5 Top Long Distance Moving Companies To Help Simplify Your Move
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Cheyenne Wiseman EditorClose
Cheyenne Wiseman EditorCheyenne Wiseman is an Editor at HomeLight. Previously, she worked as a writer for Static Media (Mashed.com and Chowhound.com) and as an editor for CBR.com. Cheyenne holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis. She has more than five years of experience writing and editing on topics including real estate, financial advising, and pharmaceuticals.
When you’re moving hundreds or thousands of miles, packing is only part of the job. There’s also the logistics of getting everything from point A to point B, on time and in one piece. Hiring professional movers can lighten the load, but finding a company you trust takes some research.
To help narrow your options, we’ve rounded up five top-rated long-distance moving companies that serve customers nationwide. We’ll also cover what you can expect to pay, what to look for when comparing movers, and how to coordinate your move with your home sale.
Yes, You Can Buy Before You Sell. Why Move Twice?
Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.
5 top-rated long-distance moving companies
There’s no single moving company that’s best for every long-distance move. To narrow the field, we looked for established companies with nationwide service, strong ratings or recognition from independent reviewers, and a range of services for different moving needs.
Here are five long-distance moving companies worth considering:
1. Allied Van Lines
Allied Van Lines has been in business since 1928 and offers long-distance, interstate, and international moving services. Customers can choose from services including packing, loading, storage, and vehicle transportation, making it a flexible option whether you want help with the entire move or only certain tasks. Its long history, nationwide reach, and broad range of services make it a strong all-around option for long-distance moves.
U.S. DOT number: 76235
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
Contact: allied.com | 800-689-8684
2. United Van Lines
United Van Lines offers long-distance moving through a nationwide network of agents. Customers can build a moving plan that includes full or partial packing, unpacking, storage, and vehicle transportation. United also assigns a move coordinator to help manage the process. The company recommends booking a long-distance move six to eight weeks ahead when possible, though it can accommodate shorter timelines depending on availability.
U.S. DOT number: 77949
BBB rating: A+ (not accredited)
Contact: unitedvanlines.com | 877-740-3040
3. North American Van Lines
Founded in 1933, North American Van Lines lets customers tailor moving services to their needs and budget. Options include packing and unpacking, storage, vehicle transportation, custom crating, and special handling for valuable belongings. Its customizable approach may be particularly useful if you want professional help with certain parts of your move without paying for a completely full-service experience.
U.S. DOT number: 70851
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
Contact: northamerican.com | 800-228-3092
4. Atlas Van Lines
Atlas Van Lines provides long-distance moving through a network of more than 200 agents across the U.S. Customers can customize their move with services including packing, short- and long-term storage, vehicle shipping, and specialty-item handling. Atlas also offers a customer portal where you can track your shipment, manage moving dates, access documents, and receive updates.
U.S. DOT number: 125550
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
Contact: atlasvanlines.com | 800-638-9797
5. International Van Lines
International Van Lines handles both domestic long-distance and international moves. The company operates as a licensed carrier while also maintaining broker authority for national and international logistics. Services include professional packing, storage, and vehicle transportation. Its combination of domestic and international services makes it particularly worth considering if your move takes you outside the country.
U.S. DOT number: 2293832
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
Contact: internationalvanlines.com | 877-647-1336
How much do long-distance moving companies cost?
Professional long-distance movers can cost roughly $2,700 to $10,000 or more, although your actual price can fall well outside that range. The size of your home can provide a useful starting point for budgeting, although movers typically consider the weight or volume of your belongings along with the distance:
| Home size | 500–1,000 miles | 1,000–2,500 miles | 2,500+ miles |
| 1 bedroom | $1,500–$4,000 | $2,000–$5,000 | $2,500–$7,000+ |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,000–$5,500 | $2,500–$7,000 | $4,000–$10,000+ |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,000–$7,500 | $3,500–$9,000 | $6,000–$12,000+ |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,000–$9,000 | $5,000–$12,000 | $7,000–$15,000+ |
Note: These are general budgeting estimates based on recent national moving-cost data. Actual costs can fall above or below these ranges depending on shipment weight or volume, route, moving date, and services.
