Best Interstate Moving Companies for Long-Distance Moves
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Safeway Moving is the best interstate moving company for most people, with American Van Lines a close second, and both are moveBuddha Certified. Most interstate moves of 2,000 - 2,500 miles cost $4,000 - $5,000, according to moveBuddha pricing data.
We ranked 4,500+ movers on a 72-point rating system using FMCSA licensing records, pricing data refreshed monthly, contract reviews, and interviews from our Better Moves Project. Use the tool below to find top movers for your route.
A typical long-distance move of 2,000 - 2,500 miles costs $4,000 - $5,000. Small moves average $900 - $3,500, and large homes run $5,000 - $15,000. Professional packing adds $0.15 - $0.21 per pound, and fuel surcharges add 8% - 15% to transportation charges. The moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so your estimate reflects your actual move rather than a national average.
moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average compared to people who book the first quote they receive.
Learn MoreJump to the interstate moving info you’re looking for:
Which interstate movers are moveBuddha Certified?
Safeway Moving and American Van Lines both carry the moveBuddha Certified badge, backed by pricing data, contract reviews, and real customer interviews. Certified movers give you $1,000 in added coverage and dispute mediation if something goes wrong.
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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
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What are the best interstate moving companies in 2026?
These 10 companies stood out for transparent pricing, nationwide service coverage, and strong performance in our data-backed evaluation of interstate moving services. Each one is ranked using the same 72-point system applied to all 4,500+ movers in our database.
- Safeway Moving (Best overall value): Safeway holds a 4.9 out of 5 moveBuddha rating and is moveBuddha Certified. It gives flat-rate binding quotes and includes 30 days of free storage-in-transit on every interstate move.
- American Van Lines (Most experienced mover): American Van Lines has handled household moves since 1995 and is moveBuddha Certified. It also ranks among our best antique moving companies, making it a strong pick for art and other high-value items.
- International Van Lines (Best customer service): International Van Lines includes a free month of storage and offers auto transport alongside household moves. It also advertises 10% off when you book by phone.
- North American Van Lines (Best customized plans): North American Van Lines builds each move around your needs and budget rather than fixed packages. It also offers auto shipping if you are relocating a vehicle with your household.
- Allied Van Lines (Best for contents coverage): Allied offers some of the strongest protection options in the industry for household goods in transit. It also offers auto transport, so one company can move your car and your belongings.
- Atlas Van Lines (Best for price matching): Atlas earns a 4.47 out of 5 moveBuddha rating, and it is worth asking its local agent to match a competitor’s written quote. Some customers report inconsistent handling care, so confirm which local agent will run your move.
- BLVD Moving (Best for quick quotes): BLVD is our pick when you need a real number fast, which matters most when your move date is already locked in. Ask whether your quote is binding before you book.
- Colonial Van Lines (Most skilled moving crews): Colonial carries a 4.75 out of 5 moveBuddha rating and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Its crews earn consistently high marks for careful handling on long-distance routes.
- Mayflower (Best for binding estimates with no deposit): Mayflower has run full-service moves since 1927 and includes Full Value Protection in every initial full-service quote. It issues binding quotes and offers custom crating for specialty items.
- United Van Lines (Widest local agent network): United works through a broad network of local agents and handles specialty and international moves. Our review found it falls short of our top interstate picks on price, so compare it against Safeway Moving before you book.
Pro tip: Get all three quotes on the same inventory list so you are comparing the same move, not three different guesses, and ask each company whether the estimate is binding or non-binding before you sign. Our guide to binding vs. non-binding estimates explains what can still change after you agree to a price.
Why moveBuddha
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Who are the best long-distance movers in my state?
Looking for a mover that serves your state? Here is our ranked list of the best long-distance movers in all 48 contiguous states.
