Moving day is usually filled with excitement, stress, and a handful of mixed feelings that come with it. That’s why it’s good not to complicate such a challenging day with activities like heavy lifting, careful planning, and awkward maneuvering.
This is the reason why most people hire the services of any of the best moving companies with excellent ratings to do the heavy lifting for them.
There are both local movers and big-name, long-distance moving companies. This guide gives you all the information you need about the different moving services on the market, including the price ranges, relevant questions to ask, and some reviews of the best moving companies available.
Below is my list of the best companies that I reviewed and ranked.
1. National Van Lines
Provides reliable and extensive moving services
This company is a full-service moving company that has been in the business for about one hundred years. National Van Lines offers professional moving plus packing and unpacking for different types of moves.
From moving to another area in your state to long-distance moving, National Van Lines has a trusted fleet of expert movers to help you get your stuff transported. It also takes care of cross-country and international moves.
Pros
- It has an excellent reputation for 90 years
- Provides full-service moving and storage options
- There are specialty moves available (auto, fragile, oversized)
Cons
- It has a lengthy quote process
- There are separate packing and unpacking teams
2. Allied Van Lines
Peace of mind from a long-running moving company
For those who regularly ply the highways of America, I’m sure you must have seen the orange trucks of Allied Van Lines. This longstanding company has been in business for almost 90 years and has all the features you’d want in a moving company, including easy scheduling, helpful moving resources, and fast, reliable service.
It offers local, long-distance, and international moving services with different packages that can be as hands-off as you want. Its full-service packages include packing, unpacking, assembly/disassembly, plus other necessary services that make the move easier.
Allied allows you to easily schedule your moving online and has 24-hour customer support if you have any questions or issues.
Pros
- Provides 24-hour customer support
- It’s a licensed, bonded, and insured movers
- Offers easy and stress-free scheduling
Cons
- There’s basic insurance included
- It is not ideal for local and short-distance moves
3. Angie’s List
Moving services merchant network
This is a network of moving services that lets you find the best local movers or the best long-distance moving companies to fit your moving needs. Angie’s List is unique because it personally reviews and compares every moving company in its network.
Therefore you don’t have to do that stressful work of searching for moving companies and reviewing them. Angie’s List has taken care of that for you.
Another advantage of finding moving companies through this company is that you will have a wider number of moving services vying for your business. This means that companies would be competing with each other, meaning that prices would be lower.
Therefore you will get a good price, put in little effort, and have a larger variety of moving services to select from. That’s what I call a package deal!
Pros
- There is a wide range of moving services and companies available
- Competition-based pricing
- Angie’s List guarantee
Cons
- Does not work directly with the moving companies
- Its guarantee has terms and conditions
4. International Van Lines
Pro national and international moving services
This is a well-known moving company. It provides moving services in the United States and even internationally. International Van Lines, while taking into account every detail, makes it easy and fast to pack up, move house and settle in your new house regardless of where the place is in the world.
Its customers can also buy packing supplies, calculate the cost of moving, and even cross-check all the necessities with the resourceful moving checklist on the website.
It also lets you receive a 100% return policy for up to 48 hours of the scheduled pickup, that’s an amazing offer. Additionally, International Van Lines offers an impressive virtual quote tool. You can video your belonging and this company will give you a quote based on the details in that video.
With this feature, you don’t even have to speak to a customer care representative, which is very convenient.
Pros
- Offers a virtual price quote
- Gives a full refund with 48 hours cancellation
- Provides moving services across the country and world
Cons
- It’s not suitable for local moves
- There’s an extra cost for full insurance
5. American Van Lines
America’s friendly moving services
This company is another big name in the industry you might have heard of. It services all 50 states and also offers international moves across the globe. This company also offers more specialty moving services like piano and antique moving services and business or corporate office moves.
Also, American Van Lines rents out storage units. Storage units are private storage facilities that are available for both short term and long term use. American Van Lines is also interested in environmental sustainability, that’s why it works hard to reduce its carbon footprint and preserve important natural resources.
Therefore, if you’re in need of a local or long-distance moving company that you can rely on, American Van Lines is an excellent option.
Pros
- Provides long and short-term storage
- Offers local, international, and specialty moving
- It is interested in environmental sustainability
Cons
- Its website is a bit outdated
- There are no online quotes available
6. North American Moving Services
White glove service with high-tech equipment
North American Moving Services is a company that has over 500 agent locations all over the country and is well-known for its excellent customer service, plus its satellite tracking services.
It was founded in 1933, and it has both a solid infrastructure and modern technology which it uses to provide prompt and professional moving services for all your relocation needs.
