Moving to another state is stressful, but companies like JK Moving Services can take a lot of that stress off your plate. They take care of all the labor and transportation so you can focus on the important things. But there are a lot of long-distance movers out there. So many, in fact, that choosing one can be overwhelming. To alleviate some of that burden, I’ve researched dozens of companies over the past few months to narrow the field down.
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
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
At Today’s Homeowner, we use our in-house review standard to score moving companies across four major categories and twenty-six subcategories to give you a comprehensive look at what these companies do well (and, in some cases, not so well). Based on those scores, we arrived at these top five interstate moving companies. While all of them are great companies that I think you’d be happy to move with, let’s drill down a little further and take a look at what each of them does well, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and which one is the perfect fit for you.
Top 5 Moving Companies for Interstate Moving
- Mayflower is my pick for the best interstate moving company for its extensive experience in the moving business and quality services and customizations.
- International Van Lines is the best option for anyone looking to ship a vehicle, boat, RV, or motorcycle. With many different customization options, they can accommodate any type of vehicle move.
- Booking at least two months in advance of your move and giving the company a delivery window of at least one week will get you the best possible deal.
Read our full Moving Methodology for more details.
My Expert Recommendation
Of all the companies on the list, I like Mayflower Moving best. It’s a storied company with nearly a century in the moving business, including interstate moving, which gives it a wealth of practical and industry knowledge. They also offer great secondary services. Snapmoves (which I will discuss further below) are a great option for small, quick moves. Mayflower offers electronics packing and set-up at the destination. Full valuation coverage comes standard unless specifically opted out of.
Moving companies are mostly the same in their services and processes, so it’s the little things that really set a company apart, and Mayflower does a lot of those little things right.
Watch this video from Mayflower to learn about choices for protecting your belongings:
Of all the companies on the list, I like Mayflower Moving best. It’s a storied company with nearly a century in the moving business, including interstate moving, which gives it a wealth of practical and industry knowledge. They also offer great secondary services. Snapmoves (which I will discuss further below) are a great option for small, quick moves. Mayflower offers electronics packing and set-up at the destination. Full valuation coverage comes standard unless specifically opted out of.
Moving companies are mostly the same in their services and processes, so it’s the little things that really set a company apart, and Mayflower does a lot of those little things right.
Watch this video from Mayflower to learn about choices for protecting your belongings:
Interstate Moving Companies I Didn’t Include
Smartbox
Smartbox is a good company for the DIY mover who’s willing to do all the labor of moving in exchange for saving money. But Smartbox falls short in a couple of ways for out-of-state moves. The problem that sticks out most is a lack of tracking options. Once you load the container and send it off, you just have to hope that it arrives at your new home. Most of us have become accustomed to being able to track our shipments and packages, so not being able to track our possessions during a move could be a bit anxiety-inducing. Also, Smartbox doesn’t ship vehicles and falls short in pricing transparency. For these reasons, they missed a spot on this list.
PODS
PODS missed the list for occupying a legal gray area. Because they’re technically a portable storage container service, they fall outside the definition of a moving company. As such, it’s not subject to the same regulations as a moving company — specifically those governing valuation coverage. So, for example, if your items are damaged in the container because of rough or bumpy transport, PODS isn’t liable for the damage. A proper moving company, on the other hand, would be. While PODS does offer in-house coverage agreements, it still falls short of the coverage offered by a traditional moving company.
Compare The Highest Rated Moving Companies for Interstate Moving
| Company | Rating | BBB Rating | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A |
$1,400–$9,200 |
VISIT SITE | |
|
A+ |
$1,700–$13,800 |
VISIT SITE | |
|
B |
$1,250 – $8,500 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
C |
$3,000–$11,200 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
A+ |
$1,200–$11,250 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
B |
$1,200–$11,250 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
A+ |
$600–$5,100 |
VISIT SITE | |
 JK Moving Services |
A+ |
$3,000–$6,000 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
Our Reviews of the Best Interstate Moving Companies
International Van Lines
4.5
Our Rating
There’s a lot to like about International Van Lines (IVL). They have the best vehicle shipping service of any company on the list, hands down. The breadth of services they offer is fantastic, so whether you’re shipping an RV, boat, motorcycle, or car, IVL can not only get it to where you’re going but also give you a variety of options on how best to get it there. Everything from trucking to drive-away and tow-away services are offered.
