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Rebecca Walter is a senior writer for USA Today Homefront specializing in moving. She has won multiple awards for her writing, including recognition from the North Carolina Press Association for reporting on housing market trends. Her half-dozen moves in the last decade have perfected her packing skills, making her the go-to packer amongst her friends and family. Rebecca studied journalism and political science at Murray State University. She is located in Asheville, North Carolina, where she enjoys hiking, yoga, and reading.
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.
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.
Sean Donnelly is a former professional mover. He served as a laborer, crew leader and move coordinator across more than 500 client moves.
We rated International Van Lines (IVL) and Allied Van Lines as the best long-distance moving companies after our in-depth reviews and secret shopping. Long-distance moves are expensive, and IVL is transparent about pricing online and offers free estimates. It also provides one month of free storage, relieving you of complicated logistics while saving you money.
Allied offers the best service range as a carrier, allowing you to easily book direct service for vehicle shipping, so you don’t have to extend your trust to brokers that outsource your move to third parties.
IVL and Allied achieved the highest overall scores based on our rating methodology. Our other recommended companies — including JK Moving Services and North American Van Lines — received similarly high scores. The graphic below compares the overall scores for our seven recommended companies.
What is a long-distance move?
The moving industry typically has no set distance requirement to distinguish between local and long-distance moves. If your move spans multiple days due to travel time, it’s usually billed as long-distance. Moves taking multiple days for packing or same-day moves, even across state lines, are often billed hourly and considered local.
The demand for professional moving services will likely increase as the amount of state-to-state moves rises. The number of people who moved between states increased from almost 7.9 million in 2021 to 8.2 million in 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. State-to-state relocations also made up a larger part of overall moves between 2021 and 2022, rising from 18.8% to 19.9%, according to the American Community Survey.
As the need for professional moving services increases, it’s crucial to the success of your move to pick the right company, which starts with knowing what to look for.
After extensively researching popular movers, we outlined the best moving companies with nationwide presence to help you find the mover that can provide the best experience for your specific relocation needs. We reviewed the following providers based on factors including customer satisfaction, availability, services and pricing.
You should consider reputation, pricing, range, service offerings and customer service when selecting the best mover for your relocation. Compare top movers using the table below.
Proper preparation for a move of any scope or size is the key to a stress-free experience. To choose a long-distance mover, research licensed companies, read reviews, consider insurance options and compare multiple quotes.
A huge red flag I see when vetting long-distance movers is a rushed quote process. If you feel the rep sped through the inventory and info-gathering and pushed you to sign a contract, you should likely take your business elsewhere.
We already know it’s essential to look for certain positive qualities in a moving company, such as excellent customer feedback, pricing and service offerings. However, it is just as crucial to know what to avoid.
We recommend the following step-by-step guide for vetting movers. Here, we break down the importance of determining the services you need, evaluating cost, understanding customer service quality, comparing providers and getting multiple quotes.
You can also check out our full review methodology for details on how we rate moving companies. After reviewing our detailed guide, you’ll see why International Van Lines and Allied Van Lines are our top recommendations for the best long-distance movers.
Long-distance moving companies should offer a basic suite of services plus multiple add-on service options. To determine your service needs, take a thorough inventory of your belongings at least six to eight weeks before your move. Go room by room and write down all the furniture and other items you plan to bring. This includes anything that will be in boxes on moving day. Keep a rough count of how many boxes you think you’ll need.
The biggest mistake I'd see was that customers would assume packing was included in their base moving packages. There were plenty of times when I showed up to a home on moving day only to find that the client had not packed anything and assumed that we could do it all on the same day. Packing is a stand-alone service, which is usually handled before the actual move date.
Long-distance move coordinators will need these lists to give you the most accurate estimate possible and suggest beneficial add-on services. During our call with IVL to get a quote, the move coordinator spent several minutes specifically going over our inventory.
