Allied Van Lines and Einstein Movers top our list of the best moving companies in Texas. According to U-Haul’s growth index, Texas is the No. 1 state in the country where people are moving, so the Lone Star state doesn’t lack moving company options. We’ve done the research to help you cut through the noise and find the best fit for your Texas move.
We recommend starting your quote-gathering process for the best long-distance moving companies or best interstate moving companies with Allied Van Lines. Its large-item shipping service, expedited small-moves service and numerous locations within and beyond Texas mean it can handle most relocations, regardless of size or complexity.
Einstein Moving Company is our pick for intrastate moves if you’re moving within Texas. Its quick quote process and presence throughout the state make for efficient local moves, including in Texas’ many metropolitan areas.
Our team thoroughly vetted the following six moving companies using our proprietary review process. Providers were scored based on factors including customer reviews, availability and value.
Our top choices for Texas movers
Below, we round up the top movers in Texas based on our rigorous in-house methodology.
Long-distance:
Best long-distance movers for Texas
If you’re planning a long-distance in-state or an interstate relocation, the following movers are our top choices for Texas residents.
Allied Van Lines
International Van Lines
American Van Lines
Best movers for a local Texas move
The following Texas movers offer local moves and varying degrees of long-distance service throughout the state. We recommend beginning your shopping process here for intrastate moving needs.
Einstein Moving Co.
3 Men Movers
Blue Whale Moving Company
Making an informed choice: A guide to professional movers
When you vet a moving company, keep the following core factors in mind. Ensure that your movers are properly registered, provide all of your needed services and quote reasonable rates.
Moving services
All basic moving packages include labor for loading and unloading, released liability coverage, furniture protection, and basic assembly and disassembly. Some movers offer a little more for a base price, such as light packing for a few items and floor and door protection. Many long-distance movers will offer an introductory storage rate, including free storage for 30 days.
Add-on services will inflate your costs. These can include the following:
- Packing
- Antique packing
- Crating for antiques or artwork
- Piano moving
- Pool table moving
- Vehicle shipping
- Long-term storage
- Valuation coverage
Brokers vs. carriers
You should always keep a moving company’s service model in mind when you book. Moving companies operate as carriers or brokers, with some carrying licenses to provide service either way.
Carriers directly handle all moves that they book. Brokers, on the other hand, book moves and contract them out to other carriers. If you schedule a move with a broker, it will not directly handle your move. Ask about this when you get a moving quote from any provider.
Moving regulations
Local and interstate movers have different registration requirements. Ensure that the moving company you book is fully registered.
Regulations for interstate and long-distance movers
Long-distance and cross-country moving companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This body ensures that all interstate carriers and brokers maintain active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers.
Regulations for intrastate and local movers
Texas moving companies must maintain proper licensing via the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). You can look up a mover’s Texas registration by checking the TxDMV Truck Stop database. All local movers in the Lone Star State should display this TxDMV number on their moving trucks, contracts and written estimates.
Moving costs
After collecting moving quotes from top national providers and local moving companies within Texas, we’ve determined that your primary cost factors are move distance and total inventory. These affect your move differently, depending on how far you’re moving.
Long-distance moving costs
Long-distance movers primarily bill by shipping weight and move distance. Upon reviewing your inventory, moving companies will provide an all-inclusive estimate that encompasses all of your service needs. We got quotes from nine nationally known moving companies and calculated an average price of $9,154 for a 1,812-mile, three-bedroom move.
All of these quotes included full-service packing for the entire home with packing supplies included in the price. Comprehensive packing service can increase your cost by $2,000–$5,000 or more, depending on your home size.
Long-distance movers either give binding or nonbinding estimates. A binding estimate means that the final amount due will not change unless the services or circumstances of the move change from what was originally outlined. A nonbinding estimate allows the mover to charge up to 110% of the nonbinding quote amount.
Your movers cannot legally hold your goods hostage if you adhere to the following guidelines in the event of added fees:
- Pay the entirety of your binding estimate upon delivery of your goods. All added charges beyond this are due within 30 days of your move-in date at your new home.
- Pay the nonbinding estimate amount plus 10% (if the bill is larger than this). All charges beyond this are due 30 days after receipt of your goods.
The FMCSA outlines details for how these quotes work. Moves are large expenses, so you should understand the type of quote you receive and how it might change before you head into your move.
Local moving costs in Texas
Local moves are billed hourly in Texas. In most cases, you’ll pay around $150 per hour for two movers and a truck in Texas. Each additional mover will cost at least $50 per hour. You may have a minimum payment attached to your move, which is typically the movers’ hourly rate multiplied by two to four hours. Companies that have such policies will collect this minimum even if their movers only do a few minutes of work in your home.
Common additional fees include higher rates or flat fees for extra travel, flat fees for more than one flight of stairs at either end of your move, or flat fees for long carries (more than 75 feet) between the moving truck and your old or new home. Your rate may also depend in part on when you book your move. Summer moves cost more due to the higher rates many movers bill to cope with increased demand. Similarly, weekend moves could cost you more money due to increased demand.
Moving insurance
According to the FMCSA, interstate movers have to offer both full value protection and released value options. All movers must provide released value coverage for household goods that are damaged or lost in transit at no cost to you. This covers you at 60 cents per pound per item, which is the industry minimum.
Valuation coverage protects your goods at a rate that would enable the mover to repair or replace your items. For example, American Van Lines requires a minimum of $6 per pound per item for its full value protection. If you have an 8,000-pound shipment, this amounts to $48,000 in total coverage for a lost shipment. This level of protection typically costs between 3% and 5% of the total dollar amount of coverage and may have varying deductibles depending on the mover you choose.
Goods of “extraordinary value” (more than $100 per pound) should be listed separately. You’ll need to fill out a specific form for this and provide proof of value to get additional coverage specific to these items. “Priceless” items and family heirlooms are often not covered by such policies or must be discussed in detail ahead of move day with your moving coordinator.
You may also have the option to choose third-party moving insurance through your mover. Whichever coverage type you choose, carefully read the details in your contract to understand how much you’re paying and what is covered should any of your belongings be lost or damaged.
Final take: Get quotes from three or more licensed, well-reviewed companies for the best moving experience
If you’re planning an interstate move, we recommend getting quotes from Allied Van Lines and International Van Lines. Allied’s status as a carrier and its locations in many of the state’s urban centers make it accessible to most Texas residents. Nationwide mover International Van Lines’ Texas location and its network of partner companies enable it to book relocation services to any point in all 50 states and beyond.
We recommend Einstein Moving Company for any local moving needs. Its locations in Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth make it easy to book relocations of any size at agreeable, transparent rates.
Starting your moving process early will help ensure that you book with the best possible mover for your needs. Begin researching moving companies in your area at least six to eight weeks ahead of your move, and have multiple estimates in hand at least a month before 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 Review ratings accurate as of January 2024.
Top local moving companies in Texas
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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