Wyoming’s Cheyenne metro posted 73% outbound migration in 2024 according to United Van Lines data – the highest outbound share of any metropolitan area tracked in that year’s study. Yet moveBuddha’s 2024-2025 analysis ranked Wyoming among the breakout inbound states of 2024, with inbound interest surging 30% year over year as remote workers and lifestyle migrants sought affordable Mountain West entry points. The divergence reflects Wyoming’s two-track market: Cheyenne loses residents east and south toward Denver along I-25, while rural and resort counties attract newcomers seeking land and affordability.
The primary moving corridors are I-25 (north-south from Cheyenne through Casper to I-90 toward Sheridan and Gillette) and I-80 (the east-west artery through Laramie and Rawlins). I-80 in Wyoming is among the most frequently closed interstates in the country – winter wind events and blizzards force complete closures through the Laramie and Elk Mountain sections multiple times each year. Moves between Wyoming’s population centers typically span 100 to 300 miles.
Wyoming is the least populous state in the country, limiting the number of local movers and pushing many long-distance moves to van line agents with national networks. Intrastate carriers must obtain authority from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). For interstate moves, FMCSA registration and a USDOT number are required. Local moves average around $99 per hour according to Freightwaves data, below the national average. Wyoming has no state-level household goods bill of rights or binding estimate statute for intrastate moves. Peak season runs June through August; November through March carries weather-related delay risk on both I-80 and mountain passes serving western Wyoming.
Top-Rated Movers in Wyoming
Arrow Moving & Storage
Address: 1900 Wyott Dr, Cheyenne, WY 82007
Website: https://arrowmoving.net
USDOT: #22889
Founded in Cheyenne in 1936 and operating for nearly 90 years, Arrow Moving & Storage is one of Wyoming’s longest-established carriers and serves as a Mayflower Transit agent, providing access to Mayflower’s national network for long-distance and international relocations. The Cheyenne office is part of a multi-state operation with additional locations in Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, and San Antonio. Services include residential local and long-distance moves, commercial and office relocations, professional packing and unpacking, specialty crating, climate-controlled storage, and military and GSA moves. All movers complete a Quality Labor Certification requiring 25 hours of classroom training and mastery of 160 moving skills. Arrow maintains a 4.9-star Google rating from over 220 reviews with A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Burke Moving & Storage
Address: 308 Southwest Dr, Suite J, Cheyenne, WY 82007
Website: https://www.burkemoving.com
USDOT: #1501462
Also established in Cheyenne in 1936, Burke Moving & Storage is Wyoming’s sole North American Van Lines agent and a BBB-accredited mover serving Cheyenne, Laramie, Loveland, Fort Collins, and Scottsbluff across both Wyoming and northern Colorado. The company employs full-time, year-round crews rather than temporary labor – a distinction important in Wyoming’s compressed moving season when demand spikes sharply in summer. Services include local and long-distance residential moves, commercial and industrial relocations, piano and specialty moves, professional packing and unpacking, secure storage, and international relocations through the North American Van Lines network. Burke is a ProMover-certified member of the American Moving and Storage Association.
Wyoming Transfer & Storage
Address: 330 S Spruce St, Casper, WY 82601
Website: https://www.wyomingtransfer.com
USDOT: #2099979
Based in Casper – Wyoming’s second-largest city and the hub for the state’s oil and gas economy – Wyoming Transfer & Storage serves central and statewide Wyoming for local, intrastate, and interstate moves. Services include full and partial packing, blanket-wrapping and door/floor protection, moving supplies for DIY moves, and climate-controlled storage in a 15,000-square-foot indoor facility in Casper. The company handles residential, commercial, and industrial moves of varied sizes, including apartments, offices, schools, and hospitals. Third-party review aggregators report a consistent pattern of customer satisfaction for on-time service and careful handling, with particularly strong feedback for its Casper-area local moves along the I-25 and US-20/26 corridors connecting Casper to Gillette, Riverton, and Rawlins.
Moving Companies in Wyoming: Common Questions
Is my mover required to be licensed in Wyoming?
Yes – intrastate movers operating within Wyoming must obtain motor carrier authority from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). Carriers performing interstate moves (crossing state lines) must also hold a valid USDOT number and FMCSA registration. You can verify a mover’s interstate authority using the FMCSA SAFER system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Before hiring any Wyoming mover, confirm they have a valid USDOT number and ask for their intrastate authority documentation for in-state moves.
How much does a local move typically cost in Wyoming?
Review data compiled from verified Wyoming move transactions puts the average local moving cost at approximately $99 per hour, below the national average and reflecting the state’s lower labor costs. However, long distances between Wyoming cities add significantly to the total: a move from Cheyenne to Casper (around 180 miles) or Cheyenne to Gillette (over 300 miles) involves travel that exceeds most states’ definition of a local move. Wyoming has no rate caps or state regulation of mover pricing, so costs vary by carrier, season, and specific move requirements. Contact movers directly for written estimates.
How does Wyoming’s geography and weather affect moving costs and timing?
I-80 across southern Wyoming is among the most frequently closed interstates in the country due to high-wind blizzards, particularly through the Laramie Plains and Elk Mountain sections. Winter closures can delay moves by 24 hours or more and some carriers impose winter surcharges for difficult-access or weather-affected moves. Wyoming’s low population density also means that rural properties may be far from major roads, requiring longer shuttle distances between truck staging areas and the property itself – a cost factor not present in more densely settled states. Peak season is June through August; moves from November through February carry the highest risk of weather-related delays.
What is a binding estimate and how does Wyoming law treat it?
A binding estimate locks a final price for the services listed, meaning you pay that amount regardless of how long the move takes or how much the goods weigh. A non-binding estimate can increase based on actual time and weight. Wyoming has no state statute governing estimates for intrastate moves – protections depend entirely on the written contract you sign with your mover. For interstate moves, federal FMCSA rules apply: under a non-binding estimate, carriers cannot collect more than 110% of the original estimate at delivery without written authorization. Always confirm the estimate type in writing before your move date.
How do I verify a mover is legitimate in Wyoming and file a complaint if needed?
To verify a Wyoming mover, confirm they hold a valid USDOT number through the FMCSA SAFER database at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and that they have current intrastate authority from WYDOT. Be cautious of companies that refuse to provide written estimates, demand large cash deposits upfront, or have no verifiable physical address in Wyoming. For complaints against an intrastate Wyoming mover, contact WYDOT’s Motor Carrier Services division. For interstate move disputes, file complaints with the FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov, which specifically tracks and investigates rogue mover complaints nationwide.