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Best Moving Companies in Pennsylvania for 2024

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Written by Stephanie Minasian-Koncewicz Updated 12/11/2024

Whether you’re moving to Pittsburgh or moving out of Philadelphia, a moving company helps make the moving process stress-free. A professional moving company can handle tasks like packing, crating, and unloading for your Pennsylvania move. Our top choice is International Van Lines (IVL).

After reviewing the best movers nationwide, we’ve focused on the top moving companies in Pennsylvania. From container delivery services to full-service movers who take care of every step of the moving process, there are dozens of reputable local movers in the Keystone State.


7 Top Moving Companies in Pennsylvania

After in-depth research, here are the best moving companies in Pennsylvania:


Compare the Top Moving Companies in Pennsylvania

Our Pick
International Van Lines
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American Van Lines
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Moving APT
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Allied Van Lines
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North American Van Lines
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1-800-PACK-RAT
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JK Moving Services
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Overall Rating

4.5 / 5 4.3 / 5 4.3 / 5 5 / 5 4.8 / 5 4.3 / 5 4.7 / 5

BBB Rating

A+ A+ B+ A+ A+ A A+

FMCSA Licensing

Carrier/Broker Carrier Broker Carrier Carrier/Broker Carrier

Average Price*

$5,250 $5,625 $4,683 $5,370 $5,969 $7,171

Deposit Required

Up to 25% Up to 50% Varies None None $500 $250

Pros

  • Flexible insurance plans
  • Free month of storage
  • Upfront pricing
  • Hires movers who average 10 years of experience
  • Provides fixed-rate quotes
  • Trains its employees regularly to efficiently handle special packing and crating
  • Offers an online cost estimator
  • Offers price-matching
  • Provides quick service
  • Climate-controlled storage facilities
  • Expedited relocation services
  • In-house vehicle shipping
  • Budget-planning service
  • No deposit
  • Only provides binding estimates
    • Background-checked movers
    • Financing available
    • Intuitive AI-assisted online quote tool

    Cons

    • Below-average customer reviews
    • Outsources some moves
    • Requires up to a 25% deposit
    • Charges higher average prices
    • Has limited customer service on weekends
    • Requires a deposit of up to 50% of the total cost
    • Not responsible for any damage due to broker status
    • Service varies by location according to reviews
    • Unwanted contact from partner companies may occur
    • Misleading quote tool
    • No weekend support
    • Slow claims process
    • Items may take 10–14 days to arrive
    • Limited storage services according to zip code
    • Three-day requirement for cancellations
      • Higher-than-average pricing
      • Long quote process
      • No refund on your deposit

      Summary

      We recommend International Van Lines (IVL) if you want the most moving service options possible. The company boasts one of the most extensive moving service catalogs at highly competitive rates.

      We recommend American Van Lines if you’re moving high-end items or antiques because it focuses on training its staff to move difficult and valuable items.

      We recommend Moving APT because of its highly rated customer service and its ability to quickly provide you with multiple quotes for its partner companies.

      We recommend Allied if you want to ship a vehicle due to the company’s in-house vehicle relocation services.

      We recommend North American Van Lines (NAVL) as the best long-distance mover overall because of its customizable insurance packages, highly rated customer service, and extensive service options.

      We recommend JK Moving Services for its ability to offer financing options through its partnership with Enhancify and its high-end, white-glove packing services.

      Rating Categories

      International Van Lines American Van Lines Moving APT Allied Van Lines North American Van Lines 1-800-PACK-RAT JK Moving Services

      Customer Service

      5 / 5
      4.4 / 5
      4.3 / 5
      4.4 / 5
      4.4 / 5
      4.4 / 5

      Reputation

      4.3 / 5
      3.9 / 5
      3.9 / 5
      3.9 / 5
      3.6 / 5
      5 / 5

      Value

      2.8 / 5
      3.3 / 5
      4.2 / 5
      4.7 / 5
      4.7 / 5
      3.1 / 5

      Service Offerings

      4.7 / 5
      4.7 / 5
      4.5 / 5
      5 / 5
      5 / 5
      4.7 / 5

      Item Protection

      5 / 5
      5 / 5
      4.3 / 5
      5 / 5
      5 / 5
      5 / 5

      Scheduling

      4.1 / 5
      2.3 / 5
      2.3 / 5
      5 / 5
      5 / 5
      5 / 5


      Our Top Picks For Moving Companies In Pennsylvania

      International Van Lines

      Best Service Offerings
      4.5

      International Van Lines (IVL) provides a comprehensive selection of services, including furniture disassembly, packing, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking, and furniture reassembly. It is a great choice for anyone who wants a mover to handle as much of their move as possible. The company allows you to mix and match your services to create either a full-service or partial-service package.

      IVL is a large freighting company, which makes it ideal for long-distance moves. Though IVL offers local moves for customers moving within the state, this option requires a minimum of a two-bedroom home.

