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Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. review 2026 (Sacramento, CA)

In business since 1956 · Updated

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc., a Sacramento, CA moving company, ranks #90 of 1125 movers in California, with a moveBuddha rating of 4.48/5.

83% of Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.'s 124 verified customer reviews are positive. Customers most often praise its consistency and follow-up, while the most common complaint involves damage to items.

In business since 1956, Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. holds active FMCSA registration (USDOT #1885461). Ratings reflect moveBuddha’s independent analysis of customer reviews and FMCSA records.

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How Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. measures up

Across 124 reviews, Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. in Sacramento, CA is rated 4.9/5 on Google (77 reviews) and 3.3/5 on Yelp (49 reviews), and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. ranks #90 out of 1125 movers in California with a moveBuddha Score of 4.48 out of 5.

  • moveBuddha Score

    moveBuddha Score

    The moveBuddha Score is a single 0–5 rating that combines everything we know about a mover, so you can compare companies without cross-referencing a dozen review sites.

    It weighs customer service, quote accuracy, review quality, industry experience, website quality, brand strength, and ratings from Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.

    It is not a paid placement. Partners and non-partners are scored the same way.

  • Google rating

    Based on 77 reviews
  • Yelp rating

    Why does the Yelp score look different?

    Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. has a 3.3 rating on Yelp across 49 reviews, noticeably lower than its 4.9 on Google (77 reviews) and its A+ rating at the BBB.

    Both samples are of a similar size, so we treat the difference as a real split in customer experience rather than a quirk of low review volume.

    If you’re comparing movers, get a free Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. quote and see how their price and responsiveness feel in practice.

    Based on 49 reviews
  • Better Business Bureau

    Other names on file at BBB

    The Better Business Bureau also lists Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. as SmartBox Portable Storage and Moving and North American Van Lines/Motherlode Van & Storage.

    Businesses are often filed at BBB under a legal, parent-company, or former name rather than the one they trade under, so if you look Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. up on BBB, search for these names too.

    View the BBB profile

    Based on BBB profile
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Is Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. moveBuddha Certified?

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. is not moveBuddha Certified. Certified movers are licensed carriers vetted by moveBuddha and spot-checked every quarter. They meet higher standards for insurance, pricing transparency, and customer care.

With a Certified mover, moveBuddha does the vetting for you and provides added protection. Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. hasn't gone through that certification process, so it's important to check licensing, insurance, estimates, and claims policies yourself before booking.

What movebuddha certified movers offer

  • Up to $1,000 in added move coverage*. Extra protection for eligible moves.
  • Vetted for licensing and insurance**. We verify state-required insurance for local movers and liability and cargo coverage for interstate movers.
  • Dedicated moveBuddha support. Help through the move process.
  • Dispute mediation. moveBuddha steps in if issues arise.

Before you book, check:

  • USDOT and MC numbers. Look up the license and complaint history on FMCSA's site.
  • Insurance coverage. Ask for proof of liability and cargo insurance.
  • A written estimate. Binding or not-to-exceed, with every fee listed.
  • The claims process. Ask how damage claims are filed and how long they take.

* Added move coverage is not replacement-value insurance, or insurance, or an indemnity of any kind. About moveBuddha Certified

** Local movers must hold insurance that meets state requirements for local moves. Interstate movers must carry auto liability of at least $750,000, general liability of at least $1M, and motor truck cargo coverage at or above $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence.

What do customers say about Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.?

Out of 124 verified reviews, 83% of customers left a positive review about Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. in Sacramento, CA. 15.3% of reviews are negative and 1.6% are neutral. Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. has a 7% lower positive review percentage than the average California moving company (83% vs the California state average of 90%).

  • Positive83.1%(103)
  • Neutral1.6%(2)
  • Negative15.3%(19)

Based on 124 reviews across Google, Yelp, and other review sites.

What customers like about Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.

  • Consistency and follow-up

    Reviewers liked that Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. stayed in touch before and after the move to ensure everything went smoothly.

  • Affordable rates

    Many reviewers found Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. to be more budget-friendly than competitors without sacrificing quality.

  • Flexibility

    Clients liked that Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. was willing to adjust schedules or accommodate last-minute changes.

  • Professional and polite staff

    Customers say the Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.'s crews and service representatives handled their move professionally and were friendly and helpful throughout the move.

  • Efficient service

    Many customers praise Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. for completing moves smoothly and with minimal downtime.

What positive reviewers say

  • “From start to finish, their service was exceptional. The team was thorough in their preparation, ensuring we were fully ready for the move well in advance. On moving day, everything went smoothly and seamlessly.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “They bent over backwards to accommodate me and went above & beyond. Super friendly, affordable & professional!”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “Movers were on time, and the price that was quoted. Day of crew moved fast and safe and made our job easy.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “Mother Lode Van and Storage have assisted us in many of school moves over the last 45 days. We could not have completed our projects with them. The entire team was reliable, flexible, accommodating and always professional.”

