Moving in the United States can be complicated. Each state has its own regulations when it comes to moves, and it’s important to work with a mover who meets these requirements and applicable laws while also meeting your needs as a homeowner. Working with one of the best national moving companies can help to ensure a stress-free and seamless move for you, your family, and your belongings.
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Each mover on this list has been reviewed on basic services, customization, reputation, and transparency according to Today’s Homeowner’s mover review criteria. I reached out to each one as a secret shopper to ask for moving quotes, estimates, and ballpark quotes so you can be more informed about what a comparable move could cost you. In addition, I delivered insights on the customer service and experience I had talking with representatives, and I thoroughly reviewed their websites.
Whether you’re moving into the United States from another country, out of the United States, or interstate, it’s essential to find the right mover for the job. Below, I’ve highlighted my choices for the top 10 national moving companies and provided my thoughts on their various services, solutions, reputation, strengths, and weaknesses so you can make a more informed decision.
Top National Moving Companies
Key Takeaways
- If you’re looking to make a local, interstate or cross-country move in the United States, I’d recommend going with American Van Lines (AVL). They offer most services homeowners are looking for, are highly transparent, have an informative website, and feature a number of special offers and discounts. In addition, AVL is backed by a standout reputation across trusted review sites.
- American Van Lines doesn’t offer much in the way of service customization. If you need to move internationally or need services such as car shipping, I’d suggest going with International Van Lines, which has a strong reputation and fantastic customization options. Full-service packing is included in all their long-distance move quotes.
- Being aware of moving scams and understanding your state’s regulations around moves can help you choose the right mover for your home. You should make sure the brand you go with has a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and meets applicable regulations and laws before you sign a contract.
Read our full Moving Methodology for more details.
My Expert Recommendation
My top choice when it comes to national moving companies would have to be American Van Lines. American Van Lines, with a score of 9 out of 10 in basic services according to the criteria we use, serves the lower 48 states with a variety of solutions and customization options that meet the needs of most homeowners within the United States. American can assist with full-service packing, storage, and more. They’re also backed by a standout reputation. In fact, we gave them a perfect 10 score in this category, and they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a 4.4 on Trustpilot, and a 4.3 on Google as of this writing.
However, American Van Lines won’t meet the needs of every homeowner out there. They’re lacking in the customization department, and they don’t operate outside the United States. For international moves and moves that require extra services, such as car shipping, I’d suggest International Van Lines. We scored them a perfect 10 for reputation, and they offer a wealth of services and solutions to help homeowners experience a seamless and stress-free move. Plus, full-service packing is included in most of their long-distance and international moves.
My top choice when it comes to national moving companies would have to be American Van Lines.
National Moving Companies I Didn’t Include
One national moving brand that I didn’t include is PODS. They’re an excellent solution for self-service and local moves. However, PODS simply doesn’t offer the range of options that come with U-Pack, our choice for best overall container service and a brand we included on our list. PODS only offers containers, for example, and U-Pack offers containers as well as trailers, which can be a must-have for larger moves. In addition, U-Pack has waterproof containers, a feature that many competitors don’t offer.
I also didn’t include College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving. They specialize in junk removal but are lacking in customization and services for moves, especially compared to other full-service movers on this list. Although they’re local and long-distance movers, they don’t handle international moves, car shipping, antique moving, and custom crating. In addition, College Hunks also doesn’t have storage services available.
Our Reviews of the Best Moving Companies
American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
American Van Lines has one of the best websites among the movers on this list. It’s informative and easy to navigate. If you have a question about their services, the answer is likely already on their site. In addition, they win our “Most Transparent Pricing” superlative as they’re forthcoming about costs. You can see several special offers right on their website, which can be a great way to compare your options before you even pick up the phone.
With an A+ and 4.16-out-of-5-star customer rating on the BBB, a 4.4 on Trustpilot, and a 4.3 on Google, AVL also has the best third-party reviews among the competition on this list. Customers leaving positive reviews say time and time again that the cost, move, services, and communication exceeded expectations, and they were very happy with the overall experience.
American Van Lines isn’t going to fit everyone’s needs. They’re lacking in the customization department as they don’t have car shipping or junk removal, two solutions other full-service movers offer. AVL also doesn’t handle international moves and only operates in the lower 48 United States.
While AVL offers local moves, they’re limited to Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina — locations where they have offices. This brand has a lot going for it, but for customers who need more out of their mover, AVL won’t cut it.
Thanks to their perfect 10 in reputation and high scores in basic services and transparency, we gave American Van Lines an 8.5 overall score. They’re one of two brands that earned a perfect 10 in reputation — IVL is the other — but of the two, AVL has the higher third-party review scores. Customers across the BBB, Trustpilot and Google explain crews were polite and respectful, deliveries were on time, and large, heavy items were handled and packaged with care.
AVL’s website is extremely informative. It’s simple to navigate, and most of the questions you’d have about their services are easy to find. Under their Move Cost page, AVL even lists special offers for moves throughout the country, something no other mover on our list does. This makes them our choice for the “most transparent pricing.”
However, of the full-service movers on this list, AVL offers the least in basic services and customization. The company doesn’t handle international moves, moves to Alaska or Hawaii, or local moves outside of Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In addition, they don’t offer car shipping or junk removal, two services that are common among full-service moving brands.
American Van Lines received a 9 in basic services — they fell short of a perfect 10 due to the fact that they don’t offer international moving or moves outside of the continental United States. AVL is, however, equipped to handle long-distance, interstate, and local moves, but local moves are restricted to areas where they have an office. (Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina). Loading and unloading are included in all of their quotes, but full-service packing and unpacking will cost you extra. AVL also offers a unique service to customers: you can simply hire them to pack or unpack your belongings. Even if you’re going with another mover or a self-service option, AVL’s crews are available in some areas to help customers pack or unpack. Thirty days of storage are included in AVL estimates as well, and items can be stored in their climate-controlled, temperature-controlled, and secure vaults.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes* |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | No |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
*Limited to Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas
Cost
American Van Lines lists special offer prices right on their website for moves to and from select cities. However, if your city isn’t represented, getting a quote from American Van Lines is easy. I was able to get one over the phone without a virtual or in-home walkthrough. The call did take about 40 minutes to go over the inventory to be moved and the various services I would need. My quote from AVL included basic disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture, wrapping for furniture, loading, unloading, and basic valuation coverage.
For a move between Maybrook, NY, and Carrboro, NC, for a two-bedroom home, I received the following estimates:
- Self-packing option: $3,651.39
- Full-packing option: $4,251.39 to $4,451.39
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Maybrook, NY, to Carrboro, NC, for a single-family home, with a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
AVL offers customers seasonal and senior discounts. When I called, they were offering a springtime promotion. In addition, their website hosts several special offers between select cities. As of this writing, there are deals for specific moves between Miami, Atlanta, New York City, Dallas, Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas, San Diego, Phoenix, Greensboro, Houston, San Francisco, Portland, and Boston.
American Van Lines’s lowest score is in customization, at just a 7, since they don’t offer car shipping, junk removal, or home staging. While home staging is a rarity among moving companies, car shipping and junk removal are commonly offered by all other full-service movers on this list. Disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture and basic valuation coverage ($0.60 per lb. per article) are included in all AVL’s quotes. Additional valuation coverage can be purchased with various deductibles. Packing materials come with full-service moves, but can also be purchased separately if you’re choosing to pack your own items. AVL is known for their white-glove treatment of pianos, antiques, and special items, and they also offer custom crating for large or heavy items.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | No |
| Special Item/Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | No |
| Home Staging | No |
Coming in at a 10 in reputation, American Van Lines is backed by solid scores on trusted review sites. As of this writing, on the BBB they’re rated A+ and have a 4.16-out-of-5-star customer review score, and on Trustpilot and Google they have a 4.4 and 4.3, respectively. Like IVL, though, they’re not BBB accredited. Customers who left positive reviews explained that the entire experience with AVL was outstanding. Crews were helpful, representatives were responsive, and drivers were timely.
