Home Organizing Moving The 10 Best Interstate Moving Companies Our top pick goes to Atlas Van Lines for its comprehensive services. By Deane Biermeier Deane Biermeier Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on February 28, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: phaisarn2517 / Getty Images An interstate move sounds simple enough. It doesn't even necessarily mean you're moving somewhere far away. But relocating to a new home is never as easy as you'd like it to be, and to keep complications to a minimum, it's important to figure out the best way to move all your stuff in one go. There are several ways to get your possessions from this state to that one, but the easiest, by far, is to hire a qualified mover. The best moving companies provide a long list of services, including full-service packing, vehicle shipping, and insurance options. To help you pick the right mover for your needs, we researched all of the country's top companies. These are the interstate moving services that stand out from the crowd. Best Interstate Moving Companies of 2023 Best Overall: Atlas Van Lines Best for Long-Distance Moves: International Van Lines Best Custom Options: Allied Van Lines Best for Small Moves: United Van Lines Best on a Budget: North American Van Lines Best Customer Reviews: JK Moving Services Best for Full-Service Moves: Mayflower Best for Versatility: Wheaton World Wide Moving Best Moving App: Colonial Van Lines Best Fragile Items Mover: American Van Lines Best Overall: Atlas Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 50 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Comprehensive moving services and options SimpliCity program offers small-move solutions All crew members undergo background checks Cons Fee for cancellations made more than three days after signing work order Website doesn't provide instant quotes Why It Made the List Moving to a new state requires getting things done right the first time. To that end, Atlas Van Lines offers a wide selection of service options, from mostly DIY to complete full-service moves. Have odd and oversize belongings? Atlas has the skills to crate and move them. This is the company credited with moving items to and from the floor of the Grand Canyon, after all, so moving anything in your house is well within its capabilities. Even small moves need special attention when it's time to cross over to another state. Atlas has solutions for those too. Its SimpliCity program provides expedited service for apartments, studios, and one-bedroom homes and offers flat-rate pricing free from unexpected charges. Atlas also knows that moving is stressful enough without worrying about who's putting their hands all over your stuff. That's why the company's "No Stranger in Your Home" program ensures that all of its crew members have undergone background checks, so you can rest assured that the movers entering your home are trustworthy. Best for Long-Distance Moves: International Van Lines international van lines Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 50 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? Yes Pros & Cons Pros More than 500 agents in 50 states and over 150 countries Discounts for military personnel and seniors Deposit is transferable for up to one year for postponed moves Cons Nonrefundable deposit is required to secure your moving date Why It Made the List When discussing long-distance interstate moving companies, one name always seems to pop up. International Van Lines serves all 50 states and more than 150 countries across the globe through its network of agents and third-party affiliate companies. A moving company with that kind of reach clearly knows something about crossing borders, so even if you're not relocating overseas and are only moving over state lines, you may find that International is ideal for you. International Van Lines offers discounts to seniors and military personnel, and it provides a long list of self-service and full-service options for all customers. The company requires a nonrefundable deposit equal to 25 percent of your total invoice, but it remains valid for up to one year if you need to change your moving date. Best Custom Options: Allied Van Lines Allied Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 50 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Offers a menu of moving service options 90-day storage-in-transit option Provides accurate quotes through detailed video or in-person interviews Cons Instant pricing on the website only gives a rough estimate Why It Made the List Your moving needs won't be the same as your neighbor's moving needs. Because no two moves are the same, Allied Van Lines provides something for everyone. It offers menu-style pricing for its long list of moving services, letting you customize your move to get what you want without paying for services you don't need. Allied's services don't end with moving, either. The company provides a 90-day storage-in-transit option if you need time to prepare your new home. Most interstate moving companies will only give you a month before you have to place your possessions in long-term storage. Allied promises highly accurate quotes, but if you start with its website's instant quote tool, you'll only be getting a rough estimate. To provide an exact quote, a moving representative will conduct a video or in-person interview with you. Best for Small Moves: United Van Lines United Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 46 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Provides a host of small move services No cancellation fees until the movers start work Up to 25 percent discount if delivery is late Cons Not available in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont, or West Virginia Why It Made the List If you live in an apartment or small house and need to relocate to another state, United Van Lines provides excellent service. The company's Snapmoves program supplies you with a personal move coordinator, full-value insurance protections, appliance and furniture transport and placement, and full-service packing and loading. United understands that plans change and won't charge you any penalties or fees for canceling until it actually starts moving your possessions. Additionally, if United doesn't show up with your belongings on time, it will compensate you with a discount of up to 25 percent. There are few downsides to hiring the company, with the only significant one being