Your move coordinator will likely suggest doing an in-person or virtual walk-through to help you determine your service needs and give you the most accurate estimate. In our experience, top companies like Allied Van Lines won’t supply you with a binding estimate unless you’re able to do a virtual or in-person walk-through.
Note that you might not be able to move some items, such as live plants and certain cleaning products. Make proper arrangements if your move involves pets. If you have more detailed service needs, we especially recommend selecting a company with a wide range of service offerings, such as Allied Van Lines and IVL.
You may decide to add services such as packing or unpacking to your move. Most moving companies also offer packing supplies and junk removal. Let your mover know if you have larger, heavier items, such as pianos or safes. Moving these types of items usually comes with an added charge. Several of our best long-distance movers — including International Van Lines, Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines — offer services to move larger items, including pianos.
Whatever services you decide to add, discuss these details with your move coordinator well before your move date to avoid any miscommunication around your needs and the amount of your final bill.
The graphic below compares each moving company’s subscores within this section of our methodology. We compared movers on their service and storage options. International Van Lines rose to the top in this section, scoring a perfect 5. IVL’s one month of free storage and a long list of add-on service options — including crating, vehicle shipping and packing services — helped the provider achieve the best score. Allied Van Lines, JK Moving Services, North American Van Lines, Moving APT and Mayflower also scored well with a 4.8 out of 5, thanks to their extensive service offerings, such as short- and long-term storage solutions and antique moving.
Long-distance moving costs are primarily determined by total shipment weight and move distance in miles. A moving coordinator can give you at least a ballpark quote using these numbers plus any add-on services. We were able to obtain ballpark quotes from companies such as JK Moving Services, North American Van Lines, Moving APT, International Van Lines and Allied Van Lines. Customer service representatives with these companies stressed that these rates could increase if inventory or service needs change.
Preparations for a speedy and successful loading and unloading phase begin and end with properly labeling your boxes. During my time as a mover, I helped relocate hundreds of clients. People who clearly labeled their furniture and boxes with the destination room at their new address had far smoother moves.
Confirm that a moving company offers binding estimates. This pricing model provides peace of mind by ensuring the price quoted is the amount you will pay unless you request a change in services or adjust your inventory. Long-distance movers including North American Van Lines (NAVL) stand out here for its bottom-line and not-to-exceed pricing options. NAVL also doesn’t have a deposit requirement, which cuts down on upfront costs. One of our top recommendations, Allied Van Lines, also doesn’t have a deposit requirement.
If the estimate is not binding, it’s not necessarily a deal breaker; however, discussing this with your mover will prepare you for potential price fluctuation.
The graphic below compares our top moving company’s subscores within this section of our methodology. International Van Lines again sits at the top of the scores in this section with a perfect 5. Several other movers scored an impressive 4.8 out of 5 because of their quote process and costs, including Allied Van Lines, JK Moving Services, North American Van Lines, Moving APT and Mayflower.
Many national moving companies make instant pricing or quote request forms readily available online. Below, you can see what different providers require for you to get your own quick pricing information.
International Van Lines’ instant ballpark quote tool offers quick rates for domestic relocations. Enter your origin and destination ZIP codes or addresses, as well as your home size, to get an immediate price. This also requires entering contact information, so you can expect a company representative to reach out to schedule an in-depth estimate after you use the tool.
Allied’s InstaQuote tool provides you with an easy way to get quotes for local and long-distance services. After entering your move details, you can get rates for homes that are furnished sparsely, moderately and densely, whether you're traveling across town or across the country. You’ll have to enter contact information for this preliminary rate, so you should be prepared for an Allied move coordinator to reach out after you use InstaQuote.
JK’s quote request tool doesn’t yield instant pricing. Rather, it provides this mover’s customer service team with some basic information about your move — such as origin and destination ZIP codes, home type and number of bedrooms — before they contact you to discuss your relocation needs. Once you submit this form, be prepared to schedule a video call or in-person estimate at your home to get a binding estimate for service.
