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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.
The birthplace of blues music and the namesake of the longest river in North America, Mississippi is a Southern state with lots of character. But its predominantly rural nature and humid subtropical climate can make moving difficult to do on your own. We recommend United Van Lines and International Van Lines as the first companies to contact when choosing a moving company in Mississippi.
United’s direct presence in the state via its agent at The Armstrong Company in Madison means convenient access to services. International Van Lines’ coverage area — spanning the U.S. and more than 100 countries — makes it a great option for interstate moves of any distance.
If you’re planning a local move in the Magnolia State — from Jackson to Ole Miss, for instance — Two Men and a Truck offers multiple highly rated locations in Mississippi offering fairly priced services.
Each of the moving companies we reviewed below scored well against our rating scale, which evaluates factors such as pricing, services and availability to render a star rating out of 5. We recommend requesting free quotes from at least three qualified movers ahead of your move date.
The following movers offer the best service in Mississippi for a range of moving needs.
Long-distance:
Local:
The following long-distance moving companies rated well on our grading scale for their service offerings, quote processes and general customer review scores.
Each moving company listed below offers well-rated services for long-distance Mississippi moves.
United Van Lines is a carrier and broker with a highly rated office in Mississippi. The Armstrong Company’s Madison branch is a local agent for this nationwide provider that conducts local and interstate moves. Aside from basic services, United offers packing, crating, vehicle shipping and more.
Service area: 46 states, excluding Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.
Base services:
Add-on services:
Storage: United offers short- and long-term storage options at most locations. You’ll have to inquire about this availability when you get quotes from your local branch.
Quote type: This provider offers binding rates for long-distance and interstate service.
Pricing: Long-distance quotes are based on shipment weight and overall move distance.
Sample cost: We called United for a ballpark estimate for a three-bedroom cross-country relocation. Our representative asked us for our move date and origin and destination addresses before giving us a range of $11,300 to $12,500 with no packing included. This would increase to $14,200–$15,700 with full-service packing for the 2,900-mile move. If you book an in-person quote, expect to take between 30 and 60 minutes to discuss your needs and inventory.
Deposit: United doesn’t require upfront payments.
Payment methods: United accepts cash, certified checks and credit cards.
All United quotes include full-value protection for all goods, exceeding the minimum released-value protection required. You can opt out of these policies if you want to save money or if you think your move doesn’t require additional protection in case of loss or damage.
The Madison branch of The Armstrong Company has 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. These reviews are almost entirely positive, with clients praising the moving crews’ punctuality and the customer service staff’s quick communication.
International Van Lines (IVL) has one of the widest reaches of any moving company. This carrier and broker offers local and long-distance service to all 50 states and international moving options to 140 countries. It provides quick quotes and receives positive customer reviews across its locations.
Service area: 50 states
Storage: IVL offers short- and long-term storage options.
Quote type: All long-distance moves are assigned binding estimates.
Pricing: Long-distance quotes are based on shipment weight and move distance.
Sample cost: We called IVL for a sample rate for a three-bedroom, 2,900-mile move. This call took 20 minutes and involved a full rundown of our inventory. Our price range of $12,964 to $14,600 covers the possible addition of packing and other services.
Deposit: This mover requires an upfront payment of 20% to 25% of your total moving cost.
Payment methods: IVL accepts money orders, cashier’s checks, credit cards and business checks.
Aside from providing released-value protection, IVL offers full-value protection options for all moves. With your move coordinator, you can determine the maximum dollar amount of coverage you need for your goods. Your added cost will be between 3% and 4% of this declared value.
IVL has 3.5 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). One recent negative review mentioned that this mover didn’t follow through on delivering household goods within the agreed-upon delivery window. However, reviews are mostly positive. They mention qualified moving crews and responsive booking agents.
Moving APT is a moving broker with more than 2,500 partner companies spread across all 50 states. Many partners operate in Mississippi, and Moving APT will help you schedule with a licensed carrier near you. These providers offer everything from basic to full-service relocations that include packing services, vehicle shipping and more.
Storage: Moving APT’s partners offer short- and long-term storage. Long-distance moving clients receive 30 days of free storage.
