9 Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
The moving process can be time-consuming and stressful, and with greater distance comes greater challenges. Long-distance moving is no small task, but a professional moving company can ease some of the stress. Here are the best long-distance moving companies:
- International Van Lines: Our pick for insurance plans
- American Van Lines: Our pick for long-distance moves
- Safeway Moving Inc.: Our pick for seniors
- Interstate Moving & Relocation Group: Our pick for informational resources
- Moving APT: Most flexible payment options
- JK Moving Services: Our pick for financing
- Allied Van Lines: Our pick for convenience
- North American Van Lines: Our pick for easy claims process
Compare the Best Long-Distance Movers
Use the table below to compare costs, star ratings and BBB ratings of the best long-distance moving companies:
Our Top Recommendations for Long-Distance Moving Companies
How Much Does Hiring a Moving Company For a Long-Distance Move Cost?
The cost of long-distance movers range on average from $2,500 to $12,000 but can cost upwards to $14,000 for larger homes with more rooms.
According to our research on out-of-state moving costs, moving without a professional moving company typically costs $1,000 to $7,500.
For a move from from Chicago, Ill., to Dallas, Texas, about 800 miles, the costs vary widely depending on what you kind of professional help you choose: professional movers, a moving container or a truck rental. The table below summarizes the average cost ranges for that move:
Moving Method | Average Cost |
---|---|
Professional movers | $4,505–$13,642 |
Container rental | $1,200–$2,455 |
Truck rental (for three days) | $350–$1,172 |
Factors That Impact Long-Distance Moving Costs
A variety of factors can affect the total cost of your long-distance relocation, including the following:
- How far you are moving
- The time of year
- The size of your move, measured as the total weight of your belongings
- The size of the moving crew
- The specific layout of your home, including any narrow hallways, low ceilings or steep staircases that could make moving more difficult
- Any special handling needed (such as for bulky, high-value or fragile items)
- Mileage
- Gas
- Any applicable toll charges
Calculate Your Moving Costs
You will want to make sure you can trust the moving company you hire. To view the company’s licensing, obtain its USDOT number and visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. Input that USDOT number toward the bottom of that page, which will allow you to access the company’s licenses and certifications. For more information on how much a move could run you, use our calculator below.
Preparing for a Long-distance Move
An out-of-state or cross-country move requires a lot of advanced planning and organization. It is best to get at least a three-month head start on moving day by creating a master list of the major tasks you need to accomplish.
Major tasks can include the following:
- Creating a moving budget
- Requesting ballpark estimates from multiple moving companies
- Determining how you and your family will be traveling to your new destination and if you will need a mover that can transport your vehicle(s)
- Hiring a moving company
It may be helpful to create a “Moving” folder on your computer to keep your notes, moving estimates, receipts and checklists in one place.
In the weeks leading up to moving day, pack items you don’t need and sell or give away items you no longer want. Consider organizing belongings for packing. We recommend creating a detailed list of all belongings you plan to move; in fact, many moving companies will require this before giving you a binding estimate. An accurate inventory will ensure your binding estimate will not change on moving day and will also make it easier for you to review your moving shipment upon delivery to check for any broken or missing items.
Ahead of your move, it is also a good idea to go ahead and contact physicians for copies of any records needed and your homeowners insurance provider to confirm your coverage will transfer to your new location.
Researching the Best Moving Companies in Your Area
The most important part of preparing for a successful long-distance move is to make sure that you have found the best mover. Our list provides you with top long-distance movers that are licensed and insured.
If you want to look for moving companies available in your location, check our guides for each state. Don’t see your state linked yet? Come back soon, we are constantly adding to our content.
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
Full-service vs. Self-service Movers
Other than moving truck rentals, there are two major types of moving companies in the current home movers market. To get a better understanding of what each type of mover entails, read over the descriptions below.
Full-service Movers
This type of mover is a good option for anyone who wants a moving company to handle practically all parts of their move. A full-service mover offers services such as furniture disassembly, packing services, crating, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking and furniture reassembly.
Often these companies can provide specialty services for difficult and fragile items, such as pianos and antiques. Customers can typically mix and match these services to create partial-service moving packages, which saves some money.
International Van Lines is a great example of a full-service mover that can help with your long-distance move.
Self-service Movers
A self-service mover is a better option for those looking to save money and those who enjoy taking the DIY approach. Self-service movers are also referred to as portable storage container movers.
This service model has the company deliver a portable storage container to your home, and you then load your belongings into that container in a certain time frame. Once your belongings are loaded, you notify the company when to pick up and deliver your belongings to your new home. You then unload the container at your own pace. This option tends to be significantly more affordable than full-service movers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Though it depends on what you are looking for in a long-distance moving company, we find that International Van Lines and American Van Lines are the most comprehensive and reputable long-distance movers on the market.
Any move that exceeds a total of 400 miles is often considered a long-distance move, whether that be across state lines or not.
The overall cost of moving varies according to a variety of factors. The most popular factors moving companies use to determine cost include: the total weight of your shipment, the overall distance of your move, truck parking access, the services you purchase and moving insurance plans. You should expect to pay between $4,200 and $12,000 for a full-service moving company and between $1,000 and $7,500 for a self-service mover.
A contents protection plan acts as insurance for your belongings while they are in transit. Every moving company is required by law to provide at least two moving insurance options.
A popular option is to receive 60 cents per pound for your belongings. If any damages occur, you receive 60 cents in reimbursement for each pound your belongings weighed. This can be problematic for expensive yet lightweight items like computers or other electronics.
Because of this, many companies offer a full-value coverage plan, which allows you to receive reimbursement based on the declared value of your items. This option makes the process of filing a claim and getting proper reimbursement easier.
If you are needing to really watch your budget, the cheapest way to move long-distance is by utilizing rental trucks and moving container companies. However, you will not benefit from the luxury of a full-service mover handling the labor-intensive work.
We recommend you check with the mover you are considering to see when they suggest you schedule. Overall, providing two months in advance of moving day is suitable for most moving companies.
Yes, there are items that professional long-distance movers won’t move. These items include flammable chemicals, batteries or explosives. Moving services may also have a list of questionable items, such as large house plants or precious family heirlooms. If you have items that you are unsure of, we suggest asking before you book your move.
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