5 Best Interstate Moving Companies | 2022

Home Service Research Team
·12 min read

Best Overall

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Best Fixed Pricing

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Best Broker Service

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Most Experienced

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Best Discounts

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Moving can be a stressful and challenging experience. Moving cross country can be even more difficult and stressful. Interstate moving companies are an excellent tool to make this transition simpler, easier, and stress-free. Investing in a moving company can help you when it comes to packing, transportation, unpacking, storage, and more.

Many moving companies help by providing protection plans on your household goods, allowing you to relocate without worrying about any unexpected events that may occur.

In this round-up, our research team will compare some of the most reputable companies' cost, services, availability, and customer reviews. We will also list the pros and cons of each company, and make recommendations on which professional movers may be right for you and your specific moving needs.

5 Best Interstate Moving Companies

After in-depth research, our review team has found the following to be the top interstate moving companies:

International Van Lines: Best Overall

International Van Lines is an excellent, more traditional choice for interstate moves. It can assist you with packing services, as well as some specialty services for customers with unique items like pianos or pool tables. The company has a positive reputation with its customers overall, though customer experience does appear to vary according to location. International Van Lines is available in all 50 states and over 180 countries.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Availability anywhere in the United States
✓ Offers full-service moving experience
✓ Specialty services offered, such as car relocation services

✖ No sample pricing available
✖ Some customer reviews mention poor communication

Services

International Van Lines is a full-service moving company that offers packing, crating, transportation, storage, and other specialty moving services. Included in the company's services are the disassembly and reassembly of basic furniture, moving supplies like blankets and protective pads, mileage, fuel, and any tolls passed through during travel. You can also receive up to $10,000 worth of liability coverage. You can opt for either a partial packing experience or a full-service pack depending on your budget.

Cost

Like many other moving companies, International Van Lines' overall cost varies from customer to customer. An estimate for moving a two-bedroom apartment/house from Atlanta, Georgia, to Austin, Texas, in two months comes out to somewhere in the range of $2,015 to $3,445. You can utilize the company's Moving Cost Calculator to determine what you might pay in a move as well.

Get a Quote: Visit International Van Lines Site or call 888-375-6309.

American Van Lines: Best for Fixed Pricing

American Van Lines offers services similar to that of IVL. But the company offers some additional financial security through fixed pricing. The company provides a fixed estimate at the end of its quote process, and that is the price you pay no matter what challenges you encounter on moving day. This is a different approach to pricing than other movers who may make adjustments to the overall cost based on how the move is actually executed. American Van Lines offers assistance with interstate moving in 48 states. Its services are not available in Alaska and Hawaii.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Hires full-time works that holds an average of 10 years experience
✓ Offers fixed pricing on moving packages
✓ Well equipped and experienced for pianos and antiques

✖ Customer reviews mention difficulties in communication at times
✖ No online quote process
✖ Up-front deposits range from 10%–50% of your total cost

Services

American Van Lines provides both full-service and partial-service moves. The company offers services such as packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and unpacking. American Van Lines' experienced movers for unique items like pianos of any variety and delicate antiques.

Cost

There are several different factors that impact the overall cost of your move with American Van Lines. Though it does not provide online quotes, American Van Lines offers some insight on average cost for popular moves on its moving cost page. The company estimates that a move from Los Angeles to Austin for a two-bedroom apartment (or 6,000 pounds) will cost $5,030. This estimate is based on a mixture of services that are typically included in the average move.

Get a Quote: Visit American Van Lines Site or call 877-960-3186.

Safeway Moving Systems: Best Broker Service

Founded in 1987, Safeway Moving Systems is a veteran-owned moving broker that strives to apply military precision and planning to the moving experience. The company works to connect you to movers across the United States that fulfill your full-service moving needs. The major benefit of using Safeway as a broker is that the company brings comprehensive insurance coverage to every move it brokers. Safeway states that it can help with moves in all 50 states, as well as with international moves.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Offers fixed rates for its quotes
✓ Provides substantial insurance coverage for each carrier it works with
✓ Services are backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee

✖ Functions as a broker, so communication may get difficult
✖ Does not include many resources or tools, such as GPS tracking

Services

Safeway Moving is a broker that will connect you to a full-service mover based on your move's criteria, such as the size of your move and your destination. This means you get access to industry-standard services such as packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and unpacking. Safeway also offers storage services to add flexibility to its moves.

Cost

Safeway does not provide sample pricing online. Instead, the company provides accurate, binding estimates for its services based on detailed evaluations of your move. After a thorough inventory that may include an in-person or virtual walk-through, Safeway quotes you a price that will not change come moving day, no matter what other surprises arise.

Get a Quote: Visit Safeway Moving Systems Site or call 844-509-4899.

Allied Van Lines: Most Experienced

Allied Van Lines is another great full-service mover for interstate moves. Based out of Oakbrook Terrace, IL, Allied is in proximity to many major metropolitan cities. The company also holds more than 90 years of experience. This means you receive expert-skilled workers on services such as packing and loading. Allied Van Lines is available in all 50 states, as well as more than 130 countries.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Available in all 50 states
✓ Provides GPS tracking on all shipments
✓ Works with the Salvation Army to donate unwanted items

✖ Functions as broker sometimes leading to difficult communication
✖ Does not offer online pricing

Services

Allied Van Lines offers full-service and partial-service moves with services such as packing, loading, transportation, plus, unloading, and unpacking at your new home. Customers may also save money and opt for a DIY moving experience with Allied's fragile-only packing. This service has the company pack difficult and fragile items while you pack the rest of your belongings. Allied also offers a portable storage container service similar to PODS, called Allied Express.

