7 Best Long-Distance Moving Companies | 2022

Home Service Research team
·18 min read

Best Overall

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Best Fixed Pricing

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Best Discounts

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Most Experienced

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Best Broker Service

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Moving long-distance can be an experience filled with stressful moments and unexpected costs. If you are moving across states or across the country, that experience can be even more challenging.

While long-distance movers can help with your specific moving needs, it can be time-consuming and difficult trying to determine which moving company is right for you.

We researched and reviewed some of the top recommended long-distance moving companies in the nation to help you determine which one best meets your needs.

Top 7 Best Long-Distance Moving Companies

After in-depth research, our review team has found that the following to be the best long-distance moving companies:

International Van Lines: Best Overall

International Van Lines is a long-distance mover that provides packing services, loading and unloading services, and vehicle relocation. The company also offers specialty services for fragile items like expensive artwork and pianos. International Van Lines has a positive reputation with its customers, though customer experiences do vary according to location. International Van Lines can help with moves anywhere in the United States, as well as 180 countries.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Specialty services available, like vehicle relocation services
✓ Available everywhere in the United States
✓ Offers full-service moving experience

✖ No sample pricing available
✖ Poor communication is mentioned in some customer reviews

Services Provided

International Van Lines is a moving broker that helps with full-service moves. This means that the company can provide you with services like moving coordination, crating, packing, delivery, storage, and loading and unloading. The company will also disassemble and reassemble basic furniture and provide moving supplies like blankets and protective pads.

International Van Lines Cost

We received our cost estimate from International Van Lines' Moving Cost Calculator. To move a two-bedroom apartment/house from Atlanta to Austin, Texas, in two months, the cost was between $2,015 and $3,445. You can also use this helpful tool to determine what you might pay in a move.

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

North American Van Lines: Best Discount Programs

North American Van Lines is a full-service moving company experienced in local, long-distance, and international moves. The company offers a variety of services, including vehicle relocation with guaranteed pick-up and drop-off rates. North American Van Lines provides moving services in all 50 states, as well as in more than 130 countries.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Available in all 50 states and 130 countries
✓ Provides optional assembly and installation of appliances
✓ Offers discount programs to American Legion and union members and their families

✖ Consumer reviews include multiple references to tardiness and broken items
✖ Full-service options can be higher than competitor pricing

Services Provided

In addition to loading/unloading and transport, customers have the option to add services like full-service packing/unpacking, cleaning, storage, appliance and furniture disassembly and reassembly, fragile items packing and debris removal.

North American Van Lines Cost

North American's cost estimates are based on distance, as well as the total size and weight of what you will be moving. Special handling of any items is also factored into the quote. No up-front deposit is required.

We received our free quote from North American Van Lines using the company's free online moving estimate tool. Prices start at $5,031 to move a three-bedroom home with a large quantity of items from Atlanta to Chicago in early November.

Members of American Legion posts and their families can participate in the company's discount program, which provides up to $100,000 in replacement coverage protection on household items while in transit, for a bottom-line savings of $850. Discount program members also receive access to exclusive moving and storage discounts, non-peak rates year-round, and guaranteed quotes.

North American offers a similar program to members of unions and their families that consists of up to $50,000 replacement coverage (a savings of $560) and all perks provided to Legion members, with the addition of packing discounts.

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

Allied Van Lines: Most Experienced

With more than 90 years of experience in the industry, Allied Van Lines is the oldest moving company in the U.S. and helps relocate more than 100,000 families each year. Allied offers a range of moving options, from DIY assistance to full-service, and also provides vehicle relocation, storage, moving kits, and online resources, such as moving checklists and tip sheets. Allied Van Lines provides moving services in all 50 states, as well as in more than 130 countries.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Offers short- and long-term storage options
✓ Optional services include disconnection and reconnection of major appliances
✓ Provides online tracking of packages in transit

✖ Supplemental insurance and add-on services can greatly increase base-rate estimates
✖ Instant online quotes only available for state-to-state moves

Services Provided

Allied Van Lines assists with full- and partial-service moves. The company offers a variety of services, depending on customer needs and budgets, and a helpful collection of free online resources, such as moving checklists and tips.

