Allied Van Lines and 6th Man Movers top our lists of the best moving companies in Tennessee. Allied’s expedited small-move packages make it a good choice for college students, empty nesters and customers with few belongings that need to be moved a long distance. Plus, its valuation coverage options cover clients with varied home inventories.
6th Man Movers achieved a nearly perfect score in our rating system thanks to its well-trained teams and comprehensive insurance coverage options, which can be especially beneficial for customers with expensive cargo.
We reviewed the six best moving companies in Tennessee. Our top picks have a customer rating of at least 4.6 out of 5 stars on our proprietary grading scale. They provide a wide range of services, feature high customer satisfaction ratings, and cover moves into, out of and within Tennessee.
Popular moving companies
These moving companies are all a great choice for Tennessee moves. We graded them against our criteria and each received a high rating for quality and service.
Long-distance:
Our top choices for Tennessee
We graded each moving company using its service coverage area, quote processes and customer reviews:
Best long-distance movers in Tennessee
If you’re planning an interstate or long-distance move in Tennessee, the following movers are the most accessible nationwide options for you:
Best movers for a local Tennessee move
The following movers are well-reviewed and provide local and long-distance service to most of the state.
A guide to professional movers: Making an informed choice
You’ll want to remember some key factors when requesting quotes from any moving company. The tips below will help refine your search when selecting a moving company in Tennessee, and beyond.
Moving services
The first step in any moving process is determining the basic and add-on services you want or need. To do this, conduct a full walk-through of your home and write up an inventory list. Break down this list by room and note all items you plan on taking with you and all that you plan to donate or discard. Note any moving needs and additional services you would like your movers to perform, including the following:
- Packing services
- Unpacking
- Crating for antiques or fragile items
- Vehicle shipping
- Storage
- Debris or junk removal
- Home staging
- Assembly and disassembly
- Valuation coverage options
Carriers vs. brokers
You should understand your mover’s service model before you book. Generally, moving companies operate under one of two service models: carriers and brokers.
- Carriers directly handle all moving services they book.
- Brokers operate as middlemen between clients and carriers and collect a large deposit as a booking fee when they schedule your move. Brokers do not assume liability for damaged or lost goods.
Moving regulations
All moving companies must comply with unique regulations and registration requirements. Check that your mover is properly licensed before getting quotes.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
Interstate and long-distance moving companies are federally regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This governing body requires all movers to carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can check a mover’s registration status via the FMCSA database to ensure that a carrier or broker is fully licensed.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers
There are no state-level governing bodies for moving companies within Tennessee. Instead, all moving companies must carry basic business licensing and a USDOT number.
Moving costs
How your mover bills for their service depends on the scope of your move. Even though binding estimates are always preferred, local movers rarely offer this quote type.
Long-distance moving costs
Long-distance moving costs are based almost entirely on move distance and total shipment weight. Add-on services such as packing dishes and crating can lead to increased rates as well. We got seven quotes from nationwide moving companies for three-bedroom, 1,800-mile moves — our average price was $7,329. Full-service packing increased our rate to $9,155.
Local moving costs in Tennessee
Local moves are almost exclusively billed at hourly rates. These are set by the number of movers and moving trucks assigned to your move. Often, moving companies will have minimum charges. These usually amount to two to four hours at your set hourly rate.
Moving insurance
All movers must provide baseline moving insurance for lost or damaged goods during your move. The lowest tier of coverage is released-value protection. This provides 60 cents per pound per item in reimbursement in the event of such occurrences. Beyond this, most movers provide full-value protection at an added cost.
Final take: Plan your Tennessee move with Allied, NAVL or 6th Man Movers for the best experience
Based on our in-depth research, you’ll likely have a positive moving experience with Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines for a long-distance or cross-country move. For a local Tennessee move, we recommend 6th Man Movers.
To compare rates and services, request at least three quotes before deciding on a moving company. We recommend asking for quotes from FMCSA-registered movers at least six to eight weeks before your move-out date. This will help you get quotes from providers that offer the right services at the right cost for your needs and budget.
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 April 2024.
Top local moving companies in Tennessee
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.
Go Back to Top