Whether you’re moving across the street or the country, getting all your belongings from point A to point B can be a major hassle. If you’re looking for someone to handle the heavy lifting, hiring a full-service moving company can help relieve the stress of your big move. As a former mover, I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference a professionally-trained moving crew can make, but finding the right company for your needs isn’t always as simple as it seems. If you’re shopping around for a moving company, our team has laid out a list of the best movers available to help narrow down your options. Read on to check out our top picks and find the company that’s right for you.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.1
Customizable moving packages
Flat-rate pricing
Short and long-term storage solutions
What Are the Best Moving Companies?
Our top 9 recommended moving companies for 2023:
Compare the Best Moving Companies
Company | Best For | Our Rating | BBB Rating | Local Cost | Long-distance Cost |
Best Full-Service | B | $650–$1350 | $2,100–$5,400 | ||
Most Transparent Pricing | B- | $550–$1,100 | $2,550–$5,700 | ||
Best Cost Estimation Tools | B | $700 - $1,250 | $1,800 - $4980 | ||
Best Flat-Rate | Not Rated | Not available for local moves | $2,200–$5,500 | ||
Most Moving | B | Call for a quote | $2,750–$5,200 | ||
Most Customizable | A+ | Call for a quote | $2,750–$6,000 | ||
Best Vehicle | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 | ||
Best Pricing | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 | ||
Best Technology | A+ | Call for quote | $2,000–$5,000 | ||
Best Container Service | A+ | Not available for local moves | $1,350–$2,400 | ||
Best Valuation Coverage Options | A+ | $1,200-$2,750 | $3,100-$8,400 |
Before you start comparing our top moving companies’ services and features, it can help to consider the overall process of booking and researching your movers. If you’re not sure where to start, this video gives a quick summary of how to go about starting your move.
International Van Lines
4.5
Our Rating
International Van Lines has been performing full-service moves for customers around the globe for more than two decades, making it one of the most trusted companies on our list. IVL has more than 3,000 global partners and plenty of services to choose from, including tough-to-find features like virtual home tours, real-time shipment tracking, and debris removal. In addition to being one of the largest moving companies in the United States, it’s also one of the most trusted. In my opinion, its thorough estimates, customer convenience, and services are hard to beat, even for competitors of a similar size.
International Van Lines provides an impressive list of services, including some additional services that other companies neglect. You can find a quick preview of the services it offers below.
- Assembly and disassembly
- Car transports
- Custom crating
- Debris removal
- Full-service moving
- Full-service packing
- Motorcycle handling
- Packing supplies
- Piano handling
- Shipment tracking
- Shuttle services
With such a well-rounded set of practical services for basic packages and beyond, IVL stands out tall among the best full-service movers.
International Van Lines offers a fairly basic selection of moving options for both local and long-distance interstate moves. You can see its list of available moving options below.
- Auto transport
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- International moving
- Interstate moving
International Van Lines offers 30 days of free storage with every move as well as a discount for booking online. You can enter MOVE3 on its website for 10% off your order. You can also get a 15% discount on car shipping and a 15% discount for senior citizens by talking to a customer representative.
American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
American Van Lines stands out because of its flat-rate pricing and premium services, making it a great choice for customers who want transparency in their moving company. AVL even lists special city-to-city moving packages on its website, giving people an easy way to browse its options and see prices ahead of time. It’s rare to see a company with prices listed on its site, and it’s even rarer to see them listed for specific cities, so this makes American Van Lines stand out amongst their competition. With carriers in over 180 countries and an impressive list of quality services, AVL is one of our top moving contenders.
With options for white glove services and basic packages, American Van Lines does just about everything. Check out our list of its moving options below:
- Antique and piano handling
- Contents coverage plan
- Discounted moving (no packing)
- Full-service moving
- Full-service packing
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Partial packing (fragile items only)
- Storage
- Vehicle shipping
American Van Lines offers moving options for both residential and commercial moves. To better understand what they have to offer, check out the list below.
- Commercial moving
- Corporate employee relocation
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Military moving
American Van Lines offers big discounts for military members and disabled veterans, but they’re not listed on its website. Seniors can also get discount coupons, but these discounts aren’t advertised. If you think you may be eligible, call an AVL customer representative to learn more.
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
4.2
Our Rating
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group is a moving broker, meaning that it acts as a booking agent to find local carriers that can handle your move. While working with a broker may not be for everybody, it does have its perks. Brokers have a wide network of available carriers that can potentially give you a better price and more date flexibility because they have more companies at their disposal.
