

Recommended
#1 Mover in the United States
Air Van northAmerican Van Lines
Of all the interstate movers we researched, Air Van northAmerican stood head and shoulders above the competition when it came to responsiveness, transparency with estimates, damage-free handling of possessions, and overall accountability. With over 1,800 trucks, 40,000 truck shipments per year, 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states, and a real focus on continuous improvement, this mover has the scale, resources and commitment to quality that enables them to provide an exceptionally smooth moving experience despite the complexities of long distance transportation.
Services include:
- Long distance moves
- Local moves
- Full-service moving
- Corporate relocation
- Vehicle transport
- Office moving
Contact: (877) 306-2585
Finding the Best Moving Companies
Moving can be stressful, but hiring the right company can make the process smooth and enjoyable. This guide helps you identify top moving companies to meet your relocation needs whether local, long-distance or international.
We researched over 50 of the most widely used moving companies and selected the 10 best based on licensing, reputation, availability, services and customer satisfaction. These top-tier movers go above and beyond to provide exceptional experiences during one of life’s biggest disruptions.
Below we dive into detailed reviews of the highest-ranked moving companies across the country. Let’s explore what sets them apart.
Our Top 10 National Picks for Best Moving Companies
Based on extensive research, these 10 movers stand out for offering stellar service and happy customers time and again nationwide:
- Air Van NorthAmerican Van Lines – Our #1 pick with expansive availability.
- International Van Lines – Quality national mover providing excellent service for any move type.
- United Van Lines – Trusted company with strong long-distance moving value.
- Atlas Van Lines – Great for local moves with transparent customer experiences.
- Bekins – Top notch customer service on every move.
- Allied Van Lines – Extremely accurate quote pricing.
- NorthAmerican Van Lines – Quality national mover with expansive availability.
- Mayflower – Reputable national mover with great service options.
- JK Moving – Specializes in seamless long-distance relocations.
- Colonial Van Lines – Affordable coast-to-coast moving services.
- American Van Lines – Reliable for complex interstate moves.
This list represents the most exceptional moving companies nationally, consistently providing top-tier service according to verified ratings, reviews, experience and expertise. Now let’s explore detailed reviews of each company.
Full Reviews of the Top 10 National Moving Companies
Below we provide in-depth summaries of the highest-ranked moving companies nationwide. We cover their services, credentials, customer feedback and other factors to help you find the best mover for your relocation.
Air Van NorthAmerican Van Lines
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9
As one of the world’s largest moving companies, NorthAmerican Van Lines assists over 100,000 families with local, long-distance and international relocations annually. They coordinate seamless door-to-door moves powered by over 2,500 expert logistics specialists and 500+ company-owned trucks.
NAVL offers full-spectrum moving, packing and storage solutions tailored to any relocation. Their wide-reaching capabilities span all 50 states and over 150 countries globally enabled by their vast partner networks.
Services Offered:
- Local, interstate, overseas & corporate moves
- Full-service packing & specialty item experts
- Short-term & long-term climate controlled storage
- Vehicle transport solutions
Service Area: 150+ countries worldwide
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered #399576
- Fully bonded & insured
Starting Price: Get a custom quote for any move by calling (866) 568-2641.
International Van Lines
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6
Our top overall pick for best national moving company is International Van Lines. This fast-growing mover maintains excellent customer service ratings across online review platforms.
IVL offers one of the widest ranges of moving services to customers almost anywhere with availability in over 180 countries. They provide local, long-distance, interstate and international relocations along with specialty moves.
Services Offered:
- Local, long distance, interstate & overseas moves
- Full packing & unpacking services
- Specialty & piano moving
- Vehicle transport
- Storage solutions
Service Area: 180+ countries worldwide
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered
- Fully bonded & insured
Starting Price: Get a custom quote for any move by calling (855) 972-4089.
United Van Lines
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6
For over 40 years United Van Lines has provided reliable, quality moving services across America. As one of the largest national movers, they offer excellent overall value for long-distance relocations.
United Van Lines provides full-service moves along with packing, storage and vehicle transport. Their wide availability & large fleet allows them to send trucks almost anywhere in the country.
Services Offered:
- Local, long distance & interstate moves
- Full packing & specialty item moving
- Vehicle transport solutions
- Temporary & long-term storage
Service Area: 48 states
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered #077949
- Fully bonded & insured
Starting Price: Get a free quote for any move by calling (877) 783-1759.
Atlas Van Lines
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5
Established in 1948, Atlas Van Lines has provided reliable local, long-distance and corporate moves for over 75 years. They coordinate moves through a network of reputable moving companies to provide transparency and accountability.
Atlas oversees the entire process while connects customers to vetted local movers to handle packing, loading, transportation and unpacking. Their focus on customer service ensures quality experiences.
