Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Sean Donnelly is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His content draws on more than three years of experience in the moving industry. He started as a laborer and was quickly promoted to moving crew leader. Sean also served as a move coordinator, where he conducted in-home and virtual estimates for customers. During his time in the industry, Sean assisted more than 500 clients with their relocation needs. Thanks to his years of hand-on experience, he understands all aspects of moving — from proper preparation to the quote process to effective packing techniques. Sean studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is still located in the greater Springfield area. When he isn’t writing, Sean is a cohead coach of the boxing team at his alma mater.
When selecting a moving company for help relocating across state lines, the first thing to check is whether it’s properly licensed. Then, figure out which movers offer the services you need and the customer support you expect at a price you can afford.
We analyzed and reviewed top interstate movers in the U.S. based on reach, service profile, pricing practices, customer reviews and more. International Van Lines (IVL) is best for most interstate moving needs. It offers domestic service to all 50 states and is transparent about how much its services cost. Additionally, the company provides 30 days of free storage for qualifying moves.
Allied Van Lines is the next best choice for its extensive in-house vehicle shipping service, and JK Moving Services comes in third for its antique and fragile item services, which are among the best in the business.
We gave the following movers high scores based on our proprietary grading scale. We considered their service offerings, pricing practices, customer review scores and more.
Though professional interstate movers exhibit objectively good and bad qualities, there’s an element of personal choice when deciding on a mover. As you prepare for your move, consider your budget and thoroughly research your top choices.
We’ve conducted in-depth reviews on each of the following, and they made the cut for our recommended movers list.
IVL combines countrywide domestic reach with quality customer service to offer excellent basic and additional services for various moves. We like its transparent approach to pricing moves, but we don’t like the negative reviews of some of its partner companies.
IVL provides moving services to all 50 states due to its broker status and wide network of moving partners and offers unmatched international reach to over 150 other countries. As a broker, it sometimes contracts moving services to other moving companies. This access to third parties allows for a full range of add-on services. It also provides fast quotes via a dedicated customer service team.
This mover is a licensed carrier that also acts as a broker, contracting many of its moves to other carriers. This can occasionally lead to miscommunication between your move coordinator and the mover who actually shows up at your home.
While it does provide binding estimates to most customers, many reviews indicate nonbinding estimates for longer moves and fees added at the end of moves. Binding estimates effectively cap your moving costs unless you add goods or services to your move. We recommend that you only book with a mover that explicitly offers such quotes for longer moves.
IVL provides a comprehensive range of basic and add-on services. Its long-distance and interstate moving packages include 30 days of free storage and the following add-ons:
I spoke with an IVL representative for pricing on an interstate move. After five minutes on hold, I received a ballpark quote within 15 minutes — totaling 20 minutes on the phone.
My three-bedroom interstate move from California to Texas (1,800 miles) was quoted at $6,276 without added services. Full-service packing increased the estimate to $7,158. This rate for a three-bedroom move with no packing is lower than any other mover listed here aside from Moving APT.
The representative mentioned 30 days of free storage but explained that this promotional offering is going away soon.
IVL offers interstate moving to all 50 states.
IVL is one of the better-reviewed companies I came across during my research. Its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile has 169 reviews that average 3.39 out of 5 stars. Positive reviews mentioned efficiency, while negative reviews cited unprofessional conduct by partner company moving crews. We recommend asking which mover will be handling your actual relocation when you call IVL for a quote.
Allied Van Lines is one of the largest moving carriers in the country. It operates 1,020 trucks equipped for shipping vehicles and large items to more than 500 locations. Though its comprehensive service area opens it up to quality control risks, this mover seems to live up to its positive reputation for efficient service.
Allied provides service exclusively as a carrier, meaning it claims not to broker out services to other moving companies. Generally, this signals greater accountability in case of damage to or loss of goods during transit.
The company’s fleet of large moving trucks also positions it to offer an in-house vehicle shipping service. This means you won’t have to deal with a third-party carrier when booking vehicle shipping services.
Some Allied affiliates operate dually under Allied and their own branding, which can lead to varied service offerings and pricing practices. While this enables Allied to nominally maintain its carrier status, it’s something to be aware of. You can help mitigate the quality variance you’ll experience by looking at location-specific reviews.
