Moving day is an exciting, stressful, and emotional day for most people. So, it’s best not to compound such a charged time with the complications of heavy lifting, careful planning, and awkward maneuvering. For this reason, smart consumers hire one of the best rated moving companies to do the heavy lifting for them (literally). From local movers to the big-name long-distance moving companies, here's everything you ought to know about the different moving services out there, including prices to expect (and which are the cheap moving companies you can rely on), important questions to ask, and some reviews of the best moving companies in the industry.
Here's our list of the best moving services that we tested and ranked:
1. Best overall: North American Moving Services
2. Best full-service moving company: American Moving Solutions
3. Best for long-distance moves: American Van Lines
4. Best for shipping marketplace: uShip
5. Best container company: U-Pack
6. Best for auto transport: Montway Auto Transport
| Compare the Best Moving Companies | 1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 7  | 8  | 9  | 10  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main Services covered | Commercial and residential relocation and storage | Full-service long-distance moves, corporate moves, full-truck moving | Long distance moving, cross-country moving, corporate relocation, packing/unpacking, storage. | Local, long-distance, corporate | Local, long-distance, international | Long-distance moving, corporate relocation, military moving, seniors moving, professional packing, storage | Long-distance moving, commercial relocation, storage, packing/unpacking, vehicle transport | Local, long-distance, international | Local moving, long-distance moving, corporate relocation, packing & unpacking, storage, car shipping | Local moving, long-distance moving, storage, corporate moving. |
Participating states | Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC | Cross-country | 48 | 50+ | 50+ international | 49 states, plus Canada | Varies by partner | 48+international | 50+, international | 50 |
Online quote tool | ||||||||||
Insurance included | Yes + additional third-party coverage available | Limited liability | Yes–Basic liability insurance up to $10,000 included, with the option to buy more | Varies by partner | Varies by provider | Varies by moving partner |
An In-Depth Look the Best Rated Moving Companies
- Main services coveredCommercial and residential relocation and storage
- Participating statesMaryland, Virginia, Washington DC
- Online quote toolYes
JK Moving Services offers an unparalleled moving experience, whether it is for your home or business, whether your move is local or overseas. It has highly trained and heavily vetted professional staff providing a service that is second to none, taking the stress out of relocation. It tailors its service to meet the needs of each individual customer, so that the customer feels valued.
If you are looking for a secure place to store your belongings, then look no further than JK Moving Services. Its secure, climate-controlled storage warehouses offer great service, no matter how much storage space you require. Even in these unprecedented times, JK continues to work hard to make sure you get the service you require.
Pros- Customizable packing services
- Dedicated personal move-coordinator
- Live, 24/7 customer support line
Cons- No price-match service
- Only 3 states covered directly (others serviced through partners)
- 2
American Moving Solutions
excellent9.0![]()
Professional full-service long-distance movesRead American Moving Solutions Review- Main services coveredFull-service long-distance moves, corporate moves, full-truck moving
- Participating statesCross-country
- Online quote toolNo
American Moving Solutions is the answer if you’re looking to relocate your home, family, or business without any hassle. A full-service moving company specializing in long-distance moves, American Moving Solutions has a trained and reliable crew ready to take care of everything from packing and loading to unpacking and setting up in your new abode.
American Moving Solutions has licensed and trained movers with more than 20 years of experience. In addition to full value insurance, American Moving Solutions also includes free storage services when you move with them. Easy payments and a satisfaction guarantee seal the deal with this moving company.
Pros- Licensed and specializes in long-distance moves
- Free storage units
- Full service moving
Cons- No online information available
- Not a lot of reviews from users
- 3
Colonial Van Lines
excellent9.1![ColonialVanLines]( "ColonialVanLines")
Transparent pricing with app-based estimates.Read Colonial Van Lines Review- Main services coveredLong distance moving, cross-country moving, corporate relocation, packing/unpacking, storage.
- Participating states48
- Online quote toolYes
Colonial Van Lines offers long-distance moving services to every state except Alaska and Hawaii. You can use its innovative app-based estimating system to take an inventory of your furniture, ensuring that your estimate will accurately reflect your final move price.
Colonial also has a built-in insurance policy for all items and additional supplementary coverage available from a third party. If you are planning your next long-distance move, and want an accurate estimate from an experienced moving company, look no further than Colonial Van Lines.
Pros- Packing/unpacking and storage available
- Offers corporate relocation
- Innovative app-based estimate system
Cons- No service in Alaska or Hawaii
- Default insurance is limited
- Main services coveredLocal, long-distance, corporate
- Participating states50+
- Online quote toolNo
American Van Lines is another one of the major moving companies you might not have heard of. It services all 50 states, plus international moves across the world. American Van Lines provides more specialty moving services as well, including piano and antique moving services and business or corporate office moves.
