Best Long-Distance Movers: Expert Reviewed 2023

• Service Model: Moving broker and carrier
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 50

International Van Lines (IVL) began as an international logistics company and continues to specialize in global relocation services. IVL services 180 countries—more than any other provider in our review—and is our top pick for international relocations as well. The company also provides local and long-distance moving services. It has brick-and-mortar locations in five states, so it operates primarily as a broker. Many of its partner companies are highly rated and provide quality services.

Benefits

➕ Has experience solving logistical challenges for moves of any distance

➕ Allows cancellations with full refunds up to 48 hours before your move date

➕ Offers one month of free storage

Drawbacks

➖ Charges a 25% deposit for booking a move

➖ Operates almost exclusively as a broker

As the only point of contact for international moves, IVL will oversee the moving process from packing and loading to ocean or air freight transport. IVL is a licensed freight forwarder (#021051NF) with the Federal Maritime Commission for ocean freight transport, which is the most common way to move abroad. Customers can choose from a full container load or consolidated load, the latter of which can help reduce costs but takes longer to deliver. IVL also provides air freight transport for those who want to receive their belongings more quickly.

International Van Lines provides the following moving services:

• International moves
• Domestic and interstate moves
• Vehicle shipping
• Custom crating
• Debris removal
• Storage
• Insurance coverage to protect your shipment

International Van Lines will provide you with a more detailed estimate once you complete an online quote form or contact a representative by phone. For your convenience, you can opt to conduct a virtual survey of your home’s inventory rather than an in-home consultation. We used International Van Lines’ online moving calculator to get the sample quote below.

Sample Quote: $4,200 to $6,150 (3-bedroom move from Nashville, TN to Orlando, FL in early May)

Deposit: 25% of your total moving cost

Payment Options: Cash, credit card, check, or money order

Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from International Van Lines

• Service Model: Moving carrier
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 48 (not available in Alaska or Hawaii)

American Van Lines is worth exploring if you have a collection of antiques, fine art, or other high-value items to move. The company focuses on hiring and retaining experienced moving crews that can expertly pack, load, and transport items that require special handling. AVL’s full-time crew members have an average of 10 years of experience in the moving industry. Further, they must complete ongoing education and annual training at the company’s on-site training facilities. According to the company’s website, this includes coaching for moving bulky items such as pianos, fitness equipment, and one-of-a-kind art pieces.

Benefits

➕ Trains its movers in safe handling techniques for fragile and high-value items

➕ Doesn’t recruit third-party contractors to perform moving services

➕ Offers a partial-packing service for customers who prefer DIY packing but need help for certain items

Drawbacks

➖ Charges a 50% deposit for booking a move, a higher up-front cost than most reputable competitors

➖ Doesn’t give quotes online or by phone

While American Van Lines is a full-service mover, you can also opt for partial-service options. You can choose various add-on services to create a customized moving package, such as storage. Residential moves are a central focus, but AVL also addresses needs for commercial, corporate, and military moves. For customers who prefer a more DIY approach, AVL’s sells packing materials for all types of moves.

• Full-service moves
• Partial packing (e.g. fragile-only packing)
• Storage
• Electronics crating
• Vehicle shipping

American Van Lines does not give instant moving quotes online or by phone, but does offer price matching. The company will provide a binding estimate only after thoroughly reviewing your home and its contents.

We got the sample quote below from American Van Lines’ website, but recommend getting a personalized quote. 

Sample Quote: $8,178 (4-bedroom move from Dallas, TX to Denver, CO)

Deposit: Up to 50% of your total moving cost

Payment Options: Cash, credit cards, and checks

Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from American Van Lines

• Service Model: Moving broker and carrier
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 50

Safeway Moving Inc. is a veteran-owned moving company with agents available nationwide to conduct long-distance moving services. Safeway trains its staff to adapt a moving plan to your needs and backs its services with a 100% guarantee for safe and on-time delivery. The company has experience navigating the requirements for moving in and out of condominiums and can help guide you through the process.

