9 Best Moving Companies (2023 Review)

Whether you’re planning a long-distance or local move, working with a quality moving company is the best way to guarantee your belongings safely make it from point A to point B.

With countless professional movers to choose from, how do you make sure you’re making the right choice?

Don’t worry—moveBuddha did the research for you! We’ve researched and compiled a comprehensive guide to assist you in finding the best moving company tailored to your specific needs, plus some helpful tips from our moving pros on how to plan a stress-free move. If you’re a visual person, here’s our video on the best moving companies:

Our ratings of the best moving companies of 2023

Based on moveBuddha’s research and the reviews of hundreds of moveBuddha readers, these are the best moving companies of 2023:

• Best Full-Service Mover: International Van Lines (IVL)
• Best for Cross-Country Moves: Safeway Moving
• Best for White-Glove Services: JK Moving Services
• Best for Customized Moves: North American Van Lines
• Best Moving Container: U-Pack
• Best for Local Moves: American Van Lines
• Best DIY Moving Option: Penske
• Best for Seniors: Allied Van Lines
• Best for Military Moves: PODS

Comparing the best moving companies of 2023

Here’s how the best moving companies of 2023 compare in terms of ratings and average cost.

Our reviews of the best moving companies of 2023

Best Full-Service Mover: International Van Lines

International Van Lines is a reputable moving company that handles full-service moves locally, long-distance, and internationally. The company handles not just transporting your stuff, but also offers add-on specialty services like packing and storage.

Several other online sources listed International Van Lines as one of the best moving companies in the United States. With well over 1,200 reviews online, International Van Lines boasts a 4.99 out of five stars.

If you need extra help with your local or long-distance move, International Van Lines can handle the entire process for you. It’s completed one million moves over the past 10 years, so your furniture is in good hands.

It even offers additional services like long- or short-term storage — complete with temperature control — so your belongings stay safe.

International Van Lines serves every state in the U.S. as well as 140 countries across the globe, so whether you need local or long-distance movers, its team is here to help. Because of this, they’ve made our top lists as one of the best international moving companies and one of the best interstate moving companies.

Moving services include:

• Long-distance moves
• International relocation services
• Professional full-service packing
• Storage options
• Full-value protection coverage

Pros/Cons

Our Full Review: International Van Lines Review

Best for Cross-Country Moves: Safeway Moving

Safeway Moving is another of our picks for both best long-distance moving companies and best interstate moving companies, and it tops our list of best moving van lines. Safeway serves all 50 states in the U.S., so they can help you with interstate moving or moves across the country, no problem. Safeway can also assist with some international moves.

Safeway is a full-service moving company that is very customer-focused. While they partner with vetted movers, they are a carrier and not a broker.

We love Safeway because it requires all movers to carry $1 million insurance policies — a must-have for big moves. Its movers also offer packing services — complete with shrink wrapping and moving pads — to protect your furniture, bulky items, and fragile items during a long move.

Plus, every Safeway move comes with 30 days of storage included for free. This is great if your belongings arrive before you do (cross-country is a pretty long way to travel, after all). With all of these benefits, Safeway was a clear contender as one of the best long-distance moving companies.

Moving services include:

• Long-distance moves
• Full-service packing
• Storage solutions
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Full-value protection coverage

Pros/Cons

Our Full Review: Safeway Moving Review

Best for White-Glove Services: JK Moving Services

JK Moving is one of the highest-rated moving companies in the industry, but it truly stands out for its full-service options and long-distance moving services designed to make your move as stress-free as possible.

JK Moving assigns a personal moving coordinator to all residential and commercial customers. The coordinator will handle all aspects of your move and help you pick the professional moving services that fit your unique needs.

The company offers an impressive menu of specialty services, like special handling of antiques and pianos, moving large items like yard or fitness equipment, and custom crates for artwork and other fragile items.

While JK Moving is one of our higher-priced best moving companies, the customer reviews simply rave about their amazing customer service and comprehensive moving services. Not only that, but JK Moving offers many third-party financing options, which can allow you to pay for the white-glove treatment you want in easy-to-handle installments.

With an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and over 1,200 positive reviews, it’s clear that JK Moving is well worth the price. Customers report that they have great communication with JK Moving throughout their entire move, and any issues they have are addressed promptly.