You can rent storage units directly from American Van Lines. These are private storage facilities and are available for long and short term use. Additionally, American Van Lines holds environmental sustainability as one of its highest regards. It is constantly taking actions to minimize its carbon footprint and preserve important natural resources. So, if you’re looking for a long-distance or local mover that you can get behind, American Van Lines is a good option.
Pros- Long and short-term storage
- Local, international, and specialty moving
- Environmental and sustainable
Cons- Site is a bit outdated
- No online quotes available
- 5
Allied Van Lines
very good8.6![Allied Van Lines]( "Allied Van Lines")
Peace of mind from a long-running moving comp...Read Allied Van Lines Review- Main services coveredLocal, long-distance, international
- Participating states50+ international
- Online quote toolYes
If you’ve traveled America’s highways, it’s likely you’ve seen Allied Van Lines’ orange trucks. This well-established moving company has been in operation for nearly 90 years and boasts all of the features you’d want in a moving service: easy scheduling, meticulous movers, helpful moving resources, and prompt, dependable service.
Allied offers local, long-distance, and international moving services with tiered packages that can be as hands-off as you prefer. Full-service packages include packing, unpacking, assembly/disassembly, and other helpful services that bookend the move itself. Allied lets you schedule easily online and offers 24-hour customer support in case you have questions or concerns.
Pros- 24-hour customer support
- Licensed, bonded, and insured movers
- Easy, stress-free scheduling
Cons- Basic insurance included
- Not ideal for local and short-distance moves
- 6
United Regions Van Lines
very good8.7![United Regions Van Lines]( "United Regions Van Lines")
Expert in long-distance movesRead United Regions Van Lines Review- Main services coveredLong-distance moving, corporate relocation, military moving, seniors moving, professional packing, storage
- Participating states49 states, plus Canada
- Online quote toolNo
United Regions Van Lines focuses its services on long-distance moves, navigating state line crossings and jurisdiction rule changes with years of experience. It offers tailored services to residential and commercial clients, even providing storage in secure premises all over the US.
A full service from this company can involve furniture assembly, professional packing, electrical appliance setup, secure packaging for confidential materials, delivery to multiple destinations and the potential of a one-day express service. You can move as far as Canada, knowing that your belongings will travel under the care of company-certified staff.
Pros- Nationwide coverage, plus Canada
- Company-certified staff with at least two years’ experience
- Door-to-door full service offered
Cons- Not Better Business Bureau certified
- Quotes not available instantly
- 7
Country Mile Moving
good8.4![Country Mile Moving]( "Country Mile Moving")
Long-distance mover with fixed quotes up frontRead Country Mile Moving Review- Main services coveredLong-distance moving, commercial relocation, storage, packing/unpacking, vehicle transport
- Participating statesVaries by partner
- Online quote toolYes
Country Mile Moving is a brokerage specializing in commercial and residential moves crossing state lines. As a brokerage, it can fulfill a near unlimited range of custom requests, such as vehicle transport, storage, moves of heavy or especially delicate furniture or equipment, and more.
To begin, book a 15-minute virtual tour of your home, wherein Country Mile will estimate the size, dimensions, and weight of all the furniture and belongings involved in the move. Country Mile will then give you a locked-in quote, ensuring that your price will never exceed the price quoted to you during this initial consultation. If you are looking to make a long-range move and want the peace of mind of a locked-in quote, look no further than Country Mile.
Pros- Moving costs will never exceed your quote
- Specialized services for custom requests available
- Short and long-term storage options
Cons- Does not provide its own insurance
- Customer service hours unclear
- Main services coveredLocal, long-distance, international
- Participating states48+international
- Online quote toolYes
North American Moving Services boasts more than 500 agent locations across the country and a reputation for its exceptional customer service and satellite tracking services. Established in 1933, it combines a solid infrastructure and modern technology with prompt, professional moving services for all relocation needs.
One of the most celebrated features of North American is its WorldTrac® satellite tracking equipment, which lets you follow and keep track of your valuables as they move across the state or country. It’s drivers are trained with interactive simulators to ensure safe transport, and its movers are licensed, bonded, and experienced with handling everything from bulky furniture to fragile valuables. All of this, combined with a wide variety of moving, packing, and white glove services, makes North American a solid choice for those with valuables that need extra attention.
Pros- Track your valuables with WorldTrac satellite equipment
- Trained drivers and experienced movers
- White glove services
Cons- Only 48 participating states
- Might be costlier than the competition
- 9
Native Van Lines
very good8.7![Native Van Lines]( "Native Van Lines")
Connects you with local or long-distance moversRead Native Van Lines Review- Main services coveredLocal moving, long-distance moving, corporate relocation, packing & unpacking, storage, car shipping
- Participating states50+, international
- Online quote toolNo
Consider Native Van Lines for all your moving, storage, and vehicle needs. Whether you are moving your home or corporate office or just need short- or long-term storage, Native Van Lines has your back with 24/7 customer support and over 10 years of industry experience.