AVL has a lower score on Yelp, though, and most reviews are a single star. Here, unhappy clients reported poor communication, items arriving broken, and late deliveries. While AVL is responsive to positive reviews on Google, they don’t respond to negative reviews on Google or any reviews on Trustpilot, the BBB, or Yelp.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 4.16 out of 5 stars | 500 |
| Trustpilot | 4.4 out of 5 stars | 100 |
| 4.3 out of 5 stars | 1,108 | |
| Yelp | 2.3 out of 5 stars | 460 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for American Van Lines
Five-star reviews for American Van Lines praise the entire move experience. Customers stated that communication was top-notch from beginning to end and that everyone from the representatives to the crews was knowledgeable, polite, professional, and helpful. Some even stated that they have moved several times and no brand has compared to AVL.
Most Common Criticism for American Van Lines
A common complaint among 1-star reviews is broken items. AVL customers stated furniture and fragile items were destroyed upon delivery, with one customer claiming that $25,000 worth of items were damaged and AVL only offered them $500 in compensation.
American Van Lines tied International Van Lines at 8.7 in transparency, only losing some points as they don’t clearly list additional fees on their website, such as fees for flights of stairs or elevators. However, the site features several special offers and details about their pricing. They also offer flat-rate prices based on space used within the truck rather than your belongings’ weight, which led us to name them our choice for the “Most Transparent Pricing” superlative. There is a quote tool as well, but customers won’t be able to get information about pricing immediately after using it. The resource instead sends your contact information to an agent who will be in touch. We also gave AVL points for their GPS tracking option on some trucks, online and over-the-phone booking, and posted customer service hours. American Van Lines operates as a carrier, which is disclosed on their website. This means that if you hire this brand, they’ll be the ones completing your move from start to finish, and they won’t outsource the work to a partner mover.
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
4.2
Our Rating
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is our choice for “Best Discounts,” as they open the conversation by offering a $500 discount simply for calling to get a quote. I was also offered a 59.01% “tariff discount” and “availability discount with manager approval” when I spoke to a representative for a moving estimate, though it did take about 24 hours to receive these deals.
IMRG operates solely as a broker, which means they’ll not be handling your move but rather will be handing the job to one of their partners. Their website does a fantastic job of detailing their various agents, their pros and cons, and what you can expect when working with them. Working with a broker can be a bit of a gamble, so this extra information about their partners can be reassuring.
While operating as a broker allows IMRG to offer a wealth of moving services to their customers, it does come with downsides. You never know who you’re going to be partnered with before you call. You may get paired with a mover who has more 1-star than 5-star reviews, for instance.
Reviews for IMRG also aren’t the highest. As of this writing, they have a 3.96 and B on the BBB and a 3.6 on Google. They’re currently not on Trustpilot or Yelp. As mentioned just above, this is likely due to the fact that IMRG is a broker and customers are having vastly different experiences with the brand’s partners.
High scores in basic services and customization and lower scores in reputation and transparency resulted in Interstate Moving & Relocation Group receiving an 8.4 overall according to our criteria. They’re our choice for our “Best Discounts” superlative, as they advertise a $500 discount on their website, and I received two additional discounts after speaking to them over the phone. Other discounts, such as those for American Automobile Association (AAA) members, seniors, and military members, may be available through their partners, too. I recommend asking about these potential deals during your initial call so they can pair you with the right moving agent.
IMRG is a broker, which means they will act as a middleman between you and the mover, connecting you with the best brand for your needs, wants, budget, and location. This allows them to offer different services and solutions to their customers across the continental United States. IMRG’s website goes into extensive detail about their partners, explaining why they work with them, how customers can benefit, and more. Depending on your location and needs, you may even be able to request one of these agents during your call.
However, working with a moving broker can be a gamble. Not all of the partners IMRG works with will have high review averages. You may be paired with a mover who earns more 1-star reviews than 5-stars. The reviews for IMRG also highlight this issue as experiences are mixed among customers. They currently have only a 3.96 on the BBB and a 3.6 on Google.
For basic services, we gave Interstate Moving & Relocation Group a 9 — losing a point due to the fact that they don’t operate outside of the lower 48 states. Thanks to their status as a broker, IMRG has a large network of national moving companies they can call on for their customers’ needs for local, interstate, and long-distance moves. Loading and unloading are included in all their quotes, but full-service packing and unpacking can also be added on for an additional charge. Customers can also opt to use 30 days of storage if needed at no extra charge, with additional time available for a fee. However, homeowners who need services like storage, packing, and unpacking should let IMRG know this as soon as possible as not all of their partners offer these solutions. Informing the representative right away will help ensure you’re partnered with the right agent and get an accurate quote, allowing you to avoid surprise extra fees on your moving day.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | No |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
The binding estimates I received from IMRG were some of the lowest on this list of best national moving companies. The quote included the tariff fee, basic estimate price, binding estimate fee, packing materials, a fuel surcharge, and basic valuation protection. However, while the price is lower, the cancellation and deposit policies are less forgiving compared to other brands. Their emails state that they may ask for up to 50% down to secure your move, and you only have three days to cancel after you’ve signed the bill of lading. Many competitors require no money down and allow you to cancel up to a day before your move.
For a two-bedroom move between Maybrook, NY, to Carrboro, NC, a distance of 573 miles, I was quoted:
- Self-packing option: $3,296
- Full-packing option: $3,946
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Maybrook, NY, to Carrboro, NC, for a single-family home, with a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
IMRG is our choice for “Best Discounts” as they offer customers a number of deals. Their website offers $500 off just for calling to get a quote, but I was also offered two additional discounts: a “tariff discount” and an “availability discount with manager approval.” IMRG’s partners may have discounts as well for AAA members, seniors, military members, veterans, and other groups. I recommend asking during your initial call about these potential deals.
Like many full-service movers, IMRG doesn’t offer home staging, which landed them at a 9 for customization. Disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture, moving pads, packing tape, and basic valuation coverage come with all of their quotes, with packing materials included with full-service moves. IMRG’s partners may also sell packing materials separately. In addition, they have agents that can handle moving antiques, cars, special items, and pianos, as well as junk removal and custom crating. However, if you need any of these specialized services, it’s important to let the IMRG representative know ahead of time. This will ensure you’re paired with the right agent and receive the solutions you need for your move. Not all of their partners will offer the same services.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group has the lowest reputation score on my list — earning just a 7.8. This is likely due to the fact that IMRG operates as a broker, meaning they partner their customers with their moving agents. Not all moving agents are the same, which can result in vastly different experiences from customer to customer. The reviews seem to back this up, too, as scores are mixed. On the BBB, they’re currently not accredited, but they have a B rating and 3.96-out-of-5-stars customer rating. Over on Google, they came in at a 3.6. IMRG did lose some points due to the lower BBB rating and their lack of claimed profile on Trustpilot. They’re also not on Yelp. Positive reviews explained that they had excellent communication from IMRG and the moving agent they worked with. Negative reviews stated the opposite, and some reviewers posted pictures of damaged property.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B / 3.96 out of 5 stars | 142 |
| Trustpilot | Not available | Not available |
| 3.6 out of 5 stars | 1,153 | |
| Yelp | Not available | Not available |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Interstate Moving & Relocation
Customers leaving 5-star reviews often said they received excellent care from IMRG and the moving agent they were partnered with. IMRG’s representatives were quick to answer any initial questions, check in on the progress of the move, and help customers navigate their contract. Customers were very satisfied with how IMRG assisted them in finding the right agent for their needs, wants, and budget.
Most Common Criticism for Interstate Moving & Relocation
Unhappy customers cited poor communication from the moving agents before and during the move and that costs were unexpectedly higher come moving day. Some posted pictures of broken furniture and mirrors as well. However, IMRG does respond to negative reviews, and some clients have changed theirs from 1-star to 4- or 5-star as IMRG stated they decided to no longer work with that particular partner after reading the customer’s review.
