-peak moves in October through March typically offer more scheduling flexibility and may come at lower rates, but winter road conditions require advance planning for moves involving mountain or rural routes.