Aside from outstanding vehicle moving services, there are some little things that I like about IVL. For example, they offer a 48-hour deposit refund policy, so if you need to cancel a move, as long as you give them two days’ notice, IVL will fully refund you. In addition to that, you can adjust your move date free of charge. That gives the customer a lot of flexibility and peace of mind, knowing they won’t be charged through the nose if life happens and the move date needs to be changed or canceled.
The only negative aspect of IVL I found was they don’t offer home staging. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a pretty minor service but a valuable one for anyone with mobility issues or someone who’s just too busy to get things in order for a move. Other than that, some of their reviews are a bit polarized, but nothing too out of the ordinary for a major company.
International Van Lines is a great, well-rounded company that can service just about any kind of move you could imagine. They’re a long-standing company with a solid reputation, professional service, and a full offering of options and add-ons.
The most exciting feature of IVL is its extensive vehicle shipping options. Not only do they have a couple of different options for car shipping (like open or enclosed carriers), but they can also move RVs and boats. You can have your RV shipped on a trailer, towed, or even driven to your destination. Their boat shipping is just as impressive, with the ability to ship any type of boat all the way up to large yachts. For anyone with RVs, boats, or motorcycles, International Van Lines is your best choice to get them to wherever you’re going.
IVL also gives customers great flexibility with their moves. Whether you need to change or cancel the date, as long as you give them a couple of days’ notice, you won’t suffer any penalties. As complex as moving often is, with changing jobs and schools and coordinating schedules, it’s great to have a company that understands and accommodates people. Customer service like that is genuinely valuable, and coupled with a good plan (like the one outlined in our moving survival guide), it can make moving a stress-free experience.
International Van Lines does an outstanding job here. They offer all the basic services that I expect from modern moving companies. They even provide further options and customizations beyond what the chart below illustrates, like a few different packing options and scheduling flexibility. So, IVL gets a perfect score here.
| 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
Secret shopping with International Van Lines was a good experience. Their sales representatives and professional movers were courteous, professional, and prompt. The representative I talked to even gave me three different quotes to allow me to compare the costs of different options and customizations. For a two-bedroom move from Denver to Chicago, they quoted me a total of $5,934.51.
Here’s how that price was broken down on the estimate:
- Basic Estimate Price: $5,494.50
- Origin & Destination Fee: $450.00
- Full Packing Service: $0.01
- Discount: – $200.00
- Total Estimate: $5,744.51
- Total Estimate Including Packing Service: $5,934.51
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Denver to Chicago, 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 publication.
Available Discounts
IVL offers a standard senior citizen discount and discounts at the discretion of their sales representatives. The best way to get one is to book well in advance of your move date — sixty days or more should be sufficient. Also, giving them a delivery window that allows them some flexibility will increase your chance of getting a good price.
Except for the ever-elusive home staging customization, IVL does a great job here. As with their basic services, they go beyond what we see in the chart below and provide additional customizations — for example, selling packing supplies. With most companies, selling packing materials refers only to the materials the movers bring with them to pack up your belongings. IVL actually sells packing supplies — boxes, tape, padding, and kits. You can go on their website and purchase them whenever you like. So, with each of these options in the chart, there’s often a second layer of options available to you. This really helps IVL stand apart from their competitors, who often don’t have that same level of hyper-customization.
| 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 |
On balance, IVL does a good job here. Most importantly, they have a solid Better Business Bureau (BBB) letter grade. Yes, their reviews are polarized, but my research shows me that reviews, in general, are almost always polarized. I’m probably not the person to speculate on why the internet is the way it is, but it seems to me that reviewers are just fickle. I did find complaints about IVL that seemed legitimate.