IMRG received a 7.7 in transparency, losing some points due to the fact that not all their trucks have GPS tracking and they don’t have clearly listed additional fees on their website. They did receive some points for their sample pricing, posted customer service hours, online and over-the-phone booking availability and binding estimates. IMRG operates as a broker only, which means they act as the middleman between you and the moving companies. The brand discloses this status on their website. While IMRG’s website also has a quoting tool, it requires your contact information in order to use it. However, the tool will return with an estimate based on your inputs. In my experience with online moving quote tools, most that ask for your contact information won’t return with a ballpark estimate, so this is a breath of fresh air.
Safeway Moving
4.1
Our Rating
When it comes to moving quotes, Safeway Moving’s is one of the easiest to understand. While some movers base their prices on weight, Safeway bases theirs on space you use in the truck, an approach known as flat-rate pricing. Use more or less space than anticipated? The company will adjust your cost. This makes it easy to determine exactly how much you’ll be spending on your moving day and helps to eliminate surprise expenses.
Safeway’s emails are also extremely informative, breaking down everything you need to know about your quote and how they arrived at the number. The email I received listed what is and isn’t included in my quote, in-depth details about their services, the federally required “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet, and additional fees.
While Safeway Moving’s emails are helpful, their website isn’t. They actually have at least two websites, and they both use very generic language. The brand doesn’t go into their differentiators or offer specific details about their services, so it can be difficult to tell if Safeway is right for you by simply looking at their website.
In addition, getting information from either quick quote tool can be difficult. On one website, the moving quote tool is currently giving an error (and has been for some time now). On the second website, it requires your contact information to use and doesn’t give you a quote. It simply says a representative will be in touch.
Overall, Safeway Moving earned an 8.2, thanks to their higher scores in customization and reputation. They lost some points due to their lack of local moving services and lower transparency. However, Safeway Moving is our choice for the “Best Flat-Rate Pricing” superlative, as you pay a price based on how much space you use in one of their trailers. If you end up using more or less space, your quote will be adjusted. Some companies use weight-based pricing, which can sometimes result in higher prices on the day of your move if the weight is higher than was quoted with your binding estimate. With Safeway, it’s always clear how much you’ll be expected to pay and can better plan your budget should your items take up more or less space than expected.
Safeway Moving also delivers some informative emails after you request a quote. They explain how they arrived at the estimate, what you can expect to pay if you need extra services, and any discounts they’re offering you. When it comes to details, it’s on par with International Van Lines’s emails.
However, where Safeway Moving disappoints is their websites. They have two, and neither provide much in the way of information. In fact, one of them doesn’t even have a working quote tool. Both use extremely generic language and don’t provide many details about the services and solutions Safeway actually has to offer customers. For example, Safeway has a page on “Premium Full Pack,” but the page has no details on what this includes or what makes it premium. Both of their websites are like this. Without giving the brand a call, you’re going to have a hard time determining whether Safeway can help you.
Due to their limited local moving services, Safeway Moving came in at an 8 for basic services and cost. They specialize as long-distance movers, able to assist with moves over 400 miles as well as interstate and international moves. However, due to the lack of information on their website, it’s not clear which countries they can help you move to or how many countries they service. Their options for local moves are limited, as it appears they only offer local moving services within New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California (Los Angeles and Bay Area), Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Florida, and Texas (Dallas area), and there aren’t many details about this solution available on their website. Loading, unloading, and 30 days of storage are included in all of their quotes. You might also be able to ask for additional free days of storage — I personally was offered 45 days. For time beyond this, I was quoted $0.50 per cubic foot or a minimum of $200 per month. They also offer packing and unpacking for an additional fee. The full packing service includes packing materials, labor, and packing ($1.00 to $1.50 per cubic foot).
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | No |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
The quote I received from Safeway Moving included loading, unloading, disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture, furniture wrapping, and release valuation ($0.60 per lb.) If you opt for their full packing service the quote will also include packing, packing materials, and labor. This service costs between $1.00 and $1.50 per cubic foot — the exact cost depends on the time of year and where you live. Depending on your location, you may also be able to choose faster delivery at $1.00 per cubic foot (or $850 minimum).
For a two-bedroom home and a 573-mile move between Maybrook, NY, and Carrboro, NC, I was quoted:
- Self-packing option: $3,375.00
- Full-packing option: $3,896.00
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Maybrook, NY, to Carrboro, NC, for a single-family home, with a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.https://safewaymovinginc.com/pennsylvania/
Available Discounts
Safeway Moving discusses two discounts on one of their websites — a first time customer discount and a 5% discount if you mention St. Jude’s Children Cancer Foundation over the phone. I personally was offered a “manager’s discount” the day after I called which took $400 off the total price.
Safeway Moving fell just short of a perfect 10 as they don’t offer home staging — a rare offering among national moving companies. As a full-service mover, Safeway can handle assembly and disassembly of furniture and offers basic valuation coverage (at $0.60 per lb.). Additional coverage (full-value protection) is available if you’re willing to pay a little extra and accept a deductible. Packing materials are included in their full-service quotes, but customers can also choose to buy them separately through the company. Safeway’s crews can also tackle piano moving, car shipping, junk removal, antique moving, special item moving, and custom crating, but not many details about these solutions are available on Safeway’s websites.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
Safeway Moving also almost received a perfect 10 for reputation, but they fell just short due to their lower rating on the BBB. At just a B-, they’re one of the lowest-BBB-rated movers on this list as of this writing and they’re not BBB accredited. However, reviews across the BBB, Trustpilot, and Google are higher, with a 4.21 on the BBB, a 4.0 on Trustpilot, and a 4.3 on Google. Their score is lower on Yelp, coming in at just 1.4. Customers who had positive experiences with Safeway explained that representatives, crews, and drivers were all exceedingly helpful, knowledgeable, and polite. Those leaving negative reviews detailed long delays, damaged items, and poor packing solutions. Safeway Moving responds to positive reviews on Google only.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B- / 4.22 out of 5 stars | 186 |
| Trustpilot | 4.0 out of 5 stars | 49 |
| 4.3 out of 5 stars | 347 | |
| Yelp | 1.4 out of 5 stars | 71 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Safeway Moving
Previous clients who worked with Safeway Moving and left 5-star reviews often cited outstanding customer sevice, smooth moving solutions, and stress-free assistance from beginning to end. Many customers actually named the representatives, crews, and drivers in their reviews.
Most Common Criticism for Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving does have one of the longer delivery windows of the full-service movers on this list, and delivery delays is a chief complaint among 1-star reviews. Some customers experienced weeks-long delays and upon delivery found that many of their items were damaged.
At just a 7, transparency is Safeway Moving’s lowest score. They lost points due to the lack of sample pricing available on their website and the fact that GPS tracking is only available on some of their trucks. Although their website states “no extra fees,” it’s not clear what this is referring to. The emailed quote I received detailed several services that could count as extra fees, such as costs for stairs or elevators. Safeway Moving received points thanks to their posted customer service hours, disclosure of their status as a carrier, binding estimates, and online and over-the-phone booking options. One of their websites also includes a working quote tool, but you won’t get a quick quote from it. It simply takes your contact information to pass onto a representative. You’re going to have to call if you want to get even a ballpark estimate from Safeway.
Moving APT
3.9
Our Rating
When reaching out to moving companies for quotes, how long the process takes can usually range from 45 minutes to several days. You might have to schedule a virtual and in-home assessment, too. Moving APT was able to give me an estimate in just 10 minutes over the phone. The representative gave me a solid idea of the cost in a fraction of the time compared to other brands.
Moving APT is a broker, which means they work as the middleman between you and the moving companies they partner with. They have a vast network — over 2,500 agents — so they’re able to offer whatever services customers are looking for. According to the criteria we look for in a moving company, they earned a perfect score in both basic services and customization.
While operating as a broker lets Moving APT offer a wide range of services to homeowners, it has some downsides. With over 2,500 agents, it’s a gamble on who you’re going to get. You could be paired with a provider that has 5 stars across trusted review sites, or you might be partnered with a team that has closer to a 1-star rating.
