8 Best Interstate Moving Companies of January 2024

The best interstate moving companies can make your move across state lines easy and affordable. But with so many companies out there, how do you choose which one is best for your situation? All of the companies we researched have their pros and cons. However, we chose International Van Lines as the best Interstate Moving Company. We also provided a breakdown of each company for you.

We also analyzed hundreds of customer reviews, compared quotes, and researched each service to rate these companies and streamline your move. We also found services that made each company stand out among the competition and could help with special requirements for your move.

Top 8 Best Interstate Moving Companies of 2024

• United Van Lines
• JK Moving Services
• North American Van Lines
• International Van Lines
• U-Pack
• American Van Lines
• Moving APT
• Mayflower Transit

Compare the Best Interstate Moving Companies

• Best Full-Value Protection
• Service Area: 46 states
• Can Pack For You: Yes
• Deposit: None

What We Like

If you have valuables needing transport, or just want less hassle if something breaks, you should seriously consider United Van Lines (UVL).

There’s a risk of property damage when you use any mover – or move yourself, for that matter. To combat this risk, UVL offers Full Value Protection instead of insurance to repair or replace damaged items that they are moving for you.

Its base protection is calculated at $6 per pound. A shipment weighing 5,000 pounds would have a base replacement value of $30,000.

But it goes one step further by giving you the option of declaring valuables using a High Value Inventory Form. You can state the value of items such as jewelry, artwork, collectibles, and electronics. For example, if you ship a $1,000 diamond ring, simply declare it before the move for full value protection.

If that weren’t enough, UVL offers additional optional coverage such as:

• Pairs & Sets Waiver: Covers undamaged items that are part of a set
• Mechanical Malfunction Waiver: Protects equipment that may cease to work after the rigors of a move (hot and cold, road vibrations, etc.)
• Acts of God Waiver: If a tornado hits the truck in transport, you’re covered.

Expect to pay more for these options, but for some, the extra expense is worth the peace of mind.

Many moving companies will agree to move your stuff from point A to B. Few will stand by their service by offering this level of property protection.

Still, UVL isn’t perfect. It can’t move to or from Hawaii, Rhode Island, West Virginia, or Vermont. And, it acts as a broker, not a carrier, in some locations. However, UVL is licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), employs over 3,700 drivers and drove more than 100 million miles in 2021. With this experience, it’s no wonder UVL has earned an A+ from the BBB.

On the downside, some customers left negative reviews, and these relate to the third-party movers UVL brokers in some markets. (This is not too surprising considering this mover has more drivers, miles, and moves than just about any other mover.) If working with third parties concerns you, ask whether UVL will conduct your move as a carrier (using their own trucks and movers) or a broker (contracting with other companies).

Also, UVL’s costs are higher than the industry median, which is not surprising considering their their built-in, above-and-beyond item protection.

Features and Services

• Vehicle shipping
• Storage
• Small moves
• Military moves
• Packing and unpacking

• Best Full-Service Packing
• Service Area: 50 states
• Can Pack For You: Yes
• Deposit: $250

What We Like

If you’re going to hire a mover, you might as well take full advantage of the service and have them pack for you, too.

This is where JK Moving excels. The company trains its staff in a fully-furnished two-story house at its headquarters. No company would go through the trouble or expense if it weren’t serious about damage prevention and correct packing.

When you opt for packing services, you can bet it will be done right.

Ratings found on the BBB and Google Reviews reflect a superior level of service, being some of the highest in the industry. The company is also licensed as a carrier with the FMCSA (USDOT #1065394).

Another standout feature: JK partners with Enhancify to offer financing with interest rates as low as 0% for some customers. You can apply for pre-approval without affecting your credit score and get matched with lenders for your move.

If you’re in the middle of an unexpected move and don’t have thousands of dollars saved up for the move, affordable financing can be a lifesaver.

Features and Services

• Vehicle shipping
• Storage
• Employee relocation
• Commercial moves
• Superior packing and unpacking
• Affordable financing

• Most Predictable Pricing
• Service Area: 50 states
• Can Pack For You: Yes
• Deposit: Up to 50%

What We Like

It’s no surprise that the first thing customers want to know about a move is usually how much it’s going to cost.

Imagine some moving customers’ surprise when their final bill is thousands more than their original quote, a common complaint with many moving companies.

North American Van Lines (NAVL) seeks to combat this situation with its quote options. “Binding estimates” give you guaranteed pricing, and it’s an option offered by this company. NAVL offers three pricing options:

Bottom Line Pricing: A binding estimate. This is a guaranteed price.

Not-To-Exceed Pricing: Your final cost could be lower, but not higher.