Allied’s vehicle shipping and large-item moves aren’t all that distinguish it from other movers. It offers an expedited small move service called Allied Express. This moving container service plan can assist you with small relocation needs, and it features bottom-line pricing that includes all labor and valuation coverage.
Allied also provides these add-on services:
I called Allied directly to get a pricing estimate for a 1,800-mile three-bedroom move. Since I couldn’t commit to a video call for accurate estimation, the Allied representative gave me a ballpark quote for $7,000 without packing. Packing services would cost around $3,000 extra. Allied doesn’t require deposits for booking.
This carrier provides interstate service to all 50 states via more than 500 locations.
Allied has a generally favorable reputation among moving customers. It has 1.09 out of 5 stars from customer reviews on its BBB profile, but this isn’t necessarily a red flag. BBB and Yelp tend to be hubs for negative feedback for professional movers.
Many of the Google Reviews submissions for individual locations are overwhelmingly positive. You should look into reviews for the location nearest to you to find out what you can expect out of your moving experience.
JK Moving Services’ background-checked moving crews are fully trained in-house. Its mover training program is unusually comprehensive for nationwide movers, increasing the likelihood that your fragile goods will be handled with care.
Its lack of posted customer service hours is a drawback, although the company has an online “Text Us” widget for quick customer feedback.
JK Moving advertises that its movers are trained in its house, not yours. This references the fully furnished house at its headquarters that movers use for intensive training. They complete packing, crating and general moving exercises before taking assignments on real moves in the field, which is a unique training process in the industry.
Raising the bar for mover training can benefit any move but is especially reassuring if you’re crating fragile items or heirlooms across state lines.
JK Moving has received negative reviews for poor communication. While not uncommon among large full-service movers, this problem is magnified more during multiday interstate moves than during local moves.
JK Moving offers interstate moving services in all 50 states. All moving packages include valuation coverage, which provides a higher dollar amount of reimbursement for loss or damages than the industry requires. JK Moving provides customers with the following:
I called JK Moving for a ballpark quote and received two prices for a 1,800-mile three-bedroom relocation. My quote totaled $8,200 without packing services. After adding full-service packing, it jumped up to $11,800. While you can potentially get lower rates for a move of this scope, this rate offers customers access to JK’s quality moving labor. It also provides financing options for all moves as low as 0%, making most bills easily payable.
JK Moving has offices in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., and serves all 50 states.
JK Moving currently maintains a 4.5 out of 5-star review score on Google Reviews for its Sterling, Virginia, location. Positive reviews mention individual movers by name, which is always a positive indicator to look for in a quality provider. Negative reviews talk about surprise fees and poor customer service regarding damage claims.
North American Van Lines (NAVL) stands out for its transparent pricing models, including “bottom-line” and “not to exceed” moving quotes that function like flat-rate pricing. While NAVL offers service via 500 locations, this can also be a drawback due to the increased risk of quality variance.
NAVL’s pricing options make it a great pick if you’re in the market for an interstate mover and have a tight budget. NAVL is a subsidiary of Sirva Worldwide Inc., a global moving conglomerate. This gives it one of the widest international reaches in the industry, with 130 countries covered.
Through Sirva, NAVL partners with Allied to handle an increased range of domestic relocation needs. These can include more comprehensive basic and specialized add-ons.
This provider’s broad reach comes with a caveat. Operating more than 500 service centers makes maintaining uniformity of service quality difficult, as evidenced by more than 100 Google Reviews I read. It’s harder for me to recommend a provider when your satisfaction could depend on the location you happen to be moving from or to.
NAVL offers local and interstate services and international moving to 130 other countries. Its most prominent service offerings include the following:
I called NAVL for a ballpark quote for a 1,800-mile three-bedroom move, but the representative didn’t provide one. He was wary of offering any cost figure without scheduling a visual survey of my home. However, he stressed that, as a carrier, NAVL doesn’t charge deposits or fees upfront. I wouldn’t consider the lack of a ballpark estimate a red flag. Instead, it’s more a mark of this moving company wanting to be thorough when giving quotes.
NAVL offers moving assistance in all 50 states. Its international moving department assists with customs clearance and relocations to 130 countries.
NAVL’s BBB profile shows largely negative reviews averaging 1.13 out of 5 stars. This shouldn’t be a red flag to you on its own, however. Oftentimes, BBB acts as a hub for complaints, and NAVL has only received 31 reviews on the platform. We encourage you to look at reviews specific for the NAVL location that will handle your move for a more accurate picture.