Moving APT also scored extremely low in transparency according to our criteria. Their website fails to mention sample pricing, additional fees, or customer service hours. In addition, GPS tracking is only available on some of their partners’ trucks. If this is a service you’d like, you’re going to have to ask for it ahead of time.
Overall, Moving APT earned an 8.2 thanks to their perfect 10s in both basic services and customization. The score was brought down, however, by their lower reputation and transparency scores. Moving APT is a broker, which means they operate as a middleman between you and their moving partners. You tell Moving APT what you need and they’ll return with a quote and the agent that works best for you. This allows them to offer a wealth of services, but it can also mean it’s a gamble on who you get partnered with.
One upside of calling Moving APT for me was the fact that I was off the phone in just 10 minutes. When reaching out to other brands for a quote, I was either kept on the line for over 40 minutes or I was informed that they needed to conduct a virtual or in-home assessment before they could give me an estimate. When you’re calling several moving companies to compare prices and get ballpark estimates, this shorter conversation can definitely be helpful. This experience led us to name them as our pick for “Best Quoting Experience.”
However, Moving APT does have a lower transparency score. They’re tied with North American Van Lines as the lowest on this list. They simply don’t have as much information on their website as other brands do. Moving APT fails to list sample pricing, additional prices, or customer service hours. Plus, not all of their partners have GPS tracking, which can be a reassuring tool to track your items during your move. I highly recommend reviewing what you’ll need from a mover ahead of your call to ensure you’re partnered with the best agent for the job.
In basic services, Moving APT earned a perfect 10. They have partners that can assist with local, interstate, international, and long-distance moves, serving 180 countries worldwide. With a massive network of more than 2,500 moving agents they can recommend, Moving APT is sure to find the one that matches your needs and wants. Loading, unloading, and 30 days of free storage are included in all of their quotes, but you need to let your representative know if you need storage as soon as possible. Not all of their agents offer storage, and storage capabilities can vary from partner to partner. Full-service packing — called “Platinum Full Packing Service Move” — is also available through their partners, though customers are welcome to opt for “Standard Full-Service Move” as well. Unpacking is an option for an additional cost.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
Moving APT was able to offer me two discounts over the phone: a 5% discount off the basic estimate price and fuel surcharge and a three-day pick-up window flexibility coupon. They have two tiers of service available to customers: Standard Full-Service Move and Platinum Full Packing Service Move. Standard includes the basic estimate price, booking fee, and fuel surcharge. Platinum includes all of Standard as well as packing and packing materials. Both also include basic limited liability protection ($0.60 per lb per article), moving of the items up to 75 feet from your home or apartment to the moving truck, loading, unloading, and one free month of storage if required.
When I called Moving APT, I requested a quote for a two-bedroom home move between Maybrook, NY, and Carrboro, NC. I received the following estimates:
- Self-service option: $2,700
- Full-service option (without unpacking): $3,700
- Full-service option with full value protection (without unpacking): $4,522.64
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Maybrook, NY, to Carrboro, NC, for a single-family home, with a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
Moving APT has a moving quote tool on their website. If you use it and supply your contact information, Moving APT will offer you a 15% coupon off your total price. In addition, I was personally offered a 5% coupon and three-day pick-up flexibility discount over the phone which would have saved me over $1,400.
Only two companies I spoke to received a perfect 10 in customization: Allied Van Lines and Moving APT. Thanks to their vast network of over 2,500 moving partners, Moving APT is positioned to offer customers everything they’re looking for in a move. From the basics of disassembling and reassembling furniture to home staging (a rarity among movers), they have you covered. Home staging can be particularly helpful if you’re looking to sell your home quickly or want to command a higher price. Car shipping, piano moving, custom crating, junk removal, antique moving, and special item moving are all available upon request. However, you should let your Moving APT agent know ahead of time if you require any special services. Not all their partners will offer the same solutions. Basic valuation coverage is included in all of their quotes, but customers can opt for full value protection if they don’t mind spending a little more. Packing materials are included in their Platinum Full-Service Moves package, but they may also be available for purchase separately through their agents.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | Yes |
While Moving APT excels in their services range, they fall short in reputation — tied with Interstate Moving & Relocation group at just 7.8. Both, however, are moving brokers, which could be affecting their scores. Not all their partners are going to be 5-star companies, so customers’ experiences with the brands can vary quite a bit. Moving APT’s lower reputation score is due to their B+ on the BBB and lack of a claimed Trustpilot profile. Reviews on Google and Yelp are also low, at just 3.7 and 1.3, respectively. Moving APT does respond to positive and some negative reviews on Google, but their responses to negative reviews leave a lot to be desired. They often argue with the customer or claim the review is fake. Moving APT is also not BBB accredited.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B+ / 3.38 out of 5 stars | 16 |
| Trustpilot | Not available | Not available |
| 3.7 out of 5 stars | 257 | |
| Yelp | 1.3 out of 5 stars | 172 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Moving APT
Customers with positive experiences explained that the price was fair, crews were knowledgeable even in the midst of complicated moves, and representatives were friendly. These clients had excellent communication from the moving partner as well as Moving APT from beginning to end.
Most Common Criticism for Moving APT
One-star reviews detailed broken items, unexpected extra charges, and lack of assistance from Moving APT after the deposit was paid. Several customers leaving negative reviews related that they don’t recommend going with a broker due to their experiences.
Moving APT’s lowest score is in transparency — the provider is tied with North American Van Lines for the lowest transparency scores according to our criteria. They received just a 5.3 due to the lack of sample pricing on their website, clearly listed additional fees, and posted customer service hours. GPS tracking is also not available through all of their partners. Moving APT received some points, though, thanks to their online and over-the-phone booking solutions and binding estimates. The brand also discloses their status as a broker — which means they’ll work as a middleman to partner their customers with one of their agents that meets the customers’ needs, wants, and budget — on their website and over the phone. Moving APT has a quick quote feature on their website, which actually works without your contact information — a rarity, I’ve found, among moving companies. Most require your contact information. Moving APT offers a discount if you choose to supply your details, but you don’t have to.
JK Moving Services
4.2
Our Rating
When it comes to gathering information about what to expect during a move, JK Moving Services has you covered. From their website to their emails to the representatives, I’ve found that every single touchpoint with the brand was extremely informative. Their website, for example, has plenty of moving advice but also clearly breaks down what you can expect when going with the company.
Representatives of JK Moving were also exceedingly helpful. They were quick to answer any of my questions, and their emails contained videos, links, and PDFs that covered everything I could possibly want to know about working with the brand. JK Moving even has a mobile app that customers can use to schedule, change or add services, conduct virtual home reviews, make payments, log or change inventory, and check on the status of their belongings during the move.
The biggest downside of JK Moving Services for me is the cost. They’re the most expensive brand on this list by far, costing several thousands more than other providers. This could be due to the difference in weight estimates between JK Moving and other brands, but customers leaving reviews often explained that costs were higher with this moving company compared to the competition. If you’re on a budget, this really isn’t going to be the brand you want to hire.
Their quoting process can also take some time. My own experience involved talking to a representative over the phone who collected my information, receiving an email 24 hours later from a new representative asking for the same information, and then being informed I had to submit 30 to 60 videos of my home and belongings to get an accurate estimate. I did get a ballpark quote, but you will need to submit those videos to receive a binding estimate.
JK Moving Services is backed by high scores in basic services, customization, and reputation, which landed them at an 8.4 overall. Their website and emails go into vast detail about their various solutions. The company breaks down what you can expect during your move, details how their crews are selected and trained, and explains their extra services, such as storage and car shipping.
The representative I was paired with sent several informative PDFs, links, and videos that covered everything I could possibly want to know about working with JK Moving Services. They were also quick to answer any of my questions and clarify anything I was confused about. Even when the representative I was paired with was out of office, I received responses to my emails in less than an hour. I was also informed about their mobile app, which helps to remove the stress of a move and make your experience with the brand more straightforward and efficient.