Services Offered:
- Local, long distance & corporate moves
- Full packing & specialty item moving
- Temporary & long-term storage
- Interstate transportation solutions
Service Area: 48 states & Canada
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered
- Fully bonded & insured movers
Starting Price: Get a free quote for any move by calling (866) 854-8770.
Bekins Van Lines
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5
As one of the oldest national movers, Bekins Van Lines has over 130 years’ experience providing local and long-distance relocations across America. They coordinate seamless door-to-door moves thanks to strategic partnerships with quality local movers in hundreds of cities.
Bekins oversees the entire moving process while expert partners professionally pack, load, transport unpack and rearrange possessions with care. Their exceptional customer service ensures a smooth experience.
Services Offered:
- Local, long distance & interstate moves
- Full-service packing & specialty item moving
- Competitively priced storage solutions
- Oversize & vehicle relocation
Service Area: 48 states
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered
- Fully bonded & insured partners
Starting Price: Get a free quote for any move by calling (314) 391-8136.
Allied Van Lines
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5
Operating for over 90 years, Allied Van Lines partners with qualified local moving companies to coordinate seamless relocations of all types across the country.
The Allied network offers full-spectrum moving services including packing, transporting, vehicle shipping and storage. Their focus on customer service experience ensures you’re supported throughout the process.
Services Offered:
- Local, long distance, office & overseas moves
- Full-service packing & specialty item moving
- Temporary & long-term storage
- Vehicle relocation solutions
Service Area: Over 100 countries worldwide
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered
- Fully bonded & insured partners
Starting Price: Get a free quote for any move by calling (888) 619-6277.
Mayflower Van Lines
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4
Established in 1927, Mayflower Transit has almost 100 years of trusted moving experience across America. As specialists in long-distance relocations and 70% of their business consisting of interstate moves, their expertise shines brightest over 500+ miles.
Mayflower maintains strong partnerships to extend availability nationwide. They leverage their massive fleet of over 2,800 trucks to transport household goods safely door-to-door.
Services Offered:
- Local, long distance & international moves
- Full-service packing & specialty item experts
- Temporary & permanent warehouse storage
- GPS-tracked transportation
Service Area: All 50 states & Canada
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered #135609
- Fully bonded & insured
Starting Price: Get a custom quote for any move by calling (410) 843-4133.
JK Moving Services
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4
While pricier than some competitors, JK Moving Services brings precision and expertise to complex long-distance relocations better than almost any other company. Their highly-trained moving crews handle local, interstate and overseas moves with extreme care and efficiency.
They leverage patented technologies for ultra-accurate estimates and provide real-time GPS tracking with each move. JK Moving is a leader in customer service – 95% of customers report damage-free moves.
Services Offered:
- Local, interstate & international moves
- Premium white glove packing/unpacking
- State-of-the-art long-distance transport
- Vehicle solutions & high-value moving
Service Area: 48 states & 70+ countries
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered #3265531
- Fully bonded & insured
Starting Price: Get a custom quote by calling (703) 972-1772. Five estimates guarantees VIP move.
Colonial Van Lines
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2
Colonial Van Lines stands out by offering reliable long-distance and interstate moves at reasonable prices nationwide. They leverage partnerships with licensed, tribally-owned moving companies under USDOT authority to be extremely cost competitive.
Colonial oversees the entire moving process while tribal owners coordinate expert packing, transportation, storage and specialty moving services door-to-door. Affordability meets accountability thanks to their partnership business model.
Services Offered:
- Interstate & cross-country moves
- Full packing & specialty item solutions
- Climate-controlled storage
- Vehicle relocations
Service Area: 48 states in mainland U.S.
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered
- Fully bonded & insured
Starting Price: Get a custom quote by calling (833) 218-6683. Price match guarantee available.
American Van Lines
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0
American Van Lines assists over 10,000 families in moving across the country each year. As a newer national moving company, they focus the majority of their business on out-of-state and interstate relocations coast-to-coast.
They offer comprehensive moving services like packing, unpacking, loading assistance and storage coordinated state-to-state by licensed, trusted partners. Available vehicle transport trailers extend their capabilities.
Services Offered:
- Interstate, long-distance & corporate moves
- Full-service packing & crating solutions
- Temporary & long-term storage options
- Vehicle relocation trailers
Service Area: 48 mainland states
Licensing & Insurance:
- FMCSA registered #739989
- Fully bonded & insured
Starting Price: Get a custom quote for long-distance moves by calling (888) 479-0314.
How Much Do Moving Companies Cost?
Average costs to hire professional movers depend heavily on move size, distance and services required. Charges also vary widely between companies based on brand, availability and capabilities.
Local moves for a 2-3 bedroom home average $2,000-$4,000 for full-service packing, loading, transportation and unloading. Companies typically charge hourly with minimums.
