Allied Van Lines is the best long-distance moving company because it offers guaranteed pricing, international moving services, and 24/7 customer support. With its straightforward pricing and flexible booking, Allied makes the moving process easier from the start.
Long-distance moves often involve complex logistics, high costs, and tight timelines. Hiring a professional moving company can simplify that process and help you avoid unnecessary headaches. Below, we highlight our top picks to help you find the right long-distance moving company for your next move.
Key Takeaways
- Allied Van Lines is our top choice for a long-distance mover due to its competitive cost, large network of moving agents, and comprehensive service options.
- Long-distance moving costs can vary depending on multiple factors, with the average price for a long-distance move being $3,129, based on reports from our 2025 survey of 1,000 moving customers.
- Over 88% of our 2025 survey respondents reported that the amount they paid after their movers completed their services matched their initial quote.
Top Long-Distance Moving Companies
When moving long-distance, it’s important to research your options and choose a company wisely. Here’s our list of the best long-distance moving companies in the industry:
- Allied Van Lines: Best for Transparent Pricing
- International Van Lines: Best for International Moves
- JK Moving Services: Best Comprehensive Moving Services
- North American Van Lines: Best for Large Moves
- Safeway Moving Inc.: Best Specialized Labor
Comparing Top Movers for Long Distances
To narrow down the best long-distance moving companies in the industry, we ranked each provider based on what’s most important to customers like you, such as customer service, overall value, and company reputation. See how our top-rated moving companies compare in the table below.
| Provider | Our Score (Out of 5) | Average Price | Deposit | FMCSA Licensing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$3,112 | Up to 25% | Carrier/Broker | ||
$2,944 | 20%–30% | Carrier | ||
$3,520 | None | Carrier/Broker | ||
$3,601 | None | Carrier/Broker | ||
$2,273 | $250 | Carrier |
Compare Long-Distance Moving Companies by Available Services
Like most moving companies, all the providers on our list offer loading, unloading, packing, and unpacking services. However, specialty services like storage options and antique services may vary by company. Browse the table below to see how the services of our top picks compare:
| Specialty Service | Allied Van Lines | North American Van Lines | JK Moving Services | International Van Lines | Safeway Moving Inc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle shipping | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fragile-only packing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Furniture disassembly and reassembly | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Junk removal | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Appliance and electronics disconnection | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Antique and specialty services | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Piano moving | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Storage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Office moves | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Our Reviews of Top Long-Distance Movers
Because of the logistics involved with moving your items across the country, long-distance moves can feel overwhelming. When ranking the best long-distance moving companies, we paid extra attention to available services, pricing, and features like GPS tracking and 24/7 customer support. We focused on these features because we know how important it is to know where your belongings are at all times—especially if shipments take weeks to arrive at your new home. Read on below to get a better idea of what each company has to offer and see how our top providers stack up against each other.
Allied Van Lines
Company Overview
- Doesn’t require a deposit to book, unlike some competitors
- Offers multiple ways to reach customer service, including a 24/7 support line
- Provides binding moving estimates
Keep in Mind
- Not as affordable as some competitors we’ve reviewed
- Receives mixed reviews from customers on some platforms
Our Review
Allied Van Lines is our top pick for long-distance moves because it’s one of the largest and most experienced moving companies in the U.S., with over 95 years of experience. Allied Van Lines functions similarly to other moving companies but with a few valuable perks, like pricing transparency. For example, Allied Van Lines doesn’t require customers to put down a deposit to save their booking date, whereas some competitors require 20%–30% of your total estimate upfront. While your initial estimate with Allied Van Lines may seem high, this transparency is better than that of less reputable companies that lowball prices and then raise rates once the move is done.
The company brings moving expertise to the table that some customers may find worth the investment for added peace of mind. Allied Van Lines also offers virtual in-home estimates and online GPS shipment tracking. While these features are common in the industry, they demonstrate the company’s commitment to providing customers with a convenient experience. Allied Van Lines offers both open-car and enclosed-car transport methods if you’re looking to ship your car with your long-distance move.
Customer Experiences
We read through positive and negative Allied Van Lines reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google Reviews to learn more about experiences with the company. Customers praised Allied Van Lines for its reliable crews, quick loading and unloading times, and fair prices. On the other hand, most complaints centered around damages, issues with customer service, lost items, and delays in shipment.
