Whether you’re moving family heirlooms or packing up boxes of clothes, your belongings hold sentimental and monetary value. That’s why it’s so important to find a reputable moving company to take care of your items from when the movers enter your home to when they leave. And yet, trying to find an excellent moving company can feel daunting.
Fortunately, we’ve done the research to help you rest assured that your valuables receive professional care.
Our picks
Atlas Van Lines: Best moving company
North American Van Lines: Best for flexible pricing
Mayflower Transit: Best for large moves
United Van Lines: Best for liability coverage?
Suddath Relocation Systems: Best for military moves
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services: Best for East Coast moves
Allied Van Lines: Best for full-service moves
Atlas Van Lines: Best moving company
Star rating: 4.5 out of 5
Full-service packing: Yes
Availability:?50 states, Washington, D.C., Canada, Mexico (Not available in Puerto Rico)?
Liability coverage options: 2
Why we picked Atlas Van Lines
We chose Atlas Van Lines as one of the best movers because the company has more than 70 years of experience helping customers with local, long-distance and international moving services. Atlas Van Lines boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is ProMover-certified.
Who should use Atlas Van Lines
If you’re looking for a company with connections and resources in areas lacking widespread services, Atlas Van Lines might be the best fit. Atlas has more than 430 locations throughout the United States and Canada and 1,500 partners in 17 different countries to help you with your move — no matter how big or small.
Pros
- Easy to get a quote through a virtual estimate
- More than 70 years of experience in the moving industry
Cons
- No online tool for instant estimates
- Has several low reviews through the BBB for damaged items
North American Van Lines: Best for flexible pricing
Star rating: 4.5 out of 5
Full-service packing: Yes
Availability: 50 states, Washington, D.C., Canada and Mexico (not available in Puerto Rico)
Liability coverage options: 2
Why we picked North American Van Lines?
North American Van Lines (NAVL) is another top contender on our list, thanks to its nationwide availability, international services and full-service features. The company is an industry leader with an impressive 90-year history and more than 500 nationwide locations. You can trust your belongings will arrive at the correct destination thanks to NAVL’s WorldTrac satellite tracking system and online shipment tracking system.
Who should use North American Van Lines
If you want to plan your move down to the last dollar, North American Van Lines may be your best moving company. The company offers a guaranteed written quote, which not all companies provide, so that you know exactly how much you’re paying for your move.
Pros
- Long-standing reputation with a four-year ranking for having one of the best customer services in 2023
- Transparent pricing for shipping between several major cities
Cons
- Poor customer reviews with a 1.13 out of 5 through the BBB
- May be challenging to find all information needed for planning a move on the website
Mayflower Transit: Best for large moves
Star rating: 4.4 out of 5
Full-service packing: Yes
Availability: 46 states, Washington D.C., Canada and Mexico (not available in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories)
Liability coverage options: 2
Why we picked Mayflower Transit
We chose Mayflower because the company has more than 90 years of experience helping people move locally, long-distance and internationally. Mayflower also offers full-service moving in more than 150 countries.
Who should use Mayflower Transit
Mayflower is ideal for anyone looking for start-to-finish services. Mayflower will handle your heavy items and even remove junk from your property if you have a large move. When your belongings arrive at the new location, the company offers unpacking services and appliance hookups through third-party partnerships.
Pros
- Offers several comprehensive add-on packages for protecting your valuables
- Full-service options are great for customizing a long-distance move
Cons
- No service in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island or West Virginia
- No feature for estimating your expenses
United Van Lines: Best for liability coverage
Star rating: 4.2 out of 5
Full-service packing: Yes
Availability: 46 states, Washington, D.C., Canada and Mexico (not available in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont or West Virginia)
Liability coverage options: 2
Why we picked United Van Lines
United Van Lines has been in the moving industry for more than 90 years and offers long-distance, cross-country, military and corporate moves. The company makes our list because of the protection plans you can choose. United’s Full-Value Protection plan goes above and beyond your typical liability plan, but you also have the option to select the Minimum Liability Valuation plan or declare a higher value of protection than the one quoted in the Full-Value Protection plan.
