Best Long-Distance Moving Companies

Moving long-distance or cross-country comes with several challenges. Figuring out how to transport your car or boat to your new destination and whether you’ll need temporary or long-term storage options are just a few of the many decisions you’ll have to make. Long-distance moving companies are available to help you navigate these challenges and improve your moving experience.

There are so many moving companies to compare that it may be difficult to choose the right one for you and your family. We have spent hundreds of hours reviewing services and compiled a list of the best long-distance moving companies in the nation to help make your move stress-free. All of these movers are licensed, bonded, and insured.

Based on our in-depth research, here are the best moving companies for long-distance moves:

• International Van Lines: Best Overall Full-Service Mover
• American Van Lines: Most Experienced Moving Labor
• Interstate Moving & Relocation Group: Most Efficient
• Safeway Moving Inc.: Most Customer-Oriented
• Moving APT: Best Customer Service
• JK Moving Services: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover
• Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation
• North American Van Lines: Best for Claims
• Coleman Worldwide Moving: Best for International Moves
• United Van Lines: Best for Moving Tech Items

Jump to: International Van Lines | American Van Lines | Interstate Moving & Relocation Group | Safeway Moving Inc. | Moving APT | JK Moving Services | Allied Van Lines | North American Van Lines | Coleman Worldwide Moving | United Van Lines

International Van Lines

• Our Take: Best Overall Full-Service Mover
• Our Rating: 96 out of 100
• State Availability: 50 states

International Van Lines (IVL) is a domestic and international moving company founded in 2000. A popular company for long-distance and interstate moves, IVL provides packing and unpacking services, loading and unloading services, vehicle transportation, and specialty services for fragile items such as antiques and pianos. International Van Lines is ideal for customers who want a moving company to handle every part of their move.

Online Quote: Get a free quote from International Van Lines

Learn More: International Van Lines Review

American Van Lines

• Our Take: Most Experienced Moving Labor
• Our Rating: 86 out of 100
• State Availability: 48 states (does not service Alaska and Hawaii)

Founded in 1995, American Van Lines (AVL) is a nationwide mover that is licensed, insured, and registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The company offers residential, corporate, and military moves. American Van Lines uses binding estimates and as, long as you don’t add anything to your shipment after your inventory is submitted, your price will not change. This up-front, flat-rate model means there will be no surprise expenses related to hourly labor or mileage on moving day.

Online Quote: Get a free quote from American Van Lines

Learn More: American Van Lines Review

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

• Our Take: Most Efficient
• Our Rating: 86 out of 100
• State Availability: 50 states

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is a broker, which means it connects customers to independent movers within its network as opposed to directly providing moving services. After completing an online inventory form, IMRG will find a company within its network that matches your needs.

IMRG will email you information about the company along with a quote and a moving contract. If you are satisfied with the price, you can add your digital signature to the contract and book your move without ever having to place a phone call. However, if you want to negotiate a lower moving cost, you can reach out by phone to IMRG, and the company will assist you with that process.

Online Quote: Get a free quote from Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Learn More: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Review

Safeway Moving Inc.

• Our Take: Most Customer-Oriented
• Our Rating: 87 out of 100
• State Availability: 50 states

Safeway Moving Inc. is a licensed moving carrier and broker, conducting moving services with its own full-time crews and also outsourcing some services to vetted partners. The company has established itself as a full-service moving specialist offering door-to-door loading and unloading services. The front-facing values Safeway claims to have built its business on include commitment, communication, and integrity.

Online Quote: Get a free quote from Safeway Moving

Learn More: Safeway Moving Inc. Review

Moving APT

• Our Take: Best Customer Service
• Our Rating: 84 out of 100
• State Availability: 50 states

Moving APT is a moving broker, acting as an intermediary to assign moving companies to customers who need moving services. Unlike most brokers, Moving APT provides visibility regarding the movers in its network, putting customers in direct communication with its partners. Depending on the services you need, the company can arrange full-service packing, vehicle shipping, and storage services anywhere in the country.

Online Quote: Get a free quote from Moving APT

Learn More: Moving APT Review

JK Moving Services

• Our Take: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover
• Our Rating: 91 out of 100
• State Availability: 50 states

JK Moving began operating in 1982 when its founder, Chuck Kuhn, was just 16 years old. After 40 years in the business, the company is now the largest fully licensed and insured independent mover in the United States.

JK Moving is a full-service moving company that works with each customer to create a moving package customized to their specific moving needs. Another standout feature of the company is its partnership with Enhancify, which allows customers to finance their move with rates as low as 0%* same-as-cash (subject to credit approval).

Online Quote: Get a free quote from JK Moving Services

Learn More: JK Moving Services Review

Allied Van Lines

• Our Take: Best for Vehicle Relocation
• Our Rating: 94 out of 100
• State Availability: 50 states

Founded in 1928, Allied Van Lines is a full-service mover. It is a licensed and insured moving broker and carrier for long-distance moves in all 50 states and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Allied Van Lines eliminates the need for a moving coordinator to come to your home by offering an easy-to-use online survey tool.

Online Quote: Get a free quote from Allied Van Lines

Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

North American Van Lines

• Our Take: Best for Claims
• Our Rating: 92 out of 100
• State Availability: 50 states

Founded in 1933, North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a full-service moving company that helps with relocations of all sizes. It’s available in all 50 states and more than 130 countries, and it has an extensive network of more than 500 local movers.

The company provides custom full-value release plans on your belongings, meaning you receive coverage and compensation that matches the actual value of your items rather than a predetermined amount. If you need to cancel your move, make sure to do so at least three days before the move.