Moving companies employ customer service representatives to help answer questions and communicate important information about your move. We recommend contacting a company’s customer service team before making your final booking decision. This will allow you to get an idea of the representatives’ quality and availability.
Some national providers have 24/7 availability, while others have limited hours. Phone calls and emails are the most common ways to get in touch with a mover to start your quote process.
Some over-the-phone quote processes may take longer than others. For example, we spent nearly 40 minutes on the phone with a company representative with American Van Lines to thoroughly go over our inventory and service needs to get a moving quote. Our experience was shorter with some of our other top providers. We spent around 20 minutes on the phone with International Van Lines to get a quote and about 15 minutes with Allied Van Lines. Experience and call times may vary by location and representative.
The graphic below shows each moving company’s subscores within this section of our methodology. As with other categories, International Van Lines sits at the top with a perfect 5. Other companies, including Mayflower, Moving APT, North American Van Lines, JK Moving Services and Allied Van Lines aren’t too far behind, with 4.8 out of 5.
Customer reviews are a valuable source of information for moving companies you consider. The Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, Trustpilot, Yelp and social media sites such as Facebook are all good spots to look.
When you research each provider, look for positive and negative trends to determine how the full-service mover operates aside from its stated policies. In our reviews below, we dive into each mover’s customer reviews and highlight key themes we note. We read through hundreds of customer reviews for each provider we review to understand customer sentiment.
The graphic below shows each moving company’s subscores within this section of our methodology. Once again, International Van Lines achieved a 5 out of 5 subscore in this category and was the only one of our top recommendations to do so. Allied Van Lines, JK Moving Services and North American Van Lines still achieved an impressive 4.8 out of 5 for their reputation and reviews. Moving APT, American Van Lines and Mayflower fell toward the bottom half of the pack in this category, mostly due to lower customer satisfaction scores and a higher amount of negative reviews.
Not all long-distance movers cover the entire United States, much less international moves. Check that your top choices are available for a move from your origin to destination cities. You should also check for availability in your desired time frame, especially if you have specific dates you need to vacate your home.
I always recommend customers get at least a few comprehensive moving estimates before committing. This is the only way to ensure that all your needs are met at a fair price.
Start your quote process with a company with substantial domestic and international reach. IVL easily fits into this category, covering all 50 states and 150 countries. Allied Van Lines’ fleet of more than 1,000 moving trucks and 500-plus affiliate locations also makes for wide availability. Additionally, North American Van Lines has great accessibility, reaching all 50 states and 130 countries.
Getting multiple quotes well before your moving date will help you prepare and fully weigh your options. Submit full inventory lists and service requirements when getting quotes to have the best idea of potential cost.
Moving companies often necessitate an in-person or virtual walk-through of your goods to provide the most accurate estimate. Virtual assessments, generally conducted via a video call, make the process more accessible and convenient for many clients. Several of our top providers — including International Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, JK Moving Services, North American Van Lines and Mayflower — offer a virtual estimate option.
The graphic below shows each moving company’s subscores within this section of our methodology. All of our recommended providers achieved a perfect score.
If you’re physically able and have time, you should handle your own packing. I’ve worked on moves that required multiple days of packing by the moving crews. In these extreme instances, packing services more than doubled the cost of the relocation.
A moving coordinator will give you at least a ballpark quote using your total shipment weight, move distance in miles and any add-on services — such as packing, crating, cleaning, vehicle shipping, junk removal and storage.
We secret shopped for quotes for a three-bedroom, 1,800-mile move while reviewing moving companies. Generally expect to pay more than $6,000 for this size move with a top moving company.
According to our November 2023 moving survey of those who had moved within the last two years and hired professional movers, respondents reported paying an average of $5,652 for their move (across all move sizes and distances).
The graphic below highlights the average move cost from our top long-distance moving companies, according to our survey. Note that this is the average across all moves sizes and distances.
Released-value protection should be included in all moving packages at no additional cost. This typically covers 60 cents per pound per item.