that it doesn't have agents serving Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont, or West Virginia. Best on a Budget: North American Van Lines North American Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 50 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Offers your choice of quotes, including a not-to-exceed option Small move service available through its BlueExpress program Military, senior, and student discounts Cons Fee for cancellations made more than three days after signing contract Why It Made the List Moving to a new state can be full of surprises, but none of those should be the final number on your invoice. North American Van Lines lets you choose the type of estimate that works best for your moving budget. The company offers you the choice of a binding quote, in which the quote is the price you'll pay, provided your move details don't change; a completely customized quote; or a not-to-exceed quote where your price could go down, but never up (OK, a bit of a surprise, but at least a good one). If you're looking for a guaranteed pricing option for a small move, BlueExpress is North American's answer. It comes with a $75 per day money-back guarantee if the company fails to deliver your expedited container on time. North American also offers discounts to military personnel, seniors, and students. Be sure of your moving plans before signing a contract, though, as you'll have just three days to cancel without incurring a fee. Best Customer Reviews: JK Moving Services Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 50 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? Yes Pros & Cons Pros High ratings on numerous customer review sites Specializes in interstate and long-distance moving Offers third-party financing Cons Requires a $250 deposit to secure moving services Doesn't promise binding price estimates Why It Made the List Moving companies regularly find themselves in the challenging position of having to provide exceptional service to customers in the middle of stressful situations. Although there are no excuses for poor service, some companies really step up when it comes to customer satisfaction. JK Moving Services is one of the highest-rated interstate moving companies across numerous customer review platforms. JK Moving specializes in long-distance and interstate moves all over the country (it offers local moving services in only a few locations). Just note that JK does not provide binding quotes and that to make use of its highly rated services, you'll need to put down a $250 deposit. If you'd like to finance your move, the company offers third-party financing through its affiliate, Enhancify. Best for Full-Service Moves: Mayflower Mayflower Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 46 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Lots of full-service options, including cleanup and debris removal Three full-service package options Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your move Cons Not available in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Delaware, or West Virginia Why It Made the List Among moving companies, Mayflower stands out for its comprehensive list of full-service options, including packing and cleanup of your old living space. It even provides three full-service packages that you can choose from. The more expensive options offer additional services, like debris removal and wall mount setup, but all include valuation protection insurance and claims assistance. While Mayflower's full-service options especially stand out, the company also offers self- and partial-service moves. Regardless of which you choose, you can cancel without penalty until the day before your move. While Mayflower can get you to and from most places in the country, it doesn't have any independent agents in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Delaware, or West Virginia. Best for Versatility: Wheaton World Wide Moving Wheaton World Wide Moving Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 47 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? No Pros & Cons Pros Shuttle service to move possessions between challenging locations Provides choice of binding, custom, and not-to-exceed estimates Drivers will contact you two days before your long-distance delivery Cons Doesn't provide a shipment tracking option Why It Made the List Many municipalities restrict where moving vans can go or park, and some locations are simply too small for trucks to get in and out without causing damage. For tricky situations like these, you need an interstate mover with answers. Wheaton World Wide Moving may be that mover. To deal with these sorts of scenarios, Wheaton offers a shuttle service, using a smaller vehicle to transport your possessions between your home and the larger moving truck. Problem solved. Wheaton's versatility extends to its quote process, as the company lets you choose from a custom estimate, binding quote, and a not-to-exceed pricing option. Although the company doesn't provide shipment tracking, your driver will contact you 48 hours before your belongings arrive. Best Moving App: Colonial Van Lines Colonial Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 48 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Comprehensive app provides assistance throughout your move App and moving assistants offer accurate pricing Website gives helpful moving information and checklists Cons Requires a deposit Not available in Alaska or Hawaii Why It Made the List Connectivity makes the world go round, and it makes interstate moving work better, too. Colonial Van Lines' app provides you with complete control over your move so you're never left wondering what's happening. The comprehensive app lets you order moving supplies, track your possessions, manage your checklist, and do much more. Colonial's app can even start working for you before you hire the company by providing a highly accurate quote. Through the app, you can get in touch with a moving assistant who will then guide you through a video estimating process. Beyond the app, Colonial's website is filled with helpful moving information and answers to commonly asked questions. While the company can get you anywhere in the contiguous states, it doesn't offer services in Alaska and Hawaii, and a deposit is necessary to secure your moving date. Best Fragile Items Mover: American Van Lines American Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Nationwide Availability: 50 statesPacking & Loading Options: Full-, partial-, and self-serviceTracking Feature? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Employs trained and certified antique movers Offers guaranteed service date option Discounts for military personnel, veterans, and seniors Cons Deposit is required to secure your moving date Why It Made the List Moving to a new state doesn't mean you have to leave your most fragile items behind. You just need the right mover to handle the job. American Van Lines employs and trains certified antique and valuables movers for just that reason. Pianos, fine art, wine collections, antiques … you name it, American can move it safely. If, for an additional fee, you sign up for American's guaranteed service date option, the company will knock $30 off your moving invoice for every day past your specified service dates. American offers discounts to military personnel, veterans, and seniors. You'll need to pay a deposit upfront to secure your move, however. Final Verdict Every interstate move is unique, which means that finding the right mover for your needs is a personal decision. Fortunately, there's no lack of quality companies in the interstate moving game, and each one brings its own special characteristics to the table. Some are proficient at covering long distances. Others excel in moving precious items. Some specialize in getting your belongings in and out of tight spaces. For an overall superior experience, Atlas Van Lines is the best interstate mover, providing excellent customer care and comprehensive services for moves of every size. Compare the Best Interstate Moving Companies Company Nationwide Availability Packing & Loading Options Initial Deposit Required? Tracking Feature? Coverage Options Atlas Van Lines Best Overall 50 states Full-, partial-, and self-service No Yes Basic and full protection International Van Lines Best for Long-Distance Moves 50 states Full-, partial-, and self-service Yes Yes Third-party, basic, and full protection Allied Van Lines Best Custom Options 50 states Full-, partial-, and self-service No Yes Basic and full protection United Van Lines Best for Small Moves 46 states Full-, partial-, and self-service No Yes Minimum, basic, and full protection North American Van Lines Best on a Budget 50 states Full-, partial-, and self-service No Yes Basic and full protection JK Moving Services Best Customer Reviews 50 states Full-, partial-, and self-service Yes Yes Basic and full protection Mayflower Best for Full-Service Moves 46 states Full-, partial-, and self-service No Yes Minimum, basic, and full protection Wheaton World Wide Moving Best for Versatility 47 states Full-, partial-, and self-service No No Basic and full protection Colonial Van Lines Best Moving App 48 states Full-, partial-, and self-service Yes Yes Basic and full protection American Van Lines Best Fragile Items Mover 50 states Full-, partial-, and self-service Yes Yes Basic and full protection Guide to Interstate Moving Services When deciding among the best moving companies for your relocation, you'll want to determine early on how much or how little work you want to do yourself. Some companies only provide the tools and equipment you need to do the job entirely on your own, but most movers offer a range of services, letting you decide if you want to do some of the work yourself or just leave everything up to the pros. Full-Service Movers Full-service interstate movers provide the ultimate hands-off approach to getting your possessions to your new home. In addition to packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking, a full-service mover can also disassemble and reassemble furniture and electronic equipment, crate and move oddly shaped items, transport vehicles, handle paperwork, remove debris, and clean up and dispose of moving supplies when the job is done. Short- or long-term storage is typically available if necessary, as are multiple insurance options in case anything suffers damage in the moving process. Partial-Service Movers The definition of a partial-service move is pretty broad. It simply means that you'll provide a bit of elbow grease and will rely on the moving company to do the rest. Partial-service movers generally let you decide how involved you want to be. The company may drop off, pick up, and transport a container that you load yourself, or you may opt to have them handle the loading, too. Partial-service moving saves you money and gives you some extra time for packing if you need it. You'll typically have storage and insurance options as well. Self-Service Movers Self-service moving companies rent the tools and equipment you'll need to tackle a move yourself, including trucks, trailers, dollies, and pads. Additionally, most self-service movers provide convenient one-stop shopping, selling supplies like boxes and packing materials. Self-service moving companies may offer storage, but this is typically limited to self-storage, meaning you're responsible for getting your possessions to and from the facility. How to Choose an Interstate Moving Company When planning a move, finding and hiring a mover that meets your needs is likely one of the first thing on your moving checklist. But with so many moving companies competing for your business, choosing one can be challenging. Here are some of the most important things to consider when deciding which moving company is best for you. Services Provided After you've decided how much of your move you want to perform yourself, you'll need to make sure that the moving company can handle the rest. If you're planning a mostly DIY move, you may only need a company that drops off and transports containers, or you may just need to rent a moving truck. If you pursue a more hands-off approach, make sure you find a company that provides all the full-service options you require. Service Locations Some interstate moving companies only provide services for particular states or regions, but most will get you to and from almost anywhere, whether or not the company has agents nearby. Find a company that can provide services both in your current location and your new one. Availability Moving companies tend to fill their calendars in advance, so be sure to find a company that'll be available when you need them. Also, check to see if storage will be available should you require it. For self-service moving, ensure the rental company will have the equipment you need on your moving day. Reputation