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International Van Lines
Customer rating
Great
Service availability
Excellent
Upfront pricing
Excellent
2
American Van Lines
Customer rating
Good
Service availability
Great
Upfront pricing
Good
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Moving long-distance is exciting but can be stressful depending on how many things you plan to bring with you and how far you’re moving. With all your belongings making their way across the country, you may have a ton of questions about insurance and deposits swirling around. That’s why it’s crucial to scope out top-performing long-distance companies early on.
Forbes Advisor evaluated 70 moving companies across the country and prioritized categories such as nationwide availability, customer happiness, storage, container/pod options and more.
We identified five top moving companies that met or exceeded expectations in every category, specifically nationwide availability and customer happiness.
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Customer rating
Great
Service availability
Excellent
Upfront pricing
Excellent
2
Customer rating
Good
Service availability
Great
Upfront pricing
Good
Excellent
Very Good
Mayflower Transit is our top choice for long-distance moves not only because of its services to various households, but the company performs all levels of local, long-distance and international moves. Mayflower even offers military and government relocations, which means it has a large geographical footprint.
While the company doesn’t provide quotes before an in-home inspection, we like that it lists all additional services and package options neatly on their website, which accommodates more unique moves.
Excellent
Very good
Allied Van Lines is a close contender for best long-distance moving company thanks to its full-service moving packages for interstate and long-distance (even international!) moves. The company offers virtual walk-throughs for those who can’t complete every step of the moving process in person, plus furniture disassembly services to accommodate homeowners.
Allied is a slightly pricier option than competitors for local moves, but customer reviews indicate that interstate and long-distance moves with Allied are both affordable and reliable. Plus, the comprehensive full-service options make this company a go-to for those who want to minimize worry during the moving process.
Very good
Excellent
U-Pack is not only a great container and storage option but also an excellent long-distance option. We were drawn to the flexibility of container options, making an interstate move more personalized. Plus, its quick delivery and reliable services draw in positive customer reviews.
While full-service packing isn’t available, the affordability and flat-rate pricing paired with the large variety of container options make this one of the top choices for long-distance moves.
Excellent
Very good
United Van Lines not only boasts transparent pricing and reliable shipment tracking (all things necessary for a successful move) but is also one of the more service-inclusive companies on our list. The company offers specialty moving services for items like oversized TVs, hot tubs and golf carts, ensuring that every item you need to move is accommodated.
While moving costs can be a little higher than competitors, the company makes up for it with excellent comprehensive insurance options and in-home moving estimates.
Excellent
Very good
International Van Lines shines in the long-distance space, specifically for—you guessed it—international moves. The company also offers national service as well as itemized billing and transparent pricing, giving you more peace of mind financially.
While International requires a deposit upfront, it’s great at accommodating last-minute changes and allows for free cancellation up to two full days before your move.
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Knowing which moving company works the best for your needs can determine how painful (or painfully easy) your moving experience turns out to be. Consider the following factors when doing your research:
Company | Moving Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Nationwide Availability | Customer Happiness | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | LEARN MORE |
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Allied Van Lines | 4.8 | Excellent | Very good | Get Free Estimates | https://mktphome.link/fts/1AhK7yU6sd65-17gVkAvUNk4b | |||
U-Pack | 4.4 | Very good | Excellent | Get Free Estimates | https://mktphome.link/fts/1AhK7yU6sd65-17gVkAvUNk4b | |||
International Van Lines | 4.05 | Excellent | Very good | Get Free Estimates | http://mktp.cc/jr3q |
The most affordable way to move your household long-distance is to rent a truck and do the majority of the loading, unloading and packing yourself. While there are a few reasons you may not want to go DIY (such as the inability to physically move things yourself, lack of help from friends or family, unwanted responsibility for going the full distance with a moving truck in tow), it’s a good option for those who are able and confident to move themselves.
A long-distance move is typically considered to be a move 400 miles or greater. (Otherwise, it can be known as an in-state move or an interstate move for those who are crossing state lines.) Long-distance moving can also be called long-haul moving.
Depending on your chosen moving company, you may not be able to move specific items long-distance. However, the majority of moving companies do not move valuable personal items like:
1
Customer rating
Great
Service availability
Excellent
Upfront pricing
Excellent
2
Customer rating
Good
Service availability
Great
Upfront pricing
Good
To determine the best long-distance moving companies ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on 70 companies, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Nationwide availability and customer happiness accounted for 40% of the weighting.
Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.