International Van Lines (IVL) is our top choice for most interstate moving needs. IVL offers domestic service to all 50 states and demonstrates transparent pricing practices. Additionally, the company provides one month of free storage for qualifying moves.
Allied Van Lines is the next best choice for interstate moves due to its extensive in-house vehicle shipping service. We also recommend JK Moving Services for its antique and fragile item services, which are among the best in the business.
When selecting a moving company to help relocate across state lines, check for proper licensure first. All reputable interstate movers are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Then, determine which movers offer the services you need and the customer support you expect at a price you can afford.
The below rankings are backed by our thorough analysis and reviews of the top interstate movers in the U.S. We reached out to each company for a moving quote and dug deep into what each offers.
We gave the following movers high scores based on our proprietary grading scale — evaluating each company’s reach, service profile, pricing, customer reviews and more.
The 7 best interstate moving companies
- International Van Lines: Our top pick
- Allied Van Lines
- JK Moving Services
- North American Van Lines
- Moving APT
- American Van Lines
- Safeway Moving
Compare top interstate moving companies
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.
Our top choices for moving companies
We’ve conducted in-depth reviews on each of the following, and they made the cut for our recommended movers list.
How do you choose an interstate moving company?
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.
1. Determine the services you need
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.
2. Confirm the movers are properly licensed
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.
3. Read real customer reviews
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.
4. Consider the cost and get multiple quotes
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.
5. Decide whether you need additional insurance
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.
What is a moving broker?
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.
How much does an interstate move cost?
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.
Below, we break down the average move costs by home size.
Moving costs by home size
Distance (Miles) | Less Than 1,000 | 1,000–1,500 | 1,501–2,000 |
---|---|---|---|
1-bedroom | $2,500–$3,600 | $2,900–$4,500 | $3,200–$4,500+ |
2-bedroom | $3,350–$5,900 | $4,800–$7,500 | $5,300–$7,500+ |
3-bedroom | $6,100–$6,800 | $7,000–$10,300 | $7,400–$10,300+ |
4-bedroom | $9,200–$13,000 | $10,000–$16,000 | $10,400–$19,300+ |
What are the best ways to reduce moving costs?
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.
- Donate or sell unwanted items: Taking an inventory of all your belongings is one of the first steps in preparing for a move. At this point, it’s important to decide if you need to keep all your clothes, furniture, knick-knacks and other possessions. If not, host a garage sale or donate those items to charity.
- Get multiple estimates: Perhaps the best way to ensure you get the best rate for your move is to contact multiple moving companies for estimates — we typically recommend getting at least three quotes before making your final decision. However, just because a moving company offers the best rate doesn’t necessarily mean you should hire them.
- Move during the off-season: You can’t always control when you move. But if you can schedule your move outside of summer — the peak season for moving companies — you may find movers offering decreased rates.
- Pack and unpack your belongings: The more optional services you choose to include in your move, the more expensive it’ll be. Packing and unpacking are two add-on services that you can easily do yourself and save around $1,800, according to the quotes we gathered. If you decide to pack your belongings, ask businesses around your area if they have any old boxes that you can have for free instead of buying your own.
Do you need to tip movers?
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.
What is a binding estimate?
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.
How do you know if a moving company is legit?
Interstate movers must be registered with the FMCSA. You can check a provider’s FMCSA registration status with its USDOT and MC numbers.
What are some red flags to look out for?
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.
- Registration numbers aren’t posted online: The best sign that a moving company is legit is proper USDOT and MC numbers. Not having those numbers means a mover is likely not complying with the regulations set by these bodies. Before you call for a quote from any mover, check the company’s registration status on the FMCSA website.
- Extremely low estimates: Reading an estimate and realizing your move might not cost as much as you initially thought can be a good feeling. But that low-ball quote should tip you off that the mover might not be reputable. Dishonest movers have been known to lure customers in with a low quote and then charge a much higher final invoice when payment is due. This is another reason why we recommend getting at least three binding estimates from separate moving companies.
- High deposits: Many reputable moving companies — including IVL and JK Moving Services — charge clients a deposit, so this isn’t a red flag on its own. But if a company’s deposit requirement exceeds 30%, this may signify a disreputable mover. Fly-by-night movers might collect that deposit only to disappear and never complete the move.
- Upfront payment required: Another tactic of disreputable movers is requiring customers to pay for the entire move upfront (not just the deposit). If a mover asks for payment before even arriving at your property, avoid them at all costs.
- Vague or blank contract: Every moving contract should state explicitly what services are being performed and the price for each service. If the verbiage on your contract is vague or if you notice some parts are completely blank, do not sign the contract.
- Negative reviews: We always recommend taking a look at a company’s reviews before getting an estimate, and it’s generally a good idea to avoid ones with many negative reviews on websites including Trustpilot, BBB and Yelp. However, it’s important to keep in mind that customers are far more likely to log online and write negative reviews than it is for people to take their time to write positive reviews.
What questions should you ask your movers?
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.
Are you licensed and insured?
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.
Do you perform your own moves?
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.
Do you offer binding estimates?
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.
What’s included in my move, and what do you charge extra for?
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.
How do you train your employees?
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.
Can I track my shipment?
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.
Final take: IVL is our top pick for best interstate mover
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 rating methodology for moving companies
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 June 2024.
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