I also read complaints that stemmed more from a customer not reading their estimate and bill of lading, then blaming the company for their misunderstanding. I’ll just say that, in my research of IVL, I didn’t find anything in the reviews that threw up a red flag and suggested a systemic or company-wide issue. Bad reviews mostly just seemed to be the product of misunderstandings and honest mistakes.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A / 3.48 out of 5 stars | 177 |
| Trustpilot | 4.3 out of 5 stars | 53 |
| 3.1 out of 5 stars | 130 | |
| Yelp | 1.5 out of 5 stars | 36 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for International Van Lines
The general professionalism of IVL staff and workers was the most common through-line in reviews — customers frequently referred to them as professional, timely, courteous, and hardworking. Reviewers also called out the good work of the moving crews in packing their belongings carefully.
Most Common Criticism for International Van Lines
The most common complaint was poor resolution of unexpected problems arising during the move. While customers seemed very happy with their overall service when things went right, when things went wrong, some customers complained of IVL staff dropping the ball. This includes late deliveries, poor communication, and sometimes non-existent communication.
IVL does pretty well here. They have all the pertinent information a customer needs to know. Most importantly, they disclose broker/carrier status so the customer is aware of whether the company is doing the move themselves or contracting out to another moving company. Their website has good pricing and estimation tools and provides good general information as to their processes. All things considered, they’re very strong in this category.
American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
American Van Lines does great for moving specialty items like antiques, art, and instruments. With their custom crating and years of experience moving valuable and fragile items, such as art collections, they’re my choice if you have high-value objects that need to be moved. While they do offer local moves, they specialize in interstate moves, so they have the processes in place to get you where you need to go between states quickly and efficiently.
I had more trouble getting quotes from American Van Lines than from others on the list. They seemed a bit slower in returning communications than their competitors. I also had a sales representative who preferred that I do the inventory over the phone rather than through their online system. That’s not a huge deal, but some people prefer not to talk on the phone. I just found it a little unnecessary on the part of the sales representative, considering the company has a perfectly adequate online inventory system. This might’ve been a bit of bad luck regarding the person I got to speak to, but I feel it’s worth noting.
American Van Lines is a good company. They’re especially good for fragile items such as art or antiques. If you’re looking to move these types of items, I would definitely consider them. They specialize in full-service moving across state lines and have a few decades of experience doing it, so they’re no amateurs.
I don’t know if I was just unlucky with the sales representatives I got, but I feel they could do a little better on that side of things. It wasn’t a bad experience, but their competitors made it quicker and more seamless to get an estimate with them.
American Van Lines has everything you could want as far as basic services go. However, their competitors, including IVL and JK Moving, have an edge in terms of the depth of these services. Both of those companies have numerous options and further customizations for these services that American Van Lines doesn’t. Not every customer needs that level of customization, but for those that do, they might consider the other two companies.
| 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
American Van Lines was competitive as far as their quote goes. However, they didn’t give me an itemized quote and gave me the quote over the phone. I asked for an itemized quote be sent to my email, but it never arrived. This was pretty indicative of my experience with them. Technically, I got what I needed, but the process left a lot to be desired. As for the quote itself, American Van Lines was close to its competitors.
- Total shipping: $3,444
- Total shipping plus packing and unpacking service: $4,181
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Denver to Chicago 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 publication.
Available Discounts
American Van Lines doesn’t offer any standard discounts. To get the best price with them, book two months out and give them a week delivery window. The more time you can give them, the better deal you’ll get.