Cost

Allied Van Lines uses many of the same factors other moving companies use to calculate the price of an interstate move. In order to receive a free quote from Allied, you must go through either an in-home or virtual survey. This process allows Allied to provide an accurate, binding estimate. This means that the price Allied gives you at the end of the quote process will not change despite any unexpected changes in your move. The company also provides a smartphone application to help with the virtual survey, as well as keep a digital inventory.

Get a Quote: Visit Allied Van Lines Site or call 877-483-9424.

North American Van Lines: Best Claims Process

Part of Allied's parent company SIRVA and based out of Fort Wayne, IN, North American Van Lines is another great full-service mover for interstate moves. The company features more than 500 personal moving agent locations across the United States. It also acts as a great choice for those concerned about moving insurance on their belongings as it offers a detailed and thorough claims process for domestic and international moves. North American Van Lines offers its services in all 50 states, as well as more than 130 countries.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Features a detailed and thorough claims process
✓ Provides GPS tracking
✓Agents can provides suggestions and guidance for self-packing

✖ Agents may be limited based on your location
✖ Storage options may be limited based on your location

Services

North American Van Lines offers full-service and partial-service interstate moves with services such as packing, loading, transportation, unploading, and unpacking. The company provides many online resources for customers to use, including a moving calculator, a space calculator, relocation guides, checklists and info on shipping wine collections. The company also offers the rare service of assisting with the installation of appliances.

Cost

North American Van Lines will calculate its cost based on different factors. Similar to Allied, North American Van Lines requires a virtual or in-home survey to provide accurate, binding estimates. This means North American Van Lines will not alter the price you are quoted at the end of the quote process.

Get a Quote: Visit North American Van Lines Site or call 877-624-0912.

Compare the Top 5 Interstate Moving Companies

Easily compare the top interstate movers on cost, service, state availability and benefits. After weighing the pros and cons of each company, you should be able to decide which moving company would be best for your interstate move and budget.

Things to Consider During an Interstate Move

There are a variety of factors to consider when planning a long-distance interstate move. With so much to worry about during a move, some significant factors might slip by you. Here are some major factors to keep in mind and plan for:

  • Declutter Your Inventory: Moving, especially moving long-distances, is an excellent opportunity to get rid of any unwanted or underused items. Consider putting items you want to donate in one pile and items you are going to throw away in another. Pack items that are going with you as you can, then shortly before your moving day, take your donation and trash piles to their respective locations to get rid of them.

  • Notify People that Need to Know: You will probably be telling your friends and family all about the move, but there are a few important organizations and people you will want to notify about your move as well. Some of these include: the post office, insurance companies, tax agencies, social security administration, gas and electric companies, and your internet provider.

  • Check that Your Mover is Licensed: You will want to make sure that your mover is licensed. Luckily, if you choose one of the companies listed here, you can rest assured that it is licensed. If you want to check on a particular company, acquire the company's USDOT number and visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) website to search for them.

  • Create an Inventory: You might believe you can remember all your belongings, where they are packed, and how they looked before the move. However, it is still a great idea to create an inventory of your items; this can be of help if you have to file any damage claims. Some moving companies, like International Van Lines, feature tools to help you create a detailed inventory.

Best Overall

bhg BUY IT

Best Fixed Pricing

bhg BUY IT

Best Broker Service

bhg BUY IT

Most Experienced

bhg BUY IT

Best Discounts

bhg BUY IT

Interstate Moves FAQs

Who is considered the best interstate moving company?

After in-depth research we found that International Van Lines is the best choice for an interstate move.

What is considered an interstate move?

An interstate move requires more travel time than intrastate (does not cross state lines) or local moves. Whether you are moving to your neighboring state or cross country, you can expect to pay more for this type of move.

How do I choose an interstate mover?

When choosing a mover, it is important to take some time to consider what is most important to you about your upcoming move. Is it full-service packing? Is it having a flexible schedule? Is it having useful online tools for organization? Once you have an understanding of what you value most in a move, find a company that has a focus on those same values, ensuring that your move will be more satisfactory.

Should I have the interstate mover come to my home to look at my goods?

It is typically a good idea to receive an in-house estimate. This way, the mover has a better idea of what kind of move they are dealing with. You can choose to receive an estimate online as well, and if you choose to self-pack like you can with PODS, there is no need to worry about the mover seeing your belongings.

What is the difference between a binding and non-binding estimate?

You may receive a non-binding or ballpark estimate when dealing with a moving company. This is what the moving company believes you will pay for their services. Eventually, you will receive a binding estimate after further discussion and evaluation. This estimate is the exact cost for the moving company's services, which may or may not be different from its original ballpark estimate.

When should I start planning an interstate move?

A good rule of thumb for planning a long-distance move is to start planning it anywhere from 30 days to two months away from the day you want to move. This will not only give you time to plan for the move, but it can help any moving company hire prepare as well.