Here are two customer reviews for Allied Van Lines:
“The [Allied Van Lines] movers were amazing and polite! Quick, efficient, and very helpful! [I] 100% would hire this amazing crew and company.” —Mark L. via Google Reviews, January 2026
“We had a horrible experience with [Allied Van Lines] from the day of loading to the day they decided to show up with our stuff. Our stuff was damaged, and the movers weren’t even following the contract on the delivery timeframe. Complete lack of communication. They don’t check boxes with labels that say ‘fragile,’ they just throw them with no care at all. Driver of the truck had zero experience.” —Marta G. via Google Reviews, November 2025
International Van Lines
Company Overview
- Offers one free month of storage with every move
- Moves customers to and from all 50 U.S. states and to 180 countries
- Frequently offers discounts on its website
Keep in Mind
- Operates as a carrier and broker, which can result in non-International Van Line crews and trucks handling your move
- Charges fees for having stairs outside your home and buildings with elevators
Our Review
Whether you’re moving across the country or across the world, International Van Lines (IVL) is one of the best options for long-distance moves because it covers so many locations. International Van Lines moves customers to and from all 50 U.S. states and over 140 countries. However, International Van Lines functions as both a carrier and a broker, meaning it may outsource jobs to local third-party movers via its broker authority, Ocean Star International (USDOT #2247789). Outsourcing services may lower the quality of a move because the initial company may not use its own trucks and staff.
International Van Lines has a few perks that make it customer-friendly, including an offer of one free month of storage with every move. However, it’s worth noting that this offer only applies to storage within the local pickup area, not nationwide. IVL also offers unique moving services compared to other companies, like debris removal and custom crating. During our secret shopping, we found that you can frequently get discounts of 5%–10% on the company’s website, either by using an online code or by calling a representative. We recommend browsing the company’s website for time-sensitive deals before you get a free quote.
Customer Experiences
We read through reviews for International Van Lines and found that most customers appreciate the company’s professionalism, secure packing, and wide range of moving services. On the other hand, complaints centered around poor communication and issues with billing, including differences between the quoted price and the actual price.
Here are two examples of customer reviews for International Van Lines:
“International Van Lines did an excellent job coordinating all aspects of my relocation. The logistics were handled efficiently and their team kept me informed with timely updates. Everything arrived safely and the experience exceeded my expectations.“—Hiran M. via the BBB, January 2026
“We had our move scheduled from Illinois to Exeter, U.K. The company had us pack all our stuff into boxes, and the final cost would be estimated at the port based on the final volume of the freight. We were provided with an inaccurate volume estimate to aim for based on our budget and on our initial quote. The initial quote was for 100 cubic feet [of belongings], and the company suggested we aim for 70 cubic feet after signing the contract. We packed and measured every box and made sure the total volume was under 70 cubic feet. We realized at the port our stuff measured 160 cubic feet, so the final price was $1,000 in excess of the initial cost. The company did not give us a refund because they claimed that the freight volume estimated at the port was the final price tag. We found it to be unfair and dishonest.” —Julian G. via Trustpilot, January 2026
JK Moving Services
Company Overview
- Charges a $250 deposit, which is more affordable than some other companies
- Offers affordable financing options via Enhancify
- Trains staff using a fully-furnished model home at its headquarters
Keep in Mind
- Only offers long-distance moves for customers moving from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
- Charges higher prices than other companies we’ve reviewed
Our Review
JK Moving Services provides careful attention to detail and a wide variety of moving services, which is why it made our list for long-distance moves. The company trains its employees in a model home built within its headquarters, installs dash cams in every fleet vehicle, and provides free GPS tracking with every shipment. JK Moving also offers some of the most comprehensive packing services available, and since the company trains its crew in-house, they’re prepared for packing tricky items like sculptures, wine collections, antiques, and pianos. However, the company only services customers with long-distance moves originating in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
The company is a carrier only, not a broker, which means you can avoid surprises by not having to deal with a third-party mover. However, JK Moving’s prices are on the higher side, and you can’t get a quote online, even for a small one-bedroom move. Still, if you’re looking for a long-distance mover and you live in the Washington D.C. area, JK Moving is a good option.