I recommend downsizing before a move. Especially if you’ve lived there for a few years or more, you will have accumulated far more than you realize. Getting rid of anything you don’t need can save movers time during the loading and unloading process, plus cut down your shipment weight.
However, you’ll have to pay for any coverage over that basic amount. Full-value protection offers more extensive coverage and ensures the moving company is responsible for the total replacement cost of items lost or damaged in your move. While this coverage will increase your final invoice, it can be worth it for the peace of mind. Coverage and costs vary by company, so discuss policy details, including deductibles, before purchasing this protection.
Since shipment weight significantly affects overall cost, consider downsizing your belongings. You could donate the items you no longer need or host a yard sale to make some cash before moving.
Opting to do some of the work yourself, such as handling all the packing instead of paying extra for packing services, can also save you money.
Embarking on a long-distance move is more than just packing boxes and making checklists. Navigating the quote process and decoding moving contracts can be intimidating if you don’t have much experience.
Our best long-distance movers offer a comprehensive selection of services with operational ability across state lines. We’ve listed several of the top options for long-distance relocations to help you start your shopping process.
International Van Lines (IVL) has nearly unmatched availability for domestic and international moves. It currently has locations in California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas as well as brokers moving services out to the rest of the country. However, IVL requires large deposits, and some reviews mention spotty customer service.
What we like
IVL’s all-encompassing service profile and network of vetted partner companies give you peace of mind that your needs will be met. Additionally, IVL provides a cost calculator tool and transparent rates for add-on services. It also features quick quotes from its reliable customer service team.
What we don’t like
IVL can provide binding estimates but doesn’t exclusively advertise this on its website. When we called for a quote, we weren’t promised a binding bottom-line price. This is something that could make you pause before signing a moving contract.
This carrier and broker offers long-distance service in all 50 states with the widest available range of international options in more than 150 countries. This includes licensing for both ocean and air freight. Its domestic basic and add-on services include the following:
We called IVL for a quote and got a ballpark estimate for a long-distance move in less than 20 minutes. While a video call estimate or in-person consultation will take longer, the representative took a full verbal inventory before providing a rate. The three-bedroom, 2,880-mile relocation requested totaled $14,600 with packing. All moves include 30 days of free storage at the destination.
IVL offers long-distance service to all 50 states and over 150 countries.
IVL maintains an overall positive reputation. Its Better Business Bureau (BBB) page shows a customer review rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars based on 175 reviews. Customers who leave positive feedback comment on efficient moving crews, while those who write negative reviews mention difficulty contacting customer service representatives after booking. If you’re planning a move near one of its brick-and-mortar locations in California, Florida, Illinois, New York or Texas, read reviews for your specific location.
Allied Van Lines offers comprehensive long-distance service to all locations in the United States. It operates a fleet of more than 1,000 trucks with 500-plus affiliate locations and is one of the most easily recognized moving companies in operation today. Like many moving companies of its size, moving service quality can vary among locations, but this is outweighed by generally positive reviews that cite honest pricing and consistent customer service.
As a carrier, Allied doesn’t require a deposit to book a move. This is a huge plus if you’re moving on a budget or your money is tied up in an apartment security deposit or closing costs on a new home. It also provides expedited service for small moves via its Allied Express service plan, which helps streamline long-distance moves for those in small homes.
Some Allied Affiliates operate dually under their own branding and under Allied. This makes Allied responsible for anything that goes wrong during a move. Despite this, some reviews report denied claims for damaged or lost items when they contacted Allied, which may deter those with high-value items from booking with this mover.
In addition to standard moving services, Allied offers expedited service through Allied Express. This provides customers with a moving container, full-value protection and labor at one bottom-line price. It’s a great stand-in for do-it-yourself moves for smaller residences.