Safeway operates almost exclusively as a broker, which means it doesn’t directly provide moving services. We underwent a lengthy call and quote process with a Safeway move coordinator and were reassured that this mover can offer quality service.

Benefits

➕ Is knowledgeable about the regulatory process for condo associations and can assist with moving to a condo

➕ Provides additional moving guidance for retirement-age customers

➕ Has a vetting process for hired and contracted movers

Drawbacks

➖ Brokers most of its moves to third parties

➖ Doesn’t have a mobile app or extensive online resources

Safeway is a full-service mover and its agents will pack, load, transport, unload, and unpack your items. For its storage services, Safeway provides up to 30 days of secure storage free of charge. The company also trains its staff to provide guidance for senior citizens moving to a new home or retirement community.

Holding carrier and broker authority, Safeway takes a two-sided approach to its moving services. It conducts most moves in-house but uses contractors for some services depending on the availability of its staff and the move location. In a departure from many similar movers, Safeway doesn’t outsource services to owner-operators with varying standards of practice. Any contractors that Safeway hires are full-time employees of the partner company.

• Full-service moves
• Packing/unpacking
• Loading/unloading
• Storage

Safeway advertises flat-rate costs based on the distance of your move and the size of your inventory. An agent will provide a binding estimate that will not change as long as your reported inventory is accurate and you require no additional services after booking the move.

We requested an estimate from Safeway for a long-distance move to get the sample quote below.

Sample Quote: $9,586 (3-bedroom move from Atlanta, GA to Houston, TX)

Deposit: Up to 40% of your total moving cost

Payment Options: You can pay your deposit with credit card, check, ACH, or wire transfer. Safeway accepts cash, certified check, money order, or credit card for the remaining moving costs.

Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from Safeway Moving

• Service Model: Moving broker
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 50

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) offers moving services anywhere in the country, working as a broker with a network of licensed and insured partners in all 50 states. For any city with nearby IMRG agents, you should expect prompt scheduling and delivery of moving services. IMRG’s partners include long-distance and local moving companies that offer quality service for residential, military, and commercial moves. IMRG also publishes articles for moving to nearly a dozen major cities, featuring moving tips and information about cost of living.

Benefits

➕ Has a large network of licensed and insured moving partners, enabling IMRG to conduct services nationwide

➕ Shares informative articles on its website for moving to major cities

➕ Can arrange specialty services such as military moves and vehicle shipping

Drawbacks

➖ Offers no direct service as a carrier

➖ Has received a large number of FMCSA complaints for estimates not matching final charges

As a broker, IMRG has the flexibility to source services from both full- and self-service movers depending on your needs. For small moves with minimal heavy lifting, you may find container storage and shipping an attractive option. IMRG also has numerous partners specializing in full-service moves, providing packing and unpacking assistance.

Some partners offer specialty services, such as auto transport and cleaning services. Junk removal and customized transportation for commercial moves are other listed offerings. Specify your needs when speaking to an IMRG representative, and the company will find a provider that is the best fit.

Choosing full-service packing and unpacking assistance through one of IMRG’s providers may drive costs up. A shipment that proves heavier than the estimated weight will result in additional charges. Depending on the moving company that performs your services, you can opt for a binding or non-binding estimate. Some companies may also offer not-to-exceed estimates that lock in a maximum final price.

We received the sample quote below from an IMRG representative. 

Sample Quote: $2,100–$6,900 (2 or 3 bedrooms moving 1,000 miles from your current location)

Deposit: IMRG may require a deposit depending on the mover selected.

Payment Options: IMRG accepts credit card or electronic checks. Payment options for moving costs will depend on the provider.

Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from IMRG

• Service Model: Moving carrier and broker
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 50

In business since 1928, Allied Van Lines is one of the most experienced providers on our list. The company focuses on the overall customer experience, which can be reassuring when you trust it to transport your belongings hundreds or thousands of miles away. Like JK Moving, Allied assigns a moving coordinator to assist each customer personally. It also hosts helpful online resources, including an active blog that features tips and detailed guidance for tackling various challenges in the moving process.