Quote type: This mover offers binding estimates for long-distance moves.
Pricing: Long-distance rates are based on move distance and shipment weight.
Sample cost: We called Moving APT and got a ballpark rate for a 2,900-mile, three-bedroom move. Our call took 20 minutes. The company representative took down basic move details and forwarded our call to a local representative, who quoted us an estimate of $9,000 for a basic move. Full-service packing would raise the rate to $10,600.
Deposit: This mover would charge a deposit of $3,402 upfront if we accepted the quote. It would be eligible for a full refund, but only if we canceled at least seven days ahead of our move date.
Payment methods: This broker accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards.
Moving APT’s partners offer standard released-value protection for all moves they handle. Additional coverage options will depend on the partner provider that carries out your move.
Moving APT has 3.4 out of 5 stars on BBB. Reviews show that your moving experience will depend on the partner company Moving APT assigns to your relocation. One review mentioned poor communication of service needs between the booking agent and the carrier handling the move, while others cite punctuality and professional moving crews.
The following movers offer highly rated service within Mississippi for local and long-distance moving needs.
Two Men and a Truck is a national moving company with multiple highly rated office locations in Mississippi. It brings more than a decade of experience to each relocation it handles and offers basic service and full-service packing for residential and commercial moving clients.
Service area: This mover services the entire state.
Quote type: This mover offers ballpark rates for service.
Pricing: Ballpark pricing is based on hourly rates. Your hourly rate will depend on the number of movers assigned to your move.
Sample cost: We contacted Two Men and a Truck for pricing on a three-bedroom move. We received a prompt email back to set up an in-person consultation. In some instances when dealing with this moving company, we’ve been given ballpark pricing immediately. As is the case with many national moving companies, the exact quote process will depend on the policies at the local branch.
Deposit: No deposit was mentioned during our correspondence with Two Men and a Truck.
Payment methods: This mover accepts credit cards for payment.
Two Men and a Truck offers released-value protection for all moves. This provides the minimum 60 cents per pound per item required by federal regulations. Beyond this, it also provides valuation coverage options with all initial quotes. The exact cost of this protection will depend on your inventory.
Two Men and a Truck’s Biloxi location has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Through more than 400 reviews, clients frequently mention professional service from moving crews and speedy response times from customer service staff. Some negative reviews mention negligence by the moving teams assigned to relocations, including damage to homes and furniture. However, these are not typical of this Two Men and a Truck location.
Christopher’s Moving & Storage is a local mover with two offices in Northern Mississippi and Northwestern Alabama. It also provides long-distance service to the rest of the state via these locations. It features responsive and friendly customer service staff and moving crews that offer a wide range of add-ons.
Service area: This mover offers local moves in Northern Mississippi and long-distance service to the rest of the state.
Quote type: This mover provides ballpark quotes for local moves.
Pricing: Local moves are priced at hourly rates, which are set by the number of movers and trucks assigned to your move.
Sample cost: We contacted Christopher’s Moving & Storage for a ballpark quote for a two-bedroom home with a home office moving within Tupelo. They got back to us within an hour with a basic quote of $199 per hour for three movers and a truck. All moves have a two-hour minimum charge. Our move was estimated at a total of $1,089. This rate did not include potential packing services.
Deposit: This mover charges a 10% deposit to book. All deposits are nonrefundable if moves are canceled within seven business days of moving day.
Payment methods: This mover accepts credit cards, checks and cash. However, a 2.25% fee is assessed on all credit card payments.
This mover offers two tiers of liability coverage. Released-value protection is the minimum required by federal law. This provides 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursement for loss or damage. Beyond this, full-value protection is available upon request at an increased rate.
Christopher’s Moving & Storage has 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. While a negative review mentioned that the move bill far exceeded the quoted rate, the mover’s reply shows that the experience was a product of miscommunication during the estimate. Positive reviews mention professional service for even the largest moves and cite the quick quote process and efficient moving crews as positives.
Mighty Movers is a local moving company that services Northern Mississippi and the greater Memphis, Tennessee, area. According to customer reviews and our own experience, this provider features helpful customer service and speedy responses to quote requests, which make for transparent pricing and service.
