Best Long-Distance Movers: Expert Reviewed (November 2023)
Long-distance moving companies have unique qualifications that make them adept at handling longer moves. Our team researched and reviewed the best moving companies by vetting their services, reviews, and overall quality. From that list, we’ve ranked the best long-distance moving companies to help you choose the best option. We recommend starting your search by requesting quotes from International Van Lines and American Van Lines, depending on your moving needs. Both providers offer quality long-distance packages with plenty of add-on options.
10 Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
Most movers define relocations of more than 100 miles as long-distance moves. Here are our best long-distance moving companies for a range of relocation needs:
- International Van Lines: Best Service Offerings
- American Van Lines: Best Overall Moving Labor
- Interstate Moving & Relocation Group: Most Efficient
- Safeway Moving Inc.: Most Reliable Pricing
- Moving APT: Best Customer Service
- JK Moving Services: Best Specialized Packing
- Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation
- North American Van Lines: Best for Claims
- Mayflower Moving: Best for Large Moves
- United Van Lines: Best Base Moving Coverage
Compare the Best Long-Distance Movers
To rate the top long-distance movers, we used a comprehensive methodology that factors in services, reputation, online resources, and more. Here’s how each company compares:
| Star Rating | BBB Rating | Estimate Info | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Van Lines |  | A | $2,500–$4,300 | VISIT SITE | |
| American Van Lines |  | A | $3,200–$3,500 | VISIT SITE | |
| Interstate Moving & Relocation Group |  | B | $2,800–$4,000 | VISIT SITE | |
| Safeway Moving Inc. |  | A+ | $6,300–$7,500 | VISIT SITE | |
| Moving APT |  | B | $2,968–$5,668 | VISIT SITE | |
| JK Moving Services |  | A+ | $7,550 | VISIT SITE | |
| Allied Van Lines |  | A+ | $4,730–$5,380 | VISIT SITE | |
| North American Van Lines |  | A+ | $4,700–$5,350 | VISIT SITE | |
| Mayflower |  | A+ | Contact for Pricing | VISIT SITE | |
| United Van Lines |  | A+ | $5,169–$7,003 | VISIT SITE |
| International Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Estimate Info | $2,500–$4,300 |
| American Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Estimate Info | $3,200–$3,500 |
| Interstate Moving & Relocation Group | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Estimate Info | $2,800–$4,000 |
| Safeway Moving Inc. | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Estimate Info | $6,300–$7,500 |
| Moving APT | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Estimate Info | $2,968–$5,668 |
| JK Moving Services | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Estimate Info | $7,550 |
| Allied Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Estimate Info | $4,730–$5,380 |
| North American Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Estimate Info | $4,700–$5,350 |
| Mayflower | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Estimate Info | Contact for Pricing |
| United Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Estimate Info | $5,169–$7,003 |
*Note: Estimate info above is for a two-bedroom move between Chicago, Illinois, and Atlanta, Georgia.
**Note: BBB ratings are accurate as of November 2023.
Our Picks for the Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
From pros and cons to customer reviews, we outline all the details of the best long-distance moving companies below.
International Van Lines
Best Service Offerings
American Van Lines
Best Overall Moving Labor
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Most Efficient
Safeway Moving Inc.
Most Reliable Pricing
Moving APT
Best Customer Service
JK Moving Services
Best Specialized Packing
Allied Van Lines
Best for Vehicle Relocation
North American Van Lines
Best for Claims
Mayflower
Best for Large Moves
United Van Lines
Best Base Moving Coverage
What Impacts Long-Distance Moving Costs?
The main factors impacting the total cost of a long-distance move are the distance traveled and the size of the move. A 700-mile, two-bedroom move typically costs between $2,015 and $7,500. The initial quote process calculates your move distance based on your current and destination addresses. Remember that shipment weight is determined after loading the truck, and the cost can change if your inventory weighs more than estimated.
Other factors like service requirements for packing and crating and the move date also impact the cost. For budget-friendly options, consult our guide on moving costs. For moves with high-value items or antiques, see our guide on moving insurance. Here are the primary cost factors to consider when getting quotes:
- Shipping weight: Long-distance shipping costs are determined by weight, while local moving costs are determined by hourly charges. Regardless, your total inventory is a primary cost factor.
- Move distance: Your move distance from origin to destination address determines your base price.
- Added services: Add-ons such as packing, crating, and vehicle shipping can inflate your cost by a substantial amount. Disclose add-on service needs during the moving quote process.
- Insurance coverage: Valuation coverage costs extra—typically between 3% and 5% of the total dollar amount of your coverage. Consider this during the quote process if you’re moving high-value items.
- Booking date: Summer moves or last-minute booking could cost you extra money. Some movers increase their rates for the warmer months or charge higher rates for clients who book within a week of their moving dates.
Review the quotes below to help inform your moving budget:
Mover |
Move Size |
Cost* |
|---|---|---|
|
Two-bedroom house |
$2,500–$4,300 |
|
|
Two-bedroom house |
$3,200–$3,500 |
|
|
Two-bedroom house |
$2,800–$4,000 |
|
|
Two-bedroom house |
$6,300–$7,500 |
|
|
Two-bedroom house |
$2,968–$5,688 |
|
|
Two-bedroom house |
$7,521 |
|
|
Two-bedroom house |
$4,730–$5,375 |
|
|
Two-bedroom house |
$4,708–$5,350 |
|
|
Two-bedroom house |
Call for a quote |
|
|
Two-bedroom house |
$5,169–$7,003 |
*For a move between Chicago and Atlanta
How To Choose the Best Long-Distance Moving Company for You
We’ve listed steps below to consider when vetting a moving company.