Benefits

➕ Offers guaranteed delivery dates

➕ Provides numerous online resources and a mobile app for its customers

➕ Offers Allied Express as a specialty service, allowing customers to conduct small moves with container storage and professional moving assistance

Drawbacks

➖ Doesn’t offer customer support via phone or email on weekends

➖ Uses third-party movers when its own staff is unavailable

In addition to standard full-service offerings, Allied offers partial-service options, such as fragile-only packing. Fragile-only packing works well if you can handle the bulk of your own packing but need help with breakable or valuable items, such as antiques and heirlooms. If you’re moving cross-country but don’t need a large moving truck, Allied Van Lines has its own moving-and-storage container service called Allied Express. Container rental includes a two- to four-member moving crew to help you load and unload your items. Allied also helps with military and corporate relocation, implementing a 20-step move management system. 

• Full- or partial-service moves
• Packing/unpacking
• Loading/unloading
• Online shipment tracking
• Storage

Allied Van Lines will not provide an online or phone estimate for homes larger than three bedrooms. For a binding estimate, you can schedule an in-person or virtual home survey on Allied’s website. An assessment specialist will review the layout of your house and your moving inventory, then factor in the distance, size, and date of your move to determine the total cost you can expect to pay on moving day.

We got the sample quote below using Allied Van Lines’ online moving calculator.

Sample Quote: $5,773–$6,368 (3-bedroom move from Boston, MA to Montpelier, VT in mid-July and includes packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, shipment tracking, basic carrier liability coverage, item transport, and associated fuel and toll charges)

Deposit: None required

Payment Options: Cash, credit cards, and certified checks

Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from Allied Van Lines

• Service Model: Moving broker
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 50

Moving APT is a broker, not a carrier, so it does not directly provide moving services. Instead, the company matches customers with local movers that can meet their specific moving needs. The benefit of working with Moving APT is that it can handle the legwork of researching and picking a mover based on your specifications. Then, all you have to do is give Moving APT your relocation details and note any special services you need, and the company will take care of the rest.

Moving APT utilizes a nationwide network of more than 2,500 licensed, insured, and prescreened movers from which to choose. Even after matching you with one of its partners, Moving APT will remain your primary point of contact to ensure your relocation is going smoothly and according to schedule.

Benefits

➕ Is transparent about the providers it contracts for moving services, putting you in direct communication with the companies

➕ Provides fast estimates for moving at the last minute

➕ Vets its partners for active insurance, licensing records, and background

Drawbacks

➖ Doesn’t operate its own moving crews or truck fleets

➖ Has received complaints on Yelp about misrepresented costs

Moving APT can accommodate full-service, long-distance relocation requests throughout the United States. Full moving services include packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. Moving APT also offers various add-on options, including furniture disassembly and reassembly, appliance disconnection and reconnection, and special handling of large, high-value items, such as pianos and elliptical machines. The company can also connect you to carriers equipped for shipping a vehicle over long distances. For non-residential customers, some Moving Apt partners can coordinate commercial and corporate moving services.

We received the sample quote below from Moving APT’s online calculator. You’ll need to contact Moving APT directly to schedule a virtual home walk-through and receive a binding estimate.

Sample Quote: $7,500 (4-bedroom move from Orlando, FL to Nashville, TN)

Deposit: Moving APT charges an up-front deposit, the amount of which depends on the distance and size of your move and the company handling your relocation.

Payment Options: Moving APT accepts payment via credit card, cash, and certified or personal check. The company also offers in-house lending services if you wish to finance your move.

Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from Moving APT

• Service Model: Moving carrier and broker
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 50

JK Moving Services is one of our top choices for long-distance moving services due to its customizable packages and personal moving coordinators. Your moving coordinator will ask about your service preferences and walk you through each step of move planning, arranging a virtual or in-home consultation to go over your home’s inventory. You can then use JK Moving’s convenient mobile app to review the details of your estimate and proceed through the final booking process.