Customer Experiences
JK Moving only has three reviews on Trustpilot and is under review on the BBB at the time of publication. That said, we found thousands of reviews about JK Moving on Google Reviews, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers have mentioned competent employees and issue-free pickup and delivery. However, most complaints were about billing issues, like price increases, and damaged items.
We pulled two customer reviews to help you learn more about JK Moving:
“JK Moving moved me from Alexandria, Virginia, to the North Shore of Boston the last week of December. They did an excellent job in packing, unloading, and setting up at my new place. Very professional workers and services. I highly recommend!” —Pamela F. via Google Reviews, January 2026
“I’ve used JK Moving twice. My first experience in 2001 was excellent, but the move in 2025 was extremely disappointing. The company sent an understaffed team, and when they saw we were still packing a few boxes, they left—leaving only two movers to handle the entire job until a new crew was found the next day. Delivery was equally frustrating. Over time, I’ve discovered numerous items that never made it to our new home. With the short timeframe the company gave us to report missing items, it was impossible to catch everything. Overall, it was a stressful and costly experience that fell far short of expectations.” —Gloria A. via Google Reviews, October 2025
North American Van Lines
Company Overview
- Doesn’t charge a deposit for your long-distance move
- Offers bottom-line pricing, not-to-exceed pricing, and customized pricing options
- Provides useful moving resources, like a relocation cost calculator and a mover checklist
Keep in Mind
- Charges more for binding estimates
- Offers fewer storage options based on service location
Our Review
North American Van Lines is one of the largest companies on our list, with more than 1,400 trucks and 500 agents across the country, and has some of the lowest moving prices in the industry. Despite North American being both a carrier and a broker, having such a large in-house supply of trucks and employees lessens the chance that the company will have to rely on third-party movers in your area. North American Van Lines also offers customers helpful tools for their move, like a moving cost calculator, which can make the logistical issues of moving a bit less overwhelming—especially if you have a large move with many boxes and items.
North American Van Lines is a step above the rest in terms of pricing models, offering binding estimates, guaranteed not-to-exceed pricing, and customized pricing options. The pricing option you choose may affect your rate, but it can help save you from unexpected costs in the long run. Plus, North American Van Lines makes it quick and easy to file a claim if any of your items get lost or damaged during your move.
Customer Experiences
Based on our review of third-party sites, most customers were satisfied with North American Van Lines for its on-time deliveries—sometimes even ahead of schedule—careful moving crews, and fixed rates with no billing surprises. However, most complaints were about damaged items, understaffed crews, and poor communication.
Read two reviews from North American Van Lines customers below:
“We recently used North American [Van Lines] for a coast-to-coast move and were very impressed by their professionalism. They were very prompt in their responses, and the whole process, from obtaining the quote to the actual move, went through very smoothly. The pick-up and drop-off of our items was as promised and on time. Would highly recommend them.” —Satish R. via Google Reviews, December 2025
“Would not recommend [North American Van Lines] for international moves. The packers took everything apart and lost every screw, remote, and power cord to everything that plugs in.” —M. Loggins via Google Reviews, January 2026
Safeway Moving Inc.
Company Overview
- Includes 30 days of storage free with all long-distance and interstate moves
- Offers binding moving estimates with no hidden fees
- Provides price-matching if you find a lower rate with another company
Keep in Mind
- Doesn’t offer any pricing info online
- Lacks the industry experience that other providers on our list have
Our Review
Safeway Moving Inc. isn’t the largest, most experienced, or cheapest company on our list, but it has a few perks that make it worth considering for your long-distance move. The company offers specialized services, like creating wooden crates for your valuable items, assigning specialized packing teams, and more. Safeway also offers price matching, so if you get a cheaper quote from another licensed moving provider, the company will match the cheaper rate. Safeway also displays its Department of Transportation (DOT), Florida state registration, and motor carrier numbers on its website, helping to distinguish it from other companies with similar names.
On that note, a quick word of caution—Safeway Moving is a very common business name, and the details between companies can get confusing. Safeway Moving Inc. may seem closely related to a company called Safeway Moving Systems. The companies have different DOT numbers but both maintain headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and have similar logos. Also, there’s another company called Safeway Moving Inc. based in Denver, Colorado, with its own DOT number. If you’re considering Safeway for your move, go straight to the Safeway Moving Inc. website. If you don’t, you could get lost among websites for companies with similar names.