Moving APT is a moving broker that provides excellent price visibility. It also offers helpful online resources, such as moving checklists, to guide you through the moving process. It achieves its nationwide reach by partnering with independently run movers.
Moving APT’s cost calculator tool, efficient online quotes and price matching capabilities make it a well-rounded option for residential moves of most sizes. It offers multiple levels of involvement, from full- to self-service moving assistance with numerous add-ons.
This broker’s 2,500-plus partner companies are all independently run. While many of these companies are well-regarded in their local service areas, this leads to a lack of adherence to stated Moving APT policies on moving day.
In addition, Moving APT’s pricing practices seem to vary by partner. While you’ll be able to get binding estimates for some moves you book through this company, this will largely depend on which partner handles your move. This, coupled with high deposit requirements, can make some customers wary.
Moving APT’s basic moving packages include loading and unloading, transportation, and basic released liability coverage for lost or damaged goods. Its additional service offerings will depend on the companies it has working near you. They can include the following:
Moving APT has a cost calculator tool for quick and easy pricing on its website. However, speaking with a Moving APT representative will always get more accurate estimates.
We recommend calling for pricing. My quoted rate for a 1,800-mile three-bedroom move was a range of $4,000–$6,000. Your exact cost will depend on add-ons. I was informed that my price range largely depended on the addition of packing services.
Moving APT provides local and interstate service to all 50 states.
I read more than 100 individual customer reviews for Moving APT that reflect the same issues I’ve seen often in other moving brokers’ customer feedback. Mainly, customers complain about movers’ carelessness and overbilling.
That said, many customers rated Moving APT well for the attentiveness and care they received throughout their moves. Ask which company is handling your move before booking to ensure the best possible service.
American Van Lines (AVL) operates solely as a carrier and has three central hubs in North Carolina, Florida and Texas. These offer local service near its offices and service to all 50 states. Flat-rate pricing helps it to stand out. However, this type of pricing can lead to higher rates as companies upcharge to cover potential overages.
AVL advertises movers with 10 years of experience on the job. These crew members can offer quality packing and crating services for an array of goods, including fragile items, antiques and fine art. Flat-rate pricing also helps it offer more accurate and concise quotes compared to competitors who don’t.
Flat-rate pricing typically leads to higher rates when compared to competitors. I found this to hold true when I got a quote from AVL. Another potential barrier for some customers looking to book could be its high deposit requirements. These are usually between 20% and 25% but can range up to 50% of the total move bill. The high-end cost is abnormal among its competitors. In most cases, you won’t have to pay this much upfront. However, the experienced crews this mover provides may make the higher price worth it for you.
AVL provides the following add-on services for interstate moves:
I called AVL for a quote and spoke with a representative about a 1,800-mile three-bedroom interstate move. My price for a basic move (with do-it-yourself packing) would be $7,456. Full-service packing would run my cost to $12,900. One month of storage at my origin destination (along with all associated delivery and labor) would increase the price again to $16,836. In all, the call took 28 minutes.
AVL provides service to all lower 48 states. It has no service options in Alaska or Hawaii. While this isn’t a huge minus for AVL, some competitors offer service in these states.
AVL has 4.04 out of 5 stars from customer reviews on BBB. This is fairly high, considering many moving companies see mostly negative reviews on this platform. Positive reviews mention friendly moving crews and professional conduct, which backs up AVL’s claims of trained movers.
Negative customer reviews for AVL report some moves being contracted to third-party carriers. You should be aware that there is an increased risk of this occurring during the summer when movers’ schedules fill up. Many larger companies that claim sole carrier status will engage in this practice to keep pace with demand.
Safeway Moving Systems Inc. is a moving carrier and broker with interstate moving services to all 50 states. Its flat-rate pricing and $1 million in liability insurance policies make it a secure choice for many, although some negative reviews mention poor performance by contract moving crews.
Safeway Moving’s flat-rate pricing helps set it apart from many competitors. Aside from this, its $1 million insurance policies, which it maintains for all partner companies, allow it to comply with requirements enforced by many homeowners’ associations. This provides wider access for Safeway and its partners.
