Best Full-Service Long-Distance Moving Companies of 2025
Here’s how we rated Atlas Van Lines, United Van Lines, Allied and three others to find the best full-service moving companies for long-distance and cross-country moves.
The best moving companies can handle every step of a long-distance move — whether you’re going across the state or cross-country — with services to make your move easier along the way. We rated full-service moving companies based on 13 factors, including whether they offer preliminary online estimates for comparison, have consumer-friendly payment policies, provide predictable deliveries and have low complaint rates.
Some common themes we think you should know:
Most of the companies we reviewed offer additional services, such as packing, unpacking, car shipping, storage or junk removal.
Most don’t require an upfront deposit.
All the companies take credit cards, but some charge a fee to do so.
None provide reliable quotes without first seeing the customer’s belongings and assessing the difficulty of the move.
We focused on the largest full-service moving companies by market share, number of monthly Google searches (as a proxy for interest) and ability to assist with long-distance moves to some degree. Several smaller moving companies also offer great service, but weren’t included in these results.
Our picks for best full-service long-distance moving companies
Our editorial team evaluated national movers to find the best for long distance, with ratings based on range of services, customer satisfaction and more.
Company | NerdWallet rating | Services offered | Deposit required? | Customer ratings | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.0/5 | Packing, unpacking, storage and debris removal. | Yes | Average Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation. | Call a moving coordinator at Safeway Moving Systems Inc. on moveBuddha's website | |
Call a moving coordinator at Safeway Moving Systems Inc. on moveBuddha's website | |||||
Call a moving coordinator at Safeway Moving Systems Inc. on moveBuddha's website | |||||
4.5/5 | Packing, car shipping, unpacking, storage and debris removal. | No | Average Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation. | Call a moving coordinator at Allied Van Lines on moveBuddha's website | |
Call a moving coordinator at Allied Van Lines on moveBuddha's website | |||||
Call a moving coordinator at Allied Van Lines on moveBuddha's website | |||||
4.5/5 | Packing, car shipping, unpacking, storage and debris removal. | No | Better than most Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation. | Call a moving coordinator at United Van Lines on moveBuddha's website | |
Call a moving coordinator at United Van Lines on moveBuddha's website | |||||
Call a moving coordinator at United Van Lines on moveBuddha's website | |||||
3.0/5 | Packing, car shipping, unpacking, storage and debris removal. | No | Worse than most Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation. | Call a moving coordinator at Mayflower Moving on moveBuddha's website | |
Call a moving coordinator at Mayflower Moving on moveBuddha's website | |||||
Call a moving coordinator at Mayflower Moving on moveBuddha's website | |||||
4.0/5 | Loading, unloading, car shipping, storage, debris removal. | No | One of the worst of the group Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation. | on moveBuddha's website | |
on moveBuddha's website | |||||
on moveBuddha's website | |||||
5.0/5 | Packing, car shipping, unpacking, storage and debris removal. | No | Better than most Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation. | on moveBuddha's website | |
on moveBuddha's website | |||||
on moveBuddha's website | |||||
» MORE: How to hire movers
More about our top long-distance movers
1. Atlas Van Lines
Atlas Van Lines is our top pick for a full-service, long-distance moving company. It charges zero upfront deposits and no fee to pay with a credit card (though you’ll get a 1% discount if you pay via e-check). Customers can track deliveries and contact customer service through multiple channels.
The company offers virtual walkthroughs for compiling quotes, and its online move portal lets you see where your stuff is, get copies of moving documents, get notifications and make payments. Of the movers we surveyed, Atlas had one of the lowest rates of complaints with the Better Business Bureau and U.S. Department of Transportation when adjusted by fleet size.
2. United Van Lines
United Van Lines is owned by UniGroup, which also owns Mayflower. It’s a solid full-service, long-distance move contender that, like our top pick Atlas, delivered the goods on many of our evaluation hurdles.
People with narrow moving windows may find it problematic that it only provides day-certain delivery through its Snapmoves Priority service, which is only available for small moves and comes with an extra fee. (A small move, as United defines it, includes moving from an apartment with three bedrooms or fewer, a one-bedroom house or a dorm room.) Also, the company had slightly more customer complaints than Atlas when adjusted for fleet size.
United Van Lines combines virtual walkthroughs, a digital move portal, and full-service options to support a wide range of moving needs.
3. Allied Van Lines
Allied Van Lines is a full-service, long-distance mover that will pack and unpack your stuff, ship your car, provide storage and haul away empty boxes (for an extra fee). The company is owned by Sirva, which also owns North American Van Lines.
We like that the company doesn’t require a deposit before moving, but we don’t like that it charges a fee to pay with a credit card. It also doesn’t offer day-certain delivery unless you have a small shipment that qualifies for its Allied Express product. Its customer satisfaction scores are average compared to the other providers we reviewed.
Allied Van Lines provides packing, storage, and car shipping as part of its full-service offering, with no deposit required.
4. Bekins
Bekins is a full-service moving company that’s been in business for more than 130 years. The long-distance mover offers virtual walkthroughs for moving estimates and specialty moving services for seniors who are downsizing or moving to retirement communities.