American Van Lines falls a bit short here compared to its competitors by not offering junk removal. This is a bit odd as junk removal is a pretty standard, low-overhead service. It doesn’t require large equipment or a huge labor investment, so I’m a bit perplexed as to why they don’t offer it. Other than that, they also don’t offer home staging, but most of the companies on this list don’t offer it, so I can’t beat them up too badly for that.
| 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 |
American Van Lines is solid in this category. They have a great score with the Better Business Bureau, and they do very well with Trustpilot and Google. Even their Yelp rating isn’t too bad, despite initial impressions. My research tells me Yelp is particularly critical of moving companies, so 2.3 is a respectable rating. I’m also happy to see a large number of reviews, which gives us a good sample of customer experience. All together, AVL does well here.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 4.1 out of 5 stars | 435 |
| Trustpilot | 4.4 out of 5 stars | 80 |
| 4.2 out of 5 stars | 910 | |
| Yelp | 2.3 out of 5 stars | 442 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for American Van Lines
Customers praise American Van Lines’s timeliness and adherence to schedule. They report that drivers show up on time, crews work quickly and diligently, and schedules are kept. They also mention that the company is great about resolving any issues that come up during the move and communicating with the customer.
Most Common Criticism for American Van Lines
Critical reviews commonly mention difficulty in getting firm delivery dates. This is somewhat understandable, as delivery time depends on the driver, who’s facing many variables. However, critical reviewers were frustrated by it nonetheless.
American Van Lines does well here. They’re definitely in the upper half of the list. They check all the boxes that we want to see here at Today’s Homeowner. They have GPS tracking services. They disclose broker/carrier status. Their website features a lot of pricing information. They offer binding estimates, over-the-phone and online booking, and online quotes. All told, American Van Lines has a good level of transparency.
Safeway Moving
4.1
Our Rating
Safeway is one of the smallest companies on this list, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in great service. While secret shopping with the other companies on this list was a great experience, the Safeway representative stood out from the rest. In fact, I ended up having a twenty-minute conversation with him about the ins and outs of the moving business. They pointed me to some great resources, like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s SAFER system, that I utilized throughout my research. It was noteworthy because none of the information he gave me directly benefited Safeway, but it benefited me as a prospective customer. I really appreciated that customer-first philosophy.
Beyond that, Safeway has a great referral program through which you can earn 5% to 10% on the total sale of someone you referred to them. They’re also a great choice for customers who need a piano moved, as they use climate-controlled moving trucks to make sure that your piano isn’t adversely affected by humidity and temperature changes.
Safeway doesn’t have tracking for their entire fleet of trucks. According to my conversations with sales representatives, some of their trucks are GPS-enabled, but others aren’t. A representative informed me this was changing, but as of this writing, you should expect that tracking might not be available on your move. The best thing to do is inquire with a sales representative about GPS tracking availability.
Safeway punches above its weight. Surrounded by long-standing, large companies, it holds its own in providing quality, professional service. I found their sales representatives to be incredibly informative and easy to talk to. They’re a veteran-owned company that gives great deals to military members. They’re also one of my top choices (along with JK Moving Services) for piano moving, as they employ climate-controlled trucks to make sure that humidity or temperature changes do not damage instruments.
The only substantial criticism I have of Safeway is the lack of guaranteed GPS tracking. Tracking can still be done through your sales representative or moving coordinator, but that requires contacting them and them contacting the driver. It’s a slower process than GPS tracking, which can usually be done on an app or website without the need to contact anyone. GPS might be available, depending on the truck, but it’s something you’ll have to inquire about if you talk to a representative.
Local moving is the only service that Safeway doesn’t offer, so this shouldn’t be a problem for readers of this article as prospective interstate movers. But if you’re considering Safeway for future moves or recommending them to others, it’s something to keep in mind.
| 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
Safeway Moving quotes are midrange to low compared to those of competitors. The sales representative affirmed to me on the phone that this is where they like to aim. I think that works out well for customers and gives them a competitive advantage, so I was happy with the total. It’s worth noting that I booked two months in advance and provided a week’s delivery window for this quote. If you book closer to your move date or require a specific delivery date, you can expect the costs to be higher. Here is the breakdown of charges as they appeared on my estimate:
- Basic Estimate Price: $3,500.00
- Fuel Surcharge: $175.00
- Packing Materials: $100.00
- Total Moving Estimate: $3,775.00
- Total Moving Estimate w/ Packing Service: $4,275.00
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided in this article is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Denver to Chicago 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 publication.