Allied Van Lines Cost

Allied determines its overall cost based on the total weight and mileage of your move. The company offers free basic liability insurance, but any supplemental insurance or add-on services, such as crating or vehicle relocation, comes with an additional cost.

We received our cost estimate from Allied Van Lines using the free online instant quote tool. Moving a two-bedroom home from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Phoenix, Arizona in mid-November would cost between $7,617 and $8,710.

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

American Van Lines: Best for Fixed Pricing

American Van Lines is a full-service mover that stands out from its competitors because it offers these services at a fixed price. Once you have completed the quote process with American Van Lines, you will receive a fixed estimate that will not change during your move. Other moving companies might adjust their rates based on changes during the move, but American Van Lines stays committed to its fixed pricing. American Van Lines provides services for long-distance moves in 48 states. It is not available in Alaska and Hawaii.

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Pros & Cons

✓ On average, workers hold 10 years of experience
✓ Offers a price-matching policy
✓ Provide fixed estimates

✖ Prices can be higher than other movers
✖ Upfront deposits range from 10%–50% of your total cost

Services Provided

American Van Lines does both full-service and partial-service moves. The company offers industry-standard services like packing and unpacking services. American Van Lines also offers specialty services with its experienced movers for unique items like pianos and antiques.

American Van Lines Cost

American Van Lines offers cost information on popular moves on its moving cost page. The company estimates that a move from Miami to Dallas for a two-bedroom apartment (or 6,000 pounds) will cost $5,030. This estimate is based on the average cost of this move, so it includes a mixture of services.

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

Safeway Moving Systems: Best for Insurance

Safeway Moving Systems is a veteran-owned moving broker that strives to apply military precision and planning to the moving experience. Since 1987, the company has offered full-service moving options across the United States. Safeway can help with moves in all 50 states, as well as internationally.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Offers binding estimates
✓ Donates a portion of revenue to St. Jude Hospital
✓ Services are backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee

✖ Acts as a broker, so communication can get difficult
✖ No online pricing
✖ Does not provide many resources or tools, like GPS tracking

Services Provided

Safeway specializes in providing long-distance moves through various partnerships. The company is a broker, which means it acts as a mediator between you and a smaller moving company. This allows Safeway to provide nationwide availability for your move. Safeway also offers short- and long-term storage options.

We liked Safeway for its impressive insurance coverage. Each carrier it works with is required to carry a $1,000,000 insurance policy. This is a 25 percent increase over the $750,000 minimum legal requirement for moving companies. Safeway does this because it understands that many condo associations have a higher insurance requirement.

Another unique feature of Safeway Moving is its partnership with St. Jude Children's Hospital. After your move is completed, a Safeway representative will contact you to ask how much of your payment you would like the company to donate. This is not an additional fee, rather it is a portion of the price you have already paid.

Safeway Moving Services Cost

Because every move has unique needs and requirements, Safeway does not feature any online sample pricing. The company requires customers to go through a detailed estimate process, which may take several days to complete. However, the company provides binding estimates with no hidden fees. The quote you get is the price you'll pay as long as nothing about your move changes.

Additionally, Safeway offers price-matching of reputable moving companies that have been in business for at least five years. If you get a lower price on a written estimate from one of Safeway's competitors, Safeway will match or beat the competitor's price.

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

U-PACK: Easiest Quote Process

U-Pack provides door-to-door, DIY moving services for long-distance moves. You self-pack and load your containers, and U-Pack handles the transportation. U-Pack has an excellent customer satisfaction record with an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). U-Pack's moving services are available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Affordable self-move option
✓ Locations in all 50 states
✓ Insures moves with liability coverage

✖ Only allows three days for loading and unloading
✖ Packing and unpacking must be purchased through third-party provider
✖ Additional services must be bought to be eligible for the provider's service guarantee

Services Provided

U-Pack will drop off a moving container or trailer at your point of origin for you to pack yourself. You'll have three business days to load the container with your stuff, or you can request packing and unpacking services through third-party providers. When you're finished, U-Pack will return to pick the container up and drive it to your new home.