It offers day-certain delivery for a fee and doesn’t charge a fee for paying with a credit card, but the company doesn’t offer a way to track the location of trucks in real time, which can make some customers a little tense. It also doesn’t do international moves (its parent company, Wheaton, has another subsidiary that does).
5. Safeway Moving Systems
Safeway Moving Systems is a full-service mover that can handle cross-country as well as international moves, but you may be able to find better pricing policies elsewhere. The company requires a 10%-18% for long-distance moves, which is unusual compared to other competitors we reviewed. It also requires a 15% deposit for local moves.
Safeway charges a fee (1% to 3%) for credit card payments, though the company told us that fee is waived for deposits. Safeway Moving Systems scored average in the customer ratings portion of our rubric.
With full-service and international options, Safeway Moving also includes GPS tracking and offers junk removal services.
6. Mayflower
Mayflower is owned by UniGroup, which also owns United Van Lines. Accordingly, it’s not surprising that the company’s offerings are very similar to United, though Mayflower had a noticeably higher rate of Better Business Bureau complaints. Like United, Mayflower offers virtual walkthroughs, making it easier to get a quote.
Customers can use Mayflower’s online move portal and request virtual walkthroughs when planning a full-service move.
Other companies we looked at
These companies scored below three out of five stars overall in our rating system but may still be a good fit for some customers. For example, some limit interstate moves geographically, so you would want to check availability for your needed area.
JK Moving Services
JK Moving Services doesn’t charge a fee to use a credit card and only charges a $250 flat-fee deposit for all moves, which is low compared to some competitors. JK will also reimburse you if they deliver your stuff late, with no additional fee. However, JK doesn’t offer binding quotes, and you have to call the company to get updated tracking information on your moving truck. The company also only offers storage in D.C., Virginia and Maryland, and only offers debris removal for commercial moves.
Bellhop
Bellhop is a moving broker, not technically a full-service mover itself. Because it’s a broker, the company doesn’t offer full-value protection for your belongings and works with third-party providers for services like car shipping and storage.
North American Van Lines
North American Van Lines is owned by Sirva, which also owns Allied. The company has similar offerings to Allied but didn’t respond to our questions about whether it charges customers a fee to pay with a credit card (its sister company Allied does), or whether it offers day-certain delivery or truck tracking, which lowered its score.
International Van Lines
International Van Lines stands out for its ability to handle international moves, but the company requires a deposit that’s not refundable if you cancel within 48 hours of your move date. For domestic moves, you can pay the deposit with a credit card, but you can’t pay for the rest of the move with one (check, cashier’s check or ACH payment only).
Safe Ship Moving Services
Safe Ship Moving Services is also a moving broker, so service options can vary depending on the carrier, and deposits range from 15% to 30% of your move. Safe Ship does not coordinate local or international moves and only offers guaranteed delivery on a case-by-case basis. It charges a fee to pay with a credit card and doesn’t offer a way to track your truck in real time, which puts it lower on our list.
Two Men and a Truck
Two Men and a Truck is a franchise, which means local policies may differ for delivery schedules, binding quotes or the fee to take credit cards. The company overall has a high customer satisfaction score compared to competitors, but it doesn’t do international moves, provide a way to track the whereabouts of your truck in real-time online or offer day-certain delivery services.
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
College Hunks is also a franchise, so local policies may differ. For example, the company informed us that customers “more often than not” will be required to put down a deposit, and that rates and costs for credit card fees vary. College Hunks also doesn’t ship cars, do international moves or help with storage, and its customer satisfaction scores were worse than most other movers we reviewed.
American Van Lines
American Van Lines ranks near the bottom on our scoring system, largely due to its payment options, relatively limited service offerings and customer service. American Van Lines loads, transports and unloads for interstate and cross-country moves in all 50 states, but only offers local moving services in Florida, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina.
» MORE: Best container moving companies
How much does a long-distance move cost?
A long-distance move of 1,000+ miles for 2-3 bedrooms can range from about $3,100 to $6,000, according to moving services website Moving.com. A local move typically costs around $1,000 to $2,000, but costs vary widely depending on the size of your move, the time of year and any add-on services such as packing and car transport.
To get an accurate pricing estimate for your move, you’ll need to schedule an in-person or virtual walkthrough with a moving company. None of the companies we reviewed provides binding, reliable quotes online — reputable movers need to consider total weight, object size, fragility, distance and the layout of your house before giving you a quote, especially if it’s binding.
» MORE: How much does it cost to move?
What other services do the best moving companies offer?
Most moving companies do more than load and unload trucks. For an extra fee, our top picks will also:
Wrap and pack your stuff.
Unpack it all when it gets to where it’s going.
Haul away the empty boxes and packaging.
Ship your car to your new place.
Take some or all of your things to a storage unit, which can be helpful if, for example, you’re staying somewhere temporarily while you house hunt.
