We recommend Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines (NAVL) for long-distance moves to or from Kentucky.
Allied offers a small-move package called Allied Express that provides expedited moving container assistance for two-bedroom and smaller homes, plus basic and specialty services for larger residences. NAVL offers long-distance service via multiple Kentucky locations and access to a nationwide network of 500 offices in all 50 states.
For local service, our top pick is Cardinal Moving. Cardinal offers local and long-distance service with transparent rates and positive customer reviews for its moving crews and quote process.
We scored each of the Kentucky movers below through our rating system, which evaluates offered services, quote processes, review scores and more.
Kentucky boasts a low cost of living and even lower housing costs — a median price of $194,300 — making it a top choice for budget-conscious aspiring homeowners.
Best moving companies
Each of the following movers earned a high rating on our grading scale. Read our provider summaries to learn more about each company.
Long-distance:
Compare top long-distance movers for Kentucky
See how our picks for the best moving companies in the country compare on deposit requirements and our ratings.
Best national long-distance movers in Kentucky
The moving companies below provide highly rated long-distance and interstate moving services to and from Kentucky.
Allied Van Lines
North American Van Lines
International Van Lines
Best movers for a local Kentucky move
Each of the following movers offers excellent local service in Kentucky based on positive customer reviews and our research into their service profiles.
Cardinal Moving
Wildcat Moving
Two Men and a Truck KY
A guide to professional movers: Making an informed choice
When researching providers and requesting quotes for your upcoming move, be aware of the following factors.
Moving services
One of the first steps in the moving process is determining your service needs. Conduct a walk-through of your home and compile a comprehensive inventory list of everything you plan to take. This will inform you of any add-on services you may need, such as the following:
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Crating for fine arts and antiques
- Short- and long-term storage
- Piano moving
- Vehicle shipping
- Heavy-item moving for safes, hot tubs or similar items
- Junk removal
- Home staging
Carriers vs. brokers
When requesting moving services, be aware of the company’s service model. This will determine who is actually carrying out the work you pay for.
Moving companies operate as either carriers or brokers. Moving carriers directly provide services to clients with their own moving crews and moving trucks. Brokers, on the other hand, operate as third parties that book services for clients with carriers.
Most brokers primarily offer long-distance service and will take a large upfront deposit as a convenience fee. After booking, your carrier handles any liability or coverage claims for loss or damage.
Moving regulations
All moving companies must comply with either local or federal regulations to operate legally. Confirm a mover has the appropriate registration before booking.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
Long-distance moving companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This governing body requires that movers carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can check a company’s registration status on the FMCSA’s website.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers in Kentucky
Local moving companies offering primarily local service must carry a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet number. You can check the list of registered Kentucky movers to confirm a local provider’s registration status.
Moving costs
Knowing your cost breakdown structure will help you discern which moving companies offer a fair price. Here, we explain how different types of movers charge for relocation services.
Long-distance moving costs
Long-distance moving companies bill at more all-inclusive rates based on move distance and estimated shipment weight. Add-on services also factor into the final cost. You can request binding estimates for such moves, which will not shift unless you change your inventory or service needs between quote day and moving day.
Local moving costs in Kentucky
Local movers charge hourly rates for service. These moves are not eligible for binding estimates; your final cost will depend on how long your move takes. Most local moving companies have minimum charges, which amount to two to four hours at your hourly rate.
Moving insurance
All moving companies offer coverage for loss or damage during a move. The federal government requires all movers to provide released-value protection, which provides 60 cents per pound per item.
Beyond this, most movers provide full-value protection, which covers up to the full replacement value of your goods for an added fee. Some movers charge a flat rate for this, while others bill a low percentage of your maximum amount of coverage.
Final take: Get a quote from Allied Van Lines or Cardinal Moving for reliable moving service in Kentucky
We recommend beginning your Kentucky moving process with a quote from Allied Van Lines for a long-distance move or Cardinal Moving for a local relocation.
Allied offers a full range of services and has one of the widest coverage areas among domestic and international moving companies. Cardinal Moving’s transparent rates make it stress-free to book basic or comprehensive services for any residential moving need.
Be sure to get at least three quotes from professional movers before settling on a provider. We recommend starting four to six weeks ahead of your move date.
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 scores are accurate as of June 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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