However, what makes IMRG truly unique is its online price calculator. With just a few prompts, you can get an instant estimation of what your move will cost. It may not be as accurate as an in-depth quote, but it’s great for quick comparisons.
IMRG doesn’t handle the moves themselves, but they do have carriers all over the country that offer the following services:
- Auto shipping
- Disassembly and reassembly
- Full-service moving
- Full-service packing
- Furniture moving
- Loading and unloading
IMRG has a history of transporting military equipment and a working knowledge of armed forces regulations, so it specializes in military moves. However, IMRG’s range of moving options is listed below.
- Corporate moves
- Local moves
- Long-distance moves
- Military moves
IMRG offers steep military discounts for active-duty military. When booking a military move, be sure to speak with a representative about special rates. IMRG also lists an option to save $500 on your next move on the home page of its website. Although the specifics aren’t advertised, you can call 866-922-5801 to learn more.
Safeway Moving
4.1
Our Rating
Safeway Moving may not be the biggest long-distance mover on our list, but its customer service and binding quotes make it one of the best. Some moving companies offer quotes that are subject to change, but as long as you don’t make any changes to your inventory before moving day, Safeway sticks to their original quote. I was impressed with Safeway because binding estimates are rare in the moving industry, and they can help you relax knowing you won’t have any hidden fees. If you’re looking for some extra peace of mind, Safeway may be right for you.
This may seem like a bare-bones list compared to other long-distance moving companies, but these services cover all the basics. For practical moving, Safeway offers the following services:
- Full-service moving
- Packing and unpacking
- Storage services
As a moving broker, Safeway can handle moves of all shapes and sizes. For a full range of the company’s moving options, check out our list below.
- International moving
- Long-distance moving
- Military relocation
- Office moving
No discounts are listed on its site, but Safeway offers discounted rates for early reservations and some for veterans, students, seniors, and other groups. However, to learn more about these discounts, you must call a customer representative.
Moving APT
3.9
Our Rating
Moving APT makes our list as one of the best moving companies because of its unmatched network of local and national movers. Not only does it have more moving companies in its network than any other broker, but it also works with other brokers to source moving crews, giving Moving APT an edge over the competition. In addition to all its carrier options, Moving APT also offers extremely competitive pricing and great discounts. If you want more options for what carrier to choose, Moving APT can help you narrow down your choices and take away the stress of researching all of them yourself.
Moving APT specializes in moving fragile and specialty items, but it also offers a long list of available services. You can check out its full list of options below.
- Contents coverage plan
- Custom crating
- Fragile-only packing
- Furniture dis/reassembly
- Loading
- Packing
- Packing supplies
- Specialty moving (pianos, antiques, etc.)
- Storage
- Unloading
- Unpacking
- Vehicle shipping
Moving APT can accommodate both commercial and residential moves with ease because of its wide range of carriers. It offers the following options on its website:
- International moving
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Office moving
Moving APT offers discounts for military, senior citizens, short-distance moves, and early reservations. Call a customer representative to see what discounts apply to your move and ask how to ensure the discount is applied even if your third-party carrier doesn’t normally offer it.
JK Moving Services
4.2
Our Rating
If you’re looking for quality over quantity, JK Moving Services has more luxury moving services than any other company on our list. With rare options like IT department services and pet transportation options, JK is fully capable of handling the most delicate residential and commercial moves. I was most impressed with JK Moving Services’ options for moving businesses, such as archive services and facility management. Although its services may come at a price, it’s worth the money for a top-notch move.
Whether you’re planning a residential or commercial move, JK Moving Services has plenty of services to choose from. JK has more tech-savvy options than other providers on our list, and it offers the following services:
- Archive services
- Climate-controlled storage
- Data center services
- Facility management
- Full-service packing
- Full-service moving
- GPS tracking
- Office IT services
- Pet relocation
- Private flights
JK has moving options for just about any type of move you can think of. You can find a full list of its moving options below:
- Commercial moving
- Employee relocation
- Government moving
- International moving
- Long-distance moving
JK Moving Services offers a 2% discount on moves to Brookfield Residential properties. No discounts are listed on its website, so you must call a customer representative to access the discount.
Allied Van Lines
4.2
Our Rating
Allied has gained plenty of expertise after almost a century in business and has become a top name in the moving industry. I was especially impressed with its vehicle shipping and relocation services. It uses a fleet of its own trucks and specially-trained movers to transport cars, boats, jet skis, motorcycles, and virtually any other vehicle you can think of. Even if you’re not moving a vehicle, Allied has both residential and commercial moving packages that are on par with other top contenders.