Your total can also increase if you add packing or unpacking, temporary storage, or special handling for bulky or valuable items. Stairs, elevators, long carries between the truck and your home, and shuttle service when a large truck can’t access the property may also add to the bill.
Timing matters, too. Summer is typically the busiest moving season, so fall through early spring can be less expensive, particularly if you have flexibility around your moving date. If you’re selling, decluttering before requesting estimates can reduce the weight or volume you’re paying to move while also helping prepare your home for sale.
Many movers offer online cost calculators, but treat these as starting points. Request detailed estimates from multiple companies to compare your likely costs and what’s included.
Should you tip long-distance movers? Tipping isn’t required, but it’s customary to tip for good service. How much you give can depend on the length and difficulty of the move, the quality of service, and your budget.
How to choose a long-distance moving company you can trust
Price matters, but so does knowing who will handle your belongings and what you’re agreeing to. Before hiring a long-distance mover, take a few steps to vet the company and compare your options.
Verify the mover’s credentials
For an interstate move, check that the mover is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and authorized to transport household goods. A U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number is a unique identifier assigned to registered companies. Enter the mover’s name or DOT number in the FMCSA mover search tool to confirm its credentials.
Compare at least three estimates
Get written estimates from at least three movers, preferably after an in-person or detailed virtual walkthrough of your belongings. Ask whether the estimate is binding or nonbinding and what services and additional charges are included. Be cautious of a quote that’s dramatically lower than the others.
Find out whether you’re hiring a carrier or broker
A carrier transports your belongings, while a broker arranges for another company to perform the move. Both must be registered with FMCSA for interstate moves. If you’re using a broker, ask which carrier will actually handle your belongings.
Check reviews and complaint history
Read recent reviews and look for repeated complaints about damaged items, unexpected charges, delays, or poor communication. Check both the national company and the local agent or branch handling your move, including its BBB profile. You can also use FMCSA’s search tool to review a mover’s complaint history and safety information.
Ask about protection for your belongings
Interstate movers are federally required to offer two standard levels of protection if your belongings are lost or damaged. Full Value Protection provides more comprehensive coverage at an additional cost, while Released Value Protection is free but provides only minimal reimbursement based on an item’s weight.
Watch for moving scam red flags
Real estate scams aren’t the only potential risk when you’re selling a home and moving. Watch for moving scam red flags such as unusually low quotes, large upfront deposits, vague or blank contracts, missing federal registration information, or surprise price increases. Never sign blank documents, and get any changes to your estimate in writing before your belongings are loaded.
When should you book long-distance movers?
Aim to book long-distance movers at least six to eight weeks before your move, and start earlier if you’re moving during the busy summer season. More lead time can give you a better chance of securing your preferred dates and enough time to compare companies and estimates.
If you’re selling a home, you don’t have to wait until closing is finalized to start researching movers and requesting quotes. If your closing or move-in date could shift, ask potential movers how they handle date changes before committing.
Before booking, check the company’s cancellation and rescheduling policies, including any deadlines or fees. This can be especially useful when buying or selling a home, since a change in your closing date could also change your moving date.
Buying and Selling at the Same Time?
Juggling the sale of one home and the purchase of another can be stressful even under the best of circumstances. Working with a top agent on both ends of the deal can help ensure an outcome that works best for you.
How to coordinate a long-distance move with your home sale
When your move depends on a home closing, timing can get complicated. As you compare long-distance moving companies, look beyond availability on your preferred date. Ask what happens if your closing changes and whether the mover offers short-term storage if there’s a gap before you can move into your next home.
Keep closing documents, identification, medications, valuables, and a few days of essentials with you instead of packing them on the moving truck. A moving supplies checklist can help you keep track of what goes with you and what gets packed.
Give yourself more flexibility between homes
If you need proceeds from your current home to buy the next one, your sale, purchase, and moving dates can become closely linked. Modern bridge-loan-style solutions like HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program allow eligible homeowners to access a portion of their home equity before selling, which can make it possible to buy and move into the next home first.
Ultimately, the right mover should fit not only your budget and moving needs, but also your timeline and how much flexibility you may need along the way.
Header Image Source: (Gratisography/ Pexels)
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