For a moving company, the best option depends on what you need to pay for. Merchant Fund Express is our recommended funder for fast capital during peak season or to cover payroll; JR Capital works for financing the box truck or trailer; OnDeck and Bluevine fit movers with at least a year in business; and an SBA 7(a) loan or an SBA microloan cost less if you qualify and can wait.
Moving is a seasonal business. From May through August, and at the end of every month, the phone doesn't stop; in January, hardly anyone moves. That means big costs upfront (trucks, fuel, crews, insurance) and revenue that comes in waves. Below you'll find the ranked list, a comparison table and which kind of financing fits each expense in your moving business. Leer en español.
Key takeaways
- For the truck, equipment financing usually costs less than working capital, because the truck secures the payment.
- For peak season (fuel, boxes, extra helpers), a line of credit or working capital fits better than a five-year loan.
- Our recommended funder often decides in 2 to 4 hours, works from FICO 500 and offers Spanish-speaking support.
- JR Capital finances new or used box trucks and trailers, with terms of 24 to 84 months depending on age and mileage.
- OnDeck asks for 1 year, $100,000 in annual sales and a 625 FICO; Bluevine asks for an LLC or corporation and a 625 FICO.
- If you do interstate moves, get your federal USDOT registration and insurance in order before you apply.
The 6 best financing options for moving companies
This list is ordered by who each option is built for, not by rate. We had small and mid-size movers in mind, from one truck to several.
- Merchant Fund Express (recommended funder). Best for heading into peak season with cash: hiring helpers, filling tanks, stocking boxes and pads, or fixing a truck that broke down in the middle of your busiest week. It funds $5,000 to $5,000,000, decisions often come in 2 to 4 hours, and it works with credit from FICO 500. It reviews your sales and deposits, not just your score, and collateral isn't required in most cases. It accepts applicants with an ITIN (no SSN needed), offers Spanish-speaking support, and applying is free with no impact to your credit.
- JR Capital. Best for buying the truck. Per its site, it finances box trucks, cargo vans and trailers, new or used (1990 models and newer), bought from a dealer or a private seller anywhere in the U.S. Its approvals don't require a down payment except on high-mileage trucks, and terms run 24 to 84 months depending on the equipment's age and mileage. It works with established and new businesses. One important detail: its legal notice says it doesn't lend its own money; it sends your application to a network of lenders who set the terms (per its site, checked in October 2026).
- OnDeck. Best for a mover with at least a year in business who wants a loan with fixed payments. Its term loan runs from $5,000 to $400,000 with terms up to 24 months, and its line of credit runs from $6,000 to $200,000. It asks for 1 year in business, $100,000 in annual sales, a business checking account and a 625 FICO. It doesn't lend in North Dakota (per its site, checked in October 2026).
- Bluevine. Best for an LLC or corporation that wants a line of credit to draw in the busy months and pay down in the slow ones. It offers lines up to $250,000 and asks for $10,000 in monthly revenue, a 625 FICO and 12 months in business. It accepts an SSN or ITIN plus an EIN; it doesn't accept sole proprietors for its own line (per its site, checked in October 2026).
- SBA 7(a) loan through your bank. Best for big purchases, like several trucks or a warehouse, if you qualify. It goes up to $5,000,000. If you qualify, an SBA loan usually costs less than online financing, but it takes weeks. Since March 1, 2026, every owner must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
- SBA microloan. Best for getting started: dollies, straps, moving pads, hand trucks and uniforms. It goes up to $50,000, with rates that typically run from 8% to 13% and a maximum term of seven years, according to the SBA. It can't be used to pay off existing debts.
Comparison table
| Option | What it's for | Time in business | Minimum credit | ITIN | Collateral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our recommended funder | Working capital | Reviews sales and deposits | FICO 500+ | Yes | Not in most cases |
| JR Capital | Trucks and trailers | New and established | Not published for trucks | Not published | The truck itself |
| OnDeck | Term loan or line | 1 year | FICO 625 | Not published | Not in its summary |
| Bluevine | Line of credit | 12 months | FICO 625 | Yes, with EIN | Not in its summary |
| SBA 7(a) | Fleet, warehouse, capital | Set by the bank | Set by the bank | No: owners must be citizens or nationals | Usually, if available |
| SBA microloan | Small equipment and startup costs | Set by the microlender | Set by the microlender | Set by the microlender | May be required |
Facts from each official site, checked in October 2026. Where it says “not published,” ask before you apply.