    GoogleVerified Reviewer
  • “Mother Lode was 200% better and more professional! They did not damage any of our furniture, walls or floors.”

    YelpVerified Reviewer

What mixed reviewers say

  • “The driver, Don was as excellent as can be. The estimate for the weight and total cost ended up being double what was quoted. Didn't know that until the mover came to load up. Did NOT appreciate that.”

    YelpVerified Reviewer

Most common complaints about Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.

  • Damage to items

    Some customers reported that items were damaged during packing or loading.

  • Unexpected charges

    Hidden fees or surprise costs caused dissatisfaction among some Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. clients.

  • Misplaced or lost items

    In some cases, belongings went missing or were delivered to the wrong location.

What negative reviewers say

  • “Ours broke several items, and lost several items. We were rushed through the delivery paperwork signing process at the end of the move.”

    YelpVerified Reviewer
  • “Original estimate was $5700 and now they wanted another $3600 for less than 100 miles.”

    YelpVerified Reviewer
  • “Our CUSTOM sofa sectional was damaged due to improper wrapping and no tie down in transport. It took 2 months for them to offer a resolution, even though we had purchased additional insurance.”

    YelpVerified Reviewer
  • “In addition we have dozens of things missing. We wrote to the BBB, Northern Van Lines (the company who actually took our goods) with details of what was missing, well over $10K worth of goods.”

    YelpVerified Reviewer

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.

4.48Sacramento, CASince 1956

Save more than 30% on average by comparing movers before you book.

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What services does Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. offer?

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. offers long-distance moves, packing, and storage.

Services offered

Is Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. licensed and insured?

Federally licensed, operating authority active

US DOT 1885461 Check on SAFER

Verified against the FMCSA, not by moveBuddha

Yes, Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under US DOT number 1885461, as NORTH AMERICAN VAN LINES INC, and its operating status is currently active. It also holds a California intrastate license, number 189243.

Insurance is a separate question, and one this profile cannot settle: moveBuddha does not receive carriers' insurance filings, so nothing here confirms what cover Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. holds. Ask for a certificate of insurance before you book.

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State license number
189243Issued by California. Covers moves within the state, which the FMCSA does not
Registered legal name
NORTH AMERICAN VAN LINES INCThe entity behind the trading name, as filed with the FMCSA
FMCSA safety rating
SatisfactoryAssigned after a compliance review
Miles driven
33,152,156Reported to the FMCSA for 2024
Roadside inspections
0Recorded by the FMCSA
FMCSA record last updated
June 2026

How much does Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. cost?

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. does not publish hourly rates or flat fees publicly. Based on moveBuddha's data on moving companies operating in California, you can expect to pay approximately $129/hr. Total local-move costs from similar movers typically run $400โ€“$750 for a studio or 1-bedroom, $850โ€“$1,750 for a 2-3 bedroom, and $1,700โ€“$3,400 for a 4+ bedroom home. Long-distance (500-1,000 mi) 2-3 bedroom moves from similar movers typically run $4,500โ€“$7,500.

What similar movers typically bill for a local move

Full-service California moving companies similar to Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. typically bill the amounts below using a $129/hr rate for a 2-person crew and scaling up for larger homes that need more movers and hours.

Typical local move totals from similar movers
Home sizeTypical totalTime and crew
Studio / 1 bedroom$400โ€“$7503โ€“5 hours, 2 movers
2-3 bedrooms$850โ€“$1,7505โ€“8 hours, 2โ€“3 movers
4+ bedrooms$1,700โ€“$3,4008โ€“12 hours, 3โ€“4 movers

What similar movers typically bill for a long-distance move

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. is licensed for interstate moves, which are typically priced by weight and distance. Ranges below reflect totals from similar full-service California moving companies.

Typical long-distance move totals from similar movers
Home sizeDistanceTypical total
2-3 bedrooms500โ€“1,000 mi$4,500โ€“$7,500
4+ bedrooms500โ€“1,000 mi$7,000โ€“$11,500

What payment options and discounts does Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. offer?

Accepts
Credit Cards
Deposit
Not listed, so ask
Discounts
Military

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. accepts credit cards. Deposit policies vary by mover, so ask whether one is required when you request a quote.

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. also offers a military discount. Ask what you qualify for and how much you could save before you book.

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How Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. compares with the top 10 Sacramento movers

With a moveBuddha score of 4.48 out of 5, Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. ranks fourth among the top 10 Sacramento moving companies, just behind SC Movers LLC and just ahead of California Moving Systems, Inc..

The ten highest-scoring local movers near Sacramento, by moveBuddha score.