Inquire with neighbors, friends, and relatives when eliminating moving companies from your long list. Get their opinion about the performance of any moving company they've hired. Check online review platforms for good and bad customer stories as well. Another good resource is the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which has excellent information regarding consumer complaints and resolutions. Price Regardless of your move's size and type, you likely have a budget that you're looking to stick to. Get several online price estimates from companies in your area with good reputations. Although instant quotes will seldom be your final price, they'll help you whittle down your list to companies in your price range. Breaking Down the Cost of an Interstate Move The cost of an interstate move depends on several factors. The most significant criteria affecting the final price are the quantity and weight of your possessions, the distance you're traveling, and the services you use. The average cost to move the contents of a three-bedroom home 1,000 miles is $5,100, though your bill could be anywhere between $2,000 and $9,000, depending primarily on the moving services you choose. Expect a full-service move to approach the high end of that price range, while a DIY operation will be at the lower end. Packing Tips for Interstate Moves Moving to a new state is stressful, even when you're excited about it. However, there are several steps you can take and packing tips you can follow to reduce stress, save money, and retain a sense of control during a potentially chaotic process: Making checklists is the best time investment you can make for an interstate move.Purging some of your possessions saves money, effort, and stress.Create a moving folder, box, or drawer to keep important documents together and easily findable.Pack a box of essentials and important documents for your moving day that never leaves your side.Pack early and often to eliminate surprises on moving day.Clearly label every box, even if you're sure you'll remember what's in each one. Frequently Asked Questions How Do Interstate Moves Requiring Multiple Days Work? An interstate move often requires a few days of work to accomplish, and you'll likely receive an expected range of dates for delivery of your goods to your new home. Long-distance moves generally take anywhere from several days to three weeks, with an average of just under two weeks. However, moving companies can often perform smaller, shorter moves in a day or two. The total travel time accounts for breaks, tolls, traffic, and whether there are other shipment stops along the way. How Far in Advance Should You Plan an Interstate Move? Start planning your interstate move as soon as you know you're going to relocate. Ideally, you should allow four to six months to prepare, pack, and execute all of the necessary tasks. If you need to move quickly, a time frame of one or two months is usually workable. Do Interstate Movers Ask for Money Upfront? With reputable movers, you won't have to pay the majority of your invoice until after your belongings arrive at your new home. Some companies do require a small upfront deposit, though. What Is the Most Budget-Friendly Interstate Moving Company? The most budget-friendly moving companies are those that can rent you the equipment you need to perform the move yourself. Companies that provide storage and moving containers offer the lowest costs among partial-moving service outfits. How Can You Save Money on an Interstate Move? The best way to save money on an interstate move is to do as much of it as possible yourself. If you plan to hire help, a good way to lower your bill is to sell, donate, throw away, or otherwise get rid of as many unnecessary items as possible, so that you won't have to pay to have them moved. What Items Will an Interstate Moving Company Not Move? By law, interstate moving companies cannot transport the following items:Gasoline or other flammable liquidsEquipment not drained of flammable liquidsPropane tanksPaints, stains, and chemical solventsMatches or fireworksHazardous liquids and materials Can Moving Containers Be Taken Across State Lines? As long as the moving company that supplies and transports your containers has appropriate insurance coverage and is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, it can take moving containers across state lines. How Do I Know If an Interstate Moving Company Is Reputable? Simple methods of determining if a moving company is reputable are looking it up on the BBB website, checking online reviews, and verifying that it has a website. What Is a Hybrid Move? A hybrid move combines your labor with that of a moving or packing company. Hybrid moves may involve renting a storage and moving container that you load and the mover transports. Hiring a crew to move items you've packed or to pack items that you then move are other forms of hybrid moving. Methodology To compile this list of the best interstate moving companies, our research team made dozens of customer service calls and enlisted the help of data collectors to fill in the blanks for more than 30 criteria points. These included nationwide availability, storage options, valuation coverage offerings, and customer support channels. Each criteria point was assigned a weight, then grouped into one of six categories: Customer experience (23 percent) Coverage and types of moves offered (20 percent)Moving services (20 percent)Pricing/price transparency (20 percent)Insurance/protection (10 percent)Reputation (7 percent) Scores were calculated based on these weights, and companies were ultimately given a rating out of five stars. To ensure that the information presented is accurate, two or more data collectors verified the research. This page will be updated with any changes to the highlighted companies' offerings. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Related Articles The Best Moving Companies to Use If You're in the Military A Guide to the Most Reasonably Priced Nationwide Moving Companies The 8 Best Moving Companies for Small Moves Plan Your New York City Relocation With These Moving Companies The Best International Moving Companies To Plan Your Relocation Abroad Settle Into the West Coast With These Los Angeles Moving Companies 8 Professional Packing Services to Help With Your Move How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Moving Company? 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