Customized Pricing: A binding estimate with the option to add services later.

Why three options? Because guaranteed pricing is likely more expensive, and some customers with simpler moves may choose a lower tier to save money.

Though NAVL is a licensed carrier, traveling over 30 million miles in 2021 using more than 1,400 of its own drivers, it also partners with over 500 service providers nationwide as a broker. Admittedly, this can be a turn-off for those who want to work with one company through the process.

But unlike some companies who hire out moves without telling their customers, NAVL embraces its role as a broker. NAVL’s staff make the transitions between service providers as seamless as possible.

NAVL can also get better deals with movers on your behalf since it arranges so many moves.

That said, NAVL hasn’t figured out how to coordinate storage services in every market, so check with your operator early in the process if you need to store your belongings before they reach your final destination.

NAVL also stands out for its claims process. While some moving companies are vague about how their claims process works, NAVL provides a detailed overview online and lets you submit forms electronically for quick processing if your belongings get damaged or lost.

Features and Services

• Vehicle shipping
• Storage
• Corporate services
• Packing and unpacking
• Loading and unloading
• Moving calculators and checklist

• Most Flexible Mover
• Service Area: 50 states
• Can Pack For You: Yes
• Deposit: 25%

What We Like

International Van Lines (IVL) can perform your move any way you need. Whether you’d like full-service packing, partial DIY, custom crating for antiques and artwork, or flexible storage plans, IVL has you covered.

Its dual licensing with the FMCSA (USDOT# 2293832) allows it to act as a carrier or broker. For the consumer, that means the company covers a wider area – all 50 states. However, it also means you may encounter drivers and staff that don’t work for IVL directly, but are contracted for a certain leg of the journey. IVL’s core areas are the east and west coasts and much of the mid-west; it may contract out work outside those areas.

Rest assured, though, that the company takes its broker job seriously. It offers 24/7 phone support during your move, whether the company or a third party is handling the move.

For the quote process, a rep never has to step foot into your home. Simply use IVL’s state-of-the-art virtual walk-through process to securely send in cell phone video. A rep will review it and send a bid.

The company requires a 25% deposit upfront, but that deposit also locks in your rate and protects you from future price fluctuations.

Features and Services

• Corporate relocations
• Custom crating
• Storage
• Vehicle transport

• Best DIY Mover
• Service Area: 50 states
• Can Pack For You: No
• Deposit: None

What We Like

U-Pack has an incredible A+ rating and 4.03 out of 5 stars with the BBB. This is nearly unheard-of for movers, a service for which most people leave only bad reviews. This sparked our curiosity, so we dug into why this company had such stellar ratings.

Turns out that people like predictable pricing and no surprises during the move.

First, you pack yourself. While this is extra work, no other person touches your stuff during the entire process. You can pack as carefully as you’d like, lock up your belongings, and keep the key.

Second, pricing is dead-simple. You pay by linear foot (if using a trailer) or by container. For example, if you use 13 linear feet of the 28-foot trailer, you pay for 13 feet. If you reserve three containers but only use two, you pay for two. Period.

Trailers are eight feet wide and nine feet tall. When you’re done packing, simply secure your things with a dividing wall. Someone else might use the rest of your trailer, but will never have access to your portion.

A truck comes to pick up your trailer or containers (“ReloCubes”) and they arrive in your new town when you need it.

Customers raved about the process and on-time pick-ups and deliveries. In fact, bad reviews were hard to find on the BBB’s website.

It seems the only drawbacks to U-Pack are that they don’t do local moves. You also must pack within a 3-day window, and unpack within three days of your trailer or container arriving. So if you’re a procrastinator, don’t use U-Pack. Otherwise, this is a great, low-cost DIY alternative to full-service moving.

Features and Services

• Trailer or container
• Military, student, and senior moving
• Loading and unloading crew referrals
• Storage

• Best for High-Value Moves
• Service Area: 48 states
• Can Pack For You: Yes
• Deposit: 10-50%

What We Like

American Van Lines (AVL) is a licensed carrier that specializes in moving high-value – even priceless – household items.

Large pianos, art collections, family heirlooms – not items you would trust to just any mover. AVL takes special care to handle these moves without incident.

It hires movers with an average of 10 years of experience. But that’s not all. It also uses specialized crews who are trained in handling one-of-a-kind items that simply can’t be damaged. It can even disassemble large pianos and reassemble them at your new home.

But AVL is not just for specialty moves. It moves regular household items daily. And if they are confident to transport antiques and collectibles, they will have no problem moving the everyday items owned by most of us.

