Best Long-Distance Movers in New Jersey (2026 Guide)

Safeway Moving and Zip to Zip Moving Inc stand out as the best long-distance movers in New Jersey. moveBuddha reviewed 150 movers licensed for interstate service in the state and narrowed the results to 3 national movers and 5 New Jersey movers. They performed best on quote transparency, Better Moves Project pricing data, and customer reputation, weighed against 36,891 customer reviews statewide.

Most full-service long-distance moves out of New Jersey cost between $1,089 and $4,452 depending on home size and destination.

New Jersey is the #2 most outbound state in 2026, with 0.60 inbound searches for every 1 outbound — driven by high property taxes and affordability challenges. See our 2026 Moving Trends Report.

Based on our analysis of 150 interstate movers, Safeway Moving leads our rankings for New Jersey followed by American Van Lines and International Van Lines:

For moves exceeding 500 miles from the Garden State, these national long-distance movers are the clear choice. Their carrier networks reach all 48 contiguous states, and their tracking, dispatch, and scheduling infrastructure is purpose-built for multi-state routing that regional carriers cannot replicate. They are the best fit for larger households, cross-country relocations, and shipments that require packing services or specialty-item handling. For moves under 500 miles, the New Jersey-based companies below can also be a good fit.

Safeway Moving

Safeway Moving (USDOT#: 3166589) earns our best overall value designation in New Jersey by pairing reasonably priced full-service moving with higher-end features that can reduce stress and add predictability on a long-distance move.

• Best overall value: Safeway Moving stands out with a barcode-scanned inventory and 24/7 customer support, giving you more control and visibility than many competing movers in this article.
• Competitive advantage: Its value story gets even stronger with 30 days of free climate-controlled storage and optional full-value protection, 2 features that matter more on larger moves or shipments with expensive items.
• Better Moves Data: One Better Moves participant got a $4,300 Safeway quote to move roughly 2,500 pounds about 1,300 miles.

American Van Lines

American Van Lines (USDOT#: 614506) stands out as the most experienced full-service interstate mover in New Jersey because it combines carrier-level control with the specialized expertise required for long-distance moves involving antiques, pianos, oversized pieces, and other valuable items.

• Most experienced handling: American Van Lines uses trained in-house crews to handle fragile, oversized, and high-value items, offering a higher level of consistency on moves where precision is essential.
• Competitive advantage: The company also shines for its custom crating, climate-controlled storage, antique services, and last-minute long-distance availability, making it a strong fit for specialty-item and high-complexity moves.
• Average cost: moveBuddha quote data suggests an average of about $3,948 for a 1,000-mile, 2-bedroom interstate move with American Van Lines.
• Better Moves Data: A Better Moves participant moving a one-bedroom household about 831 miles was quoted $3,332 by American Van Lines and paid $4,074 after adding packing and extra items.

International Van Lines

International Van Lines (USDOT#: 2247789) earns our top spot for customer service in New Jersey thanks to round-the-clock support and a 4.6 average customer rating on long-distance moves.

• Best customer service: With 24/7 customer service, International Van Lines keeps help available at any hour of the move.
• Competitive advantage: Competitive rates and a 10% discount give it a stronger blend of responsiveness and value than many competing movers.
• Average cost: moveBuddha data shows a typical range of $1,100–$5,900 for an interstate move with International Van Lines.

The movers below are headquartered in New Jersey and hold active FMCSA interstate operating authority. They are the stronger option for interstate moves under 500 miles and 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom households that want direct contact with a locally accountable team. A local headquarters translates to a single point of contact, faster dispute resolution, and scheduling flexibility that national carrier networks cannot match on shorter corridors.

Here are our top picks among New Jersey-based movers, after reviewing 150 companies that handle interstate moves:

Full-service movers aren't the only option for a move from the Garden State. These alternatives can lower costs and provide a more hands-on long-distance moving experience.

• Moving container companies: With this option, a mover drops off a portable container, gives you time to load it yourself, and then transports it to your destination. Long-distance container pricing from New Jersey starts around $2,088. Our top choice is PODS.
• Rental trucks: Rental truck companies provide the truck and put you in charge of loading, driving, and unloading. Long-distance rental truck pricing from New Jersey ranges from $20 to $99 per day. Our top choice is Budget Truck Rental.
• Labor-only movers: This service model provides professional loading and unloading help without supplying the truck or transportation. Labor-only pricing in New Jersey ranges from $59 to $79 per hour. Our top choice is Zip to Zip Moving Inc.

A smarter move to or from New Jersey starts with comparing the details instead of the sales pitch. With 150 movers licensed for interstate moves, it's key to look closely at pricing, timing, protection, and delivery terms. On long-distance moves, the lowest quote doesn't always deliver the best overall value.

Start with a plan. Our moving checklist helps you organize dates, inventory, and priorities before quotes start coming in.