      Pros and Cons

      Pros Offers both full-service and partial-service packages Provides free, online estimates Offers specialty moving services for antiques, pianos, artwork, and more Cons Prices can be higher than DIY moving options, especially for local moves Better suited for long-distance moves rather than local ones

      Services

      International Van Lines offers a wide variety of service options. Customers are able to pick these services based on their specific moving wants and needs. Learn more about IVL Services.

      Cost

      International Van Lines’ moving quote for a two-bedroom home from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh in roughly two months is $2,015–$3,445. This includes loading and transportation services.

      To learn what services International Van Lines can include in your residential move, fill out this quick online form.

      American Van Lines

      Best Overall Moving Labor
      4.3

      American Van Lines (AVL) is a full-service mover with some of the most experienced and well-trained moving teams. AVL’s movers can dismantle furniture, pack, transport, and reassemble your furniture at your new home. A unique benefit of AVL is its fixed pricing structure. As long as you don’t change your move after you receive your quote, you can depend on your rate staying the same. Like other full-service movers on this list, American Van Lines proves to be a better long-distance mover.

      Pros and Cons

      Pros Has on-site private storage and personal storage vaults Has piano and antique moving specialists on its team Full-time movers have an average of 10 years of moving experience Cons Prices can be higher than some competitors Up-front deposit can range from 10%-50% of your total moving cost

      Services

      American Van Lines provides skilled labor for a wide variety of full-service options, including:

      • Full or partial packing and unpacking
      • Loading and unloading
      • Specialty services for difficult items like antiques, musical instruments, recreational equipment, and expensive artwork
      • Transportation and delivery
      • Custom crating
      • Furniture disassembly and reassembly
      • Storage solutions
      • Moving and packing supplies
      • Commercial moves
      • Military moves
      • Vehicle relocation services
      • Contents protection plans

      Cost

      American Van Lines does not provide online quotes, but it does provide some cost information on its moving cost page. For example, a two-bedroom move (or 6,000 pounds) from New York City to Washington D.C. costs $3,873. This quote is the average price of this move with AVL, so it includes a variety of service options. If you’re interested in more accurate pricing from American Van Lines, complete this easy-to-use survey.

      Moving APT

      Best Customer Service
      4.3

      If you want to simplify your moving process, Moving APT is a great option. Using its network of movers, the company can find the right mover for your needs, location, and budget with its extensive nationwide network of independent providers. All the third-party movers in Moving APT’s network are properly licensed and insured.

      Once matched with a moving company, you can still reach out to Moving APT’s customer service representatives with concerns or questions, and they will follow up with your mover for you. Moving APT representatives are available 24/7.

      Pros and Cons

      Pros Offers deals for early reservations Has a national network of more than 2,500 moving companies Conducts annual reviews and rankings for the top movers in its network Cons Has gotten complaints from customers through the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding surprise charges Maintains a strict cancellation policy Has pop-up chats on every page of its website, which can be distracting to browsers

      Services

      Moving APT provides full-service and partial-service relocations in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. You can customize your moving experience with add-on options that include appliance disconnection and reconnection, storage, and car and boat shipping.

      Cost

      Using Moving APT’s online tool, it would cost $6,500 to relocate the contents of a two-bedroom home from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Harrisburg, Pa., in early summer. Moving APT can give you a binding estimate, which is the amount you’ll pay on moving day, after completing a virtual review of your home and household goods.

      Take Moving APT’s easy online survey to find the right moving company for you.

      Allied Van Lines

      Best for Vehicle Relocation
      5

      As the oldest moving company in the U.S., Allied Van Lines is one of the most experienced in the industry. Allied offers full-service moving packages and custom add-on options, as well as DIY support like moving kits and online moving resources. Allied Van Lines operates its own fleet of vehicle carriers for the transport of cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, motorcycles, boats and snowmobiles. Customers can choose from open car carriers to enclosed semi-trailer trucks that provide added protection for rare, vintage cars and high-value vehicles.

      Pros and Cons

      Pros Guaranteed quotes with an in-home visit Offers vehicle coverage of up to $100,000 with no deductible A la carte-style packages allow customers to pick and choose the services they want without extending their budget Cons Doesn’t offer 24/7 claims support Add-ons can increase your moving costs to beyond competitor pricing

      Services

      Allied’s list of moving services includes:

      • Local moving
      • Long-distance moving
      • Interstate moving services
      • International moving
      • Packing and unpacking
      • Crating of electronics
      • Appliance disconnection and reconnection
      • Moving kits for DIY packing

      Cost

      Allied estimates that moving a two-bedroom home from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Salt Lake City, Utah, in late June would cost between $5,563 and $6,363. You can request an instant quote through Allied’s website, which will provide you with an approximate cost range for your move based on the size of your apartment or home, where you’re relocating, what time of year you’re planning to move, the size of your move, and the layout of your home. We recommend getting a more detailed quote from Allied Van Lines by filling out this quick online form.