Look for predictable delivery and tracking
Day-certain delivery. Often, movers give an estimated delivery window that can span several days, particularly with long-distance moves. This may work for some, but if your stuff must be somewhere by a certain day, hearing “we’ll do our best” doesn't cut it. This is why some movers offer day-certain delivery, which guarantees that your belongings will show up on a specific day.
Truck tracking. If you want to know exactly where your truckload is, look for tracking capability. The best moving companies for long distance moves make it easy to track your shipment in real time, typically through a company app. This is a helpful tool that helps you anticipate delivery timing and prepare for any potential delays. Bekins is the only one of our top picks without truck tracking.
What’s the difference between long-distance, cross-country and interstate movers?
While these terms are often used interchangeably to describe a move that covers a long distance, they may have slightly different definitions from moving company to moving company. When you’re researching movers, it’s worth knowing any differences.
Interstate moves cross state lines or have a destination outside the United States. Interstate moves are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Long-distance moves usually cover more than 400 miles, but that definition can vary by company. The move can be interstate or intrastate (covering a long distance in the same state).
Cross-country moves are nationwide relocations that typically span hundreds of miles and often cross state lines. Atlas Van Lines pegs them at 500+ miles, while other national movers use the term interchangeably with long-distance or interstate moves.
MORE: Making a cross-country move more affordable
How to know if a moving company is legit and avoid scams
Legitimate long-distance moving companies will be registered with the FMCSA and have a U.S. DOT number. You can search for companies within the FMCSA database. For an intrastate move, check with state regulators.
The FMCSA doesn’t act as a consumer advocate against movers, meaning that you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation, but they won’t necessarily argue with the movers on your behalf. If you have a dispute, check your contract to determine whether you have to engage in arbitration with the mover or if you have to take legal action.
When choosing a moving company, look for these red flags:
The mover claims to give you a firm quote without inspecting your belongings.
The mover tells you they’ll give you the cost after they load the truck.
The mover wants a big deposit before the move.
The mover wants you to sign forms that aren’t filled in.
The mover doesn’t give you a copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” and “Ready to Move,” which are brochures that federal laws require movers to supply to customers.
The mover’s website doesn’t have a local address, registration information or insurance information.
The movers tell you their insurance covers your stuff (“full value protection” is not insurance).
The movers don’t answer the phone with the name of the company you hired.
The movers don’t have an office.
The movers show up with a rented truck instead of one with the company logo on it.
The movers claim you have more stuff than what they put in the estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Can movers include temporary storage if my arrival and move-in dates don’t line up?
Yes. Interstate movers typically offer optional short-term storage called storage-in-transit (SIT). SIT is regulated under FMCSA rules (including required notices when SIT is about to convert to permanent storage). Ask about SIT time limits, cost and liability coverage before booking.
Yes. Interstate movers typically offer optional short-term storage called storage-in-transit (SIT). SIT is regulated under FMCSA rules (including required notices when SIT is about to convert to permanent storage). Ask about SIT time limits, cost and liability coverage before booking.
Are moving brokers the same as moving companies?
No. A broker sells/arranges your move and assigns a licensed carrier to perform it; the broker is not the mover. Always confirm the FMCSA-licensed carrier that will handle pickup and delivery.
No. A broker sells/arranges your move and assigns a licensed carrier to perform it; the broker is not the mover. Always confirm the FMCSA-licensed carrier that will handle pickup and delivery.
What “insurance” options do interstate movers provide?
Interstate movers are required to offer two types of what’s called moving valuation: released value (basic coverage, typically $0.60 per pound per article) and full value protection (repair, replace or reimburse for actual value of an item). You pay extra for full value protection. Your estimate and bill of lading should disclose the option you choose.
Note that a mover’s liability coverage isn’t true insurance and isn’t regulated in the same way.
Interstate movers are required to offer two types of what’s called moving valuation: released value (basic coverage, typically $0.60 per pound per article) and full value protection (repair, replace or reimburse for actual value of an item). You pay extra for full value protection. Your estimate and bill of lading should disclose the option you choose.
Note that a mover’s liability coverage isn’t true insurance and isn’t regulated in the same way.
What is a binding vs. nonbinding estimate?
A binding estimate locks in your total cost as long as you don’t add extra items. A nonbinding estimate isn’t a guarantee of final costs. You could pay more or less than what was estimated, but the moving company can’t charge you more than 110% of the nonbinding estimate.
These estimate types are defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as they apply to interstate moves that cross state lines. Local or in-state moves may follow different pricing rules, depending on state regulations.
A binding estimate locks in your total cost as long as you don’t add extra items. A nonbinding estimate isn’t a guarantee of final costs. You could pay more or less than what was estimated, but the moving company can’t charge you more than 110% of the nonbinding estimate.
These estimate types are defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as they apply to interstate moves that cross state lines. Local or in-state moves may follow different pricing rules, depending on state regulations.
Methodology
NerdWallet's Home Services team evaluated full-service moving companies across several factors, including pricing and payment options, features and services offered, and customer service. Because costs can vary by move type and location, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Read more about how NerdWallet rates moving companies.