One of the unique features of North American Moving is the WorldTrac® satellite tracking tool. This tool allows you to follow and track your belongings as they are being moved across the state or country. It has well-trained drivers and interactive simulators all in a bid to make sure that your valuables are safe.
Also, its movers are licensed, bonded, experienced in taking care of everything from large furniture to fragile valuables.
These, combined with a wide range of moving, packing, and white glove services make this company an ideal choice for those who have valuables that require special attention.
Pros
- You can track your valuables with WorldTrac satellite equipment
- It has trained drivers and experienced movers
- Provides white-glove services
Cons
- Works in only 48 participating states
- It might be costlier than the competition
7. U-Pack
Quick, simple, easy moving services
U-Pack is an easy and user-friendly way of moving house. On its website, you can get a free quote, have the packing materials sent to your house, and have your stuff delivered to your new home in a quick and efficient manner.
It is also very flexible, meaning that you can pay for extra units on the spot, choose your moving day, and schedule things depending on your budget (such as scheduling a move during off-season periods to get a lower rate).
It also provides extra services such as packing and loading help, plus weather-proof storage trailers. Additionally, you can pay for a faster moving time with U-Pack. All you have to do is to choose the U-Pack Guaranteed Plan for a faster moving time.
Finally, this company has a fair and flexible pricing system. You will not be charged for space you don’t use or for the minimum weight requirement you don’t need.
Pros
- Provides packing supplies that will be delivered to your door
- Offers a flexible and easy moving cost calculator
- You can expedite delivery times
Cons
- Packing and loading costs extra
- There are no local mover options
8. Home Advisor
Complete home moving services by professionals
This is another network of moving services that helps people who are in need of moving services to find the best moving companies for their needs. First of all, you tell the Home Advisor a bit about the kind of moving you’re looking for (for instance, the size of your home, where you’re moving from, where you’re moving to).
Home Advisor will then match you with the best professional moving services in your location. You’ll get quotes from local movers that deal with the type of move you’re looking for. It also has lots of information concerning moving costs, home improvements, and other important information.
A nice feature of Home Advisor is that all the moving companies in its network have been pre-screened. This means that you will get a reliable service regardless of the company that was recommended.
Additionally, Home Advisor provides about 4 quotes that are non-commital. That way, you’ll have the information you need to get a realistic figure of the total cost of your move without having to pay anything upfront.
Pros
- It has a wide national network of the best moving companies
- Provides up to 4 quotes quickly and without commitment
- Has a convenient mobile app
Cons
- It is not a direct moving service
- You may receive multiple offers continuously
9. U-Haul
Reputable moving services for less
This is a common name in the moving industry amongst Americans, and it’s not hard to see why.
U-Haul is a family-run company that upholds values like promoting a healthy life-work balance, customer satisfaction, and higher education. It has been in the business for almost 100 years. Also, it has some amazing stats like the amount of mileage that is on U-Haul trucks each year.
U-Haul is also very professional when it comes to moving services. It has competitive prices for both local and long-distance moves. U-Haul has fleets of vehicles such as trailers, trucks, cargo vans, towing, pickups, and containers.
Therefore, it’s best for any size and type of move. And this includes packing, loading, and unloading the truck, and unpacking your stuff neatly, professionally, and efficiently.
Pros
- Provides a wide range of moving services
- Offers a 30-day free storage
- Has really good prices
Cons
- Most moving services are add-ons
- Pricing isn’t as clear as advertised
10. Montway Auto Transport
Affordable and secure auto transport
Are you making a cross-country move? Then you should choose Montway Auto Transport. It has over 40,000 insured and vetted trucks, an online tracking system, trusted truckers. Montway will transport your vehicle from one place to the next with expert care and efficiency.
Montway can take care of any type of vehicle transportation: whether you prefer the secure and enclosed method, or you or the more budget-friendly open vehicle transport, or even if you’re moving across the country or across the globe.
It has an amazing and simple online process. From the website, you can get a free quote and even schedule a date for the pickup directly from your cellphone or computer.
Also, Montway has an affordable and competitive pricing system compared to other companies in the auto transport industry. There are many reasons to choose this company like fast pickups, door-to-door service, and online buys.
Pros
- Fair pricing system
- You can check-in on your car throughout the drive
- There are loads of options
Cons
- There is no GPS tracking feature
- You have to pay a cancellation fee if you don’t use the service
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best moving company for long distance?
American Van Lines, International Van Lines, and U-Haul are very popular when it comes to long-distance moves as their services extend to every state in the US and beyond. They also offer fair and competitive rates.
