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Best Interstate Moving Companies for July 2024


Compare Top Interstate Moving Companies At a Glance


The Top Interstate Moving Companies of 2024

After in-depth research, we scored and ranked the best providers according to our objective rating methodology. Here are the top interstate moving companies to consider for your trek across state lines.

Why Trust Us

How we rated the top moving companies
10
Factors analyzed Here are the 10 factors we used to score each moving company: moving services, type of mover, additional services, contents protection plans, payment process, state availability, scheduling process, moving trailer and container options, additional benefits and reputation.
1,000
Homeowners surveyed
20,000
Reviews considered Our team analyzed over 20,000 reviews for several moving companies to find out what makes a reliable moving company. We used these reviews to get gauge the customer experience with each company.
21
Companies compared We reviewed and compared services, mover type, insurance coverage, payment processes, availability, scheduling, additional benefits and reputation of each company.

International Van Lines

Our Pick for Insurance Plans
4.5
Availability 50 States Service Model Full-Service BBB Rating B

Our Take

Our top choice for long-distance and international moving services, International Van Lines (IVL), has more than two decades of experience in the industry. The company can complete moves to all 50 U.S. states and more than 150 countries and supports all types of moves — no matter how far the destination. It offers multiple ways to get a quote and contact customer service and offers discounts of up to 15% when you call to arrange a move or show your military ID.

Read our full review of International Van Lines to learn more.

Pros and Cons

Pros Is equipped to pack and transport bulky and high-value items Has extensive online resources to help customers prepare for an upcoming move Offers custom crates for electronics Cons Requires a 25% deposit to book your moving date Charges $150 extra to move bulky items that cannot be stacked

Pricing Information

In our team’s review, we found the average mover who chooses IVL may pay between $2,500 and $4,300 for moving services. IVL requires a down payment of up to 25% of the move cost before it will confirm your appointment.

IVLs does not offer instant online quotes based on our experience. However, it has a free online quote estimation tool to deliver a ballpark cost before you connect with a representative. We collected a few pricing estimates for the sample moves below.

Route Distance Home Size  Estimated Cost
Philadelphia, Penn, to Annapolis, Md. 100 miles 1 bedroom $1,031–$2,063
Philadelphia to Myrtle Beach, S.C. 500 miles 2 bedrooms $2,519–$4,306
Philadelphia to Orlando, Fla. 1,000 miles 3 bedrooms $5,250–$7,688
Philadelphia to Tucson, Ariz. 2,000 miles 4 bedrooms $7,500–$10,875

 

Services Offered

IVL’s moves include loading, unloading and transportation, which its professional team handles. You can add the following options or specialized moving services:

  • Auto transportation services
  • Commercial moving services
  • Crating
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly
  • International moving services
  • Loading and unloading services
  • Military moving services
  • Packing and unpacking services
  • Packing supplies
  • Short-term and long-term storage
  • Specialized packing services for fragile items

American Van Lines

Our Pick for Long-Distance Moves
4.4
Availability 48 states Service Model Full-service BBB Rating A+

Overview

American Van Lines (AVL) is our team’s top choice for long-distance moving across the continental U.S., thanks to its specialized moving processes and transparent pricing. From piano moving to antique crating and packing, AVL’s team of movers is equipped and experienced to move very fragile items. It offers only binding estimates to ensure you know exactly what you will pay on the day you move.

Read our full review of American Van Lines to learn more.

Pros and Cons

Pros Has teams of certified movers for handling pianos and antiques Guarantees moving dates for an additional fee, offering daily reimbursement if the movers fail to arrive on time Offers flat-race pricing, or binding estimates, which will not change on moving day Cons Does not provide instant online quotes Requires an up-front deposit of as much as half of your total moving cost

Pricing Information

In our review, we found that the average American Van Lines customer will pay between $3,200 and $3,500 for a domestic move. American requires a down payment between 10% and 50% to confirm your moving date.

American Van Lines offers only binding quotes, which makes it worth considering for anyone looking to lock in a price before a move. For that reason, the company does not provide online quotes. You must connect with a representative to confirm your price ahead of time. However, AVL has a series of sample quotes for some of the most common routes.