Flat rates often lead to higher pricing, which you should know when getting a quote from Safeway Moving. However, the main pain point we saw with customers who used this mover was damage to household goods. Some customers reported difficulties with following up on compensation for this.
Safeway Moving is an interstate moving specialist without many add-on services. You can expect the following services from this broker:
I called Safeway Moving for a quote on a three-bedroom, 1,800-mile relocation. After just 5 minutes, I had a ballpark quote of $8,000 if I packed my own goods. Adding full-service packing raised my price to $10,000. All moves include 30 days of free storage; however, expect to pay a deposit of around 20% of the final move bill.
Safeway Moving operates from its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to provide moving service to all 50 states.
Safeway Moving has a 3.54 out of 5 stars on BBB. The positive reviews I read cited prompt service, with many customers mentioning individual movers by name. This is always a positive indicator to look for when quality service has been given. Many negative reviews describe the poor quality of some moving partners Safeway hires, but these were fairly uncommon overall.
Choosing a full-service interstate moving company can be intimidating if it’s your first time. There’s much to think about, from a provider’s licensing and insurance to its cost, service portfolio and status as a carrier or broker. Below are five tips to keep in mind that will help simplify your vetting process and make choosing a mover easier.
As you begin to prepare for your move, you should walk through your home and inventory the items you plan to take and the ones you plan to discard ahead of your move. Break this list down room by room and make note of any services you may consider having your mover perform.
Whether it’s your first move or you just need a refresher, conduct your walk-through around eight weeks before contacting providers for moving quotes. Remember to reference your inventory list during the quote process.
Interstate moving companies are federally regulated. Each mover that offers interstate service is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and they carry a valid United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) number. These identifiers should be displayed on official documents such as estimates or moving contracts. In addition, all interstate movers should supply you with FMCSA’s consumer rights pamphlet to inform you of your rights and responsibilities as a moving customer.
Always evaluate the quality of the movers you’re interested in before calling for quotes. Read real customer reviews from multiple sources. We recommend Google Reviews, Yelp, Trustpilot, BBB and social media sites. Look for positive and negative trends to determine how well given movers can handle your relocation needs.
Schedule multiple in-person or video call moving estimates at least six weeks ahead of your interstate relocation. Be sure to get different price points for a basic move and for moves that include the cost of add-ons you need.
You can use online moving cost calculators provided by some movers to assess general moving costs, but they don’t provide binding estimates. Contact providers you’re considering for personalized quotes to compare with your moving budget.
Added valuation coverage can give you peace of mind if your move includes high-value items, such as TVs, jewelry or antiques. While this isn’t technically insurance, it does function similarly.
Valuation coverage, sometimes known as full-value protection, protects your goods at a higher rate than the 60 cents per pound per item provided by the minimum released liability protection. You should ask about additional coverage for your household goods when you get a quote if this is a concern.
Moving brokers are companies that help connect customers with moving carriers. Specifically, moving brokers act as middlemen and work with a third party called a moving carrier. These carriers are the companies that operate a fleet of trucks and moving crews to facilitate your move.
If you work with a moving broker, you pay a deposit to the broker, which acts as the broker’s payment for its booking services. The final payment will be made to the carrier that performed your moving services. It’s also important to note that brokers don’t assume liability for any damages or loss during the move — any coverage claims must be submitted to the carrier.
These facts may be scary to some. However, all moving brokers must follow strict regulations, including registering with the FMCSA and contracting moving carriers that are also FMCSA-registered.
While local moving costs are determined by hourly rates, interstate moving costs depend on move distance and shipment weight. You’ll get all-inclusive rates when you request quotes from interstate movers.
I found that a 1,800-mile move between California and Texas generally costs between $6,250 and $17,000, based on free quotes from 10 national movers. However, your cost will differ depending on the added services you need. For example, the average cost without packing services was $7,329, but it was $9,154 with packing.
Moving can be expensive, especially if you opt for extra services offered by your full-service moving company. Here are several ways to save money the next time you relocate to a new state.
Tipping your movers is not required, but it is a nice gesture if you’re satisfied with their work. If you do tip your movers, the going rate is $5 per mover per hour. The recommended tip for an interstate move that takes multiple days is $40 to $50 per mover per day.
Sometimes movers will bill you for more than the original quote you received. Binding estimates are quotes that the mover will not exceed in the final invoice — unless your moving service needs or inventory change after receiving your quote. Written estimates explicitly state whether the quoted figure is binding, so thoroughly read any quote you receive before signing a contract.