However, JK Moving Services falls short for me due to their higher costs and quoting process. They cost thousands more than the next highest brand on this list for a comparable move, and just receiving a ballpark estimate took over 24 hours and involved a call and several emails. To get a binding estimate, I would have to submit 30 to 60 videos over their self-survey tool. If you’re on a budget or need to get a quote quickly, JK Moving probably won’t work for you.
We gave JK Moving Services, a full-service mover, 10 out of 10 for basic services. A carrier/broker, they’re equipped to handle most moving services themselves, but they’ll sometimes outsource to other companies. JK Moving services over 170 countries, and also handles local, interstate, and long-distance moves within the United States. However, their local move solutions are limited. They only handle local moves in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C., near their headquarters. Storage is available, and their storage facilities include motion sensors, fire suppression systems, 24/7 video surveillance, and options for climate-controlled storage based on your belongings. Loading and unloading are included in all of their quotes, but packing and unpacking are available for additional fees.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
JK Moving Services’ quote was much higher compared to other companies’ estimates for comparable moves. Many movers base their quotes on weight, and this could be the source of the discrepancy. American Van Lines estimated my sample move to weigh 3,304 lbs. JK Moving, on the other hand, estimated the belongings to weigh 6,050 lbs. It’s entirely possible that the actual price may be a little less expensive once you submit 30 to 60 videos for their self-survey quoting process, but many customers explained in their reviews that JK Moving was the most expensive mover they contacted.
I contacted JK Moving about a two-bedroom home move between Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX, a distance of 588 miles. I was quoted:
- Self-service option: $7,522
- Full-service option: $9,388
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Mobile, AL, to Dallas, TX, for a single-family home, with a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
JK Moving Services isn’t forthcoming about discounts, but they offer on their website a 2% discount for customers of Brookfield Residential. The brand is more expensive than the competitors on this list, but they offer financing with a 0% APR promotional period if approved. In my experience, in-house financing isn’t a common option among movers.
Like many other movers, JK Moving Services doesn’t offer home staging, which landed them with a 9 for customization. Disassembly and reassembly of furniture and valuation coverage are included in all their quotes, and packing materials are included with their full-service moves or can be purchased separately through the brand. Full valuation coverage is available as well if you don’t mind paying a little extra. For $24,000 worth of coverage and a $0 deductible, I would have had to pay $252 extra on my quote. Piano moving, custom crating, junk removal, antique moving, and special item moving are offered by JK Moving and their partners. If you need car shipping, it’ll be done by their partner, McCollister’s Auto Transport, in their custom-designed enclosed and GPS-equipped trailers.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
We gave JK Moving Services a high reputation score thanks to their A+ on the BBB. At a 9, they lost a point only due to their lower score on Trustpilot as of this writing. However, it’s important to note that on Trustpilot they only have a single review at the moment, so this might not provide the best insight. Customers can look at reviews on the BBB, Google, and Yelp, too, to get a better idea of how customers have felt about JK Moving in the past. Their review scores vary on these sites, with a 3.91 on the BBB, a 4.5 on Google, and a 3.5 on Yelp. While JK Moving’s Yelp score is middle-of-the-road, it’s actually one of the highest on this list. JK Moving Services has been BBB accredited since 1997.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 3.91 out of 5 stars | 76 |
| Trustpilot | 3.6 out of 5 stars | 1 |
| 4.5 out of 5 stars | 1,362 | |
| Yelp | 3.5 out of 5 stars | 382 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for JK Moving Services
Positive reviews for JK Moving Services on trusted review sites detailed professional representatives, helpful crews, and responsive drivers. Even complicated moves were made simple. Many reviews highlighted how efficient the customer’s entire experience was, with some explaining that extra care was given during the assessment to ensure certain items would be transported properly.
Most Common Criticism for JK Moving Services
JK Moving Services is already the most expensive brand on this list, and customers leaving negative reviews explained that costs were even higher on moving day than expected. They were hit with extra fees that drove up the final price. In addition, some customers detailed broken and damaged furniture upon delivery.
Coming in at a 6.3 for transparency, JK Moving Services isn’t the lowest on this list, but they’re one of the less transparent brands according to what we look for in a mover. Their website doesn’t supply any information about their prices or additional fees you could incur during your move. They also don’t disclose their status as a broker/carrier, which means you could be partnered with one of their moving agents rather than working with JK Moving themselves. In addition, GPS tracking is only available on some of their trucks. While the brand has a quoting tool on their website, it doesn’t actually give you any information about their prices. It simply collects your contact details to pass on to a representative. However, the brand did get some points due to their online and over-the-phone booking options, binding estimates, and posted customer service hours.
Allied Van Lines
4.2
Our Rating
Allied Van Lines (AVL) has been in business since 1928, nearly 100 years, and they’re one of only two brands on this list that received a perfect 10 in basic services and customization — the other being Moving APT. A broker/carrier, they have all the services a customer could be looking for during their move, from full-service packing to home staging.
Allied Van Lines also wins our “Best Vehicle Shipping Options” superlative. The brand offers a variety of car shipping solutions to best fit your needs, including open and enclosed carriers and shipment options for international moves. Plus, Allied isn’t limited to cars. They’re equipped to handle transporting boats, snowmobiles, and other vehicles, too.
Some states require moving companies to complete in-home or virtual assessments in order to supply a binding estimate. However, even in states where this isn’t required by law, Allied Van Lines requires it. This can make getting ballpark estimates and comparing prices difficult and time consuming.
Allied Van Lines also doesn’t have the best reviews across trusted review sites. While they do have an A+ on the BBB and a 4.9 on Google for their headquarters in Addison, IL, as of this writing, they only have a 1.14 customer review rating on the BBB and a 2.3 on Trustpilot. These discrepancies can be a bit worrying, and your experience could depend on your local Allied branch or the Allied partner you work with.
Allied Van Lines is a broker/carrier which positions them to offer the services homeowners are looking for from a moving company. Thanks to perfect 10s in both basic services and customization, Allied received an 8.5. They’re able to handle all the basics, including loading, unloading, and packing, while also offering all the extras we look for. Home staging, in particular, is a rarity among the moving companies I’ve contacted, but it can be a great asset if you’re looking to get more for your home’s sale or if you need to sell your home quickly.
Allied is our choice for the “Best Vehicle Shipping Options” superlative thanks to their various solutions. Whether you’re looking to move internationally or cross-country, they have vehicle shipping services to meet your unique needs, wants, and budget. Open carriers, enclosed carriers, and international transport containers are available, and the brand can also assist with moving other vehicles, such as boats.
However, Allied’s quoting process can take a while. They require in-home or virtual assessments for all of their customers, and this process can take several days, depending on your availability. In my experience, the representatives won’t even give a ballpark quote over the phone. If you’re looking to compare moving companies, these requirements could delay your decision.
Serving over 130 countries, Allied Van Lines and its partners are equipped to handle local, international, interstate, and long-distance moves for their customers. They received a 10 out of 10 in basic services as they offer all of the basic moving solutions we look for in a brand. Loading and unloading are included in all of their quotes, but customers are welcome to opt for their Allied Express solution if they wish to handle the heavy lifting themselves or to save cash. This is a container solution similar to U-Pack. Allied will drop off the container for you to pack up and unload, but they’ll handle all of the transportation. Packing, unpacking, and partial packing are available upon request. Allied has two different storage solutions available: storage-in-transit and permanent storage. Storage-in-transit means your items are kept on the truck, and it’s available for up to 90 days. Permanent storage means your items are transported to their warehouses until you request delivery.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
Unlike many other movers I spoke to, Allied Van Lines won’t provide a binding estimate or ballpark quote over the phone or through email. They require all customers to schedule a virtual or in-home assessment in order to receive a binding estimate. This can make it difficult to easily compare prices among different movers. Allied may not be the best solution for you if you’re in a rush, too, as the binding estimate process can take several days.