Though your move may be brokered out to a third-party carrier for long-distance relocations that originate away from the East Coast, JK Moving’s quality move tracking and customer service teams will be there to assist you at every step of your move. It provides quality assistance for residential and commercial clients, as well as military families.

Benefits

➕ Has a convenient mobile app for reviewing your estimate and booking your move

➕ Provides 24/7 customer service

➕ Screens its movers for criminal history before hiring

Drawbacks

➖ Doesn’t offer online quotes

➖ Doesn’t refund deposits for canceled moves

In addition to full-service moves, JK Moving offers more specialized services, including vehicle relocation and the handling of difficult items such as pianos, framed art, and grandfather clocks. Customers can also use JK Moving’s mobile app to add or change services, make payments, and check their items’ status while in transit.

JK Moving also offers a full-replacement contents coverage option to help customers gain peace of mind during a long-distance move. With full-replacement coverage, the company will reimburse you for the full value of any broken, damaged, lost, or stolen items. You may also adjust your full-replacement coverage to match the approximate value of your inventory rather than paying a flat rate.

• Packing/unpacking
• Loading/unloading
• Vehicle relocation
• Mobile app

JK Moving will provide you with a binding estimate—the actual amount you can expect to pay on moving day—after a virtual or in-home walk-through. During the walk-through, a company representative will review your household items and identify potentially difficult-to-move pieces, such as home gym equipment and large electronics requiring custom crating. The company doesn’t provide instant quotes online or by phone.

JK Moving offers in-house financing through its partnership with Enhancify. With Enhancify, you can receive rates as low as 0%, same-as-cash, subject to credit approval. Simply submit an application, and in 60 seconds, you can review your rate options and get pre-approved before booking your move. It’s important to review your loan rates and terms carefully to avoid paying more in the long run.

We called a JK Moving representative to get the sample quote below. While the company does not provide figures for moving contents from homes of four bedrooms or more without an in-home visit, the estimate for the two-bedroom home included furniture disassembly, wrapping, and padding, loading and unloading all household items, and full-replacement valuation coverage.

Sample Quote: $7,500 (2-bedroom move from Chicago, IL to Atlanta, GA—approximately 750 miles—in mid-April)

Deposit: $250

Payment Options: Credit cards, cash, and checks

Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from JK Moving Services

• Service Model: Moving carrier and broker
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 50

North American Van Lines (NAVL) accommodates long-distance moves of all sizes through a network of more than 500 local movers. As a carrier and a broker, NAVL will arrange for a partner moving company to help you if it cannot directly handle your move. NAVL will still coordinate and back your relocation, ensuring you have access to all of the company’s full-service offerings, add-on options, and moving resources. One appealing add-on option is NAVL’s service for uninstalling and reinstalling appliances during a move, saving you an extra step as you adjust to your new living space.

Benefits

➕ Offers to assist with the removal and reinstallation of appliances

➕ Has several customer support lines, including for filing claims

➕ Uses a predictable pricing model

Drawbacks

➖ Has mixed storage availability depending on location

➖ Outsources some services to third-party moving companies

As an experienced long-distance mover, NAVL offers optional services to streamline your move, such as car, truck, SUV, van, and boat transportation. Add-on services include appliance removal and reinstallation, short- and long-term storage, and custom crating for fragile, rare, expensive, and extremely large pieces.

NAVL hosts several useful online resources, such as a packing calculator, a moving checklist, and a guide for moving wine collections. Your moving specialist will send you a link to an easy-to-use app for conducting a virtual survey, allowing you to create a digital inventory of your move and to save important documents.

• Full-service moves for residential, commercial, and military clients
• Vehicle transportation
• Storage
• Appliance removal/reinstallation
• Custom crating

NAVL will provide you with flat-rate pricing, or a binding estimate, after completing an in-person or virtual assessment of your home. As part of this process, you will need to itemize your moving shipment and identify any household items you aren’t planning to take with you when you move.

