The Best Long-Distance Movers
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Moving a long distance can feel like a never-ending journey. Once you’ve done the hard work of finding a new home, you still have to pack all of your things, figure out how to move them hundreds of miles, and unbox your new life. A full-service moving company can take a lot of the stress out of the situation, helping with everything from packing each room to safely transporting your belongings.
The best long-distance movers offer more than transportation—they bring expertise in planning, organizing, and managing complex moves with care. We reviewed 15 moving companies before choosing our favorite five for long-distance moves. Our top three picks—Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines, and JK Moving Services—each have comprehensive service offerings, extensive insurance options, and strong reputations. Below, compare our full list of recommended movers side-by-side to find the right one for you.
Top Long-Distance Moving Companies
After reviewing 15 moving companies, surveying 1,000 moving customers about their experiences, and reading hundreds of reviews, we chose these five companies as our top long-distance movers:
- Allied Van Lines
- North American Van Lines
- JK Moving Services
- International Van Lines
- Safeway Moving Inc.
Comparing the Best Long-Distance Movers
The table below compares our top five movers on key factors such as average cost and license type. To get an accurate idea of pricing, we requested quotes from each provider for a two-bedroom move ranging between 500 and 800 miles.
| Provider | Our Score | BBB Rating* | Average Price | Deposit | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | $5,370 | None | Visit site | ||
| A+ | $5,969 | None | Visit site | ||
| A+ | $5,250 | Up to 25% | Visit site | ||
| B- | $5,631 | Up to 40% | Visit site | ||
| A+ | $7,171 | $250 | Visit site |
*The Better Business Bureau is an independent organization that evaluates companies’ reputations and responsiveness to customers. Ratings are accurate as of November 2024.
Each of these moving companies offers packing/unpacking and loading/unloading services, but additional offerings vary. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which moving company is the right pick for your relocation needs.
| Specialty Services Offered | Allied Van Lines | North American Van Lines | JK Moving Services | International Van Lines | Safeway Moving Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle shipping | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fragile-only packing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Furniture disassembly/reassembly | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Crating | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Appliance and electronics handling | ✔ | ✔ | X | X | ✔ |
| Antique/specialty services | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Piano moving | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Storage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Office moves | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Key Moving Terms Explained
Moving jargon can be confusing. Here are a few terms you might come across when looking for a mover:
- Carrier: This is a moving company that uses an in-house team for every step of the move. We like carriers because you deal directly with the company moving your stuff and they’re responsible for any damages, reducing the chance of any miscommunications.
- Broker: These movers outsource their services to a network of third-party companies, leading to more variations in service quality. While brokers can sometimes offer lower rates, they don’t handle moves directly and aren’t liable for any damages. If your items are damaged or lost in transit, you’ll need to deal with the carrier that physically completed your move.
- Van line: Several movers on our list are van lines, which are companies that have large networks of movers across the country that work together to handle long-distance relocations. Van lines can be carriers, brokers, or both.
- Binding estimate: This estimate type gives you a guaranteed price for your move based on your inventory and chosen services. Binding estimates are great because they lock in your price, so there are no surprise charges.
- Nonbinding estimate: This will give you a rough idea of your total cost, but your final price could change based on the actual weight of your items and your chosen services.
- Not-to-exceed estimate: This quote type sets a maximum price for your move, but you could end up paying less if your belongings are lighter than expected. These estimates are rare, but we love them because they protect you from overpaying.
- Delivery spread: This is a time window when your moving company estimates your things will arrive at your new location. Instead of promising a specific day, they give a range—say, five to seven days—since things like traffic or weather can cause delays.
Our Reviews of the Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
All of our recommended movers have a full suite of long-distance moving services, as shown in the chart above. However, there are some differences between them that we dive into below.
Allied Van Lines
North American Van Lines
JK Moving Services
International Van Lines
Safeway Moving Inc.
Other Moving Options
While we recommend full-service moving companies for most long-distance moves, other options like truck rentals and portable storage containers can be great alternatives for certain customers.
