Long-distance moves come with unique challenges. As you transition from your current location to your new home, you’ll need to consider things such as when to move, what to pack and leave behind, how to transport your vehicles, and whether you’ll need temporary storage options.
Hiring a quality professional moving company that specializes in long-distance moves can ease some of those headaches by streamlining the process and communicating every step of the way. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the best long-distance moving companies to help you select the right provider for your upcoming move.
9 Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
Here are the best long-distance movers for a stress-free relocation:
- International Van Lines: Our Top Pick
- American Van Lines: Best for Artwork and Antiques
- Safeway Moving Inc.: Best for Condos and HOAs
- Interstate Moving & Relocation Group: Best for Major Cities
- Moving APT: Best for Coordinated Moves
- JK Moving Services: Best Mobile App
- North American Van Lines: Best for High-End Appliances
- Allied Van Lines: Best Customer Experience
- Coleman Worldwide Moving: Best for Service Options
Our Recommendation
International Van Lines is our top pick for long-distance moves due to its comprehensive services and competitive pricing. The company promotes a higher standard of service and offers comprehensive contents coverage to give customers peace of mind during transit.
American Van Lines is an interstate moving company operating as an exclusive carrier, a fact that sets it apart from most other providers. AVL hires experienced crews and provides hands-on training to ensure that its staff uses safe and effective moving techniques. Interstate Moving & Relocation Group is another top pick, coordinating out-of-state moves through a network of partners to ensure swift moves from any city.
We recommend you request quotes from at least three top moving companies to better understand the services you will receive for the price.
How to Pick a Long-Distance Moving Company
Selecting the right long-distance moving provider starts with vetting the company. “When moving across state lines, you will want a mover who has the appropriate licensing and insurance and is in good standing with the Federal Motor Carrier [Safety] Administration,” says Derek Mills, Managing Partner of Square Cow Moovers. For intrastate moves, he adds that it’s important to ensure that the mover is in good standing with any state governing agency.
After verifying that the company is legitimate, you will want to take the following steps:
- Take Inventory. It’s important to take inventory of your household goods. You will need this list for companies such as JK Moving and North American Van Lines, who will use it to provide binding estimates.
- Consider Specialty Service Options. You should also note whether you need special services, such as electronics crating or vehicle shipping.
- Calculate the Size of Your Move. Should you decide that your move is small enough to handle on your own, companies such as 1-800-PACK-RAT have online tools to help determine the size and number of moving containers you’ll need.
- Check Availability. Ensure that the professional moving company you are looking to serves your area.
What Factors Influence Your Long-Distance Move’s Cost?
The following factors may influence the cost of your long-distance move:
- Distance of your move
- Mileage
- Gas
- Size of your move (measured in total weight of items)
- Size of your moving crew
- Time of year you are moving
- Special handling of large and/or fragile items
- Your home’s layout and any difficult access points (narrow hallways, steep staircases, etc.)
- Any applicable toll charges
Is a Long-Distance Moving Company Worth It?
The benefits of letting a professional coordinate your long-distance move may be worth the price. For example, in our consumer survey of 1,000 individuals who had moved in the last five years, we found that transporting artwork and mirrors was the top concern. Professional movers are trained to handle fragile items and can properly wrap, pad, and load these pieces to try to prevent any damage en route.
Our survey also found that over 90% of respondents were satisfied with their experience using a professional moving company.
Full-service moving companies can take the physical stress out of moving by assisting with loading and unloading, packing and unpacking, and disassembling and reassembling large items. This allows you to get to your new destination comfortably—either by plane or car—at your own pace and convenience.
How We Chose the Top Long-Distance Moving Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a rating system based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.
Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.
We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.