As a former mover myself, I know how difficult it can be to uproot your life and move to a new home. If you want to reduce the stress with your next move, professional moving assistance is available for a variety of move types.
We’ve ranked International Van Lines as the best mover due to its comprehensive service offerings and extensive reach. Allied Van Line ranks well for both local and long-distance moves, JK Moving rounds out our top three with thoroughly trained expert moving crews.
I’ve reviewed and rated the best nationwide moving companies for a variety of relocation needs. Whether you’re in the market for simple packing, labor-only or a full-service move, we at Homefront have done the research to help you find the right assistance for your move.
Our top choices for 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.
Provider | Our Rating | Deposit | Get Started |
---|---|---|---|
Up to 25% | Start quote | ||
None | Start quote | ||
$250 | Start quote |
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.
Homeowners’ guide: 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.
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’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.
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; that total is then translated into our 5-star rating we use in our reviews.
BBB ratings are accurate as of December 2023.
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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