Service area: This mover mainly serves the Northern Mississippi area but provides long-distance service to the rest of the state from this area. Base services:
Quote type: Local moves are priced at hourly rates.
Pricing: All hourly rates are determined by the number of movers and trucks assigned to your move.
Sample cost: We reached out to Mighty Movers for a three-bedroom moving quote within Hernando and received a response within an hour. This detailed email included hourly rates for two, three and four movers. Our move coordinator gave us a ballpark rate that included a one-time booking fee of $130 for the truck and mileage up to 60 miles. Our hourly rate for three movers and a truck would be $185. With a rough estimate of five to six hours, our total would cost between $1,055 and $1,240. We recommend scheduling an in-person estimate for a more accurate rate.
Deposit: No deposit was mentioned during our correspondence with this provider.
Payment methods: Mighty Movers accepts cash and all major credit cards.
This mover provides released-value protection for all moves it handles. If you require more coverage, then you should ask your move coordinator about your options. This will likely involve a thorough inspection of your goods in person or via a video call.
Mighty Movers has 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Recent reviews from clients who have used this mover multiple times mention the positive attitudes of the moving crews. Other reviews mention prompt responses from customer service staff, which echoes our experience with this mover. A negative review mentioned late moving crews, but the company’s reply to this clearly explained what went wrong and showed that they discounted the final bill to compensate the customer for their trouble.
Do your homework and vet moving providers thoroughly before signing a contract, especially if it’s your first time moving long-distance. We’ve outlined key factors to consider when gathering quotes from Mississippi movers.
Only request quotes from moving companies that can adequately handle your service needs. All movers provide released-value protection, loading and unloading, and transportation of goods in basic moving packages. Beyond this, movers charge extra for the following services:
Conduct a full walk-through of your home and write out a comprehensive inventory list to determine what add-on services you may need. Then, discuss them with your move coordinator when you request a quote.
Be aware of your mover’s service model when you book. If you schedule your move with a carrier, that provider will directly handle all services included in your move.
Moving brokers, however, will not provide services but rather match you with a carrier and book your move for you. Brokers usually take a large deposit upfront as a booking fee. In either instance, your carrier assumes full liability for lost or damaged goods during your move.
All moving companies must comply with regulations to operate legally. These requirements vary depending on the scope of the moving services a given provider offers.
Long-distance moving companies are federally regulated. All movers offering interstate moving services must carry United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Use these to look up a mover’s registration status on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. Active registration ensures that insurance will cover your items in transit if loss or damage occurs.
The state Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates local Mississippi moving companies. All local movers must carry a valid PSC number to do intrastate business.
Local and long-distance moves are billed differently. Look into or ask about a company’s pricing structure to ensure all fees are accounted for in your quote.
Long-distance and interstate relocations are billed according to move distance and shipment weight. These — along with add-on services — are used to calculate “line-haul fees,” which are more transparent bottom-line costs.
Long-distance moves are eligible for binding estimates, which will not shift between quote day and moving day unless your inventory or service needs do.
Most local movers in Mississippi charge by the hour for intrastate service. The number of movers and moving trucks assigned to your move determines hourly rates.
Often, movers assign minimum charges to these relocation packages. These range from two to four hours of labor at your set hourly rate and help ensure that the moving crew is adequately paid.
You’ll usually only be able to secure a ballpark estimate for local moves since unexpected setbacks may cause the move to take longer than estimated.
All moving companies are required to offer compensation options for lost or damaged items. The minimum requirement per federal law is released-value protection, which provides 60 cents per pound per item for loss or damage.
Beyond this, most movers provide full-value protection options at an additional cost. You’ll have to discuss additional coverage options with your move coordinator during the quote phase if you think your goods require it.
Based on our research and review, we recommend United Van Lines and International Van Lines for long-distance in Mississippi. For a local move within the state, Two Men and a Truck’s offices throughout the state provide speedy quotes and reliable service.
If your lease terms or home sale date allows it, we recommend booking your move during the spring or fall. The warmer months of May through September are the peak moving season for most moving companies — and the height of humid summer heat in Mississippi. This can lead to higher rates for service, difficulty booking your desired mover and uncomfortable moving conditions.
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. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
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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