5 Best Moving Van Lines (2023 Review)

Moving can be a big undertaking — and so is finding the service provider to help you move! Van lines are moving companies that specialize in long-distance moving services. They offer full-service support for residential and corporate moves to get your stuff safely to its next location.

The problem, though, is that there are a lot of van lines out there — and they’re not all created equal. Finding the best long-distance moving companies can require significant research, even if you’ve been through this process.

There’s more to finding the best moving companies than simply choosing a van line available on your preferred moving date. In this post, we’ll break down our top picks for the best moving van lines in the country, with in-depth reviews and guidance based on your moving priorities so you can make the right pick for your moving plans.

The best moving van lines

Without further ado, here are our picks for the best companies to consider for your upcoming move:

• Best overall van line: Safeway Moving
• Best for complicated moves: American Van Lines
• Best for discounted services: International Van Lines
• Best for shipment tracking: North American Van Lines
• Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services

Comparing the best van lines for moving

If seeing an extensive list of movers is overwhelming, this table can help. This chart will give you some basic info on the best moving companies we recommend:

Our reviews of the best moving van lines

Need a little more information to help you make your decision? Read on for our reviews, where we break down these top companies with more in-depth information.

Best overall van line: Safeway Moving

Safeway Moving is one of the top moving companies in the business, and our top pick for the best overall moving van line for your next move.

This veteran-owned moving company donates a portion of the money it makes from each move to charity while offering very competitive prices thanks to its nationwide carrier network. When Christian used Safeway Moving to make a long-distance move from New York to California, Safeway’s low bid saved him thousands compared to other van lines.

The moving company also uses an in-depth quality assurance and follow-up system for each move, helping every aspect go smoothly to eliminate any issues. Customers also get 30 days of free storage included on all interstate moves, regardless of whether they’re making a big or small move. Free storage provides much-needed flexibility when planning a cross-country move. Auto transport services are also available.

However, Safeway Moving does not help with local moves.

Best for complicated moves: American Van Lines

Some moves are easier than others, and if your situation is a little more complex, American Van Lines is a great choice.

They know how to handle various unique moving situations and have a menu of comprehensive moving services to help you customize your relocation. They also offer highly competitive pricing compared to other van lines. When Kathy used American Van Lines to move items from a storage unit in Washington, D.C. to her new home in Missouri, she appreciated having one point of contact that communicated well throughout her complex move.

American Van Lines can help with last-minute moves and packing antiques, fine art, pianos, and other high-value goods. The moving company also offers the flexibility to choose between DIY packing and full-service options. Best of all, with the help of AI technology, these professional movers can provide accurate, binding quotes in just a few minutes through an app or video call.

The ability to customize your van line move as you see fit is a major pro that makes American Van Lines a great choice for a wide variety of situations.

Best for discounted services: International Van Lines (IVL)

If you’re looking for a chance to save money on your move without sacrificing quality, International Van Lines is well worth checking out.

International Van Lines offers discounts for seniors and military service members and regularly runs significant promotional discounts. For example, if you also use International Van Lines’ auto transport services, you should get a discount on your move total.

International Van Lines also has a strong reputation for customer service, winning Forbes’ Best in Customer Service awards for 2021 and 2022. International Van Lines can service domestic moves in as little as 48 hours and provides additional services, such as storage and home cleaning. As the name implies, they also service international and military moves.

When Suresh used International Van Lines for his long-distance move from Ohio to Texas, he was impressed by the company’s friendly movers, consistent communication, timeliness, and ability to transport tricky items without damage.

Best for shipment tracking: North American Van Lines

Want to know where your stuff is at all times during your move? North American Van Lines has you covered. With nearly 90 years in business, North American Van Lines uses satellite tracking so that you’ll always know exactly where your items are and can plan the rest of your move accordingly.

North American Van Lines utilizes over 500 agents from across the country, enabling them to offer personalized service to help your move go smoothly. Their customizable services include many helpful options, including trash and debris removal, cleaning services, storage, full-service packing and unpacking, and packing materials. If you need to transport your car as part of your move, North American Van Lines can arrange for vehicle shipping.

While customer service is available 24/7, the quality of service can vary from agent to agent. When Alexander used North American Van Lines for his move, he received two phone calls from the moving company while his items were en route and two more calls on the morning of delivery at his new home.

Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services

JK Moving is a premium moving company — in fact, they’ve even moved Fortune 500 companies and U.S. Presidents! Their service quality and pricing tend to reflect this premium mindset.

The company has a strong reputation for quality service; they even ranked as the best moving company by U.S. News. Features like guaranteed pickup and delivery dates, an AI-powered in-home estimate tool, and a convenient app system all help provide a stress-free moving experience.