Moving Services Include:

• Long-distance and international moves (local moving services are limited)
• Full-service packing and unpacking, including furniture disassembly and assembly
• Storage options
• Vehicle transport
• Full insurance coverage
• Financed moves
• Corporate relocations with concierge service

Pros/Cons

Our Full Review: JK Moving Services Review

Best for Customized Moves: North American Van Lines

North American Van Lines provides customizable full-service moves for local, long-distance, and international relocations. Not only can they transport your belongings, but they have many additional options like packing and unpacking, storage, and car shipping.

North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a highly-rated moving broker that can provide residential and corporate moves anywhere with the help of their local partners. Sometimes, NAVL will handle your move themselves if you are located in one of the areas where they have local agents.

Hundreds of people choose North American Van Lines each year because of their variety of moving options, excellent customer service, and do-not-exceed quotes. Unlike other moving companies, NAVL has two types of quotes: one where you pay by the weight of your items and one where you pay an all-inclusive “guaranteed not-to-exceed” binding quote given by a local agent.

If you choose the guaranteed not-to-exceed quote, you will pay exactly that and nothing more, even if your items end up being a little heavier than expected.

You can also pick and choose which of NAVL’s services you want to use for your move, allowing you total control over how much you will pay for your move in total. Want to save a little by having help loading and unloading but plan to pack yourself? It can be arranged! Would you rather NAVL do everything from start to finish? That is also an option!

No matter how you look at it, with their wide variety of options and affordable pricing, NAVL is truly one of the best moving companies.

Moving Services Include:

• Long-distance, local, and international moves
• Full-service packing and unpacking, including furniture disassembly and assembly
• Storage options
• Auto transport
• Specialty fragile item transportation
• Cleaning services
• Full insurance coverage
• Corporate relocations and commercial moving services

Pros/Cons

Our Full Review: North American Van Lines Review

Best Moving Container: U-Pack

U-Pack is one of the more affordable moving companies, and one of the top self-service moving companies in the industry. Unlike full-service movers, U-Pack is actually a moving container company.

With U-Pack, you book online, they drop a pod off at your house, you load and pack it, and U-Pack transports it to your new address.

We like U-Pack because it always includes fuel costs in its estimates. This is great if you need help sticking to your budget and don’t want to encounter any “gotcha” fees, especially if you are making a long-distance move.

Choose between a truck trailer (for bigger moves) or a ReloCube (for smaller moves). Best of all, U-Pack only charges you for the space you use in the moving trailer.

U-Pack can either immediately transport your belongings to your new home with door-to-door service, or it can store your stuff at a storage facility until you’re ready to move in. You have three days to unload your stuff when it arrives at your new home, which gives you a little more wiggle room.

If you’re down to manage packing and loading yourself, U-Pack is an affordable option that saves you the time and hassle of driving a moving truck. U-Pack is at the top of our lists for the best moving container companies and the cheapest moving container companies.

Moving services include:

• Long-distance moves
• Military relocations
• Senior moves
• Student moves
• Door-to-door or service center delivery
• Storage solutions

Pros/Cons

Our Full Review: U-Pack Review

Best for Local Moves: American Van Lines

Just moving across town? Book a mover who has a local presence near you. Although it is a long-distance moving company, American Van Lines also offers quality full-service moving for folks who are moving across town. Local moves are typically defined in the moving industry as those that are fewer than 50 miles away.

American Van Lines offers full-service packing, but if you just need help packing fragile items or specialty stuff like pianos and art, American Van Lines can accommodate your needs.

We love American Van Lines because it’s available in the Lower 48 (sorry, Alaska and Hawaii). Its binding pricing system makes American Van Lines’ quotes much more predictable.

It also charges the same amount whether you move at the last minute or on a high-demand day like the weekends—most movers charge extra fees for this.

American Van Lines is a reputable moving company that takes customer service seriously. It thoroughly screens all movers with background checks.

Moving services include:

• Local moves
• Long-distance moves
• Corporate relocation services
• Military relocations
• Commercial relocations
• Antique and piano moving
• Storage options
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Full-value protection coverage

Pros/Cons

Our Full Review: American Van Lines Review

Best DIY Moving Option: Penske

We get that sometimes hiring full-service movers doesn’t make sense for your budget. If you want to DIY your move to save money or cut down on long-distance moving costs, renting a Penske is your top pick. This option is great if you’re willing to put in a little sweat equity to save money on your move.