Available Discounts
Safeway gives a 5% discount to seniors who book through the phone number on their website. As a veteran-owned company, Safeway also offers up to 20% discount on moves for veterans. Beyond that, booking at least two months in advance and providing a delivery window, rather than a specific date, will net you the best possible price on your booking.
Safeway has every customization you can want, except home staging, which puts them right in line with their competitors on this list. However, Safeway lacks some of the depth of customization options compared to others on the list. JK Moving, for example, offers a few different types of packing options, while Safeway only offers one type. I don’t think that’s a huge deal for most customers, but if you have more specific requirements or expectations, you might consider one of the others on the list.
| 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 does fairly well here with strong showings on Trustpilot and Google. Yelp is notoriously hard to please, and while 1.4 is low, most companies on the list have similar Yelp scores. The Better Business Bureau grades them well, even if it could be better. Either way, Safeway’s reputation is strong enough to be competitive on this list.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B- / 3.89 out of 5 stars | 124 |
| Trustpilot | 4.1 | 35 |
| 4.0 | 224 | |
| Yelp | 1.4 | 68 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Safeway Moving
Safeway receives a lot of praise for timeliness and a seamless moving process. Reviewers report prompt crews that show up on time and complete their work quickly and efficiently. They also report seamless communication with moving coordinators and sales reps.
Most Common Criticism for Safeway Moving
Damaged items is the most common complaint I read, which is somewhat expected. Moving things by truck inevitably risks a few bumps and scrapes along the way, even if the moving crew packed everything well. It’s simply the nature of moving over the road. It’s regrettable, but I didn’t find anything to suggest it was a chronic problem.
Safeway scores competitively in transparency. The only thing that really hurts them is the lack of guaranteed GPS tracking. While some of their fleet is GPS enabled, a portion is not. The sales representative informed me that this was changing and that their fleet would soon be fully GPS enabled, but at the time of this article, they’re not there yet. Other than that, they tick the most important boxes, like broker/carrier disclosure and offering binding estimates.
JK Moving Services
4.2
Our Rating
One service that makes JK Moving Services stand out from the competition is financing. Through their financing department, they match you up with lenders who’ll loan you the money, so you don’t have to pay the cost of the move in one lump sum. This means you’ll pay interest, but if money is tight, it’s a useful service to consider. Financing and a well-thought-out moving budget can really spare you a lot of financial burden in the end.
JK Moving also has a high standard of professionalism, with ongoing training for their moving crews, a fully GPS-enabled fleet of trucks, and climate-controlled storage services. They also contribute to charity and hold numerous industry and safety awards. All these things are evidence that JK Moving strives to deliver quality service to their customers.
There isn’t much to criticize about JK Moving. The worst criticism I can muster is that some of their competitors have a higher level of customization available in their base services. International Van Lines, for example, has many more options and customizations for vehicle shipping. Not only do they ship many different types of vehicles, but they also have numerous ways to ship them. I didn’t find quite this level of customization with JK Moving.
JK Moving is a highly professional service that aspires to high standards of service, which is evident in all the ways they work to prepare their staff as well as in their numerous industry awards. They have great services, such as climate-controlled storage, that cater to customers with sensitive instruments or equipment they need moved. They have numerous charity arms, such as JK Community Farm and JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary. They do well as a company to go beyond just the immediate business of moving. They contribute to the community, strive for excellence by winning awards, and invest in their staff with training — all of which says a lot about their leadership and company philosophy.
As for how they stack up against competitors, their strongest selling point is financing. That’s not a service commonly offered in the moving industry. But considering how expensive interstate moving can be, it makes a whole lot of sense to offer that service. They identified a need and worked to fulfill it, which is the bedrock of good business. I give them a lot of credit for that. As for everything else, they’re right in line with their competitors in their services and offerings, so you won’t find them lacking in that regard.