Customer Experiences
Safeway Moving Inc. has better average customer ratings than most competitors, including 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google. Customers have praised Safeway for its employees and thorough wrapping of furniture and fragile items. However, most complaints were about difficulties with communication and confusion around estimates and billing.
Here’s a positive and negative review for Safeway Moving Inc. for an idea of some experiences:
“A smooth and well-organized move [by Safeway Moving Inc.] was the result of proper preparation and attention to detail. The crew began working immediately upon arrival. A fantastic service, [and] I am pleased I chose them.” —Cooper A. Via Trustpilot, January 2026
“[Safeway Moving Inc.] doesn’t communicate at all, and is just dishonest. They will cost the client their money, their time, and their sanity. We needed to pay an additional $2,200 for all the extra boxes. They will upcharge for everything.” —Dana M. via Trustpilot, January 2026
Key Moving Terms Explained
If you’re new to the moving process, there are some words you may not know. Here’s a crash course in some key moving terms to learn before you book:
- Binding estimate: This type of estimate gives you a guaranteed price for your move ahead of time based on your inventory and services. Binding estimates lock in your rate, so even if the move takes longer than expected, you shouldn’t have to cover any unexpected price increases. Binding estimates tend to cost more than non-binding estimates since they account for some level of variance in price, but you at least won’t have any surprises when it’s time to pay the bill.
- Broker: As the opposite of carriers, brokers outsource services to a network of third-party movers to accommodate more customers in more locations. This can give companies more availability, but can also lead to more variations in service quality. While brokers sometimes offer lower rates, they don’t handle moves directly and aren’t liable for any damages. You usually can’t vet the third-party movers ahead of time, so you may get stuck with a company with bad reviews. If your items get damaged or lost in transit, you must deal with the company that physically completed your move.
- Carrier: A carrier is a company that uses its own trucks and employees for every step of the moving process. We prefer carriers because customers deal directly with the company instead of relying on third-party movers in their area. Your carrier is directly responsible for any damages and serves as your main point of contact, reducing the chance of miscommunication.
- Delivery spread: This is a time window when your moving company estimates your items will arrive at your new location. Instead of promising a specific day, companies usually give a range—usually five to seven days—since things like traffic or weather can cause delays. Some companies will also re-route your truck to accommodate other moves on the way, which may make your shipment take longer to arrive. Your mover has to provide reasonable dispatch service, which means it has to deliver your goods in a timely manner. If there’s a delay, your mover has to let you know immediately and offer you a new delivery spread.
- Nonbinding estimate: This will give you a rough idea of your total cost, but your final price could change based on the actual weight of your items, the time it takes to complete the move, and any additional fees.
- Not-to-exceed estimate: This quote type sets a maximum price for your move, but you could end up paying less if your belongings weigh less than expected or if the move is faster than planned. These estimates are rare but can protect you from overpaying.
- Van line: Several movers on our list are “van lines,” or companies with large networks of trucks and movers that work together to handle long-distance relocations across the country. Van lines can include carriers, brokers, or both.
Understanding the Costs of Long-Distance Moves
Moving costs can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, and for long-distance moves, prices can even reach the tens of thousands. If you’re in the beginning stages of planning your move and looking for a general price range, use the table below to get an idea of how much a 200–800 mile move could cost for different home sizes.
| Home size | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom | $1,999–$2,239 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,946–$2,087 |
| 3-bedroom | $2,766–$3,249 |
| 4-bedroom | $6,566–$7,016 |
Keep in mind that your actual costs may vary based on your location, services, moving date, and item weight.
Single-Day vs. Multiday Moves
It’s not uncommon for long-distance moves to take more than one day, which can impact your overall price. While local moves usually only take one day and companies charge by the hour, cross-country movers typically charge by the weight of your belongings, which can cost more because of the extra labor required, added fuel costs, and potential overnight stays for the crew. If you’re moving more than 200 miles away, ask your movers how long they think the move will take during the estimate process.
Full-Service vs. Partial-Service Moves
Partial-service movers only offer limited services, like loading and unloading. However, full-service movers offer packing and unpacking services as well as specialty services like piano moving, antique handling, custom crating, storage options, and more. If you hire full-service movers, there’s no obligation to purchase additional services, but if you do, they come at a price. A simple load and unload typically costs less than hiring movers to pack and unpack all your belongings, so weigh the cost against the convenience of these types of services before you book. If your budget is important to you, we recommend packing and unpacking yourself or with the help of friends and family.