How we chose
How we chose. We don't use ratings or scores. We compared every option on the same criteria: speed, minimum time in business, minimum credit, whether it accepts an ITIN or owners without an SSN, documents, amounts and collateral. If we couldn't confirm a fact on the company's official site, we left it out. The full methodology is in how we rank business funding options.
For moving companies we weighted two things more heavily: whether the payment can be covered in the slow months, and whether the money arrives before the season, not halfway through it. We also looked at whether each option is meant for the truck or for day-to-day costs, because mixing the two is the most common mistake in this business: an owner finances the truck with expensive short-term money, or pays summer payroll with a loan that lasts five years.
Which financing to use for each moving-company expense
| Expense | Option that usually fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 16- to 26-foot box truck | Equipment financing | The truck secures the payment and the term can run several years |
| Extra helpers from May to August | Working capital or a line of credit | It's a few months of cost; it shouldn't be paid over five years |
| Urgent transmission or engine repair | Fast working capital | A truck sitting idle in peak season costs you jobs every day |
| Storage warehouse | SBA 7(a) or 504 | Long terms and lower cost if you qualify |
| Commercial contract that pays in 30 or 60 days | Line of credit or invoice factoring | Covers payroll while you wait for the check |
If you run box trucks beyond moving jobs, also see our guide on business loans for box truck operators. And to understand each product in more depth, read our business loans for moving companies guide.
Get your moving company ready 60 days before the season
The best time to ask for money is March or April, when last year's numbers are fresh and you're not yet putting out fires. Here's the checklist:
- Clean up your deposits. Make sure every payment, whether Zelle, card or check, lands in the business account. Cash deposits count too, as long as you actually deposit them.
- Keep your permits current. If you do interstate moves, you need federal registration with the FMCSA (a USDOT number) and the operating authority that applies to you. If you only work within your state, check your state's rules. A funder may ask about them.
- Review your insurance. Commercial auto, cargo and general liability. Many commercial contracts require all three.
- Know your slowest month. Look at what comes in during January or February and make sure the loan payment fits there, not just in July.
- Collect reviews. The bank won't ask for them, but a mover with strong Google reviews usually has steadier sales, and that does show up in your bank statements.
Also write down two numbers before any call: how much you need and exactly what it pays for. “$40,000 for three extra crews from June to August” gets you a better-fitting offer than “as much as I can get.”
Common mistakes when financing a moving company
- Paying for the truck with short-term money. A six-month advance for an asset you'll use for ten years squeezes your cash flow for no reason.
- Buying a high-mileage truck without checking the term. The older the equipment, the shorter the term usually is and the higher the payment.
- Asking for money in August. By then the best part of the season is over. Plan in the spring.
- Ignoring the payment frequency. A daily payment can choke you in winter. Ask whether weekly or monthly payments are available.
- Giving up after a bank “no.” A denial isn't the end. Ask for the reason in writing, fix what you can and try a funder that looks at deposits.
If you already have sales and want to know how much you could get before the season, apply with Merchant Fund Express; applying won't affect your credit. To compare options across other industries, visit our best small business funding rankings.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best loan for buying a moving truck?
For the truck itself, equipment financing usually makes the most sense, because the truck secures the payment and the term can be long. JR Capital, for example, finances new or used box trucks with terms of 24 to 84 months, per its site. If you qualify, an SBA 7(a) can cost less, but it takes longer.
Can I get a loan for a new moving company?
Yes, though your options change. OnDeck and Bluevine ask for 12 months, so they're out for now. An SBA microloan or a CDFI can lend to new businesses, and some equipment financers consider startups. Once you have a few months of deposits, you can also apply for revenue-based working capital.
How do I finance the busy moving season?
Use short-term money you can repay from that same summer revenue: a line of credit or working capital. Merchant Fund Express reviews your deposits and often decides in 2 to 4 hours. Borrow only what you need for helpers, fuel and materials, and confirm the payment still fits in your slow months.
Do I need a USDOT number to get financing?
Not every funder asks, but if you move household goods across state lines, federal law requires you to register with the FMCSA. Having your permits and insurance in order gives you credibility and avoids surprises during underwriting. If you only operate within your state, check your state's requirements.
Can I finance a used truck bought from a private seller?
Yes, some funders allow it. JR Capital says on its site that it finances equipment bought from a dealer or a private party in the U.S. Get a mechanical inspection before you sign and check the vehicle's title: a title with problems can stall the financing.
What should I do if the bank turned me down?
Ask for the reason in writing. It's often short time in business, low credit or uneven deposits. Fix what you can and try funders that look at your sales, like our recommended funder, or a microloan. Never sign with the first company that says yes without reading the payment and the term.