      North American Van Lines

      Best for Claims
      4.8

      North American Van Lines is available in all 50 states and more than 130 countries, and it has an extensive network of more than 500 local movers. The company handles local, long-distance, and international relocations, and it 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 Provides flat-rate pricing Uses interactive driving simulators to train drivers Offers a Not-To-Exceed Pricing package that allows costs to fall below estimates but not above Cons Consumers may have to wait longer for open in-home estimate appointments than with competitors Storage options are based on local availability

      Services

      North American’s list of moving services includes:

      • Mobile storage containers
      • Fragile-only packing
      • Short- and long-term storage
      • House cleaning
      • Debris removal
      • Disconnection and reconnection of appliances
      • Crane vans for large items

      Cost

      North American’s prices are based on how many items you have to move and when and where you’re moving. The company also factors any special handling requests into a quote. Prices range from $4,716 to $5,389 to move a two-bedroom home with an average or medium-sized quantity of items from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Montgomery, Alabama, in mid-May. For a free, personalized quote from North American Van Lines, complete this quick online form.

      1-800-PACK-RAT

      Best Self-Service Mover
      4.3

      1-800-PACK-RAT proves to be a great option for anyone looking to save money and take the DIY approach to their local or long-distance Pennsylvania move. The company also partners with HireAHelper to provide reliable partial-service options like loading and unloading. 1-800-PACK-RAT has branches in both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

      Pros and Cons

      Pros Drops off and picks up weatherproof container(s) on your schedule Includes $10,000 in contents protection Offers price matching with PODS Cons No online booking options Availability for cross-country moves can be limited

      Services

      1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes: eight feet (ideal for 1–2 rooms), 12 feet (ideal for 2–3 rooms), and 16 feet (ideal for 3–4 rooms). 1-800-PACK-RAT includes 30 days to use your container, which is a longer time frame than some other DIY-friendly services.

      The moving process with 1-800-PACK-RAT allows you to schedule when the company drops off your container(s) at your point of origin. You load the container(s) at your own pace, and once loaded, you notify the company when to pick up and deliver the container(s) to your new home. Learn more about PACK-RAT’s services.

      Cost

      We received a quote from 1-800-PACK-RAT to move a two-bedroom home from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh within two months using a 16-foot container for $1,838.59. This quote includes all transportation, delivery and pick-up, a no-cut security lock, and $10,000 in contents protection. For a personalized, free moving quote from 1-800-PACK-RAT, fill out this short survey.

      JK Moving Services

      Best Specialized Packing
      4.7

      JK Moving is a great option if you want tailor-made full-service packages customized to your budget and moving needs. In conjunction with an array of moving services, the company provides the rare perk of financing your move through its partnership with Enhancify.

      Pros and Cons

      Pros All movers are full-time employees Financing available via Enhancify Offers 24-hour customer support with a personal moving coordinator Cons Accurate cost information is hard to find online In-transit storage is only available in two states No local moves in Pennsylvania

      Services

      The company will assign a moving coordinator, who will create an itemized list of your possessions before the team of experienced, full-time movers load the moving truck. Learn more about JK Moving’s services.

      Cost

      JK Moving doesn’t provide instant estimates on its website, but you can fill out a short form and expect a call from an agent shortly thereafter. Your price will depend on the services you choose, the distance and weight of your move, and your point of origin.


      Compare the Services of the Best Moving Companies in Pennsylvania

      Take some time to assess what you’re looking for and what you want to avoid in your Pennsylvania move. We ultimately recommend requesting a quote from a few different moving companies to compare costs and services.

      ProviderGet EstimateLocalLong-distanceLabor Included
      International Van LinesGet Estimate
      American Van LinesGet Estimate
      Moving APTGet Estimate
      JK MovingGet Estimate
      Allied Van LinesGet Estimate
      North American Van LinesGet Estimate
      1-800-PACK-RATGet Estimate

      Our Conclusion

      Every moving company fulfills a different kind of moving need. If you want to save time and focus on other important parts of your relocation, check out full-service movers like International Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, JK Moving, North American Van Lines, Moving APT, and American Van Lines. If you are moving within the Philadelphia area but across the state border into New Jersey, check out our top recommended movers in New Jersey.


      FAQs About Moving Companies in Pennsylvania

      What is the best moving company in Pennsylvania for a long-distance move?

      We find International Van Lines to be the best option for long-distance moving. The company provides comprehensive services at competitive rates. It is also a well-trusted brand with positive customer reviews.

      Is it cheaper to hire a moving company in Pennsylvania or move on my own?

      It is typically cheaper to move yourself or use a self-service mover like 1-800-PACK-RAT. We find that using a self-service mover is great for smaller apartment moves. However, if you own a lot of belongings or have a larger home, we suggest you look into full-service movers.

      What should you not pack in a moving container?

      Though both PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT will let you know what not to store in your moving container(s), here are some of the major items to avoid:

      • Money
      • Jewelry
      • Perishable foods
      • Loaded firearms
      • Medicine
      • Flammable materials
      • Oils
      • Financial documents

      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.

      Why Trust Us? We conducted 4,800+ hours of research on moving companies and crafted a ranking system based on the following research
      31
      Companies Considered
      1000
      Homeowners Surveyed
      21000
      Reviews Analyzed
      22
      Providers Compared

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