When Jose used JK Moving to make a long-distance move from Utah to Florida, he was impressed by their consistent communication and meticulous attention when packaging his belongings (including a piano and a pool table). Best of all, his quote ended up being less than expected!

While JK Moving can help with both long-distance and international moving, local moves are only available for Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Summary of the best moving van lines

How to choose the best moving van line

While each of the moving companies discussed above could be a great fit for your move, there’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution for every move. By carefully comparing the options based on your specific needs, you can enjoy a stress-free moving experience.

Get multiple quotes

Budgeting for the cost of your move is an essential consideration when working with interstate moving companies. The best van lines offer free quotes (and some even offer online quotes) so you can quickly know how much your move will cost.

Ideally, you should get quotes from at least three moving companies you want to work with. Ensure you understand the nature of their quote process to make an apples-to-apples comparison.

For example, you should request a binding estimate — meaning the quote represents the maximum you would pay for your move. With a non-binding estimate, your costs can easily increase. Most van lines will offer an in-home estimate to ensure you get an accurate quote.

Be mindful of what each quote does or doesn’t include. Some upfront quotes might feature full-value protection for household goods or full-service packing, while others don’t. Make sure your quote accounts for any additional services you might need.

Services offered

Understanding which services your moving van line offers will help you avoid a lot of hassle on moving day. For example, not all van lines provide auto transport services. If this is a must-have, you’ll want to limit your search to companies that offer this service.

Other service needs you might want to consider include:

• Does the moving company offer packing services?
• Do they provide packing supplies, or will you need to supply your own?
• Does your moving provider help with furniture disassembly and reassembly or moving specialty/fragile items like pianos?
• Do you need short- or long-term storage before you move into your new home? Does the van line offer storage facilities or other storage options?

With these and other moving needs, be sure to ask whether these services are included in the base quote or as add-on services, as this will impact your moving estimate. Your chosen van line should be able to cater to your specific moving needs; otherwise, you should probably use someone else’s relocation services.

Licenses and insurance

Having several years of experience is a good indicator of a moving van line’s quality, but you should also check that they are appropriately licensed and insured. For example, moving companies should be licensed with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), a division of USDOT that enforces safety for large trucks. Properly licensed van lines have the legal authority to take your shipment across state lines. Quality insurance offers coverage if your goods are lost or damaged in transit.

Customer reviews

Finally, it’s always a good idea to check customer reviews before hiring a van line for a cross-country move. Resources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), industry rankings, and Google reviews can better explain long-distance moving companies’ pros and cons and how those may affect your overall moving experience.

How much do full-service van lines cost?

The cost of using a full-service van line can vary significantly based on the individual needs of your move. For example, moving a 2-3 bedroom home’s worth of belongings from Florida to New York will typically cost between $2,975-$7,011, depending on the van line you use, the type of services you select, and other factors.

Our moving cost calculator can help you compare the cost of full-service moving services to other long-distance moving options based on your situation.

Factors that affect the cost

The exact cost of your move will depend on several factors when working with full-service movers. Here are a few factors that can influence the total cost of your move:

• Size and type of move: The more stuff you have, the more your move will cost. In addition, many van lines charge additional fees for transporting specialty, high-value, or fragile items, such as fine art or antiques.
• Time of year: The moving industry tends to be the busiest during spring and summer, as well as on weekends. Scheduling your move for non-peak times can help lower your moving costs due to lower demand.
• Distance: The farther you need to transport your stuff, the more your move will cost. Long-distance moving costs involve more fuel, labor, and other fees for the mover, which they’ll include in your moving quote. Local moving costs are naturally much lower than those for long-distance moves.
• Location-related issues: If your property is hard to access — such as being on a tight street where the moving truck can’t park — you may get charged additional labor fees.
• Additional services: Storage services, auto transportation, and other add-on services could increase your fee beyond the base quote.

FAQs

What is the difference between van lines and moving companies?

Van lines specialize in large interstate moving services. They typically provide full-service moving, loading your items into a large moving truck and transporting them to your new destination. These companies have more extensive infrastructure and service areas than most moving companies, though they often partner with other companies for local moves. Many moving companies also help with military moves and international moves.

Do van lines do local moves?

Many van lines can also help with local moves. However, this will typically be more expensive than using a local moving company. Quite often, a local move with a van line involves the van line contracting the work out to local professional movers instead of them doing it themselves. You’ll need to check with the individual van line to see if they provide local moving services. However, you should also get moving quotes from other local movers to find the best possible pricing.

Is a moving container cheaper than a van line?

Generally, the best moving container companies will be cheaper than a van line. With a moving container company, you are fully responsible for packing and unpacking the storage container. The company will pick up the container and drop it off at your new home — but that’s it. Think of it as a pseudo-DIY move. You can expect to pay much less since you’ll still be doing much of the heavy lifting with this moving process. Even if you’re on a budget, you can find affordable moving companies.