Long-distance moves over 500+ miles for the same home size average $4,000-$13,000 with pricing primarily based on distance weight/quantity moved. Extra services add charges.
International moves are most expensive ranging $9,000-$30,000 on average to transport household goods overseas. Immigrations, taxes and currency exchanges can significantly impact true costs.
Get free estimates from at least 3 moving companies to find the best value for your specific relocation. Keep in mind cheapest doesn’t necessarily equal best quality.
Factors That Impact Moving Company Costs
Many circumstances surrounding a move determine your final charges, including:
Distance – Longer moves drive up costs through fuel, time, crews.
Weight – Charges are largely based on total poundage moved including home size.
Services – Full-packing, specialty item moving, disassembly/reassembly all add fees.
Supplemental – Stairs, elevators, tight spaces requiring shuttles can increase base pricing.
Season – Peak summer moving months often have much higher demand.
Availability – Last-minute, on-demand moves reduce planning ability so increase costs.
While long hauls cost more overall, reputable national moving companies aim to keep quotes reasonably affordable.
Types of Moving Companies
Many movers focus on particular segments while others offer more universal services across these specialties:
Local Movers
- Typically operate within a regional area under 50-200 miles providing moving labor and small vehicle transport.
Long-Distance Movers
- Assist with longer 200+ mile moves across state lines or regions requiring larger vehicles.
Interstate Movers
- Specialize specifically in transporting households over state lines which have stricter regulations.
International
- Expertise shipping containers overseas and handling immense documentation/clearances required.
Specialty Movers
- Proficient specifically in fragile items like pianos, safes, art requiring special handling.
Review the unique expertise of various moving companies to identify what best suits your upcoming relocation needs.
Questions to Ask Moving Companies
Before choosing a moving company, ask detailed questions to understand their capabilities, specialties and costs:
What specific moving services do you offer?
- Local, long-distance, packing, piano, etc. This defines specialties.
Are you licensed and insured in my home & destination states?
- Verifies legitimacy to operate different routes.
What is your background screening process for crews?
- Highlights how they ensure reliable staff.
How are charges calculated and what factors may change pricing?
- Allows you to anticipate true costs.
What types of trucks, tools and equipment do you utilize?
- Assesses capabilities, safety, protections used.
Can I see previous customer reviews and contacts?
- Checks actual customer satisfaction, experiences.
What steps ensure damage-free transport of possessions?
- Reveals processes for careful handling of items.
Who oversees and supports the move throughout?
- Shows how assisted vs. independent move is.
Asking probing questions upfront identifies the best moving company aligned to your situation.
Tips for Stress-Free Moving
Beyond hiring a trusted moving company, proactivity reduces headaches throughout the process:
Declutter – Discard unused items to lighten load which cuts costs. Allows focus on valuables.
Get Organized – Use a printed/online checklist to track key deadlines for packing prep, utility transfers, vehicle shipping scheduler.
Backup Crucial Data – Secure important documents, photos or videos electronically to eliminate reliance on moving physical storage devices.
Clean Appliances – Schedule pre-move professional cleanings and maintenance for optimal transportability.
Label Clearly – Identify contents and room destinations on each box & item being moved to avoid confusion unloading.
Planning ahead alleviates chaos both on moving day and getting settled afterwards.
Signs of a Reputable Moving Company
With so many options to sift through, indicators of professionalism help qualify top contenders:
Industry Standing – Affiliations with reputable van lines, trade groups conveys credibility.
FMCSA Registered – Interstate movers must legally register for safety oversight.
Satisfaction Ratings – Reviews on BBB, Yelp reveal actual customer experiences.
Responsive Communication – Timely callbacks and willingness to answer questions shows care.
Staff Professionalism – Crew handling inquiries to onsite move should be courteous, uniform dressed.
Explanation of Rates – Breakdown of binding vs. non-binding estimates proves transparency.
License Verification – State laws dictate requirements so should readily share proof.
A moving company exhibiting these traits exemplifies best practices for smooth service.
Key Takeaways for Picking Movers
I hope this guide outlined what to seek in elite national moving companies when researching one for your upcoming relocation. Key considerations for picking top movers include:
- Match company capabilities closely to your specific moving needs.
- Validate licenses, insurance and registrations to verify legitimacy.
- Get quotes from at least 3 movers for fair pricing comparisons.
- Read reviews on past customer experiences, satisfaction with service.
- Ask detailed questions on staffing, processes and equipment utilized.
- Discuss binding estimates, contingency plans and fees thoroughly.
- Reconfirm details as date nears to finalize preparations.
Trust belongs to movers handling your valuable life possessions across vast distances. Selecting correctly ensures your peace of mind amidst such a major life transition. Here’s to new exciting adventures ahead thanks to a smooth move!
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