Allied also provides in-house vehicle shipping services, which removes the hassle of dealing with third-party carriers. Allied’s other services include the following:
We called Allied for a quote and got a quick pricing estimate. While the company representative was clear that we couldn’t get a binding estimate without an in-person or video call evaluation, we got a ballpark quote within 15 minutes on the phone. The three-bedroom, 2,880-mile quote totaled $12,175 without packing. Adding full-service packing to my moving package would increase the rate by $2,500.
Allied operates in more than 500 locations throughout all 50 states. It also has more than 1,000 partners in 130 countries available for international moves.
Allied has a customer review rating of 1.1 out of 5 stars on BBB that is somewhat misleading. Many of its individual locations are highly rated. In this case, BBB serves as a sounding board for complaints and grievances — a common platform for customers of all nationwide moving companies.
Customers who leave negative reviews mention that Allied damaged items and failed to compensate them. However, many positive customer reviews on other platforms, including Google Reviews and social media, mention quality service for both simple and complex moves.
JK Moving Services is a moving carrier and broker based in Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metro area. Its movers are trained in an industry-leading facility at its headquarters. We like that each of its moving packages includes full-value protection for all goods. As a downside, some of its moves seem overpriced due to the coverage and experienced labor this company provides.
All movers are background-checked and fully vetted before being hired. After this, each employee undergoes a training program in a fully-furnished house at JK Moving’s headquarters. There, training managers show workers how to handle various moving scenarios before they head out to your home.
JK Moving’s somewhat higher rates are mainly the result of its included valuation coverage. While this is something you can opt out of, it isn’t explicitly stated during the quote process. This can catch some potential customers off-guard.
JK Moving offers a comprehensive suite of services, including antique packing and crating and climate-controlled storage. JK Moving can offer a secure moving plan regardless of your move type, size or distance. Its services include the following:
We called JK for a long-distance quote. Within 20 minutes, we got a ballpark quote despite not submitting availability for a video call estimate. The 2,880-mile, three-bedroom quote included a full inventory overview and totaled $13,100 with packing. Without packing services, it would be $10,700. Both price points require a $250 deposit.
JK Moving offers long-distance moving services to all 50 states.
JK Moving’s home location has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Many customer reviews mention specific movers or crew leaders by name, citing personalized care, punctuality and positive attitudes, plus specialized care for customers with unique moving needs.
Customers who left negative reviews mentioned damaged goods and added fees on moving day, but many of these reviewers don’t specify whether they added inventory or requested extra services after they received a quote.
North American Van Lines (NAVL) features bottom-line and not-to-exceed pricing options. This means that quoted price ranges won’t change unless inventory or service needs shift, making it easier for you to stay within your defined budget before moving. Due to its 500-plus locations, you might have a different moving experience than someone in another area, but its customer care team makes up for this with responsive service.
If you have a somewhat inflexible budget, NAVL’s variable pricing structure is a definite selling point. This, plus NAVL’s lack of a deposit requirement, makes it easy to book a move of any scope without significant upfront costs or fear of additional fees on moving day. NAVL partners with Allied Van Lines under a global relocation service provider, Sirva Worldwide, to offer domestic service to all 50 states and international moves to 130 countries.
NAVL’s 500-plus locations are both a selling point and a drawback. Each location is independently run and has its own set of testimonials on Google Reviews and other platforms. Look up location-specific reviews before you book your move to ensure your closest NAVL location offers quality service.
NAVL provides long-distance service throughout the U.S. and international moving options in 130 countries. These move packages can include the following:
We called NAVL and got a ballpark estimate for a three-bedroom move in about 20 minutes. Its customer service representatives were friendly and took a thorough inventory of the goods described. The quoted price for a 2,880-mile relocation was $16,757 with packing. Without packing, it was $13,450. Neither price point required a deposit.
This moving carrier offers long-distance service to all 50 states via more than 500 brick-and-mortar locations. NAVL also provides international moving services in 130 countries.