JK Moving offers all the standard services I want to see here at Today’s Homeowner, so they get a perfect score. I’ll also make special mention of their financing service, which is a great option for customers. JK Moving will match customers with lenders, including facilitating pre-approval. Considering some cross-country moves can be upwards of $10,000, financing can be a huge help.
| 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 requires a visual inspection for an estimate, so I wasn’t able to get one. That isn’t a criticism, though. Visual inspections are valuable to customers, even if they’re a little more demanding than an online inventory. A visual inspection by the company ensures that all the inventory is properly declared and accounted for and that you won’t be hit with a sudden price hike on moving day. Even though estimates are binding, the moving company has a right to void the estimate if they find more inventory on moving day than what was declared by the customer on the estimate. I think we can all agree that’s reasonable. The company shouldn’t have to lose money because a customer accidentally forgot to mention they need their washer and dryer moved, too. That’s why a visual inspection by the company ultimately benefits you as the customer. It guarantees that those kinds of oversights don’t happen and that the estimate you get won’t change.
Available Discounts
JK Moving doesn’t have any standard discounts, but you can get the best possible price by booking at least two months in advance of your move. As well, giving them a delivery window, as opposed to a single delivery day, will likely net you a couple of bucks in savings. Moving companies appreciate customers being flexible with scheduling, so any way you can do that will generally translate to cost savings for you.
JK Moving has all the standard moving customizations except home staging — a great service that’s valuable to people with mobility issues and others, but it’s not commonly offered across the industry. Nonetheless, we deducted a point for not offering it. Otherwise, you should find any other customization you’re looking for.
| 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 |
JK Moving does very well among reviewers. That’s no small feat. I’ve researched many moving companies over the last few months, and few have fared as well as JK Moving. It’s also somewhat unsurprising considering how much effort JK Moving puts towards quality and professionalism. Things like continuing training for moving crews and striving for industry awards really show in their customer review ratings. I found JK Moving stood out amongst its competitors in terms of investment and commitment to quality customer service and professionalism, and I think their reputation with reviewers proves it.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+ / 3.89 out of 5 stars | 75 |
| Trustpilot | 3.6 out of 5 stars | 1 |
| 4.5 out of 5 stars | 1,330 | |
| Yelp | 3.5 out of 5 stars | 374 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for JK Moving Services
“Professionalism” is the most common word I find in JK’s customer reviews. Reviewers seemed very pleased with the level of service provided by JK Moving. This wasn’t just sales reps but moving coordinators, drivers, and moving crews, too. JK Moving puts obvious work into quality customer service, and the reviews are a reflection of their effort.
Most Common Criticism for JK Moving Services
Damage was a common criticism, but damage is a common criticism among all moving companies. Moving things by truck is a rough, bumpy business, even in the best of circumstances. A good company (and I think JK Moving Services is one) does their best to mitigate those risks through proper packing and stowing, but bumps and dings still sometimes happen. The comparatively few negative reviews didn’t give me the impression that JK Moving has a company-wide problem. They seemed to be small, localized incidents that, while regrettable, are sometimes unavoidable.
This is JK Moving’s weakest category. It mostly stems from their lack of disclosure of broker/carrier status. This could be a pretty big deal. Carriers are the ones that do the moving, while moving brokers contract out moves to carriers. Many customers aren’t comfortable with having their move contracted to a third party that they didn’t directly hire. I find it disappointing that JK Moving doesn’t disclose their status so that customers know how they do a move. Because they don’t disclose it, I had to do some searching — JK Moving Services is a carrier. So, if that matters to you, now, you know. I’d like to see them provide that disclosure in the future so that people don’t have to search government records to find out.
Mayflower Moving
4.1
Our Rating
Having started in 1927, Mayflower has a long history in the moving business. With that history comes a wealth of accumulated knowledge about the moving business, and that kind of experience is an asset to customers. It’s also a testament to the quality of the business generally, as poorly run businesses that create bad customer experiences tend to not have customers for long.
