9 Best Long-Distance Moving Companies (2023 Review)

Finding the best long-distance moving companies to work with is essential when you find yourself moving hundreds of miles to your new home.

Moving to a new home can be exciting, but also stressful — and those feelings only seem to intensify the farther away you’ll be moving. Moving long distance comes with its own set of headaches, including figuring out how to store some of your items temporarily and how to ship your car.

We’ll give you a roundup of the best long-distance movers to consider for your big move, as well as some other key considerations so your moving day goes swimmingly.

The 9 best long-distance moving companies

Here is how we rated the top long-distance movers:

• Best overall long-distance mover: Safeway Moving
• Best industry reputation: American Van Lines
• Best customer service: International Van Lines
• Best for complex moves: North American Van Lines
• Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services
• Best moving containers: U-Pack
• Best rental trucks: Budget Truck Rental
• Best for auto transport: Allied Van Lines
• Best for contents coverage: United Van Lines

Comparing long-distance movers

Our reviews of the best long-distance moving companies

Here’s a more in-depth look into the best long-distance moving companies as determined by our own residential moving experts.

Best overall long-distance mover: Safeway Moving

Safeway Moving is our top pick for a long-distance moving company (they also offer commercial moves and auto transportation). Although they haven’t been in business as long as some of its competitors, Safeway has quickly earned a great reputation thanks to their dedication to military-level precision in all moves (probably because it’s a veteran-owned moving company).

As a moving broker, Safeway is able to provide affordable relocation services year-round for all 50 states. moveBuddha customer reviews frequently praise the company’s professionalism, clear pricing, and strong communication. This is partly thanks to a follow-up and quality assurance system used throughout the moving process.

All Safeway interstate moves come with 30 free days of storage, and a portion of your total moving cost is donated to charity. You can easily obtain a free quote over the phone, although you’re currently unable to do so online.

A few drawbacks to be aware of: Safeway requires a deposit for their moves, and their website is very bare-bones. You’ll need to call a customer service rep to obtain more detailed information when planning your move.

Pros/Cons

Read our full Safeway Moving review here.

Best industry reputation: American Van Lines

If you’re looking for a long-distance mover that’s earned a great reputation in the industry, American Van Lines is well worth considering. Founded in 1995, this moving company services the lower 48 states with a reputation for competitive prices and excellent customer service.

American Van Lines offers full-service long-distance moves with certified packing experts who can even help with specialty items like artwork, pianos, and antiques. American Van Lines can provide vehicle shipping assistance, if needed. They even help with last-minute moves without charging extra fees.

You can get a free quote online and opt for flat-rate pricing, which means your estimate won’t change on moving day. The company regularly offers special deals on moves to/from certain major metropolitan areas (like Miami to New York City). However, deposits are often required during the booking process.

Pros/Cons

Read our full American Van Lines review here.

Best customer service: International Van Lines

If helpful, responsive customer service is important to you, International Van Lines is another great moving company to consider. In business for more than 20 years, IVL offersdomestic and international moving services, including full-service packing, storage, and vehicle shipping. International Van Lines even offers small move solutions for moves as small as a single piece of furniture.

By using both company-owned trucks and moving broker partners, International Van Lines offers coverage across the country, all backed by a 24/7 customer service team, easy shipment tracking, and helpful online resources. Straightforward pricing and booking also help streamline the move process, though a deposit is required for most moves.

It’s worth noting that brokered moves may not offer as impressive an experience as moves directly managed by International Van Lines.

Pros/Cons

Read our full International Van Lines review here.

Best for complex moves: North American Van Lines

Some types of moves are more complicated than others — especially when you’re going a long way. Fortunately, North American Van Lines offers flexible long-distance moving services that are well-suited to complex moving scenarios.

In business since 1933, North American Van Lines has more than 1,500 locations, with coverage for all 50 states and Canada, thanks to the company acting as both a moving broker and a carrier. If the company is not located in your area, it can rely on one of its vetted third-party movers to handle the relocation. Storage is also available in all 50 states.

One standout aspect of this moving company is their binding “not-to-exceed” estimates, meaning you’ll never be charged more than your initial estimate — and your price could be reduced later if the move is smaller than expected. With storage and full-service packing options, packing materials, moving labor, car shipping, cleaning services, and more, their comprehensive offerings are great for any long-distance move. North American also has convenient online shipment tracking.

That being said, their pricing tends to be higher than other movers on our list, and they’re often booked in advance, which can make it hard to secure their services during peak moving season.

Pros/Cons

Read our full North American Van Lines review here.

Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services

For those considering a more “premium” move, JK Moving Services might be right for you. Fortune 500 companies routinely trust this moving company for corporate relocations.

JK Moving has an incredibly low complaint ratio, a reputation for quality service, and an innovative AI-powered tool for fast and accurate in-home inventorying. The company offers full-service moving support and specialty services, including auto transport and fragile-only packing, and their trucks are GPS-tracked so you’ll always know where your stuff is. With guaranteed pickup and delivery dates, you can have confidence in having your move completed on time.