#MoverScoreReviews
1Two Men and a Truck MovingSacramento4.621,286
2Fuller Moving ServicesRocklin4.62310
3SC Movers LLCGold Run4.5042
4Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.This mover ยท ranks #44.48124
5California Moving Systems, Inc.Sacramento4.44210
6A Better MovingCarmichael4.44162
7Sierra Valley Moving & StorageSacramento4.3447
8Moving with GraceWoodland4.30553
9Seven Bridges MovingMartinez4.30104
10Metropolitan Van & Storage, Inc.West Sacramento4.3035
11Premium Movers Inc.Sacramento4.28126

How does Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. compare to other California movers?

  • moveBuddha score#90 of 1125(better than average)

    4.48vs 3.68 avg

    Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. scores 4.48, above the California average of 3.68, and ranks #90 of 1125 California movers.

  • Positive reviews#854 of 1125(worse than average)

    83%vs 90% avg

    Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. has 83% positive reviews, below the California average of 90%, and ranks #854 of 1125 California movers.

  • Negative reviews#854 of 1125(worse than average)

    15%vs 9% avg

    Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. has 15% negative reviews, above the California average of 9%, and ranks #854 of 1125 California movers. A lower percentage is better.

  • Reviews analyzed#479 of 1125(worse than average)

    124vs 270 avg

    Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. has 124 reviews analyzed, below the California average of 270, and ranks #479 of 1125 California movers.

  • Yelp rating#313 of 1125(worse than average)

    3.3vs 4.3 avg

    Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. has a Yelp rating of 3.3, below the California average of 4.3, and ranks #313 of 1125 California movers.

  • Years in business#24 of 1125(better than average)

    70 yearsvs 22 years avg

    Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. has been in business for 70 years, above the California average of 22 years, and ranks #24 of 1125 California movers.

MetricThis moverCalifornia avg
moveBuddha score#90 of 1125 in California4.483.68
Positive reviews#854 of 1125 in California83%90%
Negative reviewsLower is better#854 of 1125 in California15%9%
Reviews analyzed#479 of 1125 in California124270
Yelp ratingBased on only 49 reviews#313 of 1125 in California3.34.3
Years in business#24 of 1125 in California70 years22 years

Compared with 1125 California movers with moveBuddha profiles. Rank #1 is the best in California.

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.

4.48Sacramento, CASince 1956

Save more than 30% on average by comparing movers before you book.

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Final verdict: Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. earns a 4.48/5 moveBuddha Score and ranks #4 among Sacramento movers, with 83% positive feedback across 124 customer reviews.

Customers consistently praise its consistency and follow-up and affordable rates. It is best for customers prioritizing crew professionalism, helpful crews, and reliable service experience.

With a track record dating to 1956, it has more history than the average California mover, and the most common complaint is damage to items.

All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated October 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.

Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.

Sacramento, CA ยท Since 1956

Get My Free Quote

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Why moveBuddha?

  • 30%+Average savings

    On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.

    Calculate your California moving cost 
  • $1,000Added move coverage*

    When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage*, plus dedicated support throughout your move.

  • 1-on-1Dispute mediation

    If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.

* Added move coverage is not replacement-value insurance, or insurance, or an indemnity of any kind.

Contact Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.

Other Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc. locations

How we score moving companies

Every mover on moveBuddha is scored on the same six factors, weighted by how much each one changes a move.

  • Quotes & payment optionsWeighs most

    The heaviest factor, because price certainty is where moves go wrong. We reward estimates you can hold a mover to, and terms disclosed before you pay.

  • Online reputationMajor factor

    An objective read from third parties rather than from the mover. The Google rating for the company's headquarters sets the band; Trustpilot, BBB, and independent review sites are read alongside it.

  • ServicesMajor factor

    The range a mover can actually cover, scored across seven categories, with extra credit for the uncommon ones most companies hand off to a subcontractor.

  • Customer supportSupporting factor

    How easily you can reach a human, and how clearly the mover sets expectations before, during, and after the move. Verified against company documentation and direct outreach.

  • Review feedbackSupporting factor

    A company's share of positive customer feedback, converted straight to points, with no curve and no editorial adjustment.

  • State availabilityMinor factor

    The lightest factor, and deliberately so: wide coverage helps more readers reach a mover, but it says nothing about how good the move will be.

What the scores are built on

  • 4,500+Moving companies analyzed
  • 1M+Authenticated reviews
  • 25+Independent data sources
  • 1,000+Live price points a month
  • $0Paid for a ranking
  • MonthlyRefreshed and re-verified

Read the full scoring methodology

Written by

Ryan CarriganCo-founder, moveBuddha

Ryan Carrigan is the co-founder of moveBuddha and a leading voice in the moving industry, helping hundreds of thousands of Americans make smarter, safer relocation decisions each year. With more than a decade of experience analyzing moving companies, pricing trends, and industry regulations, Ryan brings hands-on industry knowledge and data-driven insight to every guide and review. His research has been featured in Forbes, Consumer Reports, The New York Times, and NBC News.

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