1. Estimate your interstate move cost. Use the moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a personalized long-distance estimate for your New Jersey move. Most interstate moves from New Jersey cost $1,089 for a 2-bedroom up to $4,452 for a 5+ bedroom home.
2. Compare national vs in-state carriers. Compare national carriers (Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, International Van Lines) against New Jersey-based interstate movers for routes under 500 miles. National movers suit longer routes and larger households; in-state carriers offer closer local contact on shorter corridors.
3. Verify USDOT registration and valuation coverage. Verify every carrier's USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before signing. Confirm the mover offers full-value protection in addition to the free released-value coverage ($0.60/lb), which is rarely sufficient for a full household.
4. Get 3+ written binding estimates. Request written binding or not-to-exceed estimates from at least 3 licensed interstate movers. Each quote should cover the same inventory, route, and services so you can compare real value, not just headline price.
5. Review the quote checklist. Review every line item before booking: access fees, packing, storage-in-transit, shuttle service, stair carries, and long carries. Ask what conditions can change the final price and whether the mover is a carrier or a broker.
6. Book early and prepare for the delivery window. Book as early as your dates allow — especially for summer moves. Confirm the full delivery window (not just the earliest date) and ask how the mover handles weather delays and rescheduling before move day.

How to compare long-distance moving quotes

Review the checklist below to evaluate moving quotes side by side and spot any hidden fees before committing.

• Collect at least 3 written quotes: Each mover should be bidding on the same inventory and the same scope of service for a fair comparison.
• Identify what can trigger added charges: You should know in advance what conditions or services can increase the final bill.
• Review what is built into the quote: Ask each mover to spell out exactly which services and charges are already included.
• Use low quotes as a prompt to investigate: Competitive pricing matters, but missing costs are often what make a quote look cheaper.
• Verify common add-ons: Confirm whether the estimate includes long carries, oversized furniture, specialty items, stairs, and storage.

Verify licensing, valuation, and coverage

A legitimate interstate mover should be easy to verify. Before you book, use the checklist below to confirm you're dealing with a properly authorized company.

• Start with New Jersey's licensing authority. Check that the company is properly registered, confirm the business name matches the quote and paperwork, and make sure the mover is actually authorized to operate where your move begins.
• The New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association can be a useful secondary checkpoint when you are screening movers in New Jersey. Use it to research whether a company appears active in the local industry, but don't treat trade-group involvement as a substitute for licensing or operating authority.
• Before you sign, review what level of valuation protection is included and ask what additional moving insurance or upgraded coverage options are available for higher-value items. For interstate moves, it's also smart to review the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA's) Protect Your Move resources so you understand your rights and the records you should verify before booking.

PCS moves from New Jersey: what military families should know

5 long-distance movers in New Jersey hold DOD certification, meaning they are approved to handle Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves for military families. If you are relocating on military orders, a DOD-certified mover is required for government-funded moves and is strongly recommended for privately funded PCS moves to ensure proper liability coverage and scheduling priority. Use your pre-booking checklist to confirm the mover's DOD certification status and ask about peak-season booking lead times, which can be tight at major installations. See our full guide to the best military movers for a deeper breakdown of PCS-specific options and what to look for in a DOD-certified carrier.

When you move matters almost as much as who you hire. Timing affects both price and availability — peak demand in New Jersey runs from late May through early September, when rates are highest and booking windows are tightest. Moving outside that window can save 10%–20% on your quote and give you more scheduling flexibility.

Regardless of when you move, book as early as your dates allow. The most in-demand movers fill their peak-season calendars 4–8 weeks out, and mid-month weekday moves tend to offer better pricing and crew availability than weekend moves at the end of the month.

Most long-distance move costs from New Jersey fall between $1,089 and $4,452. Use that range to set expectations — final costs are shaped by home size, mileage, timing, and what services you add.

What drives long-distance moving costs from New Jersey

Shipment size and mileage are the 2 biggest cost drivers — but packing services ($0.15–$0.21/lb), storage-in-transit ($0.50/cu ft), access fees ($75–$500+), and shuttle service can all add significantly to your final bill. DIY options like moving containers or rental trucks typically cost 30% less than full-service movers. For a full cost breakdown by home size, route, and service type, see our New Jersey moving cost guide. Understanding binding vs. non-binding estimates before you book will also help you avoid surprises on delivery day.

See all moving routes from New Jersey

How we chose the best long-distance moving companies in New Jersey

moveBuddha's expert team analyzed 150 interstate movers in New Jersey and ranked the top companies using a methodology focused on services, customer feedback, online reputation, support, pricing practices, and state availability. Our national picks are Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, and International Van Lines.

• Quotes/Payment options (30%): We give the most weight to estimate quality, deposit and cancellation disclosures, payment methods, discounts, and pricing protections like binding or not-to-exceed estimates.
• HQ online reputation (21%): We assess a mover's reputation across sources like Google, Trustpilot, the BBB, and other review platforms to identify consistent strengths and complaints.
• Services (20%): We evaluate the range and quality of services offered, including packing, loading, storage, custom crating, car shipping, and specialty-item handling.
• Customer support (15%): We look for clear support channels, published hours, dedicated coordinators, delivery-time communication, and proactive customer updates.
• Review percentages feedback (10%): We use verified customer feedback to measure communication, pricing transparency, punctuality, overall satisfaction, and service quality.
• State availability (4%): We verify how broadly a company operates and whether it actually serves the states it claims to cover.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.