Of course, with premium-level service comes much higher pricing. If budgeting is a concern, this may not be the best pick for you.

Pros/Cons

Read our full JK Moving Services review here.

Best moving containers: U-Pack

If you prefer a more DIY approach to your long distance move, storage containers present a reliable alternative — and U-Pack is our top pick here.

Similar to PODS, U-Pack operates by delivering a freight trailer or smaller storage container(s) to your property. You have three days to load the container yourself, after which U-Pack will pick it up and transport it to your new location.

Once the storage container is dropped off, you’ll then have three days to unload everything. Additional storage options are available if you’re not able to move into your new place right away.

What we love most about U-Pack is you only pay for the space you use. If you order a trailer, you only pay for the space you fill. If you order too many ReloCube storage containers, you won’t have to pay for any extras you don’t use.

Pros/Cons

Read our full U-Pack review here.

Best rental trucks: Budget Truck Rental

And finally, if you want to go fully DIY, you can rent a moving truck — and for that, we recommend Budget Truck Rental. In business since 1998, Budget offers its rental trucks at a more affordable price than competitors like U-Haul.

Budget offers unlimited mileage for out-of-state moves, and you can only rent trucks for one-way moves (meaning you’ll need to return your rental truck to a different location from where you got it). However, if you want any add any services to your move, you’ll likely pay a higher-than-average price to add them through Budget.

You’ll also need to plan for driving the rental truck yourself. Depending on how far you’re driving, costs like fuel and food can add up faster than you expect!

Pros/Cons

Read our full Budget Truck Rental review here.

Best for auto transport: Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines has handled local, cross-country, and international relocations since 1928. In addition to the typical suite of service offerings, Allied Van Lines facilitates domestic and international vehicle shipping. Its vehicle shipping services include, but are not limited to snowmobiles, SUVs, RVs, boats, antique cars, and more.

Most domestic shipments will arrive within 3–5 business days, but Allied Van Lines goes the extra mile by providing a rental car at no cost if they’re late. It also provides full valuation protection up to $100,000 at no additional cost and without a deductible.

Like other car transport companies, Allied offers open carriers and enclosed transport. Open carriers tend to be more affordable but expose your vehicles to the elements. While enclosed transport is the pricier of the two shipping methods, it is a great option for moving rare, antique, or luxury vehicles because it protects against damage from roadway hazards and weather.

Vehicle shipping is just the tip of the iceberg of Allied Van Lines offerings. The company also aids in military and corporate relocations, packing supplies, portable storage, and much more.

Pros/Cons

Read our full Allied Van Lines review here.

Best for contents coverage: United Van Lines

United Van Lines has been serving American movers for more than 100 years, making it one of the nation’s oldest moving companies. They offer a comprehensive suite of moving services, including local, long-distance, and international moves. They also service small moves, vehicle shipments, military moves, storage, and packing needs.

United Van Lines’ stands out for offering basic full value protection for all moves. The company uses a simple formula by multiplying the total weight of your shipment by $6 per pound. The typical basic moving valuation protection covers $0.60 per pound, so United Van Lines obviously goes far beyond that. Customers can even upgrade to better coverage if needed.

Customers will need to complete a High Value Inventory Form for all high-value items in the shipment to ensure they receive full-value protection. For example, a small item could weigh very little, but hold significant monetary value. The inventory form ensures their full value is documented ahead of time.

Pros/Cons

Read our full United Van Lines here.

What qualifies as a long-distance move?

Generally speaking, most professional movers consider a move to be “long distance” when it exceeds 400 miles. Local moves are considered to be 100 miles or under, while a move that falls in the in-between range is usually labeled as a regional move. However, there are also some movers who consider any move exceeding 100 miles to be long distance.

It’s worth noting that any move that crosses state lines is also labeled an interstate move. Be sure to check out our list of the best interstate moving companies as well if you’ll be moving to a new state.

How much does a long-distance move cost?

It’s impossible to give a true “average cost” for a long-distance move simply because there are many different variables that can affect the cost of your move. Compare quotes from the best long-distance or cross-country moving companies to get an idea of how much your specific move will cost. Understanding how the following factors can influence your expenses will help you compare long-distance moving costs (and don’t forget to use our moving cost calculator for instant ballpark estimates):

Type of move: A DIY truck rental in which you pack and load everything yourself will generally be much cheaper than hiring full-service professional movers to do the work for you.

Distance: The farther you go, the more expensive your move will be. Full-service moving quotes generally account for distance-related factors like gas, tolls, and the amount of time it will take to transport your possessions. When driving a rental truck, you’ll need to pay for gas, hotel stops, food, etc.

Amount of stuff: The more items you need to move, the larger a moving truck you’ll need. Whether you’re going the full-service or DIY route, a bigger truck is going to cost more. Decluttering pre-move can help you save!

Services selected: Even a “full-service” moving company doesn’t always include everything in its base quote. If you request specialty services for your move (such as unpacking boxes at your new home), expect to see your costs rise significantly.

Time of year: Moving is a seasonal business. When possible, avoiding the peak spring and summer seasons can usually help you get lower rates.

How to save money on your long-distance move

The best way to save on long-distance moving costs is to reduce the amount of stuff you have! The less you have to move, the less your move will cost. Also, remember that a hiring professional movers for a full-service move will almost always be more than a DIY move.

Of course, that isn’t the only way to save. Several moving companies offer discounts for different types of movers. Common discounts include:

Military: Military discounts are among the most common discounts provided by moving brokers. Discounts are usually available for veterans and active-duty service members alike, so be sure to ask!

Student: Sending your kids off to college? Many movers also offer student discounts — and some companies even offer special services for small-scale student moves.

Government employee: Current government employees may also be able to obtain discounts from certain movers.

Senior: Many moving companies offer senior discounts for individuals aged 55-65 and up (the cutoff age can vary from company to company).

Time of year: Spring and summer tend to be the peak moving seasons. If you move during the fall or winter, lower demand for moving and storage services should help you land lower prices. Some movers may also advertise special discounts or promotions during this time.

Day of week: Although this generally isn’t advertised, it’s worth noting that moving prices tend to be lower if you move during the middle of the week because of the higher demand for weekend moves.

Choosing the right long-distance mover for you

Choosing the best long-distance moving company for your needs depends on more than just getting the lowest upfront online quote. Yes, price is important, but you should also ensure you’re working with a reliable, trustworthy company that will transport your items safely.

Aside from getting a moving estimate, here are a few other factors to consider when choosing a long-distance moving company:

Customer reviews: No moving company is perfect. That being said, companies that have been flooded with Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaints or poor online reviews should probably be avoided. Look for a moving service with more positive reviews than negative ones. You may want to seek out companies that have received industry awards and recognition as well.

Years of experience: Having many years of experience in the moving industry is always a plus. These companies have stood the test of time for a reason, and their extensive moving experience means they should have the know-how to effectively handle your specific needs.

Additional services: If you need additional specialized services like debris removal, furniture assembly or disassembly, or unpacking, make sure your mover offers these.

Licensing: Interstate moving companies are required to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Make sure your mover is registered, licensed, and insured — it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Quote process: Not all quotes are created equal! Be sure to check whether a moving service’s estimate is binding or non-binding. Ask which services are included (things like packing services often cost extra), and be sure to review their cancellation policy in advance.

Long-distance moving checklist

A detailed moving plan will help ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible on the big day. Be sure to include the following items on your checklist:

Deciding on the type of move you plan to make — how do you want to handle your moving process? Do you prefer DIY, working with a full-service mover, or something in between?

Researching different moving providers by checking customer reviews and getting free quotes.

Making an inventory of the items you plan to move.

Packing and preparing your items for the move.

Getting rid of unwanted items (donating, trashing, or selling them).

Updating your mailing address, utilities, etc.

Our comprehensive moving checklist offers even more details for every step of the way to help you efficiently prepare for a stress-free move.

Long-distance movers FAQs

What’s the cheapest way to move long distance?

No two moves are exactly alike, especially when it comes to long distance and cross-country moves. Generally speaking, rental trucks and moving containers are cheaper than hiring a full-service professional moving company. However, it’s best to use amoving cost calculator so you can compare costs using the specific details of your move.

What can I not ship in a long distance move?

Moving companies will ship most household goods except for hazardous materials, including any potentially flammable or explosive items. Commonly prohibited items include fertilizer, motor oil, paint, pesticides, gasoline, and propane cylinders.

Some companies also have policies against transporting valuables and documents. Check your moving company’s website or ask a representative for more specific information.

How can I move my car cross-country?

Vehicle shipping is a common concern for cross-country moves. Some of the best long distance moving companies provide auto transport by towing your vehicle behind the moving truck.

However, depending on your moving needs, working with a car shipping company could be a better choice. These companies focus specifically on vehicle shipping, so you can have some peace of mind and one less thing to worry about.

How far in advance should I schedule my move?

The earlier you can schedule your move, the better — and this is especially true for interstate and international moves (or if you’re moving in peak season and want to work with the best long distance moving companies). Scheduling in advance will make it easier to reserve a truck and any add-on services you might need.

You’ll also have more time to compare moving quotes. You should ideally try to book your move two to three months in advance of your moving date.

Do I need moving insurance?

Many interstate moving companies (including several of the best long-distance moving companies) offer moving insurance coverage for the possibility that your items may be damaged during a move. You don’t have to buy moving insurance. However, it’s a good idea to buy extra valuation coverage if you’re transporting valuable items — that way you’ll be covered in case of unexpected events like fires or car accidents.

What are the best storage options when moving cross-country?

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.