Truck rentals, such as those offered by U-Haul and Penske, allow you to save money by doing most of the move yourself. You only pay for the rental and mileage, which is significantly cheaper than hiring a professional mover. However, packing and loading on your own and driving a larger vehicle can be challenging. We recommend test-driving your truck before moving day to make sure you’re comfortable behind the wheel. You may also want to have a friend or family member help you with loading and unloading.
Portable storage containers are another great option for many moving customers. With this option, a mover will drop off a storage container that you can pack at your own pace, and containers can be stored on-site or at a secure facility until you’re ready to move. This flexibility is especially helpful if you need extra time to organize or require storage for an extended period. Two companies on our list—Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines—offer moving containers as well as professional packing services, so you can get the best of both worlds.
How Much Does a Long-Distance Move Cost?
A long-distance move can cost anywhere from $3,540 to upwards of $10,000, depending on distance and home size. These moves are defined as a move over 150 miles, and they’re typically more expensive than local moves due to the distance traveled.
In the table below, we show the average cost of long-distance moves across different home sizes and distances. We gathered price information by requesting 84 binding estimates from 11 different moving companies.
| Number of bedrooms | 1 Bedroom (2,000–4,000 lbs) | 2 Bedroom (4,000–7,000 lbs) | 3 Bedroom (7,000–10,000 lbs) | 4 Bedroom(10,000+ lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | Average Cost | Average Cost | Average Cost | Average Cost |
| < 1,000 miles | $3,540 | $5,605 | $7,970 | $12,900 |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | $4,190 | $7,125 | $10,125 | $14,800 |
| > 1,500 miles | $4,340 | $7,375 | $10,325 | $16,600 |
Single-Day vs. Multiday Moves
Long-distance moves generally take longer than local moves to deliver, but you might get lucky with a single-day move. Here are the differences between single-day and multiday moves:
- Single-day moves: These moves are completed in one day, with the moving team arriving, loading your items, and delivering them to your new home within 24 hours. Since the process is quick and efficient, single-day moves tend to be more affordable than longer ones.
- Multiday moves: These are often required for long-distance, interstate, or international moves and span multiple days. As they involve more time, labor, and planning, they’re generally more expensive than single-day moves. Additional costs may include overnight fees for the crew or extra logistical coordination.
Full-Service vs. Partial-Service Moves
Long-distance moves are stressful as is, so we recommend choosing a full-service mover over a partial-service one if your budget allows. Full-service movers handle everything from packing and loading to transportation and unpacking, so there are fewer steps you have to worry about.
Partial-service movers are cheaper, but they leave certain tasks like packing and unpacking to you. These moves focus on transportation rather than comprehensive service. All of the movers on our list do full-service moves, but many also offer partial-service options, such as portable moving containers.
Tipping Your Movers
Tipping your movers is customary for a job well done. Here are some ways you can tip your movers:
- Per mover: $20–$50 for a full day of work
- Hourly: $4–$5 per hour
- Percentage: 15%–20% of the total move cost, split among the team
It’s best to have cash ready for tips, though some movers accept tips via apps, like Venmo or Zelle. Check ahead to confirm.
How To Get a Good Price
Moving doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some tips to get the best rates:
- Compare quotes: Get estimates from at least three moving companies. Some companies, like Safeway Moving Inc. and Allied Van Lines, offer price matching. Make sure to check if estimates are binding or nonbinding.
- Be flexible with your moving date: If you can be flexible, ask if there are cheaper dates to move. Sometimes weekday or mid-month moves cost less than weekends or peak-end-of-month dates.
- Ask about discounts: Movers often offer discounts for seniors, students, and military personnel. Ask the company about any available discounts for your move.
- Know about extra fees: Some movers charge extra for packing, navigating stairs, or moving items from a long distance to the truck. Clarify these details in your contract to avoid surprises.
- Ask about vehicle shipping: If you’re transporting a car or other vehicle, some movers, like International Van Lines, offer discounts for bundling vehicle shipping with your household move.
What Is Moving Insurance?
Moving insurance protects your belongings in transit and is required of all full-service movers. These are the two options all full-service moving companies are legally obligated to provide:
- Released value protection: This insurance is included at no extra charge. It offers limited reimbursement for loss or damage depending on your item’s weight. Keep in mind that this means you will not be reimbursed for the full cost of your item and potentially only a fraction of the cost for more expensive items.