U-Pack offers two different options for moving vessels:

  • ReloCube: A small storage container that is ideal for smaller moves. It is small enough to fit in a regular parking space, making it a great option for smaller apartment moves.

  • Moving trailers: This option works better for larger moves, such as a house. It can easily be parked in a driveway.

U-Pack Cost

The cost estimate we received for a two-bedroom home/apartment move from Atlanta to Austin, Texas, in two months was $1,718, including fuel and taxes. Like many other long-distance moving companies, U-Pack bases its average cost on various factors.

Get a Quote: Visit U-Pack's Site

Read More: U-Pack Review

JK Moving: Best for Financing

JK Moving specializes in both long-distance moves and local moves within the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. The company offers full-service, partial-service, and self-service move options to suit your budget. If budget is a real concern for you, JK also has a partnership with the personal loan company Enhancify to allow you to finance your move at rates as low as 0%.* JK Moving performs long-distance moves in all 50 states, as well as international moves all over the globe.

* Subject to credit approval.

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Pros & Cons

✓ Customizes each move based on customer's budget
✓ Offers financing through Enhancify with rates as low as 0%*
✓ Offers climate-controlled storage

✖ No sample pricing available online
✖ Limited availability for local moves (available only in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C)

Services Provided

JK Moving is a full-service company that offers packing, crating, transportation, and storage services. Long-distance moves are made using the company's extensive fleet of GPS-enabled trucks to ensure that your items arrive safely and on time.

JK Moving Cost

One of JK's standout features is its relocation financing partnership with Enhancify. Customers can complete an application online in 60 seconds and receive loan offers from a variety of lenders without affecting their credit scores. This allows customers to qualify for rates as low as 0%* to pay for an expensive move in monthly payments.

JK Moving does not offer sample pricing online, but you can expect factors similar to other moving companies on this list to impact your overall cost with JK Moving.

Get a Quote: Visit JK Moving's Site or by call 571-487-8929.

Top 7 Long-Distance Moving Companies

Easily compare the top long-distance movers on cost, service, state availability, and benefits. After weighing the pros and cons of each company, you should be able to determine which is the best company for your out of state move.

Best Overall

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Best Fixed Pricing

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Best Discounts

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Most Experienced

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Best Broker Service

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Things to Consider During a Long-Distance Move

There are many factors that go into executing a successful cross-country move, which can make the process a bit daunting. Even with the many resources provided from companies like PODS and International Van Lines, it can be difficult to keep track of significant factors that impact your moving experience.After all, moving across the country is the type of moving that requires a lot more preparation and organization than local moves.

Here are some of the major ones to keep in mind:

  • Declutter Your Inventory: Long-distance moving is an excellent time to get rid of any underused or unwanted belongings you may have. One effective way to go about this is to place all the items you want to donate in one pile and all the items you want to throw away in another pile. Pack items that you plan to load in the moving truck as the moving day draws near, then shortly before moving day arrives, take your designated donation and trash piles to their respective locations to dispose of them.

  • Notify People Who Need to Know: You will certainly remember to notify your friends and family about your long-distance move, but there are some other important people and organizations that might slip your mind during the moving experience. Some to keep in mind are: insurance companies, the post office, tax agencies, gas and electric companies, social security administration, and your internet provider.

  • Check that Your Mover is Licensed: Another important component to keep in mind is whether or not your mover is licensed. All the companies on this list are properly licensed, so if you choose them you do not have to worry. If you want to check on a company yourself, get the company's USDOT number and visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website to search for them.