The company also prides itself on moving military families. It can move quickly when a military member receives Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. It places its military moving information front-and-center on its website, showing its dedication to this group.

AVL also snagged Newsweek and Statista’s Best Customer Service Award for moving companies in 2022. It also has an A rating (and 3.37 out of 5 for customer reviews) from the BBB.

We’re fans of AVL’s transparent pricing, too. The website provides free, easy quotes and a range of sample rates for cross-country moves between major cities.

Features and Services

• Antiques and pianos
• Fine art collections
• Disassembly and reassembly
• Online shipment tracking
• Storage
• Packing and unpacking
• Moving supplies

• Best Moving Broker
• Service Area: 50 states
• Can Pack For You: Yes
• Deposit required: Yes, amount varies

What We Like

Moving brokers don’t carry out the move themselves, but arrange carriers to do so. Moving APT is upfront about this role and the advantages it provides to customers.

For example, if you use a mortgage broker or insurance broker, you’re not beholden to one lender or insurance provider. Rather, that broker shops dozens of companies to get you the best deal. APT does the same with movers.

And it does a good job at it. It’s one of the most highly-rated brokers in the industry, with 4.3 out of 5 stars in 367 Google Reviews. It has just 14 complaints in the past 12 months, which is impressive for a company this size. It is a registered moving broker with the FMCSA (USDOT #2247863) so it can only use licensed carriers. It works with many of our top moving companies list such as North American Van Lines and United Van Lines.

Still, a broker might not be the best choice if you want to know which company will ultimately show up at your door. That depends on timing, location, and the best value for your specific move.

No matter who performs your move, APT offers 24/7 customer support to address any issues that arise.

Moving APT is also more open about pricing than other brokers. While prices can vary by carrier, Moving APT provides numerous sample rates based on location, services, and size.

Features and Services

• Corporate relocations
• Packing and unpacking
• Moving supplies
• Furniture moving
• Car shipping
• Storage

• Best Technology
• Service Area: 50 states
• Can Pack For You: Yes
• Deposit required: None

What We Like

Mayflower Transit LLC has been in business for nearly 100 years but that doesn’t mean its service is outdated. Quite the contrary.

Of all the moving companies we reviewed, Mayflower has the best online moving portal to organize and track your move. MyMayflower lets you schedule your quote, book your move, plan loading day, and see your shipment’s progress. It provides weekly checklists and stores your moving contacts.

The company also provides a virtual quote option. Simply walk through your home using Mayflower’s secure iOS or Android app, guided by an estimator. In minutes, your in-home inspection is done. You’ll receive your quote shortly thereafter.

Mayflower is licensed as an interstate carrier with the FMCSA (USDOT# 125563), employs over 1,200 of its own drivers, and travels over 30 million miles per year. It has an A+ rating with the BBB.

Keep in mind, though, that Mayflower is both a carrier and a broker. So, while it may complete your move with its own staff and trucks, it could also arrange those services with a third party. Upon booking, as your representative whether the company will act as the carrier for your specific move.

Features and Services

• Car shipping
• Small moves
• Local and long-distance moves
• Corporate relocation
• Full-service packing

How Much Does an Interstate Move Cost?

The cost of your interstate move can vary significantly depending on the specific details of your move.

Here are some key factors that affect moving costs:

• Timing: Some companies charge less for moves that take place during the week instead of over a weekend. You can also save money when you avoid the peak moving season, which runs from April through September.
• Distance: The distance of your interstate move will also affect its cost. Companies must charge enough to cover extra fuel expenses and driver compensation, especially for cross-country, multi-day trips.
• Size and weight: Your move’s cost will largely depend on how much you’re moving. Most companies assess the size of your move by weight, while others go by how much space your items take up. This will determine how many crew members, trucks, and storage containers your move will require.
• Services: You can cut costs by taking on some of the move yourself, like packing your belongings or even going with a partial DIY option like moving containers. Your prices may increase when you add services like vehicle transportation and custom crating for valuable and fragile items.
• Insurance: The level of insurance coverage you choose for your belongings can also impact the cost of your move. Full-value coverage costs more than basic liability coverage.

We recommend getting a quick online quote from many companies. However, these aren’t always accurate. To make sure you’re getting the best deal, schedule two or three virtual walk-through quotes. This is more work, but you might be surprised at price differences between companies for your specific move.

You could also try a broker who can shop carriers for you.