Online Quote: Get a free quote from North American Van Lines

Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

Coleman Worldwide Moving

• Our Take: Best for International Moves
• Our Rating: 82 out of 100
• State Availability: 22 states

Coleman Worldwide Moving opened for business more than a century ago, conducting its first moves by horse and wagon. The company now has the means to operate a fleet of vehicles across state lines, providing commercial and residential services to customers in 22 states. For customers outside the coverage area, Coleman will connect you to an Allied representative who can find another carrier in its network to coordinate your move. 

In addition to providing domestic relocation services, Coleman assists with international relocation. You can appoint Coleman’s movers to various tasks on your pickup date, including packing, crating, and vehicle shipping. Storage services are also available to give you peace of mind while you work out the final details for your move beyond the U.S. borders.

Online Quote: Get a free quote from Coleman Worldwide Moving

United Van Lines

• Our Take: Best for Moving Tech Items
• Our Rating: 90 out of 100
• State Availability: 46 states (does not service Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, or West Virginia)

United Van Lines is a well-established full-service moving company that has been in operation since 1928. In 2018, United Van Lines transitioned to a cooperative (or co-op) with the goal of serving consumers in a more centralized way. United Van Lines can accommodate local, long-distance, and international moves for renters, homeowners, and businesses.

Rather than moving insurance, the company provides full-value protection on your items, meaning that United Van Lines will compensate you directly should something happen to any of your items during the moving process. Crating is also offered for large, fragile items to protect your valuables during transit.

Learn More: United Van Lines Review

To rate the top long distance movers, we used a comprehensive methodology that factors in services, reputation, online resources, and more. Here is how each company compares:

*BBB ratings are accurate as of February 2023.

When choosing a mover, you’ll have many details to juggle, and it can be tough to land on a company that’s right for your needs. This video outlines the steps to making an informed choice about professional movers. 

Find in-depth reviews on the best moving companies for each state below.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Many factors affect the overall cost of a cross-country move. Below are some of the most common factors.

Distance

Most moving companies will determine cost based on the total distance traveled from your current home to your new location. This is done to assess the mileage added to moving trucks, as well as the cost of paying a driver for more than one day of travel. Gas and any toll charges are also taken into consideration.

What this means for your long-distance move is that, with few exceptions, the farther you are moving, the higher your moving costs will be. 

Size of Your Move

Moving companies typically measure the size of a relocation in terms of overall weight added to the moving truck. A one-bedroom apartment will usually be less expensive than a three-bedroom home because the former contains more items than the latter. 

One way to reduce the size of your long-distance move is to donate, sell, or throw away any old or unwanted furniture or household goods ahead of contacting a moving company for an estimate.

Date of Your Move

The moving industry’s peak season is from April through September. During this busy time, costs may be higher because labor and trucks are more limited. The day of the week you schedule your move can also affect cost. Since weekends are the most popular time for moves, you may be able to save money by scheduling your long-distance relocation earlier in the week. 

Additional Services

Full-service companies offer a lot of helpful add-on options around packing and loading, but those additional services come at a cost. Vehicle shipping, short- and long-term storage, and even additional contents protection plans can significantly impact your base price—make sure you go over the cost of add-on services with a moving company representative. 

Take a look at how these movers compare on cost estimates for a two- or three-bedroom move.

It can be a challenge to keep everything in order leading up to moving day. There are many important steps to take when embarking on a long-distance move. Below is a quick checklist to help you get started and keep up with some of the major steps in the moving process.

1. Decide on a DIY or Full-Service Move

Before you book a long-distance moving company, figure out if you want a full-service move or a self-service move. Would you prefer to have a moving company deal with every aspect of your move while you deal with other parts of it? Are you willing to pay the higher cost this might come with? If so, you may want to consider using a full-service company.

If you have plenty of help from friends and family and don’t mind taking a DIY approach to the moving process, then you may want to save money by using a self-service moving company.

2. Get Rid of Unwanted Items

A long-distance move is a great reason to get rid of any underused or unwanted belongings. Since moving cost is determined in part by the total weight of your items, you’ll want to start paring down your belongings before contacting a moving company for an estimate. Clear out any unwanted clutter and flag the items you want to donate or sell, so that you don’t include them in your inventory when you seek estimates from moving companies. You’ll also want to make a plan for items that moving companies won’t move, such as hazardous materials, plants, and perishable foods.

3. Hire a Moving Company

Finding the right moving company for your specific needs and budget can take time. It’s best to start the process of hiring a mover about three months before your anticipated relocation date, if possible. That gives you about a month to research the best moving companies and seek estimates from at least three professional movers before booking one about eight weeks in advance. Some companies will give discounts for early reservations, so the sooner you can get started on this process, the better. 

Before signing a contract, you will want to confirm that your chosen moving company has the proper certifications. If you choose a company from this list, you do not have to worry about this step. All of our recommended movers are licensed, bonded, and insured. If you decide to use another moving company, you might want to make sure they are properly licensed and insured. To do so, obtain the company’s USDOT number and visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) website to confirm that the company is authorized to transport your household goods.

4. Create a Detailed Inventory

Many moving companies can help with this step. Some companies, such as International Van Lines, will provide a tool to help create an inventory of your belongings. While you create this inventory, 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.

5. Update Address for Service Providers

Your friends and family most likely know about your move, but there are some other significant individuals and organizations you need to notify. Inform insurance companies, tax agencies, utility companies, the post office, the Social Security Administration, and your Internet service provider about your move.

Learn More: Moving Checklist – Your Guide to Moving

In many ways, a long-distance move entails more risk than relocating within your same city. There are more miles to cover and more room for issues to arise. However, several companies come out ahead of the competition in terms of the quality of their service. 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 attention to staffing, maintaining 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. 

Always ask for quotes from three or more providers to compare prices and details about each company’s services.

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, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score out of 100.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.