Interstate movers must be registered with the FMCSA. You can check a provider’s FMCSA registration status with its USDOT and MC numbers.
Thousands of customers fall victim to moving company scams each year. And despite the best efforts of the FMCSA, dishonest movers still con clients when they are able. Look out for these red flags to protect yourself from moving scams.
In addition to doing your due diligence, including reading company reviews and getting quotes from multiple companies, these are a few questions to ask each moving company you’re considering hiring.
We can’t overstate how important this question is. Even if you find the company’s registration information on the FMCSA website, verify with the mover’s representative that it’s licensed and insured.
If the person you speak to tries dodging the question or is hesitant to answer, we recommend turning to other options.
IVL, Safeway and many other moving companies are brokers and carriers. Factors including your shipment size and distance influence whether or not the company acts as a carrier for the entire move or works with its partner carriers.
If you’re comfortable with the thought of a third party handling your belongings, the answer to this one may not matter. Otherwise, you may want to reconsider working with the company if it won’t facilitate the entire move.
Having a binding estimate allows you to rest easy knowing the dollar amount you see in your quote will be what you pay unless there are extenuating circumstances.
If the estimate isn’t binding, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should avoid working with the company, but we recommend bringing this up to the moving company you speak to.
You should also read plenty of customer reviews about the mover you choose, as some have received negative feedback about not adhering to binding estimates.
Assuming you choose a reputable moving company, your contract will include this information in writing. However, it’s nice to have an idea of the add-on services you could be charged for before you move further than an initial phone call with the moving company in question.
You’re putting a lot of faith into the fact that your chosen moving company will deliver all of your belongings to your new home in one piece. While accidents happen — which is what insurance is for — you should be able to trust that every person handling your items is well-trained.
In addition to asking what types of training the movers have, confirm that all the company’s employees have passed a background check.
From inclement weather to traffic jams, there’s no shortage of reasons why an interstate move can take longer than expected. Knowing that there’s a delay in your delivery or ensuring that your belongings will be delivered on time is a breeze with some moving companies. Allied Van Lines, for example, is one of the moving companies we’ve reviewed that has a convenient mobile app that gives you real-time updates on the status of your delivery.
Hiring the right interstate moving company can drastically reduce the stress of relocating across state lines. Conversely, hiring a company that doesn’t meet your needs can sour the experience of settling into your new home.
IVL is our pick for the best interstate mover. It offers relatively lower price points and the increased service portfolio of a broker while remaining reputable based on customer reviews I read. If you’re looking for a carrier, Allied might be your pick — it offers a highly trained moving staff, large fleet and comprehensive service area covering all 50 states. If your move includes high-value items, then the moving crews at JK Moving are your go-to.
Getting multiple moving quotes upfront is the best way to ensure you hire the right provider for your interstate or cross-country move. Online quotes and cost calculators can provide visibility into the ballpark price range you should expect, but speaking with a qualified move coordinator is the only way to secure an accurate binding estimate. I also recommend getting at least three quotes before committing to a moving company.
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points; that total is then translated into our 5-star rating we use in our reviews.
BBB and Google Reviews ratings are accurate as of April 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
Allied Van Lines is a nationwide moving carrier with offices in all 50 states and a wide suite of premium services. The company’s 500-plus offices book local and long-distance moves in nearly all locations, including Alaska and Hawaii. It also focuses on shipping vehicles without relying on third-party carriers, which improves an often complicated moving…
American Van Lines (AVL) is a national moving carrier serving the lower 48 states. It excels in part because of its seasoned work crews, averaging 10 years of experience per worker, and its expansive list of service offerings, which includes packing antiques and fragile items. AVL also features transparent bottom-line pricing for all long-distance and…
As a former mover myself, I know how difficult it can be to uproot your life and move to a new home. If you want to reduce the stress with your next move, professional moving assistance is available for a variety of move types. We’ve ranked International Van Lines as the best mover due to…
Long-distance moves can be overwhelming, requiring careful planning. Hiring a professional moving company — especially if it’s cross-country — saves you the hassle of dealing with these challenges alone and helps ensure a smoother experience. Meet the expert Sean Donnelly is a former professional mover. He served as a laborer, crew leader and move coordinator…
TEST Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.