Route Distance Home Size  Estimated Cost
Washington, D.C., to Atlanta, Ga. 650 miles 1 bedroom $3,035
Austin, Texas, to Denver, Colo. 1,000 miles 3 bedrooms $6,601
Miami, Fla., to Dallas, Texas 1,300 miles 1 bedroom $3,643
Miami, Fla., to New York City, N.Y. 1,100 miles 2 bedrooms $5,286

 

Services Offered

American Van Lines offers the following add-on services and specialized moving types:

  • Commercial moves
  • Corporate moves
  • Crating
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly
  • Military moves
  • Moving supplies
  • Packing and unpacking services
  • Piano moving
  • Specialty packing services for antiques
  • Storage unit arrangement

Safeway Moving Inc.

Our Pick for Seniors
4.4
Availability 50 states Service Model full-service BBB Rating B

Our Take

Safeway Moving is an authorized carrier and broker offering specialized moves for seniors. In addition to providing standard long-distance moving services and military moves, it offers small and downsized moves for retirees. The company also specializes in moves that require more packing and unpacking assistance. The team employs advocates who can assist retirees in creating the right moving package, providing as much help as they need.

Read our full review of Safeway Moving to learn more.

Pros and Cons

Pros Guarantees price-matching for storage services Attaches a flat rate to interstate moves to prevent hidden costs Has donated a portion of moving fees to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital since 2020 Cons Doesn’t have a wide selection of online resources, such as a moving calculator or pricing list Doesn’t provide 24/7 customer service

Pricing Information

Our team estimates most homeowners moving with Safeway Moving will pay between $4,000 and $7,500 for their moving services.

Safeway Moving does not have instant online quotes or online pricing estimates — you must submit your contact information or call its team to learn more. When our team requested a sample quote for a three-bedroom move from Nashville, Tenn., to Mobile, Ala., a distance of about 450 miles, we received a price of $5,619. 

Services Offered

Safeway Moving currently offers the following services:

  • Advocated senior moves
  • Crating
  • Local moving
  • Long-distance moving
  • Military moves
  • Packing and unpacking services
  • Short-term and long-term climate-controlled storage
  • Small moves
  • Standard short-term and long-term services

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Our pick for Efficiency
4.0
Availability 50 states Service Model Full-service BBB Rating B

Overview

The Interstate Moving and Relocation Group (IMRG) is a full-service moving brokerage that offers coordinated, GPS-tracked long-distance moves. As a broker, IMRG hand-picks movers to join its partner network and coordinates affordable moves for customers. If you’re looking for more competitive moving quotes, coordinating with a broker like IMRG is an option.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides online resources to make move planning easier for its customers Has more affordable rates than many interstate moving services according to some customers on Google Reviews Is quick to provide a ballpark estimate Cons Outsources relocation services, resulting in unsatisfactory service in some instances according to customers on Google Reviews Will only refund deposits within 72 hours of booking

Pricing Information

In our review, we found that the average IMRG brokered move will cost between $2,800 and $4,000. Most moves with IMRG require a down payment. How much depends on the long-distance movers you get matched with.

IMRG offers no online quotes, but it does have a quote estimation tool that calculates your price. We collected a few estimates and received the following ballpark pricing from the calculation tool.

Route Distance Home Size  Estimated Cost
Philadelphia, Penn, to Annapolis, Md. 100 miles 1 bedroom $1,500–$3,500
Philadelphia to Myrtle Beach, S.C. 500 miles 2 bedrooms $3,900–$7,000
Philadelphia to Orlando, Fla. 1,000 miles 3 bedrooms $3,900–$7,000
Philadelphia to Tucson, Ariz. 2,000 miles 4 bedrooms $8,500 or more

 

Services Offered

IMRG can arrange the following services for customers:

  • Automobile transportation
  • Corporate moving
  • Furniture moving
  • Long distance moving
  • Local moving
  • Military moving
  • Packing services

Moving APT

Most Flexible Payment Options
4.5
Availability 50 Service Model Full-Service BBB Rating B

Overview

MovingAPT partners with a network of more than 2,500 individual moving companies, offering a wider range of options when pairing you with a team. Operating as a broker, MovingAPT also offers flexibility within its payment methods, accepting credit cards, checks and assistance with securing a moving loan. If you’re looking to limit costs while also managing debt when making a move, MovingAPT could offer a suitable option.