NAVL’s BBB profile is filled with negative reviews and customer complaints. A customer review rating of 1.1 out of 5 stars is less than ideal, but many of the individual locations where this carrier operates receive overwhelmingly positive feedback. Customers who leave negative reviews here mention nonadherence to defined delivery windows and inflated rates for service.
Moving APT is a moving broker that offers full- and self-service options and transparent pricing. While it offers relocation services through third-party carriers only, it provides fast quotes and great visibility into its pricing and moving partners.
Moving APT is upfront about its moving partners and features company bios on its website. It also supplies moving checklists and guides to help you prepare for the moving process and get through it smoothly.
Moving APT’s operates solely as a broker. This means that it only handles moving services through other partner companies. For this reason, we recommend that you do your own research on its partners after you get a quote. Quality varies from location to location, so you should read customer reviews for the company Moving APT assigns you before you sign a contract.
Moving APT offers everything from small, local moves to large-scale, long-distance relocations. Its provided moving packages can include the following:
While this broker offers fast online quotes, you’ll need to call to get a more accurate idea of your move’s cost. We had a 20-minute call with a Moving APT company representative and got a quote of $10,600 with packing for a three-bedroom, 2,880-mile move. The deposit to book would be $3,402. This is a large amount to pay upfront, but the quote also included 30 days of free storage at my destination.
Moving APT has more than 2,500 partners throughout all 50 states.
Moving APT’s BBB profile features a high review score relative to most movers on this list. Its customer review rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars results from positive reviews from customers who speak on mover quality. However, one negative review mentions an unnecessarily time-consuming process due to the movers’ lack of information about the move.
American Van Lines (AVL) is a carrier with hub offices in Florida, North Carolina and Texas. It employs movers that average 10 years of experience in the industry, which adds increased quality to its packing and antique moving services. Its hubs and other offices in the U.S. offer long-distance service to 48 states. AVL also provides flat-rate pricing for all moves, meaning your cost won’t increase unless you add service needs or inventory to your move. While this adds peace of mind when getting quotes, it can lead to somewhat higher rates.
AVL’s experienced workers offer comprehensive service for basic moves plus add-on services and fragile-only packing. In addition, its warehouses offer secure storage space and access to moving supplies. This mover’s flat-rate pricing makes for a clear and concise pricing breakdown at the beginning of your moving process, which can help you set a more defined moving budget early on.
Flat or binding rates can sometimes lead to higher charges for service. This is because companies overbill to account for overages or unforeseen circumstances during a move. As a result, the rate we received for service from this provider was higher than many of our other moving partners.
This carrier’s experienced movers can assist with more complicated moves. This includes the following:
AVL gave us one of the more thorough moving quotes we’ve experienced. After nearly 40 minutes on the phone with a company representative, they gave a full inventory run-down, which included questions about stairwells and dresser contents. The quoted rate with packing included was $17,330. This didn’t include storage; 30 days of storage with associated labor costs would drive the price to $21,742.
AVL provides long-distance service throughout the lower 48 states.
With roughly 400 reviews, AVL has a customer review rating of 4 out of 5 stars on BBB. Despite high rates for service, many former customers seem happy with how their moves turned out. Some even mention movers by name, which demonstrates the quality of AVL’s employees.
Mayflower moving is a moving carrier with decades of experience in the industry. It offers a highly comprehensive service range that includes Snapmoves, an expedited program for small moves. It also includes valuation coverage in all moving quotes, providing full reimbursement for goods lost or damaged. This can lead to elevated rates, but you may benefit from it if you’re moving high-value items.
Mayflower’s Snapmoves service makes booking expedited relocations for students or those with small apartments easy. It includes insurance protection and flat-rate pricing as well as provides a concise estimate and assurance that your items will be safe in transit.
Some negative reviews of Mayflower mention that the company brokers out moving services without fully disclosing this before you begin the move. This leads to confusion on moving day and a lack of communication between Mayflower and the partner companies regarding services rendered. This isn’t unheard of in the industry, but it is a definite negative.