Available Discounts
Allied Van Lines doesn’t have any available information about their discounts on their website or online in general. Their blog, however, suggests that you ask movers for discounts, including those for “veterans, members of professional or social organizations, and… seniors.”
Allied Van Lines, thanks to their home staging solution, earned a 10 out of 10 in customization, too. They’re one of only two brands on this list that offer home staging (the other is Moving APT). Home staging can be an excellent resource if you want to sell your home quickly or aim for a higher sell price. Disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture are included in all of their quotes, as is basic valuation coverage ($0.60 per lb.). Extra Care Protection (ECP) is also available if you need extra coverage, but it increases the cost of your move. Allied and their partners sell packing materials and offer customizable solutions, such as piano moving, car shipping, special item moving, custom crating, antique moving, and junk removal.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | Yes |
Allied Van Lines, according to our criteria, earned an 8 in reputation. While they have an A+ on the BBB as of this writing, their Trustpilot score is on the lower side, at just a 2.3, which caused them to lose two points. The brand is on Yelp, but they currently don’t have any reviews. Reviews vary quite a bit for Allied, depending on the site. For example, their headquarters has a near-perfect score on Google at 4.9. However, over on the BBB, their customer review score is just 1.14. Your experience with Allied could depend on the branch you’re working with or the partner you’re paired with. I highly recommend looking into your local Allied branch to see what your experience will be. Allied Van Lines is also BBB accredited, which they’ve maintained since 2012.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 1.14 out of 5 stars | 56 |
| Trustpilot | 2.3 out of 5 stars | 12 |
| 4.9 out of 5 stars | 142 | |
| Yelp | Not available | Not available |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Allied Van Lines
Positive reviews for Allied Van Lines often cite excellent communication from beginning to end. Crews, representatives, and drivers were quick to answer any questions and address concerns. Many customers also cited amazing efficiency from the crews, making their move stress free.
Most Common Criticism for Allied Van Lines
Those who had trouble with Allied explained that items were broken or missing upon delivery. If they filed a coverage claim, they also often had trouble getting a response from the brand or a ruling in their favor.
Allied Van Lines’s transparency score is on the lower side due to their lack of sample pricing, clearly listed additional fees, and disclosure of their status as a broker/carrier. Since they don’t give any information over the phone and their online quoting tool doesn’t actually supply any price estimates, it can be extremely difficult to determine how much going with Allied will cost you. Understanding who you’ll be working with is also essential, and their non-disclosure of their broker/carrier status can be confusing for customers, especially if a different brand shows up at your door on moving day. Allied received some points, though, as their website has posted customer service hours and the brand offers online booking, over-the-phone booking, and binding estimates. GPS tracking is also available on a majority of their trucks.
U-Pack
3.5
Our Rating
U-Pack has one of the most straightforward quoting processes out of the companies I’ve contacted for this article. Getting a quote over the phone took just 10 to 15 minutes, but you can also use their very straightforward online quoting tool to get a price and even book your container or trailer.
As our choice for “Best Overall Container Service,” U-Pack offers solutions competitors don’t have. Waterproof containers give your belongings extra protection, and U-Pack also has trailers in addition to containers for larger moves. Other container services only have containers available and don’t offer trailers.
U-Pack isn’t going to work for all homeowners out there. They’re a self-service brand, which means you’ll be handling the heavy lifting yourself. You’ll be responsible for packing and unpacking the container or trailer. This won’t be feasible for all customers, including those with limited time or seniors looking to downsize.
As a self-service mover, U-Pack is also lacking in the extras and insurance. They simply don’t offer the customization options that a full-service provider has available. They’re also not required to offer as much insurance as the other brands on this list. While they technically can assist with moving your piano or antiques, I really wouldn’t recommend them for moving those belongings due to the lack of appropriate coverage and special item services.
If you think a container service or self-service move is the right way to go for you, U-Pack is an excellent choice. They offer several solutions you simply don’t get with their self-service competitors. Many other brands will only offer containers, but U-Pack has trailers available, too, which are excellent for larger moves.
U-Pack’s quoting process is also exceedingly simple. You can call or use their online quoting tool to get a quote. The representatives and online tool will let you know the price differences between containers and trailers. I was advised that a trailer would be the most cost-effective solution for my two-bedroom home move. With trailers, you’re only charged for the space you use. However, keep in mind that if you opt for a trailer, you’ll need somewhere for it to sit for three days at your origin and destination. If you don’t have the space for one, you’ll have to go with containers.
It’s important to note that U-Pack won’t be the ideal solution for every homeowner. Self-service means you’re responsible for packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. While U-Pack does have a third-party company they recommend for full-service solutions, you’re really not going to save money in the long run by going with U-Pack and additional services. If you need the extra solutions, it’s likely better to just go with a full-service mover.
U-Pack comes in at the lowest for basic services on this list at just a 7. They lost some points as they only operate within the United States, and all loading, unloading, packing, and unpacking solutions are available through a third-party company. However, they’ll handle transportation for you whether it’s local, long-distance, or interstate, which can make it a cost-effective solution if you’re willing to do the heavy lifting yourself. U-Pack will drop the container or trailer off at your location and you have three days to pack it up. They’ll then transport the container or trailer to your destination, and you’ll have three days to unload it before they pick it up again. Storage solutions depend on whether you opt for their containers (known as ReloCubes) or trailers. With ReloCubes, you can store items for as long as you need. With trailers, you’re limited to 120 days.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | No |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
U-Pack, as a self-service brand, had the lowest quote of the companies I contacted for this article. Their prices are based on the space you use in a trailer or the number of ReloCubes you need and the distance traveled. If you use more or less space than anticipated on their trailers, the quote can be adjusted, and the representative can tell you over the phone how much this will cost or save you. For a two-bedroom move, for example, I was advised I would need 14 feet in a 28-foot trailer. If I opted for ReloCubes instead, I would need at least two containers. However, while going with a trailer would be more cost-effective in my scenario, a trailer won’t work for everyone. You’ll need the space outside your origin and destination to park the trailer, and U-Pack has to approve this space as well. If they arrive with the trailer and there isn’t room, your services could be canceled.
I requested a quote for a two-bedroom home move between Mobile, AL, and Dalllas, TX. The move was estimated at:
- 14 feet of space on a trailer: $2,166
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Mobile, AL, to Dallas, TX, for a single-family home, with a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
U-Pack’s quoting tool doesn’t require your contact information to use, but if you supply it, you’ll be contacted with special moving offers and price reductions for your move. As of this writing, the company doesn’t offer discounts for AAA (American Automobile Association) or AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) members. Booking your reservation as soon as possible will allow you to lock in a lower rate, as their containers and trailers become more expensive the closer it is to your moving day.
U-Pack’s customization score is also low, at just a 5, as they simply don’t offer the choices full-service movers do. While their recommended third-party company can assist with disassembly and reassembly of furniture, it’s not a service that U-Pack includes in their quotes. It’s possible to transport pianos, special items, and antiques with this brand, but it isn’t recommended as their valuation coverage options are limited. U-Pack offers junk removal and packing materials, too, but they don’t do custom crating, car shipping, or home staging. For customers who need any extras during their move or assistance beyond transportation, U-Pack isn’t likely a solid choice.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | No |
| Special Item/Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | No |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
Thanks to an A+ on the BBB, U-Pack landed at an 8 for reputation. They lost two points due to their lower Trustpilot score, which is at just a 2.7 currently — ratings on Google (4.4) and Yelp (3.1) are higher. Customer reviews on BBB score them at 4.45, and they’ve been BBB accredited since 2001. Positive reviews highlighted stellar customer service and negative reviews explained that items were delivered broken. U-Pack is responsive to many positive and negative reviews on Google and the BBB, but doesn’t respond to any reviews on Trustpilot or Yelp.
