Grand Rapids, MI → Traverse City, MI · Short-haul move

Movers from Grand Rapids to Traverse City

About 146 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,040–$3,040, delivery in 1–2 days, 322 carriers on the Grand Rapids side and 53 in Traverse City.

146 miroad distance
3 h 13 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,040–$3,0402-bedroom estimate

Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
To: Traverse City, Michigan
Road distance: ≈ 146 miles (124 straight-line)
Drive time: 3 h 13 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: In-state (Michigan)
Movers at origin: 322 (185 interstate)
Movers at destination: 53 (19 interstate)

Reverse: Traverse City → Grand Rapids

The route from Grand Rapids, MI to Traverse City, MI covers roughly 146 miles by road, a north-bound trip that falls into the short-haul move category for pricing purposes.

Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 3 h 13 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,040 and $3,040, before packing or storage.

On the Grand Rapids side there are 322 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (185 of them authorized for interstate work), and 53 around Traverse City (19 interstate). For an in-state move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Traverse City.

Grand Rapids has a population of about 201,183 and Traverse City about 16,000. Grand Rapids is considerably denser (4,440 people per square mile versus 1,894), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Grand Rapids to Traverse City

Full-service estimate for 146 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,190	$1,460	$1,780
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,230	$1,490	$1,820
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,040	$2,490	$3,040
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,270	$3,980	$4,860
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$4,490	$5,480	$6,680

Rental truck (DIY)

$300–$420

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,150–$1,690

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$2,040–$3,040

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Grand Rapids, MI → Traverse City, MI. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Grand Rapids (origin)

Sweet Express LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1128178
MC: 459522
Based in: Grand Rapids, MI 49512 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 429 trucks, 325 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (616) 241-9200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mdv Spartannash LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 2552754
Based in: Grand Rapids, MI 49518 (0 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 278 trucks, 278 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (402) 999-2119 Verify on FMCSA

M C Van Kampen Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 169993
MC: 147601
Based in: Wyoming, MI 49548 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 196 trucks, 196 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (616) 531-9931 Route Verify on FMCSA

Spartannash

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Gtl Truck Lines INC

USDOT: 238700
MC: 166314
Based in: Grand Rapids, MI 49518 (0 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 187 trucks, 200 drivers
USDOT registered: 1983

Call (616) 878-8589 Verify on FMCSA

Van Eerden Trucking Company INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 179734
MC: 150247
Based in: Byron Center, MI 49315 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 175 trucks, 193 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (616) 877-0192 Route Verify on FMCSA

Holland Special Delivery

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Hsd Operations INC

USDOT: 2839570
MC: 950826
Based in: Hudsonville, MI 49426 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 172 trucks, 196 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (616) 667-5100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Split Rock

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Ever Fresh Farms Transportation INC

USDOT: 473115
MC: 251709
Based in: Grand Rapids, MI 49508 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 108 trucks, 87 drivers
USDOT registered: 1992

Call (616) 530-0005 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jvc Enterprises LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1260191
MC: 492555
Based in: Byron Center, MI 49315 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 96 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Route Verify on FMCSA

All 322 movers in Grand Rapids

Near Traverse City (destination)

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Nordic Movers INC

USDOT: 1469296
MC: 554951
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (231) 947-8880 Route Verify on FMCSA

Denoyer Brothers Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 381828
MC: 134935
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (231) 946-4550 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cj Schueller LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 886575
MC: 1652579
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (231) 313-6085 Route Verify on FMCSA

Reliance Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2414628
MC: 831188
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (231) 403-9030 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bayside Moving & Storage

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Able Forwarders INC

USDOT: 882204
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (231) 946-4593 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alfarhan Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4172233
MC: 1604996
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49684 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (313) 398-8488 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grey Kitty Labs LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4312292
MC: 1681000
Based in: Traverse City, MI 49685 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (425) 698-8595 Route Verify on FMCSA

Willow Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4051865
MC: 1535580
Based in: Interlochen, MI 49643 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (231) 632-7020 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 53 movers in Traverse City

Tips for this move

Confirm whether travel time between Grand Rapids and Traverse City is billed one way or round trip.
A single-day move is realistic here; schedule loading in the morning so the crew arrives in Traverse City with daylight to spare.
Check Michigan intrastate mover rules; many states require a state permit in addition to a USDOT number.
Group fragile items and tell the crew which boxes go in the cab or on top.

Near Grand Rapids

Near Traverse City

Related routes

Other destinations from Grand Rapids

Other origins to Traverse City

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Grand Rapids to Traverse City?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,190 to $1,780 for a studio, $1,230 to $1,820 for a one-bedroom, $2,040 to $3,040 for a two-bedroom, $3,270 to $4,860 for a three-bedroom and $4,490 to $6,680 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Traverse City from Grand Rapids?

About 146 road miles (124 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 13 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for an in-state move?

No. Because both Grand Rapids and Traverse City are in Michigan, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Grand Rapids to Traverse City?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $300 to $420 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,150 to $1,690. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Grand Rapids–Traverse City corridor.