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.
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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 its comprehensive service offerings and extensive reach. Allied Van Line ranks well for both local and long-distance moves, JK Moving rounds out our top three with thoroughly trained expert moving crews.
I’ve reviewed and rated the best nationwide moving companies for a variety of relocation needs. Whether you’re in the market for simple packing, labor-only or a full-service move, we at Homefront have done the research to help you find the right assistance for your move.
We’ve listed our top picks for intrastate and long-distance full-service moving needs. You’ll also find tips that will help you to book with the best mover for your particular relocation needs, whether you’re booking local, long-distance or last-minute moving services.
Moving costs vary greatly among professional movers. Generally, local moves are billed by the hour, whereas long-distance relocations are given all-inclusive flat rates. I got quotes for three-bedroom cross-country moves (approximately 2,880 miles) from each provider on this list, and the costs ranged between $9,000 and $17,330, depending on the services included in the move.
Local moves tend to cost far less, depending on your home size and add-on service requirements. We recommend getting quotes from at least three moving companies before booking.
Transparent proof of licensure and insurance and ample positive customer reviews are the most important factors to consider when vetting moving companies. Quality professionals will advertise United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers on their websites and trucks. Local movers should have proof of registration with your state’s department of transportation or applicable business licensing.
Reputable moving companies will also be able to provide ample documentation of liability and damage insurance for you to review.
Finally, you should look at customer reviews from multiple platforms for any moving company you consider. Google, Yelp, Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot are all valid sources for mover feedback.
Moving carriers, sometimes called van lines, own a fleet of vehicles, staff in-house labor and facilitate each move themselves. Moving brokers outsource your service requests to third parties with independently owned vehicles and employees. Which format is best for you depends on your situation — carriers can offer more transparency and consistency, whereas brokers are easier on your budget and usually offer a wider array of services through their partner companies.
The movers that scored the highest in our review standards are qualified to handle local and long-distance moving services for residential and commercial clients.
International Van Lines (IVL) is a national broker and carrier that provides comprehensive service and quick, reliable quotes. While it requires large deposits, its free storage options for long-distance moves make it a great choice for distant relocations.
IVL provides 30 days of free storage with all long-distance moves, which helps clients with less conventional relocation timelines. It also has a presence in all 50 states, making it compatible with the majority of moving destinations in the U.S. As an added bonus, this mover provides an easy-to-use cost calculator tool online that offers quick baseline estimates for moves of all lengths and most home sizes.
In the U.S., IVL works primarily as a moving broker. Customer reviews I read suggest it generally books moving services with reliable partners, but this outsourcing can lead to negative customer experiences during moves.
IVL offers a standard set of services with each move. This includes loading and unloading, released liability insurance coverage for goods, transportation and basic furniture protection. It services domestic and international moves for residential and commercial clients. IVL and its partner companies also provide the following:
IVL’s online cost calculator tool is convenient but doesn’t produce binding estimates. It provides approximate local moving costs and the average costs of some additional services online, which are useful when budgeting before getting quotes. Call an IVL representative to get an accurate quote.
I called IVL and got a cross-country moving quote for a three-bedroom home. The representative was informative and straightforward and gave me a quote in just 15 minutes. The 2,880-mile move totaled $12,964 without packing. With full-service packing, my price would be $14,600. My required deposit would be around 25% of the move total.
IVL offers service to all 50 states. While it works primarily as a broker, it has carrier locations in New York, Florida, Illinois, Texas and California.
IVL has 3.39 out of 5 stars from customer reviews on BBB. Recent negative reviews point to poor performance by its partner companies, which is the most common complaint against moving brokers. However, many reviews of its individual locations are positive. Examples I read mention efficient crews and a smooth moving process overall.
Allied Van Lines is one of the best options for local and long-distance moves. Its diverse service profile makes it well-suited to handling all manner of basic and complex relocations. We rated Allied 4.7 out of 5 stars on our rating scale but found that service quality among its locations can be spotty, according to negative customer reviews.
Allied staffs local and long-distance services with well-trained and background-checked moving crews. Allied also offers dedicated service for small moves via Allied Express. This service package provides clients with a moving container, labor and full-value insurance coverage at an affordable price. Allied also offers vehicle shipping options in-house, which makes it easy for clients to book such service without going through a third-party carrier.
Allied features more than 500-plus locations, but its vast service area succumbs to quality control issues. Each Allied location is independently operated, meaning it may not uphold the same standards that the company claims to strive for. Negative reviews mention poor communication by booking agents and unprofessional conduct by moving crews, but these are not typical experiences.
Allied provides industry-leading large-item and vehicle shipping options. Its large moving trucks make this service viable in-house. Allied offers international moving service to more than 130 countries and domestic local and long-distance moving throughout all 50 states. Its add-on services include the following:
I called for a quote and got a ballpark estimate in 15 minutes from an Allied representative. My cross-country quote for a three-bedroom home was $12,175 without packing services included. The representative informed me that packing would cost $2,500 extra for the entire home.
Allied also provides a cost calculator tool online for even quicker preliminary estimates for homes up to three bedrooms in size. However, we recommend calling and scheduling an in-person consultation for a binding rate. Allied doesn’t charge a deposit to secure a moving date.
Allied has more than 500 locations across all 50 states. It also provides international moving help to 130 countries.
Allied offers quality service based on my analysis of more than 100 customer reviews. Though most reviewers were pleased with their moving experiences, each Allied location has a distinct reputation among its clients. You should look into reviews for the specific Allied branch you plan to get a quote from to properly assess its quality.
JK Moving Services is a moving carrier and broker based in Virginia. It features an industry-leading training center at its headquarters, where its fully vetted movers are trained to handle basic and specialized moving tasks. However, it charges nonrefundable deposits for its moves.
JK Moving features a fully furnished house at its main offices designed to mimic common moving scenarios. All movers are trained here before being sent out into the field to handle actual moves. JK’s customer service also gains high marks, as its financing options make even the most expensive relocations more accessible.
JK Moving’s lack of posted customer service hours is a drawback. While its hours for individual locations are posted, customers will have to do a little digging to find this information. Aside from that, some negative customer reviews report poor service by broker partners. This could make customers in locations farther from JK’s headquarters wary of booking with this mover for more complex relocations.
JK Moving offers a comprehensive suite of services for local, long-distance and international moves. This includes access to climate-controlled storage facilities and crating for antiques and fine art. This mover offers the following services:
I called JK Moving for pricing and was treated to a quick quote process. The representative told me that I would have to schedule time for a visual assessment of all goods to get a binding quote but provided a ballpark quote in around 15 minutes. In all, my cross-country (2,880 miles) moving quote totaled $10,700 with no packing services included. Packing would cost an additional $2,400 for a three-bedroom home. JK Moving requires a $250 deposit to book, which is lower than many of its competitors but nonrefundable.
JK Moving offers local moving within the greater Washington, D.C., area, Virginia and Maryland. It has nationwide domestic moving capabilities throughout the remaining 50 states and international service to 150 countries.
After more than 40 years of experience, JK Moving has earned a positive reputation in the moving industry. It maintains a 4.5 out of 5 overall score on Google Reviews, which is similar to the 4.7 out of 5 score we gave it on our proprietary rating scale. Many positive reviews mention the individual conduct of the moving crews. Negative reviews mention movers failing to show up on time and surprise fees added after moves have been completed.
North American Van Lines (NAVL) provides you with easy access to full-service moving via a nationwide network of more than 500 individual locations. These offer local and long-distance moving assistance in all 50 states. NAVL also offers binding and bottom-line pricing options which help you better plan for your upcoming move and budget.
NAVL’s bottom-line and not-to-exceed pricing options provide transparency during what could be a confusing process. This makes NAVL a great option if you’re working with full-service movers for the first time, as not every company offers binding estimates. NAVL is also easier to book due to its partnership with Allied Van Lines.
The main issue that plagues nationwide movers is quality control across a large geographical area. With 500-plus locations, NAVL is not an exception to this trend. While its branches answer to a corporate office, each is independently run. This reduces the brand’s involvement and control over the quality of moving crews employed at each location.
North American Van Lines offers local, long-distance and international moving services. These come with standard insurance options, including valuation insurance coverage for high-value items at an added cost. NAVL offers the following services:
NAVL offers quick online quotes via its InstaQuote feature, but these should not be taken as binding estimates. You should always call a representative to get an accurate estimate. I called NAVL for a cross-country moving quote for a three-bedroom home. Without packing, this 2,880-mile move would cost $13,450. This mover doesn’t require a deposit upfront and accepts payment via credit card, money order and cashier’s check.