I recommend checking out reviews of the local U-Pack branch you’ll be using before you sign a contract.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 4.47 out of 5 stars | 202 |
| Trustpilot | 2.7 out of 5 stars | 224 |
| 4.4 out of 5 stars | 11 | |
| Yelp | 3.1 out of 5 stars | 25 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for U-Pack
Customer service was definitely a highlight for many customers leaving positive reviews for U-Pack. They explained that the entire move from beginning to end was seamless, and their deliveries were even early. Many customers explained they’ve used U-Pack several times already for long-distance moves.
Most Common Criticism for U-Pack
Customers leaving negative reviews highlighted issues with items broken upon delivery and the lack of assistance when they filed a complaint. With limited coverage, clients who had issues with this have very limited options for reimbursement. U-Pack’s coverage doesn’t cover damage due to improper packing.
U-Pack ranks very highly in transparency thanks to an extremely informative website. Their website highlights sample pricing, has a quick quote feature that doesn’t require your contact information and supplies you with a quote, and shows how many representatives are available to talk at any given time. They don’t have posted customer service hours, but in my experience I’ve seen representatives available to talk even in the very late evening hours. U-Pack’s trailers and containers often come with GPS tracking, and the brand has online booking, over-the-phone booking, and binding estimates. In addition, they disclose their status as a carrier on their website, meaning if you hire U-Pack for your move, U-Pack is who you will work with. The brand lost some points due to the lack of clearly listed additional fees on their website. However, if you’re only going with U-Pack and not their recommended third-party packing specialists, you shouldn’t incur any additional fees during your move.
North American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
North American Van Lines (NAVL) has an extremely informative website — on par with International Van Lines and JK Moving Services. Their site is full of facts about their services, advice for moving, and even checklists that can’t be found on the sites of any competitors on this list. It’s a fantastic resource if you’re worried about moving or want to be completely organized.
NAVL, a full-service mover, also offers the majority of services clients are going to need for their move. They can tackle all the basics, including packing and unpacking, as well as many other services, such as car shipping, junk removal, and antique moving. They received a perfect 10 in basic services and a 9 in customization.
Like Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines requires virtual or in-house assessments for a binding estimate. While I’ve gotten a ballpark estimate over the phone, you’ll need to go through the extra hassle of one of these assessments in order to schedule your move and get a contract.
In addition, NAVL’s reviews are not entirely inspiring. As of this writing, their highest customer rating is a 2.8 on Google, with a 1.12 on the BBB, a 2.2 on Trustpilot, and a 1.0 on Yelp. Customers leaving negative reviews experienced broken items upon delivery, damaged furniture, and a lack of efficiency.
North American Van Lines has been in the moving business since 1933, so they offer the services customers want and need most. They’ll likely fit all your requirements whether you’re moving locally, interstate, long distance or internationally to one of the more than 130 countries they operate in.
NAVL’s website is also very informative. It details what you can expect when working with this national provider while also featuring unique tools and resources, including packing and moving tips, packing calculators, checklists, relocation guides, and more. This wealth of information can provide peace of mind before you even start packing up your worldly belongings.
However, NAVL’s reviews are on the lower side. Their highest rating is currently on Google at just 2.8. For a brand that has been in the business for over 90 years, this isn’t very reassuring. In fact, across the BBB, Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot, NAVL has less than 80 reviews as of this writing. That’s many fewer than most providers on this list. In addition, their website only highlights two testimonials. Due to lower reputation and transparency scores, NAVL received a 7.9 overall.
North American Van Lines offers everything we look for in basic services, so they received a 10 here. As a broker/carrier, NAVL and their partners can assist with local, interstate, and long-distance moves. They also offer international moving solutions to more than 130 countries. Loading and unloading are included in all of NAVL’s quotes, with full-service packing, partial packing, and unpacking available upon request. Customers can choose between short-term and long-term storage solutions, and items are stored in climate-controlled facilities that also come with security approval from the United States Department of Defense (DoD).
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
North American Van Lines doesn’t offer binding estimates without a virtual or in-home assessment. While this process can take some time, NAVL’s virtual assessment is very straightforward. A specialist will “walk” with you through your home, room by room, and provide suggestions as you show your possessions. These assessments may be required by your state, and they can help to provide a more accurate moving quote, but they can be time consuming — especially if you have to go through several walkthroughs. The amount of time these assessments take can make comparing quotes difficult.
Available Discounts
According to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) website, NAVL offers veteran discounts to customers moving interstate within the continental United States. NAVL’s website doesn’t highlight any other available discounts, but I highly recommend asking about discounts, as some movers simply don’t discuss them online.
NAVL doesn’t offer home staging, which resulted in them losing a point for customization, but NAVL offers many of the solutions customers are looking for with their move. Assembly and disassembly of basic furniture, such as swing sets and dining room tables, are included in their quotes, as is basic valuation courage ($0.60 per lb. per article). Additional coverage is available upon request, and they have a straightforward claims process on their website should you run into any issues with delivery or improper packing with their full-service packing solution. Packing supplies are included with full-service moves but can also be purchased separately. As a broker/carrier, NAVL and their network of movers can assist with car shipping, piano moving, custom carting, special item moving, junk removal, and antique moving across the country and internationally.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
North American Van Lines is rated A+ by the BBB and has a 2.2 customer rating on Trustpilot as of this writing, which landed them at a score of 8 in reputation. Reviews for NAVL are not the highest. Customers often cited problems with delivery, including broken items and damaged furniture. However, compared to other movers on this list, NAVL has very few reviews. This could explain the low ratings, as unhappy customers are more likely to leave a review than satisfied ones. NAVL has been BBB accredited since 1984, one of the longest accreditation periods — beaten only by Mayflower’s parent company UniGroup. North American Van Lines is responsive to negative and positive reviews on the BBB, but doesn’t respond to reviews on Google, Trustpilot, or Yelp.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 1.24 out of 5 stars | 34 |
| Trustpilot | 2.2 out of 5 stars | 8 |
| 2.8 out of 5 stars | 26 | |
| Yelp | 1.0 out of 5 stars | 11 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for North American Van Lines
There are only a few positive reviews for NAVL at the moment, but happy customers discussed timely deliveries, knowledgeable crew members, helpful representatives, and responsive communication from everyone involved. The testimonials on the brand’s website also talked about friendly employees.
Most Common Criticism for North American Van Lines
Many reviews for NAVL on trusted review sites are negative. These customers explained that items and furniture were damaged or broken and that crews and the company as a whole were extremely inefficient, leading to delays and problems during the move.
North American Van Lines tied with Moving APT for the lowest transparency on this list, at just 5.3 out of 10. As helpful as their website is, it’s lacking key details to inform customers about their moves. For example, no sample pricing or additional fees are listed, and customer service hours aren’t posted. NAVL also doesn’t disclose their status as a broker/carrier (meaning they sometimes outsource jobs to their moving partners). While NAVL has a quoting tool on their website, it isn’t quick, and it doesn’t supply pricing information. It simply collects your contact information and informs you a representative will be in touch shortly. NAVL received some points thanks to their GPS tracking, online booking, over-the-phone booking, and binding estimates, but you’ll have to schedule a virtual or in-home assessment in order to get a binding estimate.
Mayflower Moving
4.1
Our Rating
Mayflower Moving wins our “Best Technology” superlative thanks to their MyMayflower Move Portal. It’s a customizable tool that allows you to track your moving progress, change services, and review your moving contract with the brand. Moving is stressful, but this resource helps to streamline the experience.
Mayflower also has a highly user-friendly website. While some brands have confusing, difficult-to-navigate, or lackluster sites, Mayflower went above and beyond when designing theirs, as it’s very easy to find what you’re looking for without having to reach out to the company. They highlight their various services, including specialized solutions such as Snapmoves for smaller moves.
In my experience, communication from Mayflower Moving is lacking. Mayflower operates as a broker/carrier, which means they have a network of agents they work with. In the cases where I needed a broker, Mayflower simply gave me the information to contact the partner myself rather than doing the legwork for me. I also didn’t receive any follow-up emails from Mayflower after other calls.
