Best Moving Companies in Maplewood & South Orange, NJ (2026): Our Top Picks

Who wrote this: the team at University Van Lines, a New Jersey moving company that has been moving families since 1975. We are one of the companies on this list, and we say so wherever we appear. The other four are smaller, well-reviewed companies based in or near town.

Maplewood and South Orange are full of older colonials and Tudors with narrow staircases, tight driveways and lots of families moving out from Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Key takeaways

Our pick: University Van Lines, for larger homes with art, antiques or pianos, and moves that need packing or storage. We're a mover, so read how we judged it below.
Why we picked smaller companies: local crews tend to know the streets, parking and older homes in town.
Based in town: Harrington Moving & Storage (Maplewood).
Before you hire anyone: get 2 to 3 quotes based on the same inventory, and check the NJ license and US DOT number.

Read our checklist for choosing a New Jersey mover →

How we picked

Our method, in plain words.

We started with every mover Google shows for Maplewood & South Orange searches and kept companies that:

are smaller, locally based companies rather than big regional operations,
have a Google rating of 4.4 or higher,
list a real business location in New Jersey,
and are based within a short drive of Maplewood & South Orange.

For each one we looked at Google rating, number of reviews and where they're based. We have not hired these companies ourselves, so we don't claim to know their prices or crews. Always check reviews and licenses yourself before you book.

Why we put ourselves first: it's our website, and we're upfront about that. We ranked ourselves first only for the kind of move we're best at. If yours is different, one of the others may suit you better, and that's fine.

What a mover does

What you're actually hiring.

Local move: crew and truck, usually charged by the hour. Packing: the crew boxes everything (or just the kitchen and fragile items) the day before. Specialty items: pianos, art, antiques and safes need extra people, padding or crates. Storage: the mover keeps your things in its warehouse between homes. Long distance: priced by weight or volume, and the company needs a US DOT number.

Side by side

Comparison table.

Company	Google rating	Reviews	Based in
University Van Lines	4.9★	39	Rahway, NJ
Harrington Moving & Storage	4.8★	365	Maplewood, NJ
City Moving Pros	4.8★	43	City of Orange, NJ
Nimble Moving Solutions	5.0★	120	Springfield, NJ
PALS Moving Service	4.4★	89	Union, NJ

Ratings and review counts as shown on Google on November 4, 2026. Swipe the table sideways on a phone.

Getting quotes? Add us to your list.

Tell us what you're moving and when. We'll set up a walk-through and send you a written estimate.

Get a free estimate Call (732) 882-1060

The list

The best moving companies in Maplewood & South Orange, NJ for 2026.

1. University Van Lines, best for high-value homes, packing and storage

4.9★ on Google (39 reviews) · In business since 1975 · Based in Rahway, NJ · NJ License 39PC00505000 · US DOT 4570225

Full disclosure: this is our company and our website. We are about 10 miles away in Rahway and work in Maplewood and South Orange all the time. We put ourselves first because these towns fit what we do best: older homes with tricky stairs, families coming out of the city, and moves that need packing or a few weeks of storage between closings, all handled by our own crew and our own warehouse. We offer in-person estimates and do not ask for a deposit.

What we do: local and long-distance moves, full and partial packing, piano moves, art and antique handling, white-glove service, short- and long-term storage in our own Rahway warehouse, office moves and international relocations.

Honest weak spot: we have fewer Google reviews than most companies below. Weigh that however you think is fair.

Best for: larger homes, valuable or delicate items, and moves where the dates don't line up and you need storage in between.

University Van Lines truck and crew at a New Jersey home move

Get a free estimate from University Van Lines →

2. Harrington Moving & Storage

4.8★ on Google (365 reviews) · Maplewood, NJ

3. City Moving Pros

4.8★ on Google (43 reviews) · City of Orange, NJ

Want a second opinion on your move?

We'll do an in-person or video walk-through and send you a written estimate. No deposit, no obligation.

Get a free estimate Call (732) 882-1060

4. Nimble Moving Solutions

5.0★ on Google (120 reviews) · Springfield, NJ

5. PALS Moving Service

4.4★ on Google (89 reviews) · Union, NJ

Which one fits you

Which moving company is best for your move?

Big house, valuable things

Art, antiques, a piano, a wine collection. Pick a company that will pack and crate them and plan the handling at an in-person estimate. That is the move we're built for.

Closing dates don't line up

Choose a mover with its own storage, so one company picks up, holds and delivers. No second truck, no second bill.

Small apartment, tight budget

A smaller local crew is often the best value. Get two quotes based on the same list of items.

Moving a parent

Look for patience and packing help. Ask whether they'll help sort what goes and what stays.

Moving out of state or overseas

Check the US DOT number and ask who actually drives the truck: their own crew or a partner.

Short notice

Call, don't email. Weekdays mid-month are easiest to get.

FAQ

Questions people ask before hiring a mover in Maplewood & South Orange.

Can movers handle the narrow stairs in older Maplewood and South Orange homes?

Yes, but tell them at the estimate. Older colonials often have tight turns where furniture has to come apart or go out a window. A walk-through avoids surprises on the day.

We're moving from Brooklyn to Maplewood. Should we use a NYC or NJ mover?

Either can work. What matters is that the company handles both ends: building certificates of insurance (COIs) and elevator reservations in the city, and driveways and stairs in New Jersey.

What if our closing dates don't line up?

Ask if the mover has its own storage. Then they can pick up from the old place, hold everything for a few days or weeks, and deliver when you get the keys, without a second company involved.

How many moving quotes should I get?

Two or three is plenty. Make sure each one is based on the same inventory, ideally from an in-person or video walk-through.

How do I check that a New Jersey mover is licensed?

In-state movers need a New Jersey public mover license, and interstate movers need a US DOT number you can look up on the FMCSA website. Ask for both.

More about our work in town: Maplewood movers and South Orange movers, Essex County movers, piano moving, packing and storage between closings.