Tipping Your Movers
While not necessarily a requirement, tipping your movers is expected, just like you tip a waiter or barber. However, you may not know how much to tip if you’ve never done it before. Here’s a quick rundown of how much you should tip your movers by the day, by the hour, or by a percentage of your total bill.
Tipping $20–$50 per mover for a full day of work is sufficient for small moves that take five hours or less. For longer moves, including single-day moves of eight or more hours or multi-day moves, it’s not uncommon to tip more, sometimes up to $100 per mover. Remember, you might have different crews for the pickup and drop off of your long-distance move, so you may want to tip separately. For example, if the pickup takes five hours, you could tip each mover $40–$50, and if the drop off is several days later and takes three hours, you can tip another $20–$30 for that crew.
Giving $10 per hour per mover is generally considered a good tip. Tipping by the hour is one of the easiest ways to tip because it gives each mover an individual amount instead of giving the crew a lump sum they have to split amongst themselves.
For this method, tipping 15%–20% of the total move cost, which will get split among the team, is a good place to start. Again, if you have different pickup and dropoff crews, you may have to split the tips in half. So, if you planned on giving a 20% tip of your total bill, give 10% to the pickup crew and the other 10% to the dropoff crew. Dropoffs normally go faster than the pickup, so feel free to vary the tipping percentage as you see fit.
Most movers prefer cash tips, which means you may have to stop by an ATM or bank before your move. However, some movers use apps like Venmo and PayPal and may consider digital funds. Feel free to ask your movers their preferred tipping method before they start so you have time to prepare. While you can also provide water and snacks for your moving crew as a friendly gesture, this typically doesn’t count as a tip per industry standards. If you do provide any food or drinks for the crew, it’s usually considered as a courtesy, not as a tip.
How To Save Money on a Long-Distance Move
Long-distance moving is often expensive, but if you’re working with a tight budget, there are a few ways to cut down on costs. Here are some moving tips to get the best rates:
- Ask about discounts: Movers don’t often advertise discounts, but that doesn’t mean companies don’t have any available. Many movers offer discounts for seniors, students, and military personnel.
- Ask about vehicle shipping: If you’re moving locally, you likely can drive your car to your new home after the pickup is done. However, if you’re moving across the country, the logistics may get trickier. If you plan on transporting your car instead of driving yourself, some movers, like International Van Lines, offer discounts for bundling vehicle shipping with your household move. This comes at a cost, but if you’re traveling a far distance, it may outweigh the price of paying for fuel for your personal vehicle.
- Compare quotes: As a general rule of thumb, get estimates from at least three moving companies before you book with a provider. If you take the first deal you find, you may miss a better one. Some companies, like Safeway Moving Inc. and American Van Lines, even offer price matching, so you can potentially leverage your quotes for a better deal elsewhere.
- Know about extra fees: Some movers charge extra for packing certain items, navigating external stairs, or moving items over a long distance to the truck. Read through your contract carefully to avoid getting charged unexpected fees after the move is already done. Also, consider asking for a binding estimate so you know your total bill before the move even starts.
- Moving date flexibility: Many moving companies have a tight schedule and may give you a cheaper rate if you switch your date to accommodate their crew. If you’re not working with a tight moving deadline, ask your provider about cheaper dates to move. Weekday and mid-month moves typically cost less than weekends or peak-end-of-month dates because there’s less demand. The same applies to fall and winter moves.
Other Long-Distance Moving Options
Full-service moving companies typically offer the most practical choice for long-distance moves because movers can handle all the packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking for you—taking a lot of stress out of the process. There’s a lot of work that goes into a long-distance move, so it helps to have a full-service company on your side. Still, other options, like truck rentals and portable storage containers, can offer affordable alternatives for customers with a DIY work ethic.
Moving Truck Rentals
If budget is your top priority, we recommend renting a moving truck from one of the best moving truck rental companies, like U-Haul or Penske. Renting a truck helps you save money by doing most of the move yourself. You only pay for the rental and mileage, which is significantly cheaper than the costs of labor from a professional moving company. However, packing, loading, and driving a larger vehicle on your own can become challenging. We recommend enlisting the help of friends and family to lighten the load.