Pros and Cons

Pros Has 24/7 customer service Has detailed information about many of its carrier partners on the Moving APT website Provides a discount when you book your move well in advance Cons May provide a lower estimate than your third-party mover actually charges Will not refund deposits on moves canceled with less than seven days’ notice

Pricing Information

As a broker, MovingAPT’s price and deposit will depend on your location and the specific moving team you get matched with. After receiving a quote, our team found the average mover will pay between $2,968 and $5,668 when booking through MovingAPT’s network. However, it does not offer online quotes or estimates on specific routes.

Services Offered

MovingAPT can broker the following moving services:

  • Automobile transportation
  • Commercial moves
  • Furniture moves
  • Local moves
  • Loading and unloading
  • Long-distance moving services
  • Packing and unpacking
  • Small moves

Specific service availability will depend on the local company you get matched with.

JK Moving

Our Pick for Financing
4.6
Availability 50 states Service Model Full-service BBB Rating A+

Our Take

Chuck Kuhn founded JK Moving Services in 1982 at 16 years old and built it into a provider with full-service moving options and an emphasis on technology and customer service. Several organizations have recognized JK Moving for its commercial and residential relocation efforts, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and The Washington Business Journal.

A representative from JK Moving’s Human Resources department told us that the company background checks and drug tests its movers before they are hired and periodically throughout the year. These employees also receive annual training in the company’s dedicated training facility.

JK Moving stands out for offering financing for your move. Through a partnership with Enhancify, JK Moving connects customers with lenders that will allow you to pay for your move over time with varied payment terms and interest rates. Customers may be able to receive financing rates as low as 0%.** Keep in mind that you might save money by paying upfront if you receive higher interest rates.

*Local moves available only in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
**Subject to credit approval.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers comprehensive options for covering your belongings Runs a small moves program that sees items packed, shipped and delivered long-distance within 9 days Provides financing options through Enhancify Cons Does not offer price matching Has a $250 up-front deposit requirement

Services

JK Moving is a full-service company that coordinates each step of the moving process. It offers door-to-door moves with services including packing, loading, transportation, unloading and unpacking. JK Moving also offers long-term and short-term storage solutions. For insurance options, you can add valuation coverage, a type of contents coverage based on the value of your belongings rather than a predetermined value. JK Moving is a carrier, but it is also a licensed and insured interstate moving broker. It may contract a partner company if it can’t provide moving trucks and services in your required locations.

Types of Moves Serviced

  • International moves
  • Local moving (limited to the Washington, D.C. area)
  • Long-distance domestic moves (full-service and partial)
  • Corporate relocation
  • Military relocation
  • Commercial moves
  • Automobile moves
  • IT and tech moves

Cost

JK Moving customizes each move based on a customer’s moving needs and budget and gives customers a binding estimate, which means you won’t be hit with surprise upcharges on moving day. JK Moving accepts cash, checks, credit cards and financing through Enhancify. It requires an up-front deposit of $250.

On average, JK Moving costs $7,550 per move.

North American Van Lines

Our Pick for Easy Claims Process
4.5
Availability 50 states Service Model Full-services BBB Rating A+

Our Take

North American Van Lines (NAVL) operates out of Fort Wayne, Ind., bringing more than 85 years of experience to the moving industry. The company acts as a licensed and bonded moving broker and carrier for the entire U.S., with more than 500 moving agents working across the country.

NAVL provides customer support through personal moving agents for each customer and separate customer service lines for domestic and international moves. You can find easy-to-understand claims forms on the NAVL website and a dedicated phone number for claims support. The company also provides a wide range of online resources and tools, including a moving calculator, a space calculator, relocation guides, checklists and information on shipping wine collections.

Pros and Cons

Pros Trains all drivers using an interactive simulator Maintains an online multimedia library of free moving resources and tips Provides an online calculator to determine the number of moving boxes and cost of packing supplies you will need Cons Storage options may be limited due to local availability Gives discounts for new customers and first-time homeowners

Services

North American Van Lines provides industry-standard full-service and partial-service moving options, such as packing, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking and installing appliances. It also offers self-packing suggestions for customers looking to save money.

NAVL moving coverage is also noteworthy. Customers can customize moves to the exact value of their possessions with a content protection plan. If any of your items get lost or damaged during transit, NAVL’s transparent claims process makes filing a claim for repair or reimbursement easy.