With Penske, you’re in charge of packing and loading the truck. You can also buy packing supplies from Penske or rent hand trucks or furniture pads to streamline your move.

Use the Penske app to book and manage your truck rental. The app will even help you find the nearest Penske location and find a trailer that’s the right size for your move.

We love that Penske offers 24/7 roadside assistance, so if you ever have a problem, someone is always available to help.

Plus, Penske’s partnership with Home Depot means it’s super easy to find a Penske truck at 2,500+ locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Moving services include:

• Moving truck rentals
• Towing equipment rentals
• Moving labor (through Simple Moving Labor)

Pros/Cons

Our Full Review: Penske Rental Truck Review

Best for Seniors: Allied Van Lines

Whether you’re a senior who’s moving to downsize or you’re helping an aging loved one move to a new home, the senior moving process comes with its own challenges. Fortunately, Allied Van Lines understands both the emotional and logistical challenges of moving seniors.

This company started back in 1928, so it has a whopping 95 years of experience under its belt. Allied Van Lines also has some of the most experienced moving crews in the nation. It conducts regular training so all movers receive consistent guidance on moving best practices.

Allied Van Lines offers full-service moving to help with packing, which is especially helpful for moving seniors. Its team can even handle add-on services like antiques, fragile, and piano moving.

Allied even moves vehicles, so seniors can load their belongings and car onto the same truck. And don’t worry: Allied includes vehicle shipping coverage of up to $100,000.

If you’re working with a senior who needs to downsize, Allied Van Lines has a partnership with The Salvation Army to donate unwanted items.

Allied Van Lines is available in all 50 states and 130 countries.

Moving services include:

• International moves
• Long-distance moves
• Corporate and office relocations
• Full-value protection coverage

Pros/Cons

Our Full Review: Allied Van Lines Review

Best for Military Moves: PODS

If you’re military personnel, you’re used to moving frequently. Fortunately, PODS seriously simplifies the military moving process. Founded in 1998, PODS is a moving and storage container company that’s available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

You order a POD online and they deliver a moving container to your door on the specified date. They can drop it off in your driveway, a parking lot, or the street (if allowed). You can take your time loading the POD; there’s no rush.

If you need storage services, PODS will transport your container to a storage center. Just let them know when you’re ready to move and the company will transport the container to your new home, whether it’s local or across the country.

Need to move your car? PODS doesn’t handle it internally, but it will connect you with a network of trusted auto shippers for the job.

We chose PODS because it offers varying container sizes at different price points. Whether you’re a new military recruit with just a few belongings or you’re an established service member with a family, PODS has an option that will work for you.

Best of all, PODS offers a 10% discount for active duty military and veterans. If you ask, PODS will generate PPM/DITY weight tickets for you, which simplifies the paperwork side of military moves, too. Because of these benefits, we’ve rated PODS as one of the best military moving companies.

Moving services include:

• Packing
• Loading
• Car shipping
• Boxes and moving supplies

Pros/Cons

Our Full Review: PODS Review

What to look for in a moving company

It’s a good idea to start your search for a moving company with the companies on this list, but even then, you need to know what to look for. Consider these factors when it’s time to hire a moving company.

Services offered

What does this company actually offer? If you need, say, car shipping along with full-service moving help, not all companies offer that.

Check out their standard moving services, as well as their selection of add-on services, to make sure they offer the right kind of help. What kind of perks appeal to you? Do you want a company that has online shipment tracking, for example? There’s no need to hire multiple companies for your move, so go with the moving company that offers everything you need.

Reputation

Reputation is everything. A moving company’s website might talk a big game, but what are they actually like?

Do a little digging on your moving company to make sure they’re reputable. Always check:

• Reviews and ratings
• Awards
• Certifications
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accreditation

Licensing and insurance

Don’t hire Billy Bob’s Moving Company without double-checking that they’re properly licensed and insured. This sounds like an extra step, but trust us: you want someone with insurance coverage managing your belongings.

Any company in the moving industry that does interstate moves needs a license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Check the FMCSA website to see if your moving company has a USDOT number.