Mayflower has few BBB reviews (33), and those they do have are under the listing for their parent company, Unigroup, Their BBB rating is A+, but their customer review score is only 1.3. On Trustpilot, they have 6 reviews and a 2.4 rating. Mayflower isn’t currently on Google or Yelp.
Mayflower Moving received an 8.1 overall thanks to their high score in basic services. To facilitate their solutions, Mayflower has a tool called MyMayflower Move Portal. This unique resource helps you track the entire move process, aiding with contracts, services, customizable options, tracking your belongings, and more.
Mayflower’s website is also easy to navigate. Many other movers’ sites have little to no information about their services and solutions, but Mayflower clearly highlights what customers need to know in a simple format. From small moves to military moves, their website has the details you need to help you make your moving decisions. They also highlight what’s included in your move, such as personalized move coordinators, and their available customizable solutions, including debris removal and full-service packing.
On the review side of things, Mayflower Moving falls short. They have very few reviews across trusted review sites. On the BBB, they share a profile with their parent company, UniGroup, so some of the reviews on Mayflower’s page aren’t for Mayflower. The brand also isn’t on Google or Yelp as of this writing. The reviews they have tend to be negative as well.
Coming in at a perfect 10 for basic services, Mayflower Moving is equipped to handle local, long-distance, and interstate moves to over 150 countries. Snapmoves is a unique solution from Mayflower designed to help with smaller moves. They’re cost effective and highly customizable. As a full-service mover, Mayflower includes loading and unloading in all of their quotes, with packing, partial packing, and unpacking as options that can be added on for an extra cost. Full-service packing includes a personal move coordinator, Full Value Protection (FVP), and disassembly and reassembly of standard bed frames. Storage is available through the brand, too, with options for short- and long-term solutions.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
Like Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines, Mayflower Moving requires in-home or virtual assessments for a binding estimate. However, they were able to deliver a ballpark quote over the phone. While it isn’t a binding estimate, it gives some insight into cost. For virtual assessments, Mayflower offers a virtual survey that’s easy to use. However, I do want to note that Mayflower didn’t follow up via email regarding the ballpark quote. I found communication to be lacking in this department, and it’s not clear what additional fees you could incur during your move.
I received a ballpark estimate for a two-bedroom home move between Mobile, AL, and Dallas, TX:
- Transportation without packing: $2,000 to $2,900
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Mobile, AL, to Dallas, TX, for a single-family home, with a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
As of this writing, Mayflower Moving doesn’t offer discounts to seniors or veterans. I highly recommend asking for discounts, however, as many brands simply don’t highlight their various offers on their website. Booking as soon as possible can also help you lock in a lower rate.
Mayflower Moving received one of the lowest scores for customization out of full-service movers on this list, at just a 7.7. Only American Van Lines is lower with a 7. Disassembly and reassembly are included in their moving quotes, as is basic valuation coverage ($0.60 per lb. per article). While packing materials are available for their full-service and partial packing services, packing materials may not be available in your location or through the mover Mayflower partners you with. Junk removal is also limited. However, the company can assist with piano moving, car shipping, antique moving, custom crating, and special item moving.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
Mayflower Moving, as of this writing, has an A+ on the BBB and a claimed Trustpilot profile with a 2.4. This lower Trustpilot score meant we rated them an 8 for reputation. Mayflower Moving lacks reviews. They share a BBB profile with their parent company, UniGroup, so many of the reviews and complaints on the website are actually for Unigroup, not Mayflower. In addition, they only have six reviews total on Trustpilot and lack a presence on Google and Yelp. Unhappy customers are more likely to leave reviews than unhappy customers, so this could explain the lack of high scores on the BBB and Trustpilot. Mayflower isn’t BBB accredited, but their parent company is and has been since 1983 — the longest duration of providers on this list.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 1.3 out of 5 stars | 33 |
| Trustpilot | 2.4 out of 5 stars | 6 |
| Not available | Not available | |
| Yelp | Not available | Not available |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Mayflower Moving
Testimonials can be found on Mayflower Moving’s website, and they’re some of the only positive reviews that I could find. Customers leaving testimonials explained that the company was professional from start to finish and crews and representatives were extremely helpful.
Most Common Criticism for Mayflower Moving
Most reviews for Mayflower Moving on the BBB and Trustpilot are lower than 3 stars. These customers highlighted broken items, damaged furniture, and even damaged homes during pickup and delivery. Clients who tried to file a claim often found communication to be lacking, and little to no recourse available to them to cover the damages.
Mayflower Moving earned a 7.3 in transparency thanks to their posted customer service hours, online and over-the-phone booking options, binding estimates, and disclosure of their status as a broker/carrier. I personally received information about the partner I would be working with for an outsourced move in Alaska, which can be helpful if you want to check out reviews and services yourself. Unlike other brokers, however, Mayflower Moving has little to no information about their various partners and their services available on their website. While Mayflower does have a quoting tool on their website, it only collects contact information and doesn’t supply a ballpark estimate. GPS tracking is available on most of their moving trailers, but Mayflower lost points for transparency due to their lack of sample pricing or additional fees listed online. If you want to get a binding estimate from this national moving company, you’re going to have to schedule a virtual assessment through the MyMayflower Move tool or an in-home walkthrough.
What to Look for in a Reputable National Moving Company
When working with a reputable national moving company, I highly recommend ensuring they follow federal, state, and international laws. Requirements will vary from state to state and country to country, so be sure to check out your local requirements before signing a contract. You should also check out reviews across trusted review sites to see what customers are saying about their own experiences. Some companies, such as U-Pack and North American Van Lines, have individual Google business profiles and Yelp pages for their various locations. If you’re working with a local brand of a national moving company, you should check out their local reviews as well.
United States moving companies are required to:
- Have a USDOT number. All reputable moving companies will be registered with the USDOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have their status listed as a carrier, broker, or broker/carrier. Many brands will list their USDOT number on their website. The FMCSA’s Household Goods Program also has histories of customer complaints made against individual companies.
- Give customers the required documents. All movers must supply a copy of the federally required “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet ahead of the move as well as the customer’s bill of lading.
- Meet any applicable local, state, national, and international laws and regulations. Regulations can vary from state to state, so I recommend checking out your state’s transportation department website to see what your area requires in regards to documentation, insurance, coverage, deposits, and cancellation. If the moving company doesn’t meet these requirements, it could be a fraudulent mover.
How To Avoid Moving Scams
Moving scams are extremely common in the United States. Knowing what to look for is essential to help you steer clear of them. The FMCSA’s website has a Moving Fraud Prevention Checklist and the Household Goods Program. Both help you identify what to look for in a mover. The Household Goods Program also allows you to check a mover’s broker/carrier status and see their history of complaints.
Some common moving scams you need to be aware of are:
- Mover fraud. This is where a fake moving company will pose as a real one. They may even use logos associated with reputable movers. Checking USDOT numbers and asking for credentials will help you weed them out.
- Change of address. If a mover claims you need to pay them a fee to change your address for mail, it’s a scam. Homeowners and tenants can change their address through the United States Postal Service (USPS) in person for free or for a small fee online.
- Hostage load. A hostage or ransom load is when a mover holds your items hostage until you pay an additional fee. This can cost thousands of dollars. It’s illegal in the United States, and should be reported to the FMCSA and your state’s transportation department.
- Bait and switch. While moving costs can change the day of, some companies will try to lowball you to gain your business only to raise the price later on. Moving estimates that sound too good to be true probably are.
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FAQs
How Much Does a National Moving Company Cost?
The average cost of a national moving company is $3,645.11. Your cost depends on your location, the brand you decide to go with, and the customizable services you opt for, but it’s possible to negotiate with a moving company for a lower cost.
Do You Need a National Moving Company for Moving?
You do need a moving company for a national move because moving is often complex and complicated. Professional movers have the knowledge to make a move seamless.
Are National Moving Companies Worth It?
A moving company is worth it for most national moves. Homeowners can opt to do it themselves, but many simply don’t have the resources to move their belongings themselves.
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