Another selling point that makes Mayflower stand out from their competitors is its Snapmoves service. This service provides for small moves (apartment- or small-house-sized) conducted on short notice. Snapmoves caters to clients who need a move done quickly and efficiently — streamlining the quoting and estimate process to get you to your new house or apartment as fast as possible and with minimal hassle.
There’s not much to dislike about Mayflower. They’re a longstanding company with a good reputation that offers all industry-standard services and customizations. Aside from a few negative reviews, it’s a great company.
I have a very high opinion of Mayflower, not least of all for their near-century in the moving business. They offer all the services and customizations that customers expect in a moving company, as well as some niche services like Snapmoves. It’s a carrier, as opposed to a broker, which I like. While I don’t discount brokers or discourage customers from considering them, I think carriers are generally more in line with what customers want and expect from a moving company.
As for how it stands next to other companies on the list, Mayflower is highly competitive. With their extensive history and experience in the business comes a high level of professionalism and know-how. Though a few other companies (International Van Lines, for one) shine brighter in terms of the level of customization they offer, I don’t think they can compete with the quality of Mayflower’s staff and processes. Reviewers almost ubiquitously praise the professionalism of Mayflower staff, drivers, and crews, and I don’t think that’s something the discerning customer should overlook. Quality service can turn a good experience into an exceptional, stress-free one, and that’s worth a lot when it comes to complex undertakings like moving.
Mayflower couldn’t do better here. Their interstate moving service is top-notch, and so are their other services. Mayflower has the breadth and experience to take care of all your moving needs. I’ll also mention their Snapmoves service, which is a great service for people living in apartments or small houses who need to do a quick move, including moves out of state. Snapmoves makes the process streamlined and painless.
| 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
Mayflower requires a visual survey to get an estimate, so I wasn’t able to do that for this article. However, requiring a visual survey is a great indicator of a quality moving company. Visual surveys help avoid unexpected moving price increases by ensuring that all household goods that need to be moved are properly declared and accounted for at the outset. While online inventories are more convenient, they run the risk of goods being missed or incorrectly declared, which results in the estimate being changed on moving day. Considering how expensive moving is, avoiding surprises that up your bill is a win.
Available Discounts
Mayflower doesn’t regularly offer discounts, but it occasionally runs coupons and promotions. These can usually be found through organizations for veterans or seniors. As with all moving companies, booking two months or more in advance will get you the best price possible, as will giving the company a delivery window rather than a specific date.
Mayflower has all the customization you’ll need except for home staging. This isn’t unexpected, as it isn’t a commonly offered service, even if it’s a valuable one. Outside that, they have various levels of customization in each category in the table below. For example, they have multiple packing options, including full-service packing, partial packing, and electronics packing.
| 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 does well here, especially with customer reviews. In my experience researching moving companies, Yelp reviewers are particularly hard to please. A score of 2.1 might not seem high, but it’s better than most moving companies do. Aside from that, they have a good reputation with the Better Business Bureau and great Google reviews. Reading a plethora of reviews on Mayflower has shown me customers have high praise for the company.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B / 1.35 out of 5 stars | 33 |
| Trustpilot | 2.4 | 6 |
| 4.3 | 150 | |
| Yelp | 2.1 | 92 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Mayflower Moving
By far, the most commonly mentioned quality of Mayflower among reviewers is its professionalism. It’s not surprising with a long-standing company like this one, but it’s great to see nonetheless. Reviewers also mention the general hardworking nature of the moving crews and drivers. They report that they’re efficient, careful, and courteous.
Most Common Criticism for Mayflower Moving
Damage to items was a common criticism in negative reviews. Reviews citing damage were few, and I don’t suspect this is a pervasive issue. Moving by truck is naturally bumpy and rough, so it’s not uncommon for a few items to sustain some scratches and dents along the way. A good moving company will do everything it can to minimize the risk, but it does still happen.