Allied is best known for its vehicle transport trucks and services, but it also offers a full range of moving services that offer versatility when planning your move:
- Fragile item packing
- Full-service moving
- Full-service packing and unpacking
- Portable storage containers
- Shipment GPS tracking
- Storage services
- Vehicle transport
Allied covers all basic moving options and even a few options that other carriers neglect. You can browse its full list of moving options below:
- Corporate relocation
- International moving
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Military moving
- Office moving
Allied offers undisclosed discounts for senior citizens. Call a customer representative at 877-483-9424 to learn more.
U-Pack
3.5
Our Rating
If you’re hiring movers, there’s a pretty good chance that you don’t want to do all the heavy lifting yourself. However, if you have a DIY spirit and want an affordable way to move all your belongings from point A to point B, U-Pack may be right for you. It combines the business model of PODS and U-Haul to create a new system for renting moving equipment. Whether you need a truck or a portable storage container, U-Pack has lots of affordable options to choose from. If you’re moving on a budget, I strongly recommend checking out U-Pack.
U-Pack doesn’t offer many services, and it certainly doesn’t top the other moving companies on this list. However, if you want to move affordably, these few options are all you need:
- ReloCube containers
- Trailer moving containers
- Transportation
U-Pack doesn’t handle any moves under 50 miles, but it has accessibility in 50 states. It can accommodate the following options:
- International moving (Canada and Puerto Rico only)
- Interstate moving
- Long-distance moving
U-Pack offers a few small discounts online, and although they won’t amount to much, they’re still worth looking into. It has a $25 discount for online orders (use promo code MOVE25), a $25 discount for reading the U-Pack blog (use promo code BLOG25), a $50 discount for military members (use promo code MIL50), and unspecified discounts for students and senior citizens. Call 877-693-0077 to learn more about these offers.
North American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
North American Moving Services has been in business for almost 90 years, making it one of the oldest companies on our list. It boasts convenient features like 24/7 customer service and GPS tracking, but what sets it apart is its commitment to accurate pricing estimates.
With options for bottom-line pricing, not-to-exceed pricing, and customized pricing, North American can help give you plenty of security before the big move. I was especially impressed by its attention to detail. Its flat-rate approach and thorough home evaluations make its quotes more accurate than those of most competitors, which can help the moving process go smoother.
North American Moving Services offers specialty services like debris removal and installation, which are rare even among the best moving companies. It also offers a full range of more common services, including the following:
- Debris removal
- Fragile-only packing
- Full-service moving
- Full-service packing
- Installation and assembly
- Packing supplies
- Storage
- Vehicle transport
North American has a network of movers across the country and worldwide, so it can find the right carrier for your needs. Here’s a list of all of its available moving options:
- Corporate relocation
- International moving
- Interstate moving
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Office moving
North American offers impressive discounts to a variety of demographics. Senior citizens who are members of The Senior Citizens League can get a 40-65% discount by calling (513) 401-8337 and mentioning that you’re a member. North American also offers discounts of at least 50% on interstate moves for Alliance Members and undisclosed discounts for veterans who are VetRewards Members. These are very beneficial but very niche discounts. If you qualify, call a customer representative to discuss rates.
How Much Do Top Moving Companies Typically Charge?
Every moving situation is different, resulting in a wide range of moving costs. Moving a five-bedroom home across the country will cost much more than moving a studio apartment down the street. Likewise, factors like walking distance, stairs, elevators, parking access, and the weight and amount of items can dramatically alter your quote.
Prices can change based on many factors, but if you want to get a ballpark estimate of your move’s cost, looking at the averages is a good place to start. I’ve listed the average prices for moving a two- to three-bedroom apartment below.
Move Type | Average Price (Two to Three Bedrooms) |
International Moves | $1,500 – $12,000+ |
Local Moves | $966 – $1,733 |
Long-distance Moves (250+ Miles) | $2,272 – $4,343 |
Long-distance Moves (1000+ Miles) | $3,145 – $5,958 |
Packing Services Only | $300 – $800 |
However, personalized quotes are far more accurate than national averages. I contacted several of our top moving companies and got quotes for moving a two-bedroom apartment from New Hampshire to Tennessee, roughly 1,000 miles, to see how the best companies compare.
