Moving across Canada isn’t just about getting your belongings from point A to point B. It can also be the beginning of a new adventure. Whether you’re trading city life for Vancouver Island, relocating to Calgary for work, or moving across the country to experience somewhere new, a big move offers the opportunity to explore Canada along the way.
Of course, there’s a less glamorous side to relocating. Packing boxes, coordinating transportation, organizing storage, and figuring out how to move everything safely can quickly take the excitement out of the experience.
That’s where hiring one of the best moving companies in Canada can make a difference.
As someone who writes about travel, road trips, and exploring destinations, I know how much planning goes into travelling long distances. Relocating involves many of those same considerations, only with a lot more luggage!
Canada’s size, changing weather conditions, mountain highways, and ferry connections make moving between cities particularly interesting. A move from Vancouver to Calgary, for example, isn’t just a change of address. It’s also an opportunity to experience some of Western Canada’s most impressive scenery.
In this guide, I’ll look at five moving companies in Canada worth considering, along with practical travel tips for making your relocation a little less stressful and potentially a lot more memorable.
Moving Across Canada: Why Planning Matters
One of the biggest considerations when relocating within Canada is distance.
Unlike moving between neighbouring towns, a cross-country relocation can involve several days of driving, overnight hotel stays, unpredictable weather, and careful coordination between your arrival and the delivery of your belongings.
Moving to or from Vancouver Island adds another logistical challenge: ferry transportation.
If you’re relocating to Nanaimo, Victoria, or another Island community, you’ll need to consider ferry reservations, vehicle dimensions, sailing schedules, and possible delays.
The good news? These logistical challenges also create opportunities to explore.
Instead of treating your move as a race to the finish line, consider turning the journey into a road trip. Stop in a new town, visit a national park, or spend an extra night somewhere you’ve always wanted to explore.
With professional movers taking care of your household belongings, you may have more flexibility to enjoy the drive.
Top 5 Moving Companies in Canada to Consider
Choosing a moving company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when relocating.
Beyond comparing prices, look at insurance coverage, customer reviews, service areas, and whether the company offers the type of moving assistance you need.
Here are five companies to consider when planning a move within Canada.
1. Best Moves – A Moving Option for Vancouver Island and Beyond
For anyone relocating to British Columbia, particularly Vancouver Island, Best Moves is one company worth exploring.
The company provides residential and commercial moving services in several Canadian cities, including Nanaimo, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg.
For travellers who have visited Vancouver Island and fallen in love with its coastal scenery, relaxed communities, and outdoor lifestyle, relocating to Nanaimo might feel like the natural next step.
However, moving to an island requires some additional planning.
Professional Nanaimo movers can help coordinate the practical side of your relocation, including packing, loading, transportation, and unloading belongings at your new home.
Best Moves offers local and long-distance moving, interprovincial relocations, climate-controlled storage, senior moving assistance, and packing and furniture assembly services.
The company reports more than 10 years of industry experience, over 9,000 completed relocations, and more than 1,500 five-star reviews. It also reports receiving Top Choice Moving Company awards in 2021, 2024, and 2026.
These are company-reported figures, so it’s worth reviewing recent independent feedback and confirming current credentials before booking.
Travel tip: If you’re moving to Nanaimo from mainland British Columbia, consider arriving a day early. This gives you some flexibility if ferry schedules change and provides an opportunity to explore the waterfront, nearby beaches, or local restaurants before unpacking begins.
2. Magic Move – Moving Around Calgary and Alberta
Calgary is an appealing destination for anyone who loves combining city living with easy access to the outdoors.
With the Canadian Rockies within driving distance, relocating to Calgary means weekend trips to Banff, mountain hikes, skiing, and plenty of opportunities to explore Alberta.
Magic Move provides residential and commercial relocation services primarily in Calgary and surrounding communities.
The company offers several moving packages, including Economy Move, Standard Care, Full Protection, and Premium Package options.
Depending on the selected service, customers can arrange help with furniture wrapping, packing, transportation, and positioning belongings in their new homes.
Magic Move also assists with apartment moves, student relocations, furniture delivery, and certain last-minute moving requests.
For someone relocating to Calgary for work, school, or a lifestyle change, having professionals handle the heavier lifting can leave more time for settling into the city.
Travel tip: If you’re moving to Calgary from British Columbia, consider planning your journey through the Rocky Mountains. Depending on your route, stops in Revelstoke, Golden, Lake Louise, or Banff can turn a necessary drive into a memorable Canadian road trip.
Just remember that mountain driving conditions can change quickly, particularly during winter and shoulder seasons.
