The Best Cross Country Movers

Embarking on an out-of-state move is no small feat. The process of packing up your life and relocating to a different part of the country can be both exciting and daunting. The key to a successful move is finding the right movers to help you every step of the way. 

We’ve tapped into our experience and expertise to dive deep into the world of cross-country moving services, providing you with invaluable insights and expert advice to make the right choice for your big move. 

With this guide to the best cross-country movers of 2023, you can rest easy knowing that your relocation will be a smooth and stress-free experience.

We’ve researched and analyzed customer reviews to compile a comprehensive list of the best cross country movers in the industry. Our aim is to save you time, energy, and headaches, so you can focus on the excitement of your new home.

With our help, you’ll be on your way to a seamless and enjoyable cross-country move in no time.

Factors that affect the cost of your move

When planning a move and choosing the best cross country movers, it’s essential to be aware of the various factors that can influence the overall cost of long distance moving. One of the primary factors is the distance of the move. Naturally, a longer move will require more time, fuel, and resources, translating to a higher price.

In addition, the weight and volume of your household goods play a crucial role in determining the cost. Movers generally charge based on the total weight of your possessions, so decluttering and downsizing before the move can lead to significant savings. It’s also worth noting that special or fragile items, such as pianos, antiques, or valuable artwork, may require specialized handling or packing, increasing the overall cost.

Timing is another important aspect to consider when it comes to moving expenses. The demand for the best movers tends to fluctuate throughout the year, with the peak moving season typically occurring during summer. Due to higher demand, you can expect to pay a premium for long distance moving during this time of year. If you have flexible moving dates, scheduling your move during the off-peak season (fall or winter) can result in lower costs.

Furthermore, the day of the week can also impact the price, as weekends are often busier and more expensive than weekdays. Lastly, don’t forget to consider whether you’ll need add-on services such as packing materials, insurance coverage, and potential storage fees. By understanding these factors and planning accordingly, you can better manage your moving budget, gain peace of mind and avoid any surprises on moving day.

The best cross country moving companies in 2023:

• American Van Lines – Best Value for the Price
• Safeway Moving – Most Accurate Online Quotes
• JK Moving Services – Best Premium Option
• Air Van northAmerican Van Lines – Best for Longer Moves
• U-Pack — Best Budget-Friendly Option

Our Vetting Process

There are approximately 6,000 full-service movers in the United States.

According to statista.com, those providers collectively generate between $15 and $18 billion in annual revenue.

Needless to say, finding reliable long distance moving services can be an intimidating task. Here, we’ll help you find the best cross country movers.

Best Value: American Van Lines

American Van Lines at a glance

Headquartered in sunny Pompano Beach, Florida, American Van Lines was founded in 1995.

The company initially had just one location and two trucks, but since then, they’ve become a large cross-country mover, expanding to more than 70 moving trucks that service the contiguous 48 states.

American has never lost sight of its core values and family roots.

An independent survey by Newsweek Magazine in 2023 ranked their customer service among the best in the moving industry.

In short, that impressive honor makes them a clear standout.

Thanks to their attention to detail, wide coverage area, and competitive pricing, it’s a pleasure to include them on our list.

American Van Lines’ service options include:

• Professional drivers
• Free quote
• Full-Service packing services & unpacking
• Loading & Unloading
• Packing materials and moving supplies
• Storage services
• Multiple moving insurance coverage options
• Furniture Assembly & Disassembly

American Van Lines is a cross-country moving company worth checking out if there’s a move on your horizon.

What we like

Featuring experienced, friendly, and insured crews, American boasts excellent customer service scores and some of the best full service moving pricing we’ve seen in a long time.

They’re great at handling fragile items and last-minute moves other professional movers can’t, and they offer multiple video moving estimate options via the app, phone, and tablet.

In addition, American’s drivers and long distance movers have years of experience handling fragile high-value items like fine art, antiques, and pianos. The company is active in many top industry organizations.