Mover | Estimate (Two-bedroom move to Nashville) |
American Van Lines | $4,500 |
International Van Lines | $4,844 |
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group | $5,410 |
Safeway Moving | $6,093 |
How Can You Negotiate With the Top Moving Companies and Get Discounts?
Negotiating with moving companies can be intimidating for new customers, but it can help you get a better price in the long run. Part of any good negotiation is planning ahead, which helps research and get multiple moving estimates from competing companies before negotiating a better price.
Many companies offer price-match guarantees, so having moving quotes from competitors on hand can help you get a better deal. Even if your preferred company doesn’t have a price-match guarantee, it’s worth asking them to match or beat a competitor’s rate. Every company wants your business, so it’s not unusual for them to make an exception to accommodate you.
However, it’s best not to haggle with a moving company, just like you likely wouldn’t haggle with a plumber or a barber. Movers are there to provide a service, and they deserve decent compensation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get a good deal. When in doubt, you can always come right out and ask a company if they have any promotional deals or special discounts for certain customers like senior citizens, veterans, etc.
If your top company doesn’t offer any advertised discounts, you can ask your customer representative if there are any hidden perks for booking early, changing your moving date, or adjusting your move to be more convenient for the workers. Sometimes, just moving your pickup date to a weekday can be enough to save you a couple hundred dollars. You never know unless you ask, so feel free to speak candidly with your rep on the phone.
Getting a good deal can be exhilarating, but be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. If you receive an extremely low estimate, there’s a good chance that something fishy is happening. At the very least, the company’s low moving estimate will probably get higher on the day of the move, thanks to hidden fees. While negotiating, ask about hidden fees and any other concerns you may have to ensure that you avoid any scammy activity before you move into your new home.
How Can You Avoid Moving Scams From Bad Moving Companies?
Moving scams can happen to the best of us, and although they may seem easy to avoid, sometimes it can be hard to spot the red flags. These scams can result in missing items, hostage shipments, and thousands of dollars in losses, so knowing what to look out for is important. They can take a variety of forms, but most moving scams happen in the following ways:
- Low-ball estimates
- Hostage shipments
- Hidden fees
- Rogue movers
- Insurance fraud
- Large down payments
- Last-minute cancellations
If you’re looking to prevent these scams, there are a few red flags to look out for. Be wary of companies that require an extremely large deposit or up-front payment for a move. Likewise, look out for companies that only take payment in cash. These are sure signs that something fishy is going on.
In terms of quotes, make sure your movers ask plenty of questions before giving you a quote. They should do an in-person walkthrough or at least go over your inventory room by room before attempting to provide an estimate for how much your move will cost. If a company refuses to do so, it’s best to look elsewhere.
Also, be sure to look out for companies that don’t provide proper insurance information, aren’t licensed with the government, want you to sign a partial contract, have misleading information in the fine print, have had several name changes, use unmarked moving trucks, or charge by the cubic foot. These are all red flags that could make you a victim of moving fraud.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Top Moving Company?
Choosing the best moving company for your move depends on several factors, such as:
- Your budget: This may be the most important thing to consider when moving, as it determines what services you’ll be able to purchase. If you’re tight on your budget, you should consider more affordable options like packing boxes yourself or just renting a moving truck. If you’re flexible on budget, the sky’s the limit.
- Your timeline: If you have strict deadlines for moving in or out, your move timeline can make or break your booking process. For best results, try to book your move date at least a month in advance for local moves and two months in advance for long-distance moves. Popular movers get booked up fast, so it’s first come, first served.
- Your distance: Long-distance moves tend to be more expensive than local moves and require different licensing from the moving companies. For local moves, you may get a better rate by booking with a smaller company that specializes in in-state moves.
- Your items: If you have specialty items like pianos, antiques, or anything extremely large and heavy, you should make sure your movers are capable of handling them safely. You can double-check with your customer representative on the phone during your booking process to ensure that your movers are qualified.
- Your preferences: Every move is different, and so is every moving company. If you need specific services like auto transport or debris removal, that can help narrow down your choices to a few top companies.
If you’re having a hard time choosing between moving companies, use the factors above to help narrow down your search. Once you get your list of top contenders, you should look into customer reviews to get a better picture of how the companies operate. You can find customer reviews on sites like Yelp, Google Reviews, and Better Business Bureau. Also, be sure to check out your movers’ websites and look for anything out of the ordinary, like missing licensing information, vague claims, or sloppy site design. Clean copy, solid branding, and a professional image can go a long way to reassure customers of the company’s expertise.
