Full-service Kentucky movers take care of every step of your moving process whether you are moving to Lexington or Richmond, while container delivery services and labor-only services provide move-day help at affordable prices.
If you need some extra help on an upcoming move, we are here to help. Our top choice is International Van Lines (IVL). In this article, we’ll discuss five of the top moving companies servicing Kentucky, including information on getting a free quote to help you find the best moving company for you.
7 Best Moving Companies in Kentucky
After in-depth research, here are the best moving companies in Kentucky:
- International Van Lines: Best Full-Service Mover
- American Van Lines: Best Overall Moving Labor
- JK Moving Services: Best Specialized Packing
- Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation
- North American Van Lines: Best for Claims
- 1-800-PACK-RAT: Best Self-Service Mover
- PODS: Convenience
Compare the Top Moving Companies in Kentucky
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|---|
A+ | Up to 25% | ||
A- | 10%–50% | ||
A+ | $250 | ||
A+ | None | ||
A+ | None |
Our Top Picks For Moving Companies In Kentucky
International Van Lines is our top choice for a full-service mover. Full-service movers take care of every step of your moving process, from packing your belongings to unloading and unpacking. International Van Lines is equipped to handle long-distance moves anywhere in the United States and helps with moving in more than 180 countries around the world. If you need your vehicles transported, International Van Lines can also handle that service.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers full-service moves from start to finish
- Can move internationally
- Transports fragile items
Cons
- More expensive than some competitors
- Difficult to get price information from its website
Services
International Van Lines offers several moving services, which expand far beyond local and long-distance moving. International Van Lines can move you almost anywhere in the world, and its fleet of trucks can handle moves of any size. Its full list of services includes:
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Auto transport
- International moving
- B2B shipping
- Packing supplies
- Air freight services
- Corporate and military relocation
- Packing, loading, and unloading
- Transportation of fragile items
Cost
We received an estimate from International Van Lines for a move in Louisville. A full-service move is estimated to cost between $4,200 and $6,150. For a more accurate estimate, we recommend getting a free online quote from IVL.
American Van Lines is another top choice for a full-service mover. American Van Lines’ experienced team of movers is prepared to handle your most difficult items, such as pianos and antiques. American Van Lines is also flexible with your moving timeline, offering a free month of storage for every long-distance move, if needed.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers a free month of storage
- Provides an itemized list of your possessions
- Has trained professional movers
Cons
- Is more expensive than self-service moving
- Isn’t ideal for local moves
Services
American Van Lines can take care of your move from start to finish, and its team of professionally trained movers with an average of 10 years of experience each can protect your belongings. American Van Lines’ services include:
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Corporate relocation services
- Military moving
- International moving
- Commercial moving
- Antique and piano moving
- Storage solutions
Cost
American Van Lines doesn’t offer instant quote information. Your move’s price will depend on several factors, including the distance and weight of your move. We recommend that you fill out this online form for a free quote from AVL
JK Moving is a full-service mover that focuses on customization. Each move is assigned a move coordinator to formulate the most efficient and safest way to transport your belongings. Additionally, all of JK Moving’s trucks are equipped with GPS tracking software.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers customized full-service moves
- A move coordinator assigned to every move
- Provides GPS tracking on all shipments
Cons
- Price information are difficult to obtain online
- Is more expensive than self-service moving
Services
JK Moving’s services for Kentucky residents extend beyond long-distance moves to include:
- Packing and unpacking
- Loading and unloading
- Long-distance moves
- International moves
- Corporate relocation services
- Commercial and office moves
- Government moves
- Storage
Cost
JK Moving doesn’t readily provide quote information on its website. The most effective way to get an estimate from JK Moving is to fill out an online form and call a sales representative. Make sure to have an idea of what needs to be moved—a great way to do this is to provide an inventory of your home’s items.
As the longest-running moving company in the U.S. Allied Van Lines maintains an extensive network of moving agents throughout all 50 states and more than 130 countries. The company provides full-service moving locally, long distance, and internationally, as well as partial-service packages for do-it-yourselfers and optional add-ons like storage and vehicle transportation.
Allied can ship most vehicles—including cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, and boats—using either open or enclosed car carriers. Enclosed carriers provide maximum protection from the elements, so they are an optimal way to transport classic cars or other highly valued vehicles.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers transparent pricing through a flat-rate guarantee
- Provides mobile storage containers through Allied Express, an alternative solution to metal move containers that includes loading and unloading
- Offers customizable plans through a variety of optional add-on services
Cons
- Doesn’t provide instant quotes for local moves
- Some customer complaints through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) cite pressure by movers to sign off on receipt of items before they can inspect their condition
Services
Allied’s list of moving services includes:
- Boxes and packing supplies
- Customized crates for electronic devices
- No-deductible vehicle coverage up to $100,000
- Full-valuation coverage
- Appliance disconnection and reconnection
- Personal relocation consultant
- Online shipment tracking
Cost
It costs approximately $3,844 to $4,374 to move the contents of a two-bedroom home from Frankfort, Kentucky, to Richmond, Virginia, in early October. The cost to move with Allied Van Lines depends on a number of factors, including the distance and date of your move, the size and weight of your items, and any add-on services, such as crating, vehicle relocation, and storage. You can get a free online quote from Allied Van Lines by filling out this quick survey.