Types of Moves Serviced

  • International moves
  • Long-distance domestic moves (full-service and partial)
  • Corporate relocation
  • Military relocation
  • Commercial moves

Cost

North American Van Lines’ cost includes factors such as the overall distance of your move, your contents protection plan, services used and the total weight of your shipment. NAVL costs $4,700–$5,350 on average.

The company accepts payment in the form of certified checks, cash and credit card. North American Van Lines does not require an up-front deposit.

Allied Van Lines

Our Pick for Convenience
4.7
Availability 50 states Service Model Full-service BBB Rating A+

Our Take

Allied Van Lines has provided full-service and partial-service moves across the U.S. for more than 90 years. The company is available across all 50 states and offers flexible payment options and comprehensive services. Allied also offers DIY services, such as its fragile-only packing option and a portable storage container moving service called Allied Express. The Allied Express service features professional moving assistance, an uncommon perk for container moving and storage.

Allied is a licensed and insured broker-carrier for interstate moves, conducting household moves and vehicle relocation using its own equipment and crew. However, Allied’s broker designation means that if your move is outside the company’s service area, it may outsource your move to a partnered company. While this allows the company to serve all 50 states, it may sometimes lead to difficulty in communication.

Pros and Cons

Pros Gives discounts for new customers and first-time homeowners Has a comprehensive online shipment tracking system that provides updates on location and delivery date Provides up to $100,000 in coverage for vehicle shipments Cons Does not provide 24/7 claims support Will not give instant quotes online

Services

Allied Van Lines provides full- and partial-service moves, including furniture disassembly, packing, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking and furniture reassembly. Allied also offers a cost-saving fragile-only packing service in which workers pack difficult and fragile items while you pack the rest. Specialty packing supplies are available for purchase.

Types of Moves Serviced

  • International moves
  • Local moves (full-service and partial)
  • Long-distance domestic moves (full-service and partial)
  • Corporate relocation
  • Military relocation
  • Commercial moves

Cost

Allied Van Lines creates its prices based on industry-standard factors such as the total weight of your shipment, the distance of your move, the services purchased, moving insurance, storage services and the time of the year. The average cost of Allied Van Lines is $4,730–$5,380.

Allied accepts payments in the form of cash, certified check and credit card. The company does not require a deposit for its services.


How Should You Calculate Moving Costs?

Moving Cost Calculator
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Estimated Moving Cost: Estimates are based on your calculator inputs. This is an estimate, NOT an official quote.

How To Choose an Interstate Moving Company

To help you narrow down your search for an interstate moving company, here are three major considerations to think about while you shop.

  • Services offered: Make sure a prospective mover renders all services you hope to use. Research online or call a company representative to inquire about packing, storage, crating, moving special items like pianos and any additional services you may need.
  • Compare pricing: If you like a company’s offerings, compare it against other providers to ensure its estimate is trustworthy. It may be a red flag if the company doesn’t provide clear and transparent pricing broken down by service.
  • Read customer reviews: If the services and price are right for you, learn from the experiences of other customers. Any worthwhile mover will have plenty of customer reviews on third-party aggregators like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews and Yelp. Read multiple reviews across different platforms to form a solid baseline on the average customer experience.

How Do I Know if an Interstate Moving Company Is Legit?

To determine if a moving company you are considering is legitimate, obtain its USDOT number and visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. Input that USDOT number toward the bottom of the page, which will allow you to access the company’s licenses and certifications. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General offers a public guide about common indicators of moving fraud.


How Much Does It Cost To Hire an Interstate Moving Company?

The average cost of an interstate move is $4,890, according to moving.com. This estimate is based on moving a two- to three-bedroom home (7,500 pounds of cargo) across 1,000 miles. However, your quote may look different based on the weight of your belongings and the distance you need to travel.

Typically, interstate moves include a flat rate based on weight and mileage. Here are several factors that impact the cost of your interstate move:

  • Weight of your belongings: The more your contents weigh, the more you can expect to pay for your interstate move. Understandably, a moving company will charge more to move your three-bedroom home than a studio apartment.
  • Distance of move: The farther a mover must carry your belongings, the more it will cost. Interstate movers calculate your “line haul fee” based on the cargo weight and moving distance.
  • Additional services and labor costs: You’ll pay more if you hire your mover for additional services like packing, crating or vehicle shipping. These may be additional flat fees or rolled into your estimate. Since you’re moving into another state, your mover may also factor in changes to local labor costs.
  • Timing of your move: Booking far in advance will save you money on your interstate move, which gives providers ample time to line up drivers and schedule the trip.
  • Contents coverage: Interstate movers must legally offer basic liability protection and full valuation coverage. While basic liability protection is free, you’ll have to pay extra to upgrade to full valuation coverage.