Native operates on a brokerage model, contracting individual movers in your local area to fulfill your specific moving needs. This method has several advantages. Firstly, brokers encourage competition between movers in their network for your business, which drives rates down for you. It also means that if you have specialized needs, such as transporting fragile furniture or heavy equipment, someone in Native’s network can probably help you out. If you need a flexible, affordable moving solution, consider Native Van Lines.
Pros- 24/7 customer service available
- Offers international moves
- Get the lowest rates from multiple competing providers
Cons- All services may not be available in all areas
- No online quote tool
Why Do I Need a Moving Company?
Most people have the same response when it comes time to moving out of state: why do I need to hire a mover when I can do the work myself? There are many reasons why people choose to hire professional moving services. For example:
- Peace of mind
When you're moving out of state, there are a million and one things that only you can take care of. Moving isn't one of them. It's a lot easier to let long-distance moving services take care of the hauling, moving, and transporting. And it'll free you up to take care of the more important, technical details that only you can do.
- Reliability
What’s more, the best long-distance moving companies will have some sort of insurance on your stuff. So, if something breaks during the move, it’s covered. If you break something while moving it yourself, you’re out of luck.
- Time savings
What’s even more valuable than money? Your time. Hiring local interstate-moving companies can help you save a load of time. Sometimes, that’s worth the investment.
- More efficient
Everyone's good at something, but few people are good at EVERYTHING. You might be really good at what you do. But you know what the best moving companies are good at? That's right, moving. They'll know how to pack up, haul, and unload your stuff in the fastest, most efficient manner possible. So you can get on with your life and start living in your new home sooner.
- It’s safer
Long-distance moving can be hazardous to your health for many reasons. But one of the biggest ones is the strain you'll put on your body. The best long-distance moving companies know how to professionally move large, bulky, and heavy items without hurting themselves.
How Can I Find a Long-Distance Moving Company Near Me
Bottom line, it's a good idea to hire one of the professional local or long distance moving companies out there, but make sure that you are working with someone that services your area. This is easily done by looking at their website to see the coverage area. Local movers will have a smaller coverage area than the major long-distance moving companies. But the coverage area doesn't have to be large. It just has to include you.
Check on the moving companies' websites for a section like moving companies near me. You'll put in your address or zip code, and see what areas they cover. You can also search Google for "movers near me." Choose from the list to ensure you're getting a mover that works within your area.
How to Choose a Long-Distance Mover
The best moving companies will offer value-added services, good reputation, and insurance for your belongings. Here are a few important features you should look for during your quest for good and cheap moving companies:
- Reputation
Check out reviews online, ask around, and see if the moving company is legitimate and has a Better Business Bureau accreditation. A fair amount of good reviews will tell you that this company is worth investing in, will treat you well, and will get the job done right.
- Type of move
Are you moving locally or far away? Depending on the type of move, different moving companies will be more suitable for the task. If you're just moving around the corner or a few blocks away, local movers will be more price-efficient. On the other hand, if you're looking for a long trek, long-distance moving companies will offer you the most professionalism, along with the ability to move you farther.
- Amount of stuff
You also want to consider how much stuff you actually have to move. If you only have a small amount, 1 or 2 smaller appliances, etc., then you can opt for one of the cheap movers on your list. On the other hand, if you've got quite a bit of belongings to move, along with multiple major appliances, a more reputable moving service with insurance, is a safer bet.
What Is the Best Long-Distance Moving Company?
The best moving companies are the ones that fulfill your requirements, offer affordable pricing, and will work within your moving area. Those are the only things you really need to look for. It's also a good idea to check out the customer support experience. While this isn't always a necessity, it's nice to know that there's someone you can reach out to in case you have questions or in the event that something goes wrong before, during, or after the move. It is typically an excellent idea to read online reviews and hear what others have to say about a service, as well. This gives you an indication of the general quality of service you can expect from a moving company.
What is the Cheapest Way to Move Cross Country?
Cheap moving companies are not unheard of. You just have to know where exactly to look. Start by getting a few online quotes. These are usually free, so don't pay for a quote. Once you've compiled a list of cheap long-distance movers, compare the different rates you received to find the most cost-efficient one.
But don’t just look at the price tag. After all, the best moving companies will offer added value on top of a standard price. That means they may be offering you more bang for your buck in the form of additional services, better coverage, or more flexible terms. So, don’t just pounce on the cheap cross-country moving companies. Weigh what you’re getting in the equation.
Also, bear in mind that cheap long-distance movers may not provide you with insurance. Often, the more professional movers will charge more because they come with the insurance and quality guarantee. If you're only moving a few items, insurance might not be that important to you, in which case, you should go with a cheap mover. But if you are moving valuable or expensive things, it's worth the investment to have an insurance policy in place.