Who should use United Van Lines
United Van Lines is one of the best moving companies for anyone seeking to protect their liability. If you’re moving very valuable items, having a backup plan in case an unexpected event occurs is essential. The company’s Full-Value Protection plan operates differently than a homeowners insurance policy in that you’ll receive a replacement value for damaged or lost belongings.
Pros
- Customizable moving services to take you nearly anywhere across the world
- Excellent protection plans
Cons
- Not available in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont or West Virginia
- Is not BBB accredited despite its 27 years in business
Suddath Relocation Systems: Best for military moves
Star rating: 4.2 out of 5
Full-service packing: Yes
Availability: 48 states, Washington, D.C., Mexico and Canada (not available in Hawaii and Alaska)
Liability coverage options: 2
Why we picked Suddath Relocation Systems
With more than 100 years of experience in the moving industry, Suddath Relocation Systems is a well-established moving company that offers local, long-distance, military and international moving services. Suddath Relocation Systems requires its employees to have more than 250 hours of hands-on training so that your move is in the best of hands, and the company is one of the top go-to agents for United Van Lines.
Who should use Suddath Relocation Systems
If you’re a military family needing help moving your home, this may be the best moving company for you. Suddath Relocation Systems is no stranger to residential moves — the company moves more than 80,000 households and over 38,000 military families annually.
Pros
- Specializes in employee relocation
- Experienced with military moves
Cons
- Customer ratings vary by location
- Not available in Alaska or Hawaii
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services: Best for East Coast moves
Star rating: 4.1 out of 5
Full-service packing: Yes
Availability: 43 states and Washington, D.C. (not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico)
Liability coverage options: 2
Why we picked Solomon & Sons?
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services is a local, family-owned moving company that began in Florida and quickly grew to service nearly all of the United States. The company earned its place on our list because of its high customer reviews and ratings. Though the family-owned company has grown, it still brings that locally-owned value of close-knit customer service to the forefront of its business.
Who should use Solomon & Sons?
If you’re the kind of person who scours the internet for the best and worst reviews when choosing who you do business with, Solomon & Sons Relocation Services won’t disappoint. The company’s outstanding track record with customer service and satisfaction makes it a solid choice for those looking for a reputable company.
And, if you live on the East Coast — specifically, near or in Florida — this company will be more readily available than many other moving companies. Though Solomon services all 50 states, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana have limited or no availability in the winter.
Pros
- Excellent customer ratings with a score of 4.27 out of 5 on the BBB
- Family-owned company offers a personal touch
Cons
- Less availability for pickups in North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana in the winter season
- Some customer reviews complain about hidden fees
Allied Van Lines: Best for full-service moves
Star rating: 4.1 out of 5
Full-service packing: Yes
Availability: 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico
Liability coverage options: 2
Why we picked Allied Van Lines?
Allied Van Lines has been in the moving business for more than 95 years. The company is refreshingly transparent about shipping costs and will provide a quote based on your move. With availability in all 50 states, you can rest assured that your movers have the experience to transport your belongings reliably from point A to point B.
Who should use Allied Van Lines
You’ll benefit the most from Allied Van Lines if you’re looking for a full-service moving company available in all 50 states. Allied Van Lines is known for creating customizable moving plans tailored to your needs the entire way through, with partnerships with third parties specializing in assembly and disassembly services, disconnection and reconnection services and cleaning services. It even offers shuttle services for remote areas or areas with limited access.
Pros
- More than 95 years in the moving industry
- Excellent full-service packages
Cons
- May cost more than competitors
- Low customer service reviews with a 1.09 out of 5 through the BBB
Our picks at a glance
|
Our rating (out of 5 stars)
|
Mover type
|
No. of states available
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Van Lines | 4.5 |
Local, long-distance, interstate, international, full-service |
50 |
| North American Van Lines | 4.5 |
Local, long-distance, interstate, international, full-service |
50 |
| Mayflower Transit | 4.4 |
Local, long-distance, interstate, international, full-service |
46 |
| United Van Lines | 4.2 |
Local, long-distance, interstate, international, full-service |
46 |
| Suddath Relocation Systems | 4.2 |
Local, long-distance, interstate, international, full-service |
48 |
| Solomon & Sons Relocation Services | 4.1 |
Local, long-distance, interstate, international, full-service |
50 |
| Allied Van Lines | 4.1 |
Local, long-distance, interstate, international, full-service |
50 |
What didn’t make the cut
Our honorable mentions include Good Greek, JK Moving and International Van Lines.