Moving Container Rentals
You could also rent a portable storage container from one of the best moving container companies, like PODS, in order to cut down on moving costs. With this option, the moving company will drop off a storage container at your home that you can pack at your own pace. Many companies offer storage container rentals starting at one month, and you can store your container on-site or at a storage facility until you’re ready to ship it to your new home. Four companies on our list—Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines, JK Moving Services, and International Van Lines—offer moving containers as well as packing services, so you can pick your own combination of DIY and full-service moving options.
State Regulations for Long-Distance Moves
Long-distance moving companies have to abide by many federal and state regulations in order to stay in operation. While these may vary by state, here’s a quick look at some rules that all interstate long-distance moving companies must follow:
- Licensing: Long-distance moving companies need to have a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number to stay in business. You can search for your specific provider on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website by using the agency’s company snapshot tool. Some companies may even display their USDOT information on their website. If you can’t find your company’s number anywhere, consider it a red flag.
- Weight tickets: Most long-distance moving companies calculate your bill based on the weight of your shipment, provided you have a non-binding estimate. If you have a binding estimate, the weight of your shipment shouldn’t affect your bill in any way. This means the moving company has to provide a certified weight ticket on your bill of lading for transparency. For more on your bill of lading, see the screenshot from the FMCSA below:
For more on weight tickets, see the screenshot from the FMCSA below and read the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet in full:
- “Your Rights and Responsibilities” booklet: Federal law mandates that long-distance moving companies provide you with a booklet called Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. This outlines your rights as a customer, including details about estimates, liability, billing, and more. We strongly recommend you read this entire booklet before signing any contracts. Doing so could protect you from scams, red flags, and shady businesses.
- The 110% rule: The FMCSA has a rule that moving companies can only charge up to 110% of a non-binding estimate in order to protect consumers from companies that would raise rates mid-move. Some scam moving companies will hold shipments hostage until customers pay their bill, which is two or three times more than the initial estimate. If your provider doesn’t give you possession of your shipment after you pay 110% of a non-binding estimate, or if the company tries to charge you more, it’s in violation of federal law.
Nailing Down Your Moving Timeline
The weeks leading up to your move can feel extremely stressful, but implementing some pre-move planning can help you stay one step ahead. If you’re not sure how far in advance you should plan, here’s a general timeline you can follow:
- Eight weeks out: As far in advance as you can, start researching moving companies and getting estimates. Aim to talk to at least three different providers before you choose your final option. Also, this is a good time to pick your ideal moving date and start thinking about what services you’ll need, such as packing, storage, and vehicle shipping.
- Six weeks out: At this point, you can narrow down your top moving company and book your date. Then, start packing nonessential items such as decor, artwork, books, and anything that’s already in storage. If there are any items you don’t plan on taking with you, start selling or donating stuff now.
- Four weeks out: Now that you’re a month away, start thinking about the logistical hurdles of moving, like transferring utilities to your new home, submitting a change of address form with USPS, and finalizing your move-out details with your landlord if you have a lease. Then, continue packing items you won’t need for the next month and setting boxes aside so they’re ready for the move. If you’re doing your own packing, start stocking up on boxes and tape so you have plenty available during the coming weeks.
- Two weeks out: Keep packing items that you don’t need immediate access to, like seasonal clothing, backup toiletries, and spare towels. Label boxes so you can access and unpack them easily in your new home. Also reach out to your moving company and confirm that everything is good to go for moving day.
- Moving week: At this point you’re likely in full packing-mode, but keep essentials such as medications and important documents with you during your move to avoid losing them. If you’re moving from an apartment, leave some cleaning supplies in your old unit, since many apartments require a full cleaning in order to get your security deposit back. Before moving day, do a final walkthrough of your current home and grab any last-minute items you may have forgotten.
Insights from Real Moving Customers
We conducted a 2025 survey of 1,000 customers nationwide who have hired movers in the past two years. Our survey found that long-distance moves—or moves across state lines or multi-day moves—were not as common compared to local moves within the same state. Only 26% of customers moved long-distance, compared to 72% of survey respondents who moved locally, and nearly 2% moved internationally.