3. Calgary Movers Pro – For Longer-Distance Relocations
If your move involves travelling between provinces, Calgary Movers Pro is another company to investigate.
Based in Alberta, the company advertises moving services across Canada, including residential, office, and warehouse relocations.
According to its stated company information, Calgary Movers Pro operates approximately 20 trucks and employs around 60 staff members.
It also offers specialized assistance for difficult-to-transport items such as pianos and heavy safes.
Customers can choose from three main service categories: Small Moves, Standard Moves, and Large Moves.
For anyone planning a substantial relocation, this flexibility may be useful.
A move from Alberta to Ontario, for example, involves considerably more planning than relocating between Calgary neighbourhoods.
There are travel days to organize, accommodations to book, and potentially several provinces to cross.
Travel tip: If you’re driving separately from your moving truck, build some flexibility into your itinerary. Your household belongings and your personal vehicle may not arrive at the same time.
Pack a separate travel bag containing clothing, medication, electronics, chargers, important documents, and anything you’ll need for several days.
That way, you can enjoy the journey without worrying about accessing items packed inside the moving truck.
4. Eager Beaver Moving – Exploring a New Life in Alberta
Eager Beaver Moving operates in Alberta, with offices in Calgary and Edmonton.
For people relocating between these two cities, the company offers assistance with residential moves, packing, transportation, furniture assembly, and setting up belongings at the destination.
Moving between Calgary and Edmonton can be particularly appealing for people who want to experience a different side of Alberta without leaving the province.
Both cities have their own personalities.
Calgary offers convenient access to the Rocky Mountains, while Edmonton is known for its extensive river valley park system, festivals, and cultural attractions.
The drive between the cities also offers opportunities to explore smaller Alberta communities along the way.
Eager Beaver Moving provides full and partial packing assistance, allowing customers to choose how much of the relocation process they want to handle themselves.
Travel tip: If you’re relocating between Calgary and Edmonton, don’t overlook the journey itself. Red Deer makes a convenient stop, while a detour to Drumheller can introduce you to Alberta’s fascinating badlands and dinosaur history.
It’s a reminder that even a relatively straightforward move can include a worthwhile travel experience.
5. Cubeit – Flexible Storage for Travellers and Relocators
Cubeit takes a slightly different approach to moving.
Instead of relying entirely on conventional moving trucks, the company specializes in portable storage containers delivered to customers’ properties.
This can be especially useful when your moving dates don’t line up perfectly.
For example, perhaps you’ve sold your home in Vancouver but can’t move into your new property in Calgary for another two weeks.
Rather than rushing to coordinate everything on a single day, portable storage may give you additional flexibility.
Cubeit operates in multiple Canadian markets, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.
Its services include on-site and off-site storage, container delivery, and storage solutions for residential and commercial customers.
Because the service uses portable containers, you may need to organize loading and unloading assistance separately.
Travel tip: If there’s a gap between leaving your old home and moving into your new one, consider using that time for a Canadian road trip.
A flexible storage arrangement could allow you to travel between destinations without needing to coordinate every part of your move around a single arrival date.
Just confirm storage charges, container availability, and transportation arrangements before making travel plans.
How to Turn a Cross-Canada Move Into a Road Trip
One of the advantages of relocating within Canada is the opportunity to experience destinations you might otherwise fly over.
If you’re already travelling hundreds or thousands of kilometres, why not make the journey part of the adventure?
Here are a few ways to combine moving and travel.
Plan Your Driving Route Around Interesting Stops
Rather than choosing the fastest route automatically, look for destinations worth exploring along the way.
If you’re moving between British Columbia and Alberta, the Rocky Mountains provide plenty of scenic stops.
For longer relocations across the Prairies, consider breaking up the journey with visits to provincial parks, historic towns, and local attractions.
You don’t need to add an entire week to your trip. Even a couple of extra stops can make the drive more enjoyable.
Book Accommodation in Advance
One mistake to avoid when planning a long-distance move is assuming you’ll always find a hotel at the end of the day.
Popular destinations, especially mountain towns during summer and ski season, can fill up quickly.
Booking your overnight stays ahead of time helps reduce stress and gives you a realistic driving schedule.
If you’re travelling with pets, make sure your accommodation allows them before confirming a reservation.
Accommodation tip: Compare hotels along your moving route using Booking.com, especially if you need flexible cancellation policies while coordinating your relocation.
Consider Renting a Vehicle
Depending on your circumstances, renting a vehicle may be more convenient than driving your own car.
This can be particularly helpful if your personal vehicle is being transported separately or if you’re arriving in a new city before your belongings.
For a road trip involving several destinations, compare rental prices, one-way drop-off fees, mileage allowances, and insurance coverage before booking.