How to Choose an Interstate Moving Company

To choose the right interstate moving company, be sure to consider these factors:

• Services: It’s crucial to pick a moving company that’s equipped to carry out your move. If you want to take a DIY approach to your move, a container company like U-Pack may meet your needs. But if you need help packing and unpacking or loading and unloading your belongings, a full-service mover will be a better fit.
• Costs: Decide how much you can spend on a move and stick to it. Get a binding estimate to make sure the company doesn’t up its charge later. If you need to cut costs, consider packing yourself or using a container company.
• Availability: Depending on your location, some moving companies may not be available for your move. Do a bit of research to see if a mover is available in your area. Most brokers and carriers are transparent about their availability.
• Reputation: Don’t get scammed by a disreputable moving company. You can easily check into a moving company’s reputation by exploring its BBB rating, third-party customer reviews, and licensing with the FMCSA.

Should You Use a Moving Broker for Your Interstate Move?

Moving brokers are companies that arrange your move with third parties instead of completing it with their own staff and equipment.

These companies can shop carriers for you, saving you some of the legwork of finding the right mover. For example, a broker can arrange a high-value move from one New York City apartment to another or a 4-bedroom house move from Denver to Houston.

However, brokers come with downsides. First, they are not responsible for damage to your household goods, says the FMCSA. It may be harder to make a claim with the company that actually performed the move because you booked through a third party. Determine your broker’s claim policy before scheduling.

Also, make sure you’re working with an FMCSA-licensed moving broker. These brokers must only use licensed carriers and disclose who they work with.

If you’d rather work with a carrier, check the company on FMCSA’s website. Some brokers pose as carriers or aren’t licensed at all. Fortunately, the federal government has set up this site to offer consumers greater transparency.

How Do I Avoid Moving Scams?

An emerging problem within the moving industry is the moving scam. A fictitious or unscrupulous company gives you a very low bid sight unseen. Once they have your stuff, you’re in a tough spot.

They then increase the price and hold your things hostage until you pay.

According to the FMCSA, you can avoid this situation with due diligence before you agree to anything, such as:

• Identifying a physical street address on the company’s website
• Check their USDOT number on the FMCSA website
• Ensure there is insurance information on the site
• Avoid companies that won’t give a written quote
• Check for third-party reviews, BBB ratings, and scam reports
• Steer clear of companies with quotes that are too good to be true
• Watch for unmarked trucks showing up on moving day
• Say no to upfront cash payments requested by the driver
• Listen to your gut if something doesn’t feel right

As moving scams become more lucrative, outfits will look more and more legitimate and could even have very good spoofed websites and fake reviews on a variety of sites. Always check the company with third-party resources like the BBB and FMCSA, and be on the lookout for 5-star skimpy reviews.

Tips for Your Interstate Move

Moving can be stressful, and that’s doubly true when you’re prepping for a major move across state lines.

Here are a few steps to ensure your next interstate move goes smoothly.

• Create an inventory of your belongings
• Get rid of items you don’t use
• Establish a budget
• Build a moving checklist
• Note important dates and deadlines
• Ensure you have the right packing materials ahead of your move

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is an interstate moving company?

An interstate moving company helps you move across state lines. You may need an interstate mover within the same state if the most direct route is across a state or country border. Interstate moving companies have different licensing and permitting requirements than local movers, so these are generally more expensive than in-state moves.

How can I save money on an interstate move?

• Condense your belongings
• Pack precisely
• Make major purchases after your move
• Use a DIY container moving service
• Move on a weekday
• Move in December or January
• Compare quotes from moving companies

What items can’t be moved by moving companies?

Moving companies cannot move hazardous items like explosives, fireworks, paint, gasoline, and some cleaning products with chemicals. Some even prohibit things like address books. Check with your movers to see what items they prohibit.

How do you cancel an interstate move?

Each company has its own cancellation policy. To cancel an interstate move, you need to contact your moving company as many days as possible before the scheduled move. Some companies let you cancel up to 48 hours before the move, others require more notice to avoid losing your deposit.

Our Methodology

At Money.com, we prioritize providing our readers with thorough, trustworthy reviews.

In order to give you the best recommendations for moving companies, we’ve reviewed more than a dozen companies using these metrics:

• Services: We analyze each moving company based on the types of services and features they offer, comparing them to other providers in the industry.
• Availability: We also factor in each company’s state availability, highlighting the areas where they’re licensed to serve.
• Pricing: In our analysis, we also zero in on pricing and compare quotes across multiple moving companies. That includes evaluating how transparent a company is about its cost structure, additional fees, and cancellation policy.
• Reputation: We pay close attention to each moving company’s brand reputation by reading third-party reviews and checking for proper licensing and accreditation through the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database.
• Customer experience: We reviewed dozens of negative reviews from real customers for each moving company. We incorporated comments into our ratings and addressed common themes in each review.