  • Create an Inventory: Another great practice to adopt for moves is to create an inventory. Keep a record of where all your items are packed, as well as how they looked before the move. This can help you if you have to file any damage claims. You can also check to see if any moving companies feature tools to help you create a detailed inventory, such as the type that International Van Lines offers.

Factors that Influence the Cost of Moving

In our survey, the No. 1 factor for customers choosing a moving company was cost, with more than 45% of respondents saying it was their top consideration. Moving companies tend to have similar factors that influence the overall cost of their services. The most significant cost factors tend to be the overall distance and weight of your move. The cost of self-service movers will also factor in the number of portable moving containers used, while full-service movers will factor in the size of the truck used.

These major factors will influence the final price you pay for your moving company's services:

  • Your point of origin

  • The date and time of the move

  • Overall distance of the move

  • Size/weight of the move

  • Amount of fuel required

  • Number of portable storage containers used

  • If you live on a second story or higher

  • Truck parking access

  • Truck size used

  • Truck driver's hours

  • Hours worked by moving labor

  • Additional protection plans you purchase

  • Additional services you purchase

Full-Service Vs. Self-Service Moves

The moving industry is primarily broken down into full-service and self-service options. These service models fulfill different needs for different types of customers, and it is important to know what you are searching for in a moving company. Learn about what each option entails below.

Full-Service Moves

A full-service mover will handle nearly every part of a move for you. The company provides workers that pack your belongings and load them onto the moving truck. They will then transport the truck for you to your new address. The company will then unload and unpack your belongings.

Many full-service companies also provide the option to receive a partial-service move. This means that you will pack and unpack your belongings, but the company handles loading, transportation, and unloading. Partial-service can also refer to you mixing and matching these services in other ways. International Van Lines and JK Moving are examples of full-service movers.

Self-Service Moves

Self-service—or container—moves are the more DIY approach to moving and tend to be generally more affordable than full-service moves. With this model, the company provides portable moving and storage containers and you handle the packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking of your belongings.

The company will then handle transportation and delivery for you.You are also able to dictate when you receive a portable storage container or moving trailer, as well as when it is picked up, delivered, and dropped off at your new home. 1-800-PACK-RAT and U-Pack are examples of self-service movers.

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Long-Distance Moves FAQs

What is the best rated long-distance moving company?

After in-depth research we have found that the best overall full-service long-distance moving company is International Van Lines.

What is the average cost of a long-distance move?

After receiving quotes from several of the top long-distance moving companies, we found on average you will pay anywhere between $4,000 to $6,000.

What is considered a long-distance move?

A good rule of thumb for most moving companies is that if you are moving 400 miles or more, it will be considered a long-distance move.

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

In-house estimates are a great way to receive more accurate quotes. However, you can often choose to obtain an estimate online if it is inconvenient to receive an in-house estimate.

What is a moving broker?

A moving broker is a company that arranges for the transportation of your belongings for you. The company will find another moving company that has the tools and labor to provide a moving truck and team to assist you in your move. Think of a moving broker like a sales team for the actual moving company that you end up using. International Van Lines is an example of a moving broker.

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

A non-binding estimate, sometimes called a ballpark estimate, is a cost estimate of what the moving company believes you will pay for its services. This estimate will probably change a bit over time. Eventually, as details of the move are worked out, you receive a binding estimate. This estimate is the exact cost of what you will pay for the moving company's services and equipment.

What states pay you to move there?

It is true that you might be able to save some money when it comes to moving to certain states and cities. Be sure to research further to see if you can receive money for relocating to your next state and/or city. Here are a few of the states and cities that provide money upon relocation to them:

  • Alaska

  • Chattanooga, Tennessee

  • Hamilton, Ohio

  • Lincoln, Kansas

  • Maine

  • Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Vermont

Is it worth it to hire a long-distance moving company?

Our Home Service Research Team recently conducted a survey of 1,000 consumers who had moved in the last five years. We found that while many who were moving locally were willing to pack up their own vehicles, 88% of those moving 25 miles or more turned to a moving company for the tools to help them maintain their peace of mind.