NAVL has more than 500 individual locations throughout all 50 states. It also offers international moving assistance to 130 countries.
NAVL’s BBB profile is flooded with negative reviews, but this is not necessarily a red flag. Aggressively negative feedback tends to congregate around one or a couple of review platforms, and BBB is a typical destination for that. You should look at reviews for the specific location you plan to contact for a quote.
Moving APT is a reliable nationwide moving broker with more than 2,500 individual partners nationwide. It offers quick online and over-the-phone quotes, moving checklists and price-matching options. While it is affected by many issues common to brokers, it’s a fairly safe option for most local and long-distance moves.
Moving APT provides excellent visibility into its pricing and moving partners. On its site, you’ll find a handy cost calculator tool for quick quotes and partner company bios. These help to ensure you book a quality provider at an agreeable rate.
Moving APT doesn’t provide binding quotes and charges relatively high deposit amounts for you to secure a booking. This makes for a bit of insecurity surrounding price and opens the door for issues reported by negative reviews, including added fees at the end of certain moves.
Moving APT offers domestic residential and commercial moves. Its moving packages can include anything from loading and unloading to basic packing or fragile-only packing for antiques. Most Moving APT affiliates offer these services:
Moving APT’s cost calculator tool is convenient, but you should call to schedule your own virtual or in-person estimate. I called for a quote and was treated to a relatively quick ballpark quote process. I had two calls: one with a Moving APT representative and a follow-up with a Moving APT partner company.
My quote for a 2,880-mile, three-bedroom move totaled $9,000 without packing. My price with full-service packing was $10,600, but my deposit in either case would be $3,402. This would be refundable if I were to cancel at least seven business days ahead of moving day.
Moving APT is a domestic mover, although some of its partners may provide limited international service to Canada or Puerto Rico. This broker offers local and long-distance moving in all 50 states.
Moving APT has mixed reviews, but the quality of any experience with a moving broker largely depends on which partner provider handles your move. After reading more than 100 customer reviews, I concluded that many common pain points associated with Moving APT are avoidable if you ask about the partner company that is providing your move before you commit.
American Van Lines (AVL) is a carrier with offices in Florida, North Carolina and Texas. It offers direct service at flat rates with some of the most experienced moving crews in the industry. A drawback is the relatively high rates for service that this mover charges, but many find this to be worth it for the quality.
AVL offers bottom-line flat-rate pricing for all its moves. This helps eliminate the guesswork you might face during the moving process. It also hires experienced moving crews with an average of a decade of experience on the job. This allows AVL to offer excellent specialized add-ons, such as packing and antique moving.
The downside of flat-rate pricing is that it can lead to high service rates in some cases. Our quoted rate for a cross-country move was notably higher than many of our other top providers but did come with AVL’s qualified workers.
AVL provides basic and more in-depth moving packages for its clients to all points in the U.S. Its add-ons for local and long-distance moves include these:
I called AVL for long-distance pricing for a three-bedroom cross-country move. My $12,531 quote (without packing) was well within my expectations for cross-country moving. With packing, however, this rate jumped to $17,330. AVL doesn’t charge deposits, but you should consider DIY packing if your move doesn’t include specialty or fragile items and you want to keep costs down.
AVL provides moving services to all lower 48 states. As of December 2023, it does not offer relocation services to Alaska or Hawaii.
AVL rates highly among moving clients based on more than 100 customer reviews I read. It holds 4.04 out of 5 stars on BBB from customer reviews. Its home branch in Florida also rates well at 4 out of 5 stars. This lines up with our proprietary rating of 4.2 out of 5. Customers loved the quality care that this mover’s crews offer, along with the clear pricing.
Safeway Moving is a moving carrier and broker with a nationwide reach. It offers excellent insurance coverage and flat-rate pricing for all moves. While it charges large deposits and doesn’t advertise many add-on services, it is a generally reliable provider.
Safeway’s flat-rate pricing makes it easy for you to budget for any relocation. As a bonus, Safeway maintains $1 million liability insurance policies for all of its trucks and partner companies, which complies with requirements that many homeowners’ and condo owners’ associations have for moving companies.