However, of those long-distance movers, every respondent hired a professional, full-service moving company that handled loading, transportation, and unloading. Allied Van Lines was the most popular company among survey respondents, which matches our list of top-rated long-distance moving companies. Most customers moved from a three- or four-bedroom house, and 33% of respondents purchased full-value protection for their belongings. We also found that nearly 89% of our 2025 survey respondents reported that the amount they paid their movers was the same as the initial quote. In addition, 84% of respondents said they would hire professional movers for a long-distance move again.
FAQs About the Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
Is it cheaper to hire movers or do it yourself?
It’s almost always cheaper to do it yourself when it comes to moving. While many long-distance moving companies offer affordable rates, you pay for labor, travel time, fuel costs, and sometimes additional fees for extra services. If you choose to rent a truck and do it yourself, you can cut out labor and service fee costs, making for a much more affordable bill. However, long-distance moves can include many moving parts that might make hiring professional movers worth the cost.
How much do long distance movers cost?
According to our research, the average price for a long-distance move is $3,129. Your individual costs may vary based on your location, company choice, home size, extra services, moving date, and item weight.
How much should I tip movers?
As a general rule, aim to tip movers roughly $5–$10 per hour per mover or 15%–20% of the final bill for the whole crew, depending on the quality of service. Alternatively, you can budget $20–$50 per mover per day, as long as the move doesn’t go beyond eight hours.
What are the best long-distance interstate moving companies?
According to our research, the best long-distance interstate moving companies include Allied Van Lines, International Van Lines, and JK Moving Services. These companies all scored 4.6 out of 5 stars or above based on our rating methodology, which looked at services, cost, reputation, and more. However, the best mover for you will depend on your specific needs.
What is moving insurance?
Moving insurance protects your belongings in the event items get damaged during your move. Federal law requires interstate and long-distance moving companies to provide two different types of liability coverage: released-value protection and full-value protection, according to the FMCSA. Or, you can opt for third-party insurance. Third-party insurance may offer more in terms of coverage, but it’s often more expensive and less convenient than in-house options, which you can more easily lump in with your moving service.
How We Ranked the Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
We rated each long-distance mover in this guide according to our moving review methodology. To find the best long-distance moving companies in the industry, we researched company services, collected more than 1,000 moving quotes, read online customer reviews, and spoke with company representatives. We also paid close attention to special features like GPS tracking, mobile app accessibility, and 24/7 customer service that offer customers more peace of mind during long-distance moves.
Our Rating Methodology
We used a custom 100-point scale to rank long-distance moving companies based on the six factors below, which we then converted into 5-star ratings for each company. Here’s a closer look at the categories we used to review moving companies:
- Customer service: We read hundreds of customer reviews on third-party review sites such as the BBB, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews to identify patterns of satisfactory service and complaints. Companies that responded to more than 90% of complaints and have star ratings of 2.5 and above on these platforms received the most points.
- Reputation: We made sure each moving company is reliable by checking its FMCSA status as a carrier or broker, seeing how many inspections it has failed in the past two years for drivers and moving trucks, and verifying that it background-checks its movers. Companies operating as carriers only with a failure rate lower than the national average of 22.26% received the most points.
- Value: We requested over 1,000 quotes from leading moving companies and assessed each company based on its average price for a two-bedroom move ranging from 500–800 miles. We awarded the most points to companies that offered us quotes of less than $2,000–$4,000, while providers with quotes between $4,000–$10,000 received fewer points.
- Service offerings: Most long-distance movers offer loading and unloading services, but the best companies go above and beyond. We awarded the most points to companies that also offer packing and unpacking, vehicle shipping, fragile-only packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, appliance and electronics handling, office moves, piano moving, and junk removal. We also awarded points to companies that offer packing supplies and DIY moving options like portable storage containers.
- Item protection: Moving companies must provide released-value and full-value protection to customers by law, but some providers go even further. We gave the most points to companies that offer additional coverage through customizable full-value insurance plans or third-party insurance. We also awarded points to companies with additional protections like custom crating , GPS-tracking, and antique services.
- Scheduling: We awarded points to providers that offer convenient ways for customers to book moves and contact representatives. The best companies have multiple communication channels, including mobile apps, email, consumer portals, telephone, and 24/7 chat. We also gave points to companies that allow customers to book moves and get estimates online instead of requiring an in-person inspection.