2. How far in advance should you schedule movers?
Most moving experts advise that you should hire a professional moving company 4–8 weeks before the date of your move. That way you can give as much notice as possible especially if it is during the high-moving periods like the end of summer or in spring.
3. How do I choose a moving company?
The first thing you have to do is to find out if the company operates in the area you live in and also in the area you want to move to. You should also consider the prices, the types of insurance offered, and the reputation of the said company.
Finally, you should ensure that the company can take care of any specific needs you may have like specialty objects like pianos and large furniture to moving and packing various supplies.
4. Why do I need a moving company?
A lot of people usually have the same reaction when the time to move comes. They usually wonder why they need to hire the services of a mover when they can do the work by themselves. But here are some of the reasons why people decide to hire professional moving services:
Peace of mind: There are thousands of things to think about and take care of when you’re moving house. It’s not just about moving. That’s why it’s a lot easier to let someone be in charge of the hauling, moving, and transport.
It will also give you time and freedom to attend to the other more important, technical stuff that only you can handle.
Reliability: Also, professional moving services will ensure that your belongings are insured. It means that if anything happens to your stuff while it’s being moved, it is covered. However, if anything happens to your stuff while you’re handling the move, you’re out of luck.
Time savings: Your time is very important. That’s why hiring local movers can free up your time so you can attend to other important things vital to the move. It’s worth the investment.
More efficient: No one is good at everything. Not even you. Although you might be good at what you do, you might not be good at moving. But what are the best moving companies good at? You guessed it—moving!
They are experts at packing up, hauling, and unloading your belongings in the quickest and most efficient manner possible. That way you can start living your life in your new home sooner.
It’s safer: Moving can be dangerous to your health for lots of reasons. However, one of the biggest health challenges that moving can present is the stress you’ll put your body through. Professional long-distance moving services are experts at moving large, heavy, and bulky stuff without harming themselves.
5. How can I find a moving company near me?
In truth, it’s a great idea to hire one of the best moving companies for either local or long-distance moves. But you should be sure that they operate in your area.
Local movers usually have a smaller area of coverage than the other major long-distance moving companies. What this means is that the company doesn’t have to service a large area, it just needs to be in operation in your area.
You should search online for the moving companies near you. Do this by putting in your address or zip code and what moving companies pop up and the areas they cover. You can also check on the moving companies’ websites to check the locations they cover.
6. How to choose a mover
The best moving companies will provide you with a lot of value, they will also have a strong reputation and will have insurance for your stuff. Below are some of the important features you should check out while looking for cheap and good moving companies:
Reputation: Go online and check out the online reviews, ask people about these moving companies, and find out if the moving company is to be trusted. You should also find out if it has a Better Business Bureau certification. A fair number of good reviews should tell you that this company is a good option, that it will treat you well, and will do the job professionally.
Type of move: Do you want to move locally or to a faraway place? Different companies will be more suitable for the task depending on the type of move involved. If you’re moving around the corner or across the town, local movers are not only good, they are more price-efficient.
On the other hand, if you are moving to a new, far away place, then long-distance moving companies will give the most professional treatment, plus the ability to move you farther.
Amount of stuff: You should also take into consideration the amount of stuff you have to move. If your belongings amount to one or two smaller appliances, then you should go for the cheap movers available.
But if you have lots of stuff to move, including various major appliances, you should go for a more reputable moving company with insurance.
7. What is the best moving company?
The best moving companies will be the ones that fulfill your needs, have an affordable pricing system, and covers your moving area.
These are the main things to look for. It’s also important to find out how good their customer support is. And while this isn’t always necessary, it’s good to know that you can talk to someone if you have any questions or if something goes wrong before, during, or after the move.
It’s also a wonderful idea to go online and read reviews about the company so you can see what others are saying about the service. This will help you to know the level of quality to expect from that moving company.
8. What is the cheapest moving company?
It’s not uncommon to find cheap moving companies. All you have to do is to know where exactly to look. You can start by getting a few quotes online. These are usually free, so you shouldn’t pay for a quote.
Then after you’ve compiled your list of cheap moving companies, you can compare the different rates you received to find the cheapest one.
However, you shouldn’t just think about the price tag. After all, the best moving companies will have an extra value added with the standard price. This means that they may offer you more things for your money in the form of flexible terms, additional services, or better coverage.
Therefore, you should not just grab the cheapest offer you find. Consider what you want and what you’ll be getting out of the whole deal.
You should also be aware that cheap movers may not provide you with insurance. Most times the more professional moving companies will be more expensive because they provide insurance and quality guarantee.
If the things you’re moving are few, you might not require insurance. In that case, you should consider a cheap mover. But if you have expensive and valuable belongings, then it’s a good investment to go for a company with insurance available.