Be sure to mention any stairs, elevators, or parking situations when filling out information for an estimate. These may seem like small details, but bad access can add hours onto a move if not disclosed beforehand. You can never be too thorough when providing information, so try to be as accurate as possible.
So, What Is the Top Moving Company?
For most moving situations, I recommend International Van Lines as the best choice for your move. Its versatile list of services, proven record of customer satisfaction, and virtual in-home estimates set it apart from other interstate moving companies. However, any of the companies on our list would be a great choice for your move, depending on your preferences and service requirements. Choosing the company that suits you best can help take the stress out of your big move, so be sure to take your time and do your homework. Remember, even for local moves, it helps to start the booking process at least a month ahead of time. When in doubt, earlier is always better.
If you think you’re ready to start getting estimates and researching different movers, you can start planning your move today by clicking on any of the companies below.
FAQs About The Best Moving Companies
What are the cons of moving companies?
Moving from one home to another can be expensive whether you hire movers or not, but getting full-service moving from a reputable company can be a huge blow to your savings, especially for larger moves across the country. Given that information, one of the major cons of moving companies is simply the cost. I’ve done plenty of moves where the customer was happy with the cost, but I’ve done just as many where they weren’t. Not everyone has the funds to afford a moving company, and for those looking to save a few bucks, renting a moving truck and doing the move yourself can be a great option. On top of the normal financial burdens of moving, there’s also the risk of scammers. Be on guard for any red flags to avoid hidden fees or overt scandals.
Another con of hiring movers is the risk to your personal belongings. Most people take good care of their belongings because they’re the ones who own them, but some moving companies don’t train or vet their employees properly, resulting in higher-than-average damages. This isn’t always the case, and many top moving companies have employees who handle even the most valuable objects with top-notch precision. Even still, there’s always the chance for damages during the moving process when everything you own is in the back of a moving truck.
How do I know if my moving company is reputable?
It can be hard to tell if a company is worth its salt from a quick glance, but the best way to learn whether a company is reputable is to check out customer reviews. Reviews give an insider look at what the company did for a specific customer, so they’re some of the most accurate sources for finding out how a company operates. They can also highlight any mishaps that you may want to avoid, so these reviews are a valuable resource.
Researching the company’s website can be helpful too, but it may be misleading. Customer reviews lay it all out, the good and the bad, for potential customers to see. No company is perfect, and there are bound to be a few negative reviews, but any company that has an abundance of negative reviews is worth running from. It’s best to find a company that makes you feel secure in your decision than to settle for one that may lead to a moving disaster.
If you’re looking to make sure that your moving company has the proper licensing, you can usually find its USDOT number and insurance information on its website. If the company you’re considering doesn’t have its information listed on its website, you can also search the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database of moving companies for the information or call your company’s customer representative to confirm the registration number.
What is the best day to hire movers?
Usually, the best days to hire movers are weekdays because companies tend to have open availability during the week. Some companies even offer discounted rates for weekday moves. Since weekends are the busiest time and Summer is the busiest season, the schedule can book up fast. That’s why some companies offer deals on weekday moves to better accommodate their workers’ schedules or routes, making it a great economical choice. If you have the flexibility to move during the week, it could end up being easier to book and save you some money in the long run.
Methodology: How We Ranked The Best Moving Companies
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our moving company ratings emphasize what matters most to you — reputable, affordable companies able to tackle a wide range of packing and moving tasks.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and interviews with former and current professional movers.
A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across four categories converted to a five-star scale. We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and developed the following formula:
- Transparency (30 Points): We awarded top points to companies that supplied quotes quickly and provided easy-to-read moving contracts. We used the availability of sample pricing and quick quote features, GPS tracking, and clear customer service hours to determine this metric. Points were also awarded for up-front communication regarding policies, licensing, insurance, and the clear listing of added fees.
- Basic Service Options (20 Points): While this may seem like a given for most movers, a strong basic service profile is not guaranteed when you book your move. Movers that offer local, long-distance, and international moving, while providing packing and loading with their basic service packages rate highly here.
- Customization Options (30 Points): Aside from basic services, a comprehensive list of added services indicates a mover’s quality. Assembly and disassembly, valuation coverage, piano moving, car shipping, and similar add-ons indicate a mover that puts customer service first.
- Reputation (20 Points): We assessed each mover’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. We weighed BBB ratings and the company’s complaint response rate to calculate this metric.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.