We got the sample quote below from North American Van Lines. Online quotes are not available for homes with four or more bedrooms, but we called NAVL and received a minimum estimate of $7,555 to move the contents of a four-bedroom home the same distance. That move would include packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, shipment tracking, and basic carrier liability coverage at 60 cents per pound for each item.

Sample Quote: $6,709–$7,381 (3-bedroom home from New York, NY to Charleston, SC at the end of May)

Deposit: None required

Payment Options: Cash, credit cards, and certified checks

Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from North American Van Lines

• Service Model: Moving carrier
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 46 (not available in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia)

United Van Lines has been in business since 1928 and is one of the major companies under the UniGroup moving umbrella. This co-op is one of the largest moving networks in the country and services local, long-distance, and international moves. United Van Lines provides relocation services in 46 states, along with international moving assistance to 150 countries worldwide.

Benefits

➕Offers full-value protection with all moves
➕Provides flat-rate pricing
➕Has tech disassembly and installation services

Drawbacks

➖Features higher rates than its competitors
➖Has negative reviews that report spam calls after booking

United Van Lines provides a standard range of services for domestic moving, including packing, crating, vehicle shipping, and storage. One of its standout services is its ability to break down and install home theaters, home offices, and other tech items. This makes it a solid choice for anyone who works from home or is planning to relocate their business.

United Van Lines provides binding estimates for all moves. Its quote process is similar to that of many full-service carriers, as it requires a phone call for booking and will often request a video survey or in-person walkthrough of a home. United offers full-value protection with every moving quote. However, it charges slightly higher rates than its competitors.

• Deposit: None required
• Payment Options: Cash, cashier’s check, money order, traveler’s check
• Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from United Van Lines

• Service Model: Moving carrier
• Specialty Services: Yes
• State Availability: 22

Coleman Worldwide Moving is a moving carrier with direct availability in 22 states and serving the rest of the country through its partnership with Allied Van Lines. To make the full-service moving experience a more accessible option, Coleman offers professional packing services to residential, commercial, corporate, and military customers. Coleman customizes its level of assistance to your preferences, with add-on options that include crating, storage, debris removal, and more. If Coleman can’t directly handle your move, it will book a qualified Allied agent for you.

Benefits

➕ Maintains its own moving trucks with customizations such as lift gates to ensure a safer move

➕ Arranges many types of moving services, including residential, commercial, and corporate relocation

➕ Offers vehicle shipping across state lines, detailing its process for protecting your car or motorcycle via an online guide

Drawbacks

➖ Is unable to serve all 50 states with its own moving crews and trucks

➖ Doesn’t have a tool for instant online quotes

In addition to full packing and unpacking services, Coleman provides various other options to help make your move more efficient and convenient. Its movers can stretch-wrap your furniture for additional protection and can disassemble furniture that is too large to fit through doorways. Custom crating is available for your high-value belongings, and Coleman uses special materials and moving techniques for fragile items. After unpacking, the movers can take care of debris removal to save you the trouble.

It can be stressful to move a car or motorcycle over a long distance, but Coleman has vehicle shipping solutions available. The company uses trucks fitted with lift gates to help prevent damage, and its trained movers use the appropriate pads and tie-downs for protecting a car or motorcycle during transit and off-loading.

Storage solutions are also available for both household and commercial shipments.

Coleman coordinates a move from Ohio to California through Allied and anticipates the average cost to be around $4,500. This is a base figure and will change depending on the weight of the shipment, the exact distance traveled, and the selection of professional packing assistance and other specialty services. Seasonality is a pricing factor, and rates will be higher during busier months.

When you call for a quote, Allied can provide you with a rough cost estimate based on the details of your move. After an in-home consultation to look over your home’s size and inventory, the company can provide a more accurate estimate.

Payment Options: Coleman accepts cash, cashier checks, and credit cards for payment.

Free Moving Estimate: Get a moving quote from Coleman Worldwide Moving