Which Interstate Moving Companies Offer Discounts?

Consult the chart below to find out which interstate moving companies have available discounts:

ProviderMilitarySeniorEarly ReservationDifferently-AbledShort-Distance MoveAmerican Legion
IVLYesYesNoNoNoNo
AVL*NoNoNoNoNoNo
SafewayNoNoYesNoNoNo
IMRGNoNoNoNoNoNo
Moving APTYesYesYesYesYesNo
NAVLNoNoNoNoNoYes
AlliedNoNoNoNoNoNo
JK MovingNoNoNoNoNoNo
ColemanNoNoNoNoNoNo

*Offers a price-matching policy, so it may be beneficial to obtain a few quotes from competitors when negotiating costs.


What’s The Difference Between Full-Service vs. Self-Service Interstate Movers

Other than moving truck rentals, there are two major types of moving companies in the current home movers market. To get a better understanding of what each mover entails, read over the descriptions below.

Full-Service Movers

This mover is perfect for anyone who wants a moving company to handle practically all parts of their move. A full-service mover offers services such as furniture disassembly, packing, crating, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking and furniture reassembly. Often these companies can provide specialty services for difficult and fragile items like pianos and antiques.

Customers can typically mix and match these services to create partial-service moving packages, which saves some money.

International Van Lines and North American Van Lines are examples of full-service movers.

Self-Service Movers

A self-service mover is a better option for those looking to save money on your move and those who enjoy taking the DIY approach to things. Self-service movers are also referred to as portable storage container movers.

This service model has the company deliver a portable storage container to your home, and you then load your belongings into that container in a certain time frame. Once loaded, you notify the company when to pick up and deliver your belongings to your new home. You then unload the container at your own pace.

This option tends to be significantly cheaper than full-service movers, and you can utilize the containers for long-term storage or short-term storage depending on your needs. PODS is an example of a self-service mover.


The Bottom Line on the Best Interstate Moving Companies

International Van Lines is our top pick for the best insurance plans and overall interstate moving company. We also like Allied Van Lines because of its flexible payment options, comprehensive moving packages, wide availability and quality full-service moving options.

Each professional moving company brings something different to the table for an interstate move. It is important to take some time to learn what you value in a mover. Do you prefer comprehensive insurance options or customized packages? Do you prefer full-service over self-service?

Once you figure out the answers to questions like these, gather free quotes from at least three different movers to accurately compare costs and services.


Frequently Asked Questions About Interstate Moving Companies

A contents protection plan acts as insurance for your belongings while in transit. Moving companies are legally required to provide at least two insurance options. The minimum legal requirement is 60 cents per pound for your belongings. So if any damages occur, you receive 60 cents in reimbursement for each pound of damaged belongings.

These plans can be problematic for expensive yet lightweight items like computers or other electronics. Alternatively, many companies offer a full-value coverage plan that allows you to receive reimbursement based on the declared value of your items.

You are by no means expected to help your movers. Some companies actually prohibit customers from helping.

You should book an interstate move at least four to six weeks in advance to give a company ample time to schedule a truck and driver and plan the route. Some movers will charge extra if you book within one week of your expected departure date.

There are some items that interstate movers won’t transport, such as flammable, hazardous and dangerous items. Aerosols, acids, batteries and solvents are among the blacklisted items.


Other Home Service Resources From MarketWatch Guides

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Moving Companies

Our team created a comprehensive moving company methodology based on industry standards and customer experience to rank moving companies. We called each moving company to speak with representatives, simulated the quote process online and over the phone as applicable, reviewed each company’s contents protection (insurance) plans, and examined customer reviews for each provider. Based on a 100-point scale, we gave each provider a score out of five stars. We used ten key factors to score providers including moving services, additional services, payment process, contents protection plans, scheduling process, trailer and container sizes, additional benefits, state availability, reputation and type of mover.

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.com.

Mike Miller Senior Writer

Mike Miller is a senior writer with a decade of experience writing and editing product and service content to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. His bylines include publications such as This Old House and Architectural Digest.

Tori Addison Editor

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

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