Every mover should offer some kind of liability coverage. Check the fine print to A) make sure they offer coverage and B) that you’re comfortable with the level of coverage. It can’t hurt to buy up a little bit to protect your belongings.

Availability

Maybe you’re vibing with a certain moving company. That’s great! But are they available in your area?

Hawaii and Alaska are some of the more challenging places to move to and from, but even then, some movers don’t operate in all areas. Interstate moving companies typically have a wider coverage area, since they handle moves that cross state lines. When in doubt, contact a few movers to double-check that they service your pickup and drop-off locations.

Aside from that, check that the mover is actually available for your moving dates. Summer is peak moving season, so you might have a harder time finding a mover for your desired timeline.

Pricing

Hey, everybody’s got a budget—and the last thing you want to do is overspend. Look for a moving company that offers moving services in your price range.

Look for a company with:

• Transparent pricing and an obvious pricing structure
• No surprise add-on fees or “gotchas”
• Free virtual or in-home estimates
• Payment terms and payment methods that work for you

Get pricing information from several moving companies before making a decision. This way, you’ll have a better idea of fair pricing for your move.

Moving company cost

Every moving company is different. Not only will pricing change by company, but it also depends on the type of move, distance, and the moving services you’re buying.

Keep in mind that these are just estimates. For a better idea of moving costs, check out the free moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator.

National moving company discounts

We love a good discount. If you’d like to save some cash, see if you qualify for these discounts with your moving company.

Types of moving companies

The type of moving company you book has a big effect on how much time and money you’ll spend moving. Here’s a quick overview of the different types of moving companies you might work with.

Local moving companies

Local moving companies specialize in working in one area, city, or state. They handle shorter moves, usually within a 50 to 100-mile radius.

The great thing about local movers is that they tend to be cheaper than interstate movers. As long as you find a company with good reviews and a solid reputation, they’ll save you a lot of time on your local move.

Long-distance moving companies

Long-distance movers usually handle moves in the 100 to 400-mile range. It’s important to note that, even though it’s a long distance, these companies usually operate within the same state (crossing state lines comes with a lot of rules).

Long-distance moving companies usually have larger fleets and teams equipped to handle your belongings. They usually offer more robust packing and crating services to protect your stuff in transit.

Interstate moving companies

Interstate moving companies are also sometimes known as long-haul movers or cross-country movers. They specialize in moving you from one state to another, whether that is a short or long distance. By law, these companies need a license with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Moving container companies

Moving container companies are a creative and affordable alternative to hiring full-service movers. They give you a portable storage container, which you load at your own pace.

From there, the company transports the container for you either a short or long distance. Choose whether you want immediate delivery to your new home or if you want everything in a storage unit for a while.

If you need long-term storage or flexible moving dates, moving containers are a great option.

Car shipping companies

If you already have a car, take it with you! Car shipping companies specialize in safely moving vehicles from point A to point B.

This is really useful for long-distance or international moves where it just isn’t practical (or fun) to drive your car to your new home. Most car shippers transport your car via truck, but train shipping is also a popular option.

Specialty movers

Need to move something that’s especially fragile, bulky, or downright unusual? That’s where specialty movers come in. These experts specialize in disassembly and reassembly for items like:

• Pool tables
• Pianos
• Art
• Antiques

Keep in mind that you might also need to hire a regular full-service mover to handle the bulk of your stuff and a separate specialty mover for these items.

Choosing the right moving company

You’re only doing this move once (hopefully), so you definitely want to choose the right moving company. Follow these tips to find the perfect company for your move.

Watch for red flags

Run for the hills if you notice any of these red flags with your moving company:

• Big deposit requirements
• Lowball quotes—if it’s too good to be true, it is
• Rushed walkthroughs or quotes
• No contract or incomplete contracts
• A lack of reviews, office address, or phone number

Verify credentials

When it comes to choosing a moving company, we say, “Trust but verify.” Always check the claims moving companies make on their websites.

• Licensing: For interstate moves, look up the company’s USDOT number on the FMCSA website. Check your state laws for in-state moves
• Insurance: Read the fine print on the company’s website and a contract (before you sign it!) to make sure the company has insurance
• BBB Accreditation: Not all moving companies are BBB Accredited, but it’s certainly a sign of a quality company

Get multiple quotes

Never accept the first estimate you get. It’s always a good idea to get a quote from at least three moving companies. Getting multiple quotes gives you a good idea of the standard moving company cost.

Some companies will offer binding estimates, which guarantees the actual cost won’t cost more than the quote. Other companies do non-binding quotes, which means the final cost could be higher than the quote.

Non-binding quotes aren’t a bad thing (moving usually costs more than you think it will), but it’s important to know what type of quote you’re looking at so you can compare them fairly.

Check for discounts

It never hurts to ask for discounts! Many moving companies offer discounts for:

• Off-peak season (fall and winter)
• Students
• Seniors
• Military
• AAA members

If the moving company doesn’t offer discounts, try negotiating the price. The moving company won’t always agree to it, but you might be able to reduce the cost of your move with a quick conversation.

Ask questions about your quote

Unsure about a term or a fee on your quote? Don’t hesitate to ask your mover questions. They should be able to happily answer any questions you have about a quote.

It’s good to ask:

• About additional fees for heavy items, packing, unpacking, etc.
• If the quote includes packing materials or moving equipment
• If the company has a cancellation policy and, if so, how it works

Read real moving experiences

Google all you want, but at the end of the day, the best way to learn about a moving company is to hear from real customers’ experiences.

Check out moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project to read about the honest experiences of real customers—plus pricing information—to see how your moving company stacks up. You can also read customer reviews on consumer sites like the BBB, Trustpilot, and Yelp.

Tips for a stress-free move

Moving is an exciting adventure that comes with its fair share of challenges, but a well-planned move eliminates a lot of stress. Follow these tips to make your move as easy as pie.

Avoid busy times

If you have a say in when you move, try to move during non-peak times. It’s usually cheaper and you’ll get extra-attentive service, which is a big perk.

Moving companies are usually busiest:

• In the spring and summer
• At the beginning and end of the month when leases turn over
• During weekends

The best times to move are:

• During fall or winter
• Mid-week
• Mid-month

Of course, moving during the winter in places like Michigan might be a no-go, so use your best judgment to determine what’s practical.

Declutter

Hey, it’s easier to move if you’re transporting less stuff. Sort through your belongings to decide what you’ll keep, sell, donate, or toss. Not only does this save you the stress of packing more stuff, but it could even reduce your moving costs.

Get packing supplies

If you don’t have a cache of boxes in your attic, start gathering them now. You can buy boxes from Home Depot or Lowe’s, but why buy boxes when you can reuse the boxes you already have?

Aside from boxes, you’ll also need:

• Plenty of clear packing tape
• Bubble wrap
• Markers
• Packing paper or newspaper

Plan ahead

It isn’t always possible to spend months planning a move, but if you have the luxury of time, use it! Try to prep for your move at least two months in advance.

You should decide on a moving company six weeks before your moving day—especially if you’re moving during peak season.

Use a moving checklist to stay organized

There are a lot of moving parts to any move, which is why it’s so important to get your head on straight. Create a moving checklist before the move so you don’t have to make decisions mid-move.

Check out moveBuddha’s comprehensive moving checklist for a complete breakdown of what you need to do, and when.

Ask a Moving Expert (FAQs)

Do I need to pack my own things?

Not necessarily. If you buy packing services from your moving company, they will handle packing. But if you don’t buy packing services, you will need to pack your own belongings.

Should I tip movers?

Tipping isn’t required, but it’s a kind way to express gratitude for a job well done. The typical tip range is 10% to 20% of the total moving cost. Try to tip in cash and divide it equally among the crew.

How do I know if a moving company is reputable?

Reputable moving companies have:

• Licensing from the FMCSA or state agencies
• Plenty of positive customer reviews
• Clear, detailed contracts
• Insurance to cover damages
• Transparent pricing

Do moving companies require a deposit?

Many moving companies require a deposit, but this varies from company to company. It’s a red flag if the moving company requires a large deposit or full payment upfront.

How far in advance should I hire a moving company?

Collect quotes two months before your move. You should hire a moving company about six weeks before your moving date, but the earlier, the better.

Am I supposed to feed my movers?

It isn’t expected or required, but feeding movers is a nice gesture, especially for multi-day jobs. Bottled water, individual bags of chips, and pizza are all easy ways to show gratitude.