In operation since 1933, North American Van Lines has a large network of providers across the country and globally. The company offers numerous add-on services, including electronics crating and vehicle transport, allowing customers to create customized moving packages. North American customers can quickly file domestic or international claims directly from the homepage of the company’s website. Dedicated claims support lines are also available for those who have additional questions or prefer to file their claims over the phone.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers full-valuation coverage
- Provides flat-rate pricing
- Uses crane vans to handle large equipment without a loading dock
Cons
- Requires a 10%–50% deposit
- Some customer reviews mention lack of updates from movers after moving day and while items were in transit
Services
North American’s list of moving services includes:
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- International moving
- Short- and long-term storage
- House cleaning
- Debris removal
- Moving checklists
Cost
Prices range from $4,852 to $5,529 for a basic-package move of a two-bedroom home from Lexington, Kentucky, to Albany, New York, in late summer. Your quote from North American Van Lines will depend on where you’re moving, when you plan to move, and any special handling requests and add-on services, among other factors. For an instant quote from North American Van Lines, complete this quick online form.
1-800-PACK-RAT, unlike International Van Lines, is a self-service moving company specializing in container delivery. 1-800-PACK-RAT will drop off a properly sized container for you to load at your own pace. This removes the pressure of the tight deadlines often associated with moving companies. Instead of having hours to finish your move, 1-800-PACK-RAT will pick up your container when you’re ready.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers free contents protection for long-distance moving
- Has three container sizes to choose from
- Provides flexibility with storage solutions
Cons
- Services are not available everywhere
- Offers moving labor through third-party companies
Services
1-800-PACK-RAT’s services extend beyond container delivery to include storage, supplies, and a few additional services, including:
- Moving labor
- Portable storage containers
- Storage solutions
- Moving supplies
- Car shipping services
Cost
We received a sample price of $455 for a 12-foot container and $475 for a 16-foot container for moving with 1-800-PACK-RAT. This price includes the initial delivery, transportation, and final pick-up. If you need to keep your container for longer than a month, you’ll be charged $199 and $219 for each container, respectively. For a more accurate price, fill out this online form using your own information.
PODS is a national container delivery service capable of moving customers almost anywhere in the country. PODS’ wide availability and its simple sign-up process make it our choice for the most convenient moving company. PODS will drop a container off at your house, and it will deliver your container to either your new location or a storage facility whenever you’re ready. Moving labor is also available, although it is through third-party local movers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers city moving services
- Quotes are easy to obtain and customize
- Has storage facilities nationwide
Cons
- Busier seasons can limit availability
- Offers moving labor through third-party companies
Services
PODS services include local and long-distance moving. The PODS containers can stay on your property, but if you want to store them long-term, PODS has a nationwide network of storage facilities. Its services include:
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Short- and long-term storage
- Packing and loading assistance (third party)
- On-site self storage containers
Cost
PODS gave us a quote of $446 for a move in Louisville. This includes renting the container for a month, drop-off, and pick-up. Storage can also be added if needed. For another month’s rent, the price is $229.
Compare the Services of The Best Moving Companies in Kentucky
Prices in this article reflect sample quotes we received for a local move in Louisville, Kentucky. Since every move is different, our recommendation is that you get a free quote from a few different moving companies using your own information.
| Provider | Local | Long-Distance | Labor Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| IVL | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| American | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| JK Moving | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Allied | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| North American | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ |
| PODS | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ |
Our Conclusion
A professional moving service is a worthwhile investment if you want to make your move easy. Whether your move is local, moving across the country, or moving from Ohio to the Kentucky side of Cincinnati. Your belongings will be better protected, and you can enjoy your transition knowing that you have a little extra help.
If you want a full-service mover, consider International Van Lines, JK Moving, or American Van Lines. If you want to take charge of certain aspects of your move, 1-800-PACK-RAT and PODS are better options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a full-service mover when moving in Kentucky?
While you’ll pay more for a full-service mover than you will for self-service moving, your items will be better protected since a team of professional movers will have the expertise to take care of fragile items. In addition, what is normally a stressful time for many people will be made less stressful by letting a team of professionals take care of your move. This is especially true if you are moving a long distance, since hiring a full-service cross-country moving company could help simplify your move.
Is PODS or 1-800-PACK-RAT better?
Both providers offer many of the same services. Both PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT can deliver a container for you to load at your own pace. PODS has a higher level of availability, serving more states than 1-800-PACK-RAT, but 1-800-PACK-RAT offers free contents protection for all interstate moves if you are looking for interstate relocation services.
Does JK Moving provide local moves in Kentucky?
JK Moving is equipped to move you long distances anywhere in the country, but local moves are only available to residents in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Other Considerations When Moving in Kentucky
If you’re moving to Kentucky, you’ll need homeowners insurance, and it may be wise to invest in a home warranty and a reputable pest control service. Below, we’ll provide some resources to help you get your feet on the ground in a new location.
- Best Home Warranty Companies in Kentucky
- Best Pet Insurance in Kentucky
- Foremost Pest Control Brands
- Best Lawn Care Services
Our Rating Methodology
We back 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.