What we don’t like

• Customers may be required to put down a deposit when booking their move.

They’re an excellent choice for:

• Last-minute moves
• Customers who are unfamiliar with the moving process
• Customers with limited budgets who want top-notch relocation service

Best for Accurate Pricing: Safeway Moving

As a veteran-owned Chicago-based company, Safeway Moving is on a mission to provide relocation services with ‘military precision.’ And there one of the best cross country movers out there.

The Safeway team knows that the moving process can be overwhelming.

The company is staffed with industry insiders in every position to make moving day as stress-free as possible.

Focusing on leadership and ethics has resulted in a simple, affordable moving formula that keeps customers happy.

Safeway has painstakingly built an enormous network of truck capacity across the country, which helps them cover a wide full-service moving area while keeping prices low.

All told, their approach adds up to a fantastic moving value, and it’s why we’ve included them on this year’s Best Interstate Movers list.

Safeways service options include:

• Professional drivers
• Full-Service packing services & unpacking
• Loading & Unloading
• Packing materials and moving supplies
• Storage services
• Multiple moving insurance coverage options

What we like

It’s tough to beat Safeway’s “meet or beat” price matching policy, and if that wasn’t enough, many customers qualify for up to 30 days of free storage.

To keep pricing accurate, Safeway offers virtual walk-through estimates. Since 2020 they’ve donated a portion of revenue from each move to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help eradicate childhood cancer.

We also like that they have a straightforward free quote process.

What we don’t like

• Deposits required at booking

• They don’t do local moves or offer service to Alaska or Hawaii

Who should use Safeway Moving?

You’re an excellent match for Safeway if you:

• Value attention to detail, transparency, and ethics
• Have a lower estimate from a reputable competitor
• Want free storage for up to 30 days
• Want some of your money to go to a worthwhile charity

Best Premium Mover: JK Moving Services

JK Moving Services has been in the industry for nearly 50 years and has some of the largest companies in the world as its clientele. They offer various services, from Presidential relocations to full-service moving services.

With their reputation comes higher prices than some of their competitors, but with JK Moving, you truly get what you pay for, and what you’re paying for is a high-quality moving experience.

They’re well-known for handling international moves, and their interstate moving services are just as good.

JK’s long distance moving service options include:

• Professional drivers
• Full-Service packing services & unpacking
• Loading & Unloading
• Packing materials and moving supplies
• Storage services
• Multiple moving insurance coverage options
• Additional service options, like auto transport

What we like

• They have A+ Better Business Bureau Rating
• JK is the largest independent moving company in the Western Hemisphere
• They’re a FIDI Accredited International Mover
• Vetted by the Dow Jones Risk and Compliance Service
• Have fantastic reviews for their customer service

What we don’t like

• They’re not budget-friendly and may charge more than some people want to pay.

Who should use JK cross country moving services?

If you’re moving out of state, want the highest quality services, and are okay with paying more, go with JK. This rings especially true if you’re moving many expensive items and want to be sure that your movers are experienced with fragile items.

Best for Longer Moves: Air Van Moving (North American Van Lines)

With decades of experience as an award-winning agent for one of the country’s oldest and most well-respected moving companies, Air Van is a clear choice for complex moves.

Verified customer reviews speak for themselves, and thanks to its experience and commitment to quality service, Air Van is the highest-rated nationwide moving company among moveBuddha customers.

The company consistently earns high marks in nearly every category, especially regarding attentive customer service and honest pricing.

Air Van’s moving service options include:

• Professional drivers
• Full-Service packing services & unpacking
• Loading & Unloading
• Packing materials and moving supplies
• Storage services
• Multiple insurance coverage options
• Additional service options, like car shipping

In short, they’re worth considering if there’s a tricky move in your future.

What we like

85+ years in the moving business is quite an achievement, and Air Van North American Van Lines pioneered the power of technology to exceed customers’ expectations.

Air Van offers online shipment tracking, and they’re pros at handling local, intrastate, interstate, and even international moving.