Negative Safeway reviews report damaged goods and added fees upon delivery. While this seems to be a factor that comes up when dealing with its partner companies, it is something you should be aware of.
Safeway only offers long-distance moving services. While this could expand to cover local and international relocations in the future, it does limit its reach. It does provide 30 days of free storage with each long-distance move, however. Here are some add-ons that Safeway makes available:
Safeway’s flat rates are a selling point for this mover. I called for a quote and spent nearly an hour on the phone with a Safeway representative. Though my call took a long time, it demonstrated thoroughness.
My all-inclusive rate for a 2,880-mile three-bedroom move was $10,333, with a $2,000 deposit due at booking. The rate included labor, packing and 30 days of free storage at the delivery.
Safeway services long-distance moves in all 50 states.
Safeway has a 4.03 out of 5 rating on BBB, which is higher than most movers with a presence on this platform. Positive reviews mention professional conduct by the moving crews and full adherence to stated pricing. Negative reviews mention a lack of punctuality by partner companies and unresolved damage claims for broken items.
As with any company that operates as a broker, we recommend asking your Safeway representative about which company will be handling your move during the booking process.
During the lead-up to a move, proper preparation is key to having a successful transition to your new home. Many experts point to a lack of preparation as the main factor that makes moving appear difficult. “I think many clients underestimate how much they have, underestimate how much time it takes to actually do a move, and how long it’s going to take them to pack,” said Nancy Zafrani, the general manager of Oz Moving & Storage and 30-year industry veteran.
I think many clients underestimate how much they have, underestimate how much time it takes to actually do a move, and how long it’s going to take them to pack Nancy Zafrani
I think many clients underestimate how much they have, underestimate how much time it takes to actually do a move, and how long it’s going to take them to pack
Beginning the packing process at least six to eight weeks before your move date should allow you to prepare without too much stress. Packing a few boxes per day will help make the entire process feel more manageable.
Beyond proper preparation, vetting your movers properly will help ensure a quality relocation.
Your first step will be to survey your home. Take inventory of the goods you plan to take with you and all that you plan to get rid of. Consider whether or not you can handle your own packing, and keep in mind that full-service packing can inflate your move price by up to 33% or more. As an extreme example, the quote I received from American Van Lines showed that full-service packing would increase the cost of my cross-country move by 38%.
It can also help to write down any add-ons you think you’ll need and take this information with you into the quote process.
Depending on the distance of your move, research local moving companies or nationwide movers that operate in your area. Qualified interstate movers carry licensing with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers.
At the very least, local movers will carry state business licensing and moving registration. Ask for proof of this from any mover you consider.
Positive customer reviews are a good sign of any thriving moving company. Look into reviews for local branches on multiple platforms, including Google Reviews, Yelp, BBB, Trustpilot and social media. Reviewing both positive and negative trends will help inform you about how efficiently your movers work and how well they adhere to stated policies and practices.
Once you have your written inventory and have researched top providers near you, it’s time to get moving quotes. Quotes can involve a virtual or in-person assessment of your goods, so it’s best to schedule these at least four to six weeks before your planned move date to ensure minimum hassle. Ask your movers whether pricing is binding or nonbinding, and inquire about billing practices and deposit requirements.
All moving companies provide clients with released liability coverage for potential lost or damaged goods. This is federally mandated and comes at no additional cost to you. However, federally mandated coverage is quite limited, and the 60 cents per pound per item won’t cover the value of most goods.
Most movers offer some form of increased valuation coverage at an added cost. Valuation (or full-value protection) will cover your goods at a rate of around $6 per pound per item, depending on the provider, and cost between 3% and 5% of the total dollar amount of your coverage. So, if you have $10,000 of added coverage, expect to pay $300–$500 extra for full-value protection.
Some movers offer coverage for items of extraordinary value (greater than $100 per pound), which you should inquire about during the quote process.
Moving locally or across the country requires planning in advance and careful research into reputable moving companies. We recommend getting at least three different pricing quotes from movers whose offerings match your needs and budget. Thoroughly vetting your options will make for a far smoother transition to your new locale and new home.
But the bottom line is that we recommend International Van Lines for most use cases. Start with a free quote from IVL.
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 ratings are accurate as of January 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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