Mayflower has a good level of transparency in key areas. It discloses broker/carrier status so the customer knows whether the company is moving the items themselves or contracting the move out to a different company (Mayflower is a carrier and broker.)
They also offer GPS tracking so you can track your shipment while it’s en route. Mayflower’s website features lots of cost information, so you can get an idea of how much a move will set you back and what factors go into determining cost. According to our review standards, the only thing they lacked was sample pricing on their website.
What to Look for in a Reputable Company for Interstate Moving
Most importantly, a reputable interstate moving company meets all the legal requirements outlined by federal regulations (49 CFR 375 being a major one.) But it goes beyond regulations, too. A reputable company should have the markers of an above-board, professional business, which includes things like a proper website, social media, disclosure of legal and regulatory information, professional sales associates, and more. Here’s a list of some general green flags to look for in a company:
- Has a professional website and an email address that includes the company name.
- Sales associates behave professionally and greet you with their name and the company name.
- Estimates and bills of lading all have the company name, legal information, and cost totals.
- The company has a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and sometimes a motor carrier (MC) number. These should be listed at the bottom of the homepage of their website and on all official business documents, such as estimates.
- Provides you with a copy of the booklet “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move,” per federal requirement.
- Inspects the goods to be moved. While you can waive a visual inspection and do an online inventory, the fine print of the estimate should acknowledge the company’s legal requirement of inspection and the customer’s right of waiver.
How To Avoid Scams With Interstate Moving
Moving scams usually come in the form of “hostage-taking.” That is, an outfit takes your goods hostage and demands large sums to release them. While moving companies do have the right to withhold your goods until they receive payment, they’re legally required to release your goods once you pay the full amount agreed upon in the bill of lading. If there are secondary charges (for example, for shuttles or long-carries), the company can only bill you for them after drop-off. They can’t withhold your goods for unpaid secondary charges. So, to make that more pointed, if you pay the cost on the bill of lading you signed, the company legally has to release your goods. No exceptions.
There are numerous types of moving scams out there (too many to list here.) So, here are some things to watch out for in a company (or purported company):
- Asks for a large, up-front deposit
- Demands cash and doesn’t accept other valid forms of payment.
- Provides estimates or bills of lading that are blank or lack a total moving cost
- Has no USDOT number, or when you search the USDOT number in the FMCSA SAFER system, it turns up nothing, or a company profile missing crucial information, like a street address or phone number
- Has a generic email address
- Nonexistent or unprofessional website
- Doesn’t provide you with a copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move“
- Offices or warehouses in poor condition
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
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
FAQs
How Much Does a Moving Company Cost for Interstate Moving?
The cost of moving interstate can vary widely depending on factors like distance and how many and what type of items need to be moved. While there isn’t really a useful way to average those costs and give you a specific number, there are some strategies you can use to ensure that you get the best deal when shopping for a moving company.
Do You Need a Moving Company for Interstate Moving?
No. You can use a portable storage service, truck rental service, or just pack your belongings in your vehicle.
Are Moving Companies for Interstate Moving Worth It?
Absolutely. While it’s worth considering DIY versus professional moving, a moving company takes a lot of the burden off your shoulders. So, if you can afford it, I say go with a moving company.
Other Resources for Prospective Movers
- Best Moving Companies
- Best Cheap Moving Companies
- Cheapest Moving Truck Rental Companies
- Best Long Distance Moving Companies
- Best Moving Truck Rental Companies
- Best Moving Companies for Military Moves
- Best National Moving Companies
- Best International Movers
- Best Apartment Moving Companies
- Moving Quotes Online
- Best Moving Container Companies
- Cheapest Moving Container Companies
- Best Moving Companies for Small Moves
- Best Packing and Moving Companies
- Best Junk Removal
- Best Pet Shipping Companies
- Moving Companies That Offer Discounts To Senior Citizens
- Best Piano Moving Companies
- Best Full-Service Moving Companies
- Best Antique Moving Companies