- Check each mover’s service offerings: Determine if a given moving company provides the services you need for a seamless move.
- Ensure movers are fully licensed: Use a mover’s U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number to look up its licensing status via this FMCSA link.
- Understand customer reviews: Read customer reviews on multiple sources, including Google Reviews and Yelp. Look for positive and negative trends in service, including miscommunications regarding cost and add-ons, punctuality, and customer service quality. Note that quality could vary significantly depending on location. Some movers operate via independently owned franchises, which can lead to service variance.
- Request quotes: Get customized pricing estimates from each moving company you consider for your move.
Not sure how to parse through these different steps? We’ve created a guide on questions to ask long-distance movers to give you more guidance. Watch the video below for a breakdown of how to choose the best moving company for your needs:
How To Simplify Your Long-Distance Move
Moving is one of the more stressful life events you’ll undergo. Here, we’ve listed some steps you can take to make it go more smoothly.
- Book early: Booking a move at least a month ahead of time is the best way to ensure you book with your first choice of mover and get the lowest possible rate for your move.
- Downsize: Planning a long-distance move gives you the perfect opportunity to get rid of items you no longer need. Since the weight of your belongings impacts the cost of your move, you should declutter before contacting a moving company for an estimate. If you know you will have bigger items such as furniture in your move, check out our guide on shipping furniture across the country
- Pack yourself: Full-service packing can add thousands to your final move bill. Packing on your own can save you money and make for more efficient loading on moving day.
Long-Distance Moving Checklist
It can be a challenge to keep everything in order leading up to moving day. Below is a quick checklist to help you get started and prepare for some of the major steps in the moving process.
✔ Choose between a DIY or full-service move: First, decide whether to hire professionals or take a do-it-yourself approach. If you’re able to pay the higher cost of full-service movers and need all of the help you can get, a full-service moving company may be the right option for you. However, if you prefer doing things yourself and have a tight budget, then self-service may be a better option.
✔ Hire a moving company: Do some research on moving companies near you and read customer reviews to vet the company. It’s best to start the process of hiring a mover three months before your anticipated move date. Some movers will give discounts for early reservations, so the sooner you get started, the better.
✔ Create a detailed inventory: While you create an inventory of your belongings, make note of the condition of your items and take pictures of them. These photos and notes will come in handy if you have to file a damage claim for reimbursement.
✔ Start packing: Start packing around six to eight weeks before your move. Read about packing tips beforehand to get ideas for streamlining the process, and use your inventory list to determine the boxes you’ll need. To make the unpacking process easier, label your boxes and consider using specialty boxes, such as wardrobe boxes.
✔ Inform key entities of your move: Be sure to inform insurance companies, tax agencies, utility companies, the post office, the Social Security Administration, and your internet service provider about your move. By notifying these parties of your upcoming move, you can avoid potential issues and help ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
Do I Need Moving Insurance?
Purchasing moving insurance will help to pay for or replace your items if the moving company damages them during your move. If you plan on moving a long distance and have valuable items in transport, we recommend looking into moving insurance options.
In our recent survey,
we found that 65% of people who have moved within the last five years hired a full-service mover. Of those who hired movers, half purchased additional liability coverage, and nearly 66% ended up filing a claim for damage. However, most were satisfied with the outcome of those claims.
How Are Moving Companies Regulated?
Long distance moving companies are regulated by the FMCSA* and a state-level governing body, depending on the state. State regulatory bodies range from independent agencies to suboffices of a state’s Department of Transportation (DOT). Texas and Illinois are examples of states with such regulatory bodies. You can search a company’s federal registration status using its U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers on this database.
*The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates interstate moves, ensuring that all companies adhere to safety standards, and it provides a dedicated database of moving company complaint history.
How Far in Advance Should You Schedule Long-Distance Movers?
You should book your move four to six weeks ahead of your move date. Begin researching movers near you eight weeks ahead of time, and request quotes from all providers whose service offerings match your needs. Evaluate your options after getting quotes and viewing your possible price points. Obtain copies of your contract and estimate once you’ve booked.
Our Conclusion
Get quotes from at least three professional movers before you book. This allows you to survey your options and book at the lowest rate for your upcoming long-distance relocation.
We found International Van Lines to be a reputable provider, conducting full-service moves nationwide and offering a broader range of contents coverage plans than is customary. American Van Lines stands out for its moving teams that average 10 years or more of moving industry experience. Interstate Moving & Relocation Group is another top pick, using vetted carriers for its services and providing helpful online resources.
FAQ About Long-Distance Moving
What is considered a long-distance move?
Typically, a moving distance of 100 miles or more will be considered a long-distance move.
What is the average cost of a long-distance move?
On average, long-distance moves cost around $4,000.
What's the cheapest time and way to move long-distance move?
The cheapest time to move long distance is between September and April. The cheapest way to move long distances is using a moving truck rental.
What can you not ship in a long-distance move?
Moving companies won’t move hazardous materials, including toxic chemicals and firearms.
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling options, additional benefits and custom service options, and reputation among customers to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