Remember that a one-way rental between provinces can cost considerably more than returning a vehicle to its original location.
Keep Your Travel Essentials Separate
Even when hiring professional movers, keep important belongings with you.
That includes passports, identification, medications, travel documents, valuables, and anything you might need immediately upon arrival.
Think of it as packing for an extended road trip rather than simply moving house.
A small suitcase with several days of clothing can be invaluable if your moving truck arrives later than expected.
Moving to Vancouver Island: What Travellers Should Know
For anyone considering a move to Vancouver Island, the journey itself requires additional preparation.
Unlike most mainland Canadian relocations, moving to Nanaimo or Victoria often involves coordinating ferry transportation.
BC Ferries operates major routes connecting Vancouver Island with mainland British Columbia.
For context, the Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay route connects West Vancouver with Nanaimo, while the Tsawwassen–Duke Point route offers another option for reaching the Nanaimo area.
Both routes can be useful depending on where you’re travelling from and the type of vehicle involved.
Before booking a move, confirm whether your moving company handles ferry arrangements and whether those costs are included in the estimate.
If you’re driving separately, consider reserving your ferry sailing in advance, especially during busy travel periods.
Once you arrive, take some time to explore.
Nanaimo offers a scenic waterfront, nearby parks, and convenient access to other Vancouver Island destinations.
You could even extend your journey with a visit to Parksville, Qualicum Beach, or Tofino once you’re settled.
Relocating to Vancouver Island doesn’t have to mean putting travel on hold. In many ways, it’s an opportunity to begin exploring an entirely new region.
How to Choose the Right Moving Company in Canada
Before committing to a moving company, request written estimates from several providers.
The cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best option, particularly for long-distance relocations.
Ask about the company’s experience with your specific route, what services are included, and how it handles delays or damaged belongings.
For moves involving Vancouver Island, ask about ferry costs and scheduling. For interprovincial moves, confirm delivery windows and any potential additional transportation fees.
It’s also worth checking whether packing supplies, furniture disassembly, temporary storage, and insurance coverage are included or charged separately.
Reading recent customer reviews can help identify recurring issues with communication, scheduling, or unexpected costs.
And if you’re planning to turn your move into a road trip, make sure your travel schedule allows for potential changes in your belongings’ arrival date.
A little extra flexibility can make the entire experience more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Across Canada
Is it worth hiring professional movers for a long-distance move?
For many households, hiring professional movers can be worthwhile, particularly when transporting large furniture, fragile belongings, or an entire home’s contents across provinces. It can also free up time to travel separately and explore destinations along the route. Compare the full costs against renting a moving truck and handling the move yourself.
How far in advance should I book a moving company in Canada?
Booking several weeks in advance is a sensible starting point, with additional lead time during busy summer months or around the end of the month. Long-distance moves and relocations involving ferry transportation may require more planning. Confirm availability directly with your preferred company.
Can I travel while a moving company transports my belongings?
Yes, depending on the service agreement and delivery schedule. Some long-distance moving arrangements allow customers to travel separately while their belongings are transported. Confirm estimated delivery dates, storage options, and what happens if you arrive before your shipment.
What should I consider when moving to Vancouver Island?
Ferry transportation, moving truck dimensions, reservation availability, and potential weather delays are important considerations. You’ll also want to confirm whether your moving company includes ferry expenses in its quote.
Is portable storage better than hiring traditional movers?
It depends on your schedule and moving requirements. Portable storage can provide flexibility when packing gradually or dealing with a gap between moving dates. Traditional movers may be more convenient when you want assistance with packing, lifting, transportation, and unloading.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Next Move an Adventure
Moving to a new city can be stressful, but it can also be the beginning of an exciting chapter.
Whether you’re relocating to Nanaimo for its coastal lifestyle, moving to Calgary to be closer to the mountains, or crossing several provinces for a fresh start, there’s an opportunity to experience more of Canada along the way.
The five moving companies featured here offer different approaches to relocation. Best Moves provides moving assistance in Nanaimo and other Canadian cities, while Magic Move, Calgary Movers Pro, and Eager Beaver Moving offer services with strong connections to Alberta. Cubeit provides an alternative for people who prefer flexible portable storage.
Before booking, compare quotes, verify service areas, review insurance coverage, and make sure your chosen provider can accommodate your moving dates.
And if you have the time, don’t rush the journey.
Plan a few scenic stops, explore somewhere new, and treat the drive to your next home as another travel experience.
After all, sometimes the best adventures begin with a change of address.
What say you?
Thoughts on the Best Moving Companies in Canada?
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