- Long-Distance Movers in Alabama
- Long-Distance Movers in Arizona
- Long-Distance Movers in Arkansas
- Long-Distance Movers in California
- Long-Distance Movers in Colorado
- Long-Distance Movers in Connecticut
- Long-Distance Movers in Delaware
- Long-Distance Movers in Florida
- Long-Distance Movers in Georgia
- Long-Distance Movers in Idaho
- Long-Distance Movers in Illinois
- Long-Distance Movers in Indiana
- Long-Distance Movers in Iowa
- Long-Distance Movers in Kansas
- Long-Distance Movers in Kentucky
- Long-Distance Movers in Louisiana
- Long-Distance Movers in Maine
- Long-Distance Movers in Maryland
- Long-Distance Movers in Massachusetts
- Long-Distance Movers in Michigan
- Long-Distance Movers in Minnesota
- Long-Distance Movers in Mississippi
- Long-Distance Movers in Missouri
- Long-Distance Movers in Montana
- Long-Distance Movers in Nebraska
- Long-Distance Movers in Nevada
- Long-Distance Movers in New Hampshire
- Long-Distance Movers in New Jersey
- Long-Distance Movers in New Mexico
- Long-Distance Movers in New York
- Long-Distance Movers in North Carolina
- Long-Distance Movers in North Dakota
- Long-Distance Movers in Ohio
- Long-Distance Movers in Oklahoma
- Long-Distance Movers in Oregon
- Long-Distance Movers in Pennsylvania
- Long-Distance Movers in Rhode Island
- Long-Distance Movers in South Carolina
- Long-Distance Movers in South Dakota
- Long-Distance Movers in Tennessee
- Long-Distance Movers in Texas
- Long-Distance Movers in Utah
- Long-Distance Movers in Vermont
- Long-Distance Movers in Virginia
- Long-Distance Movers in Washington
- Long-Distance Movers in West Virginia
- Long-Distance Movers in Wisconsin
- Long-Distance Movers in Wyoming
Read our full methodology →
Get personalized results for your long-distance move
We have dedicated pages for every state, city, and route, with real mover rankings and pricing data for your specific journey.
What are the cheapest alternatives to full-service interstate movers?
Moving containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% compared to full-service moving. Full-service movers offer the most convenience, but these alternatives let you trade some labor for real savings.
Tips for your interstate move
How to save money on your long-distance move:
How to avoid interstate moving scams:
How to choose the right interstate mover:
Advice from actual moving customers:
Key takeaways
- Best overall: Safeway Moving combines a 4.9 out of 5 moveBuddha rating, flat-rate binding quotes, and 30 days of free storage-in-transit.
- Best for high-value items: American Van Lines has moved households since 1995 and ranks among our best antique moving companies.
- Typical cost: Most interstate moves of 2,000 - 2,500 miles cost $4,000 - $5,000. Small moves average $900 - $3,500, and large homes run $5,000 - $15,000.
- Cheaper options: Moving containers and truck rentals cost about 30% less than full-service movers if you can handle the loading yourself.
- Before you book: Compare at least three quotes and verify each mover’s USDOT registration. moveBuddha users who compare quotes save more than 30% over people who book the first offer they get.
FAQ
What is an interstate move?
An interstate move is any move that crosses state lines, whether it’s 200 miles or 2,000. Crossing state lines puts the move under federal FMCSA rules for estimates, valuation coverage, and dispute resolution. Your mover needs an active USDOT number to handle it legally.
How much does it cost to move across state lines?
A move across state lines costs $4,000 - $5,000 for a typical 2,000 - 2,500 mile relocation, according to moveBuddha pricing data. Small moves average $900 - $3,500, while large homes run $5,000 - $15,000. Get at least three quotes to see where your move falls.
How long do interstate moves take?
Interstate moves take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on distance, season, and routing. Cross-country moves often take 10 - 20 days, or longer in peak season. Ask each mover for a written delivery window before you book.
How early should I book an interstate move?
Book your interstate move 4 - 8 weeks in advance, and earlier for a May - August move or the start or end of a month. Booking early gets you better dates and pricing. If your dates are flexible, ask whether shifting a day or two lowers your quote.
What is the cheapest way to move out of state?
The cheapest way to move out of state is renting a truck and doing the labor yourself. Rental trucks and moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service movers. A container is a good middle ground if you want to skip the driving.
What’s the difference between a moving broker & a moving carrier?
A moving carrier moves your belongings with its own trucks and crews, while a broker books your move with a separate carrier. moveBuddha isn’t a broker, and we don’t recommend working with brokers. Check which company name and USDOT number appear on your paperwork before you sign.
How can I verify an interstate mover is licensed?
You can verify an interstate mover is licensed by looking up its USDOT number in the FMCSA database. The record should show active household goods authority, and the company name should match your quote. If a company won’t share its USDOT number, choose another mover.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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