As a former mover myself, I know how difficult it can be to uproot your life and move to a new home — but getting quotes from licensed and well-reviewed moving companies can make the process easier.
Using our proprietary rating methodology, we ranked International Van Lines (IVL) as the best moving company overall for its widespread availability and robust service profile, which includes 30 days of free storage with all long-distance moves. We like its website’s cost calculator feature and list of average rates for add-on services that allow you to easily budget ahead of your move.
Allied Van Lines also lands high on our list for its in-house vehicle shipping and large-item moving services. If you’re especially concerned about how your movers will handle your belongings, JK Moving is another top choice — the company trains all its crews at an in-house facility that simulates a two-story home.
Top moving companies
The moving companies featured here earned a high rating on our grading scale. We scored each provider based on service offerings, availability, customer satisfaction and more.
- 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 moving companies
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.
Our top choices for moving 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.
How much does hiring professional movers cost?
Your move distance and inventory size are the biggest factors determining overall move cost. Request a binding estimate if your move exceeds 50 miles. With a binding estimate, your final total should not exceed the estimate unless you adjust your service needs, inventory or move distance between quote day and moving date.
The table below breaks down moving costs by distance and 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+ |
How do you choose a moving company?
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
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.
Determine the services you need
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.
Confirm the movers are properly licensed
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.
Read customer reviews
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.
Consider the cost and get multiple quotes
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.
Decide whether you need additional insurance
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.
What do experts say about moving?
We asked four experts to share their insights on the stressors of moving and what to consider during the process.
“To make our lives easy, we routinize many things. Moving completely destroys routines. There are so many changes in your life when you move — new social relationships you need to develop, you lose your old friends — it takes a while to feel like you belong to a new city or organization.
“Moving changes not only your physical environments but also your social, interpersonal environments, [such as] a job, social roles or school. Having to start all over again is stressful and tiring.”
“The moving expense deduction for individuals was suspended after 2017 until 2026, except for Armed Forces personnel. However, self-employed individuals may be able to deduct some office relocation expenses, which should be discussed with an accountant.
“Donating unwanted items is also a win-win situation — decluttering while potentially benefiting from tax deductions. Most people only wear 20% of their clothes, so consider donating anything unused for over a year.”
“It’s possible that in addition to property taxes you have to pay to the municipality, you may also have special district taxes, such as a fire district tax. It’s important to budget those in when calculating expenses.”
“Even if your new company pays for the moving costs, you will have to count the reimbursement as part of your gross income and will be required to pay taxes on it. If they don’t compensate you for moving costs, it is important to keep in mind that these costs are not deductible.”
“Proactively consider donating items that won’t have space, allowing you to declutter while benefiting from tax deductions.
“To save money on packing supplies, explore options like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or retailer discards for free moving boxes.”
“First, obtain a floor plan of your new place and assess which items will fit in each room. Only move the furniture and belongings you truly need.
“Make a detailed list of all items transported. Take photographs or videos of valuable collections or furniture to document their condition before and after the move. For rental properties, document the condition with photos or videos when moving in and out to avoid potential disputes over preexisting damage.
“Review your homeowners insurance policy to understand coverage for moving-related damages. Consider purchasing third-party moving insurance for additional protection.”
“If you buy a new home, you have closing costs on the mortgage. It is critical to account for the total costs of moving across the country.
“Moving costs can be substantial depending on the distance of the move, the quantity of goods moved and the time of year — as more people move in the summer.”
What’s next: Know your moving needs and get multiple quotes before you book
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.
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 ratings are accurate as of June 2024.
Top local moving companies in your city
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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