Moving from Grand Rapids, MI to Ann Arbor, MI
About 126 miles inside Michigan. Past the 100-mile local band movers price on distance and weight, but because the truck never crosses a state line the move is regulated by Michigan, not by the federal FMCSA. That changes which licence to check and which estimate rules protect you.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Grand Rapids, MI to Ann Arbor, MI covers about 126 miles and is a move within Michigan. Full-service movers cost $567 – $756 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 730 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 126 miles, about 2 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $567 – $756. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Within Michigan
- Driving
- about 2 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $450 – $600 | $315 – $420 | $225 – $300 |
| 1 bedroom | $510 – $680 | $367 – $490 | $245 – $327 |
| 2 bedrooms | $567 – $756 | $408 – $544 | $272 – $363 |
| 3 bedrooms | $652 – $869 | $469 – $626 | $313 – $417 |
| 4 bedrooms | $737 – $983 | $531 – $708 | $354 – $472 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $851 – $1,134 | $612 – $816 | $408 – $544 |
Transport only, for an estimated 126 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor
126 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $630. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $567 to $756, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 730 people a year (±195) moved from Kent County, MI, home to Grand Rapids, to Washtenaw County, MI, home to Ann Arbor. Going the other way: about 642 people a year (±299). Movers from Kent County make up 2.1% of the 34,209 people a year who moved into Washtenaw County from another county or state.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Ottawa County, MI | 6,764 ±1,009 |
| Allegan County, MI | 1,547 ±395 |
| Ingham County, MI | 1,490 ±394 |
| Montcalm County, MI | 1,338 ±407 |
| Oakland County, MI | 1,146 ±423 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Wayne County, MI | 6,351 ±753 |
| Oakland County, MI | 3,405 ±506 |
| Cook County, IL | 962 ±198 |
| Ingham County, MI | 800 ±223 |
| Livingston County, MI | 796 ±269 |
Licensed movers at each end
30 household-goods carriers are based within 30 miles of Grand Rapids. 13 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 9.1% of their 11 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powell Relocation GroupUSDOT 261884 | Grand Rapids · 7 mi | 57 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| Two Men and A TruckUSDOT 2591262 | Holland · 26 mi | 11 trucks | 2 | 0.0% of 1 |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk and MovingUSDOT 2956991 | Grand Rapids · 5 mi | 10 trucks | 2 | — |
| Two Men and A Truck Grand Rapids SouthUSDOT 3683222 | Wyoming · 5 mi | 10 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 2 |
| Keller Transfer Line IncUSDOT 75812 | Grand Rapids · 7 mi | 10 trucks | 3 | 50.0% of 2 |
| Statewide MovingUSDOT 1716154 | Comstock Park · 8 mi | 10 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Ann Arbor end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Ann Arbor: Corrigan Moving Systems Premier Relocations (Dearborn, 245 trucks), Imlach Movers Inc (Trenton, 45 trucks), Morse Moving & Storage Inc (Romulus, 43 trucks), Rose Moving & Storage (Canton, 42 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Both ends are in Michigan, so Michigan rather than the FMCSA regulates the move: ask the mover which Michigan licence or registration it holds and check it with the state. The federal 110% cap on non-binding estimates does not reach a move inside Michigan, so your protection on this 126-mile job is the estimate you sign; ask for it binding or not-to-exceed. More in binding vs non-binding estimates.
Before you book Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 126 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
Arriving in Ann Arbor
A local move inside Ann Arbor later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $465 – $747 for a two-bedroom home and $777 – $1,371 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Ann Arbor are Detroit (about 42 mi), Toledo (about 52 mi), Lansing (about 60 mi).
Other routes from Grand Rapids
All routes from Grand Rapids, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids to Lansing, MI | ~68 mi | $465 – $747 |
| Grand Rapids to Chicago, IL | ~146 mi | $657 – $876 |
| Grand Rapids to Detroit, MI | ~163 mi | $734 – $978 |
| Grand Rapids to Cleveland, OH | ~265 mi | $1,193 – $1,590 |
| Grand Rapids to Dayton, OH | ~271 mi | $1,220 – $1,626 |
| Grand Rapids to Columbus, OH | ~290 mi | $1,305 – $1,740 |
| Grand Rapids to Akron, OH | ~291 mi | $1,310 – $1,746 |
| Grand Rapids to Cincinnati, OH | ~319 mi | $1,436 – $1,914 |
Also moving to Ann Arbor: from Detroit, MI, from Toledo, OH, from Lansing, MI, from Cleveland, OH.
Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 126 miles cost about $450 – $600 for a studio, $567 – $756 for a two-bedroom home and $652 – $869 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor take?
The drive is about 2 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $272 – $363 for a two-bedroom home, against $567 – $756 with full-service movers; a moving container is $408 – $544.
Is Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor an interstate move?
No. Both cities are in Michigan, so the move is regulated by Michigan rather than by the federal FMCSA. The carrier needs a USDOT number and whatever Michigan requires of household-goods movers; interstate authority (an MC number) is not required for this job. The federal 110% rule on non-binding estimates does not apply either, which is a good reason to ask for a binding estimate.
How many people move from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 730 people a year (margin of error ±195) moved from Kent County, which contains Grand Rapids, to Washtenaw County, which contains Ann Arbor.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.