With over 1,500 agents nationwide, every place is within Air Van’s reach, and they’re among the most financially stable of all the companies on this list.

We also love that they’re open about giving customers binding estimates, eliminating much of the stress of moving.

What we don’t like

• They’re popular, so you must book your interstate move well before your actual move date in advance.

Who should use Air Van North American Van Lines?

Air Van is like the “Old Faithful” of the moving business because they –

• Are an agent for an extensive reputable national van line
• Can coordinate moves across town, across the country, or around the world
• Have a vast hauling fleet
• Have top-notch drivers, packers, movers, and customer service representatives

Best Budget-Friendly Option: U-Pack

If you’re looking for the best cross country movers and a budget-friendly option, consider U-Pack.

U-Pack is a moving container company offering more DIY options than the other interstate movers on our list. This makes them less expensive than other professional movers, but it also means you have to do much of the work yourself.

One benefit of U-Pack is that they have much quicker and more accurate delivery times. It only takes 3-5 for your container to be delivered nationwide.

U-Pack will bring your container to your current home. Then, you’ll have time to fill it with your belongings. If you need loading help, you can add that as an additional service. Once done packing, they’ll pick up the container and ship it to your new address. You’ll have three days to unload it before they pick it back up.

What we like: 

• We love how U-Pack has an extensive price range and options for everyone.
• They also offer storage for 90 days after your move.
• They deliver quickly and on-time

What we don’t like:

• You must provide your own packing and moving supplies or pay an additional fee for U-Pack to offer them.
• Also, packing the container can be difficult if you’re unfamiliar with the packing and loading process.

U-Pack is an excellent option for people who want to pay less but still have a high-quality moving experience. 

Honorable Mentions

It wouldn’t be fair to leave out other great moving companies that might be the right choice for you. If you do not like any other moving companies on our list, here are a few others we approve of.

• International Van Lines – An excellent overall option
• PODS – A good moving container option
• MiniMoves – Best for smaller moves

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who are the best cross country movers? 

The best cross country movers depends on what’s most important to you, but based on your specific needs, we recommend contacting one or more of the companies on our list above.

What is the best way to find a moving company for out-of-state moves?

It’s always worth asking friends, family members, and coworkers for referrals and vetting prospective movers carefully. Or, you could trust us and choose one of the exceptional cross-country movers on this list.

What are the benefits of using a long distance moving company?

Using a quality moving company is safe, convenient, and sometimes even less expensive than making a DIY move with a U-Haul truck. To compare apples to apples, remember to factor in your time, the average cost of renting a moving truck, packing supplies and gas, food, and lodging while on the road.

What is the most cost-effective way to move cross country?

Hands down, moving cross country with a reputable moving company with positive customer reviews is the way to go.

On average, how much does it cost to move across the country?

A low estimate for a cross-country move can be as inexpensive as $1,000 if you’re moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment to a neighboring state. On the other hand, a multi-bedroom home move with car shipping and full packing going from one coast to the other can top $20,000. For a more accurate idea, contact one of the movers on this list for a free consultation.

Check out our moving cost calculator for a free ballpark estimate instantly. No email address is required.

What does a professional moving company do?

Professional moving companies move people across town or across the country. Most offer services like packing, unpacking, storage services, crating, and uncrating. Remember, they’ll do as much or as little as you want. Feel free to customize their services to fit your budget and moving needs.

What are the biggest van lines?

The truck’s biggest van lines and revenue include United Van Lines, Atlas Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, Bekins, and Mayflower Transit.

What are some other cross-country moving company options?

Moving container companies like U-Pack are worth considering. You’ll have to load and unload yourself, but they’re less expensive and customizable, and professionals handle the driving.

What are the best storage options?

Many moving companies offer free short-term or discounted long-term storage facilities to customers moving across state lines. Use this information to negotiate a better deal, especially if you’re moving in the fall or winter time of year.