Among Mayflower’s moving options is Snapmoves, which offers speedy service for small moves. Beyond this, this carrier offers the following:
We called Mayflower to receive a quote for a cross-country move of a three-bedroom home, but the representative wouldn’t ballpark the quote and we had to convince them to give us a barebones estimate. In all, the call lasted a little more than five minutes, and the quoted 2,880-mile rate fell in the range of $11,600–$12,900. Most customers who leave positive reviews report transparent pricing, which leads me to believe quotes are typically thorough if you can conduct a video call or in-home estimate with a moving coordinator.
Mayflower is available in 46 states. It doesn’t provide service in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island or Virginia.
Mayflower’s low BBB customer review rating 1.3 out of 5 stars isn’t alarming. This BBB page shows joint complaints for both United Van Lines and Mayflower due to their partnership under UniGroup and is not indicative of the quality service most Mayflower affiliates provide.
Customers who left negative reviews mentioned damaged goods and unresponsive claims personnel, while those who wrote positive reviews touched upon reasonable pricing and professional crews.
Before signing a contract, we recommend asking a moving company representative these questions over the phone or in person.
Every moving company’s license and insurance information is publicly available on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database. To find a moving company’s insurance information, simply search for the company using its USDOT number. But it doesn’t hurt to confirm this information when you’re speaking with an employee.
Ask your moving company if they offer binding or nonbinding quotes. This question is especially important for long-distance relocations since costs can add up quickly.
This varies by provider, but your moving company might not move certain items, including valuable antiques, flammable materials and live plants. If you have any belongings on a company’s do-not-move list, you’ll need to hire a different mover or transport them yourself.
Moving companies such as IVL and Safeway are both brokers and carriers. In a scenario such as a cross-country move, a company that provides both services may opt to work with a partner carrier rather than use its movers.
If the idea of a broker’s partner carrier handling your items doesn’t bother you, the answer to the question might not be a concern, but we still advise asking it.
A reputable moving company will detail in your contract what services are included and which services cost extra — such as packing and unpacking. Knowing about potential additional charges from the start is beneficial before proceeding beyond an initial discussion with the mover.
An inadequately trained mover is more likely to damage your belongings than someone who knows the ins and outs of the moving industry. Verifying that a moving company trains its employees in-house is one of the most effective ways to ensure you’re working with pros who will deliver your belongings safely.
One of the things we like most about Allied Van Lines is that its mobile app provides real-time updates on your move’s progress, so you’ll know if there’s a delay in your shipment. This is very convenient in cross-country moves where slowdowns due to traffic jams or inclement weather aren’t uncommon.
Booking the best long-distance mover can expedite your relocation regardless of where you’re heading. By doing the necessary research and getting free quotes, you should be able to choose the right moving company for your needs and budget requirements.
IVL’s wide reach makes it a prime option for lengthier moves due to its partner network that spans the country and the world. If you’re shipping a car or large furniture items, Allied’s fleet of moving trucks and service offerings make doing so easy. Finally, JK Moving’s vetted crews and training programs for workers make it the best choice for moves with antiques or valuables.
You should aim to get at least three quotes before booking a move to a new home. Evaluate several moving options and see whether you’re able to get a binding estimate with defined added costs for insurance coverage and add-ons, such as crating and packing services.
We research, review and rate professional movers to help you find a reputable and reliable company for your next move. Our research includes interviewing experts in the field, gathering customer sentiment through consumer surveys and in-depth analysis of customer reviews on third-party sites (such as Google Reviews and BBB), and secret shopping all the providers we review.
We assess providers across factors in five key areas:
You can read our full moving company methodology for more details.
BBB and Google Reviews ratings are accurate as of May 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.
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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…
Effective packing is key to a successful move, and you can achieve this through proper planning and organization. Some of the best packing tips for moving include getting started early, using your items as packing materials and keeping itemized lists of your boxes to track what you packed and where it goes. This guide explores…
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