- Full-value protection: This insurance covers the full cost to repair or replace damaged or lost items, but you need to pay an additional fee to get this extra coverage.
Some movers also offer specialized coverage, like high-value item protection or catastrophic coverage for events like floods, fires, and natural disasters. Third-party insurance is another option, but it’s often more expensive and less convenient than in-house options, which are easy to set up as part of your moving service.
State Moving Regulations
Be aware of legal considerations or regulations that may impact your move, depending on the state or area you’re moving to. Different states have their own rules for moving companies, including licensing, insurance, and complaint processes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website has more information on this topic.
Nailing Down Your Moving Timeline
Proper planning will help you manage your move efficiently. Here’s a general timeline you can follow:
- Eight weeks out: Inventory and categorize your belongings into three different lists: “keep,” “donate,” and “discard.” Use the “keep” list to get quotes; most moving companies charge based on your shipment’s weight, so otherwise, you’ll overpay for items you’re getting rid of anyway.
- Six weeks out: Book your mover and start packing nonessential items, like decor and artwork.
- Four weeks out: Continue packing items you won’t need for the next month and arrange utility transfers.
- Two weeks out: Pack semi-essential items and submit a change of address form with USPS. You should also confirm that everything is good to go with your movers.
- Moving week: Finish packing. Keep essentials like medications and important documents with you during your move to avoid losing them. Do a final walkthrough of your current home and grab any last-minute items you may have forgotten.
Advice From Real Moving Customers
While we prefer full-service moving companies for long-distance moves, some customers find that container companies better suit their needs. Katie D. moved from Denver, Colorado, to Orlando, Florida, in August 2024 using U-Haul’s U-Box container and said she had a good experience.
“I just secured [the U-Box] online and then didn’t have to pay for it until right before I got it. I felt it was secure. The worries people had [on review sites] was that it wouldn’t be weather-proof, but I didn’t have any problems with that.”
Although Katie said the U-Box was a good value, she admitted that she likely would’ve hired a full-service mover if she’d found one within her budget. Since she went with U-Box, she hired separate movers to load and unload her belongings. “I think it would’ve made [the moving process] more streamlined, where I could have the same people load and unload and then actually do the moving.”
Katie also said her U-Box took around 14 days to reach Orlando due to high demand over Labor Day weekend. “It was the longest shipping time out of everyone [I got quotes from], so I had to weigh what was worth it: the price or the shipping time?” she said. For Katie, the cost savings outweighed the delay to get her stuff.
For customers like Katie who need budget-friendly moving solutions, container companies and truck rentals can be great. But if you want peace of mind and a shorter delivery spread, we recommend choosing one of the long-distance movers on our list.
How We Evaluated Long-Distance Movers
We ranked long-distance movers based on their reputation, services, and pricing. All of the companies on our list have extensive experience with interstate and cross-country moves and offer comprehensive services to cater to your needs.
Our Rating System
To determine the best long-distance movers, we analyzed customer feedback, BBB ratings, and dozens of moving quotes. We also assessed each company’s performance in several key areas.
Here’s a breakdown of our moving methodology:
- Customer service: We looked at BBB ratings, customer complaints, and the availability of online tools, such as moving calculators and moving checklists. Movers with A or A+ ratings and helpful online features scored the highest.
- Reputation: We checked each company’s licensing, truck reliability, and how they vet their movers. Movers with carrier licenses, fewer truck breakdowns, and background-checked workers scored well.
- Value: We considered pricing, quote types, and whether movers offer additional services like portable storage. Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines tied for first in this category because they both offer affordable pricing, binding estimates, and portable storage units.
- Service offerings: We ranked companies based on the range of services they offer. Movers with diverse services, such as piano moving and vehicle shipping, earned higher scores.
- Item protection: We reviewed insurance options and extra protection services, like GPS tracking and storage. Movers offering more than the two standard insurance options and several protection services earned higher marks.
- Scheduling: Movers with multiple avenues of communication, such as email and phone, mobile apps, and multiple contact options scored the highest in this category.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