- Good Greek Moving and Storage: Has outstanding customer reviews and offers junk removal services but lacks features like a virtual assessment, moving calculator and inventory app
- JK Moving Services: Offers premium moves and is one of the largest independent moving companies in the United States but doesn’t offer junk removal services
- International Van Lines: Has transparent pricing and strong customer reviews but several complaints through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
What services do moving companies provide?
When choosing a moving company, it’s crucial to ensure your moving company offers the services you need to move successfully. Below are some of the most common services that moving companies may provide:
- Antique shipping
- Appliance disconnection and hookup
- Arts and collectible shipping
- Fragile packing
- Full-service
- International moving
- Interstate moving services
- Junk removal
- Local moving services
- Long-distance moving services
- Oversized hauling
- Piano shipping
- Self-service
- Storage
- Vehicle shipping
How much do moving companies cost?
The average cost to hire movers is $1,625. Short-distance moves cost as little as $450, while long-distance moves can cost up to $12,700. With such price disparities, you’ll find many factors that can impact the cost of your move.
Factors that affect moving costs
The distance is one of the most significant factors that affect the cost of your move, but the size of your home is a close second in terms of cost factors. Local moves cost more per mile than long-distance moves, but they’ll ultimately cost the least because of the shorter distance. Meanwhile, studio bedrooms cost the least to move, while a five-bedroom home will cost significantly more.
Common discounts
Investing in a moving company can be quite a financial undertaking, and finding a discount can be just what you need to offset some of the cost of your move. Common discounts include:
- First responder discounts
- Law enforcement discounts
- Membership discounts
- Military discounts
- Off-season discounts
- Senior discounts
- Student discounts
- Teacher discounts
Some moving companies also work with the American Automobile Association (AAA) to give you a dollar amount or percentage off your move.
Be wary of deals that seem way below competitor prices, as this could be a sign of a scam. Double-check that your moving company has the proper licensing and insurance and a solid online reputation.
What to look for in a moving company
When choosing a moving company, the sheer number of options can make it hard to tell which company is right for the job. Fortunately, looking at the years the company has been in business, its reputation and reliability, cost, licensing, insurance, services, features and availability can help you determine the best movers for your home.
Availability
Some moving companies — especially smaller ones — fill up quickly during peak season, making it essential to check the company’s availability in advance. The last thing you want is to plan a move only to find that your prospective company is unavailable for several weeks or months.
Cost
Many moving companies have vague pricing online, making it important to call several moving companies to receive a quote. Compare at least three quotes to find the most competitive rates.
Licensing and insurance
All moving companies should be licensed and registered with the FMCSA. If your prospective company isn’t, this could be a sign that you’re about to do business with a scammer. Every state has mandatory licensing that moving companies must obtain to do business.
After acquiring licensure, the company needs to invest in insurance. Not every moving company comes with the same insurance, so ask your movers what kind of coverage they have for their vehicles to see what level of protection is available.
Reputation and reliability
A company with a solid reputation will have raving customers to back it up. Compare the number of online reviews and the ratings with the number of years in business for signs of a good reputation.
Services and features
The distance you’re traveling, the type of belongings, your starting and drop-off locations, packing and unpacking services, disconnecting and connecting services and more can all play a role in whether or not a moving company has the types of services and features you need to accomplish your move.
Years in business
How long a company has been in business isn’t necessarily a tell-all criterion; however, the longer a company has been in business, the more customer reviews and testimonials should be available for you to evaluate the company’s reputation.
How to prepare for your move
Preparing for a move can feel stressful and overwhelming, but you can be well-prepared for a successful move with these tips and tricks:
- Create a timeline for your move.
- Make a moving checklist.
- Write down your entire inventory for an accurate quote.
- Set a budget.
- Decide on which moving and packing services you want.
- Compare moving companies and choose the right one for you.
- Reach out to your moving company two or three months before the move to confirm availability.
- Change your mailing address and associated subscriptions.
- Transfer your utilities, internet and TV services.
Methodology
To determine the rankings for moving companies, the CNN Underscored Home editorial team analyzed 52 companies, with each company’s star rating determined by a variety of factors, including:
