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The Best Moving Companies

These experienced movers offer top-quality service when transporting your items.

The hardest part of a household move isn’t always packing up boxes. You might discover that it's just as difficult to find a reliable moving company. When hiring movers, there are many factors to consider, such as budget, how you want your belongings to be transported, and any special services you may need, like vehicle relocation.

In order to recommend the best moving companies in the country, we collected hundreds of data points to help you find the right fit quickly so that you can start creating memories in your new home. Before you book one of these providers, request quotes from several of them to ensure you're making the smartest financial decision for you.

Best Moving Companies of 2024

Best Overall : Atlas Van Lines


Atlas Van Lines

Atlas Van Lines

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Comprehensive list of moving services, from packing to auto shipping

  • Tracking available via the customer portal

  • Convenient storage solutions

Cons
  • No live chat option for quick inquiries

Overview

Atlas Van Lines offers customers a first-rate moving experience through its lengthy list of services, including packing assistance, vehicle transportation, travel bookings (such as airline tickets and car rentals), and in-transit storage.

To start the online quote process, just plug in your departure and arrival zip codes on the company's homepage.

If you decide to book with Atlas, you'll gain access to its customer portal, which stores the details of your move, provides 24/7 shipment tracking, connects you to customer support, and facilitates the claims process. 

The company also has an impressive resources hub that features extensive checklists, location-specific guides, and how-to manuals for moving antiques, plants, aquariums, and other delicate items.

Service area: 50 states | Deposit required: No | Type of quote: Both binding and non-binding

Best for Long-Distance Moves : Allied Van Lines


Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Easy-to-use InstaQuote feature

  • Packing supplies calculator

  • In-transit storage available for up to 90 days

Cons
  • Website doesn't have a live chat function

Overview

If you're looking to hand off most of your moving chores to someone else, Allied Van Lines is a great option. The company will take on almost any task, including full-service packing and furniture disassembly.

If you decide to box things up yourself, Allied offers an online calculator that will help you determine the type and amount of supplies you'll need. There's also a guide to long-distance moving expenses available in the resources tab.

One of the reasons why we're highlighting Allied for long-distance moves in particular is its tracking feature, which lets you know where your belongings are at any given time—it's literally a 24/7 feature.

The company also provides in-transit storage for up to 90 days in the event you can't move into your new home right away. Allied's storage facilities are secure and climate-controlled, so you don't have to worry about the condition of your items, even if they're in there for three months.

Service area: 50 states | Deposit required: No | Type of quote: Binding

Best for Local Moves : Bellhop


BELLHOP

BELLHOP

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Hourly labor option for specific tasks

  • Moves can be scheduled as quickly as one day in advance

  • Build-Your-Own package allows you to pick the number of movers, trucks, and hours needed

Cons
  • Only available to half of the country

  • Initial deposit is 10 percent of the estimated cost

Overview

Local moves don't typically require as much logistical preparation as long-distance or international moves. You might, for example, find yourself scrambling to hire a company in a short amount of time. Luckily, Bellhop can accommodate jobs booked within 24 hours' notice. There are a couple of packages to choose from or you can build your own, which gives you more control over the resources provided.

If you plan to do most of the work yourself but could use some help loading and unloading, Bellhop also offers hourly labor to speed up your self-service move. These trained professionals can assist in a variety of ways, though packing is only an option in a handful of cities at the moment.

Bellhop operates in and around many major metropolitan areas, but only 25 states are currently represented on that list. Be sure to check the company's "locations" page to make sure you're in its service radius.

Service area: 25 states | Deposit required: Yes | Type of quote: Non-binding for local moves

Best for International Moves : United Van Lines


United Van Lines

United Van Lines

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • User-friendly tracking feature

  • Full Value Protection and Identity Theft Protection is available

  • Designated move coordinator will manage all of the logistics

Cons
  • Must provide an inventory of everything valued at $100 or more

Overview

When you're moving your entire life overseas, you need a reliable customer service team at the helm that's done it before. With United Van Lines, you get that in spades.

Our research analyst, Shanker, found the company's representatives to be "incredibly patient and knowledgeable," noting that he was quickly connected to the right department any time he called.

When you book an international move with United, you'll be matched to one of the company's specialists, who will serve as your primary point of contact and liaison throughout the entire process.

That oversight includes things like helping to compile the proper documentation for customs clearance, for example. Though you always have the option to reach out to your move manager for updates, United also offers a shipment tracking portal where you can check the status of your delivery.

Service area: 50 states, 150+ countries | Deposit required: No | Type of quote: Binding

Best Partial-Service Mover : North American Van Lines


North American Van Lines

North American Van Lines

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Packing calculator tool to help you determine the amount of supplies you'll need

  • Add-ons for appliance installation and furniture assembly

  • Bottom-line pricing model means no hidden fees

Cons
  • Cannot rent out moving containers for self-service loading and unloading

Overview

While North American Van Lines does provide full-service options, if you'd like to save a little money by doing some of the heavy lifting yourself, the company offers partial-service packages as well. You'll work with a personal move consultant to create a customized plan that fits your budget.

Even if you don't use North American's team for specific tasks, such as packing, its experts can advise you on how many boxes you need. Or you can consult the company's online packing calculator for a recommended number of supplies.

During the four-step quote process, you have the option to add on services such as temporary storage, appliance installation, and furniture assembly. But in order to receive an accurate estimate, you must set up an in-home walk-through via the company's video survey app.

Though you can't monitor your long-distance move on the platform, North American does operate a separate desktop portal that tracks both domestic and international shipments.

Service area: 50 states | Deposit required: No | Type of quote: Both binding and non-binding

Best Moving Container Company : PODS


Pros & Cons
Pros
  • No time restrictions for loading and unloading

  • Three moving container sizes to choose from

  • Pay-as-you-go option for monthly storage

Cons
  • Service windows for pick-ups and drop-offs are estimates rather than guaranteed times

Overview

Unlike traditional moving companies, PODS provides portable containers that are meant to be loaded and unloaded by the customer. Once your 8-, 12-, or 16-foot unit is packed up, the company will transport it for you.

These units can be very helpful if you need to clean out your house before a move to stage a home sale and require short-term mobile storage. PODS are also really useful if you need temporary access to some of your belongings after your move and don't want to pay for a storage unit far from home.

If you're unsure what size container to rent, PODS' online storage calculator should be able to help. Just select the objects you want to move and the tool will make a recommendation—though you can also confer with a customer service agent.

What we like most about the company is its flexibility. Thanks to the service's monthly billing cycle, you can keep the weather-resistant containers for as long as you want, meaning you get to pack (and unpack) at your own pace.

If you're not ready for your belongings to be delivered to your new home, you have the option to keep the unit at your old residence or store it at one of PODS' secure facilities, which are located across 44 states, plus Washington D.C.

Service area: 44 states | Deposit required: No | Type of quote: Non-binding

Best Car Moving Company : Mayflower


Mayflower logo

Mayflower

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Open-sided and enclosed carrier options

  • Convenient door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal delivery

  • Specialty shipments for luxury and antique vehicles can be arranged

Cons
  • Domestic car shipments may take up to 10 business days

Overview

Mayflower leads the pack for vehicle shipping because it handles transportation in-house rather than farming it out to a third-party carrier. This minimizes a lot of confusion and makes the process a lot easier for you to manage; it can be nerve-wracking handing over your vehicle to someone else.

Here's how it works. The company will either pick up your car directly from your home and drop it off at your new location, or the vehicle can be delivered to a nearby terminal, where it will be stored if you're unable to retrieve it right away. Either way, you can track your vehicle's whereabouts online throughout the process.

And in general, Mayflower's open-sided carrier option is more popular among customers due to its lower price, but enclosed trucks are ideal for high-value vehicles because they offer more protection.

The cost of the service ultimately depends on several factors. These include how far your vehicle needs to be transported, the make and model, the type of delivery you choose, your preferred pick-up and drop-off dates, and whether or not you opt for additional protection coverage.

Service area: 46 states | Deposit required: No | Type of quote: Binding

Best Online Quote Process : Colonial Van Lines


Colonial Van Lines

Colonial Van Lines

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Accurate estimates available via the company's app

  • Option to create a virtual inventory of your items through photos and videos

  • Extremely helpful customer service team

Cons
  • Doesn't do local moves

  • Must pay for a portion of the move when scheduling

Overview

There are several ways to request a quote from Colonial Van Lines, but they aim to make your life easier and expedite the process. You can fill out the online form on the company's homepage, or you can download Colonial's app to upload photos and videos of your belongings, which allows the team to give you a more accurate moving estimate.

By submitting your own materials, you don't have to conduct a walk-through of your home with one of Colonial's representatives—though the ones we spoke to were patient and well-informed. You don't need an in-home visit for a binding quote, which is a plus.

On the app, you can also share instructions with your movers and purchase packing supplies at a discounted rate if you decide to box things up yourself. In addition to full-service packing options, the company offers partial packs, including "single-item" for awkwardly sized or fragile objects, and a kitchen package that takes care of your dishware and any odds and ends stored in your cabinets and pantry.

Service area: 48 states | Deposit required: Yes | Type of quote: Binding

Best Customer Support : JK Moving Services


Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Customers can initiate text conversations with the support team via the homepage

  • Provides GPS shipment tracking

  • Resources hub includes tips for every type of move

Cons
  • Does require an upfront deposit

Overview

JK Moving Services puts customer satisfaction first by operating a 24/7 support line that's always answered by a live voice. You can also request a text conversation through the chat function on the website, but the company's mobile app will arguably be the most useful tool during your move.

Otherwise, clients can review estimates, add valuation for insurance coverage, track their belongings, and make payments on the platform.

During the actual move, the JK crew installs multiple layers of protection in both your old and new home to avoid damage to the floors, banisters, stairways, and entryways. If you opt for full-service packing, the company will tag every item as part of its extensive inventory process, and before the movers leave, you'll be set up with GPS tracking so that you know when to expect your belongings at their destination.

Service area: 50 states | Deposit required: Yes | Type of quote: Non-binding

Best Eco-Friendly Moving Company : The Armstrong Company


armstrong relocation logo

armstrong relocation

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Virtual home surveys can be scheduled on the website

  • Trades cardboard boxes for plastic crates, tubs, and carts on commercial projects

  • Working to cut its warehouse energy consumption by more than 80 percent

Cons
  • Takes a long time to connect to an agent through the website's live chat function

  • 32 locations, but only 20 states represented

Overview

Among full-service moving companies, The Armstrong Company is a leader in sustainability. Protecting the planet is one of its core pillars, and the company has managed to decrease its environmental footprint by using recyclable packing materials, reducing moving truck emissions, cutting down on paper documentation, and converting to LED lights in its warehouses.

The company happily takes on local, long-distance, and international moves, offering full or partial packing services, storage options, temporary living solutions, and more.

If you're preparing to sell your old home, The Armstrong Company also provides decluttering and staging assistance. The team will even help you find a realtor if the need arises. To get started, schedule a virtual home survey of your belongings for an accurate quote.

Service area: 20 states | Deposit required: Yes | Type of quote: Non-binding

Final Verdict

It's reassuring to have 10 capable moving companies at your disposal, but Atlas Van Lines checks the most boxes on our list. The provider's impressive lineup of customizable moving options, combined with its user-friendly customer portal and 70+ years in the business, make it an excellent choice for local, long-distance, or international moves.

Compare the Best Moving Companies

Company Name Service Area Deposit Required Type of Quote
Atlas Van Lines Best Overall  50 states  No Binding and non-binding
Allied Van Lines Best for Long- Distance Moves  50 states  No  Binding
Bellhop Best for Local Moves  25 states Yes Non-binding for local moves
United Van Lines Best for International Moves 50 states; 150+ countries   No Binding
North American Van Lines Best Partial-Service Mover  50 states No Binding and non-binding
PODS Best Moving Container Company  44 states No Non-binding
Mayflower Best Car Moving Company  50 states No Binding
Colonial Van Lines Best Online Quote Process  48 states  Yes Binding
JK Moving Services Best Customer Support 50 states  Yes Non-binding
The Armstrong Company Best Eco-Friendly Moving Company 20 states  Yes Non-binding

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Much Do Moving Companies Charge?

    Depending on the distance of your move, you may pay an hourly fee or a flat rate. According to Zillow, local and intrastate moves—basically anything less than 100 miles—cost between $80 to $100 per hour on average. Moves totaling over 100 miles typically cost in the $2,000 to $5,000 per job range. You can usually knock the price down slightly by booking during the off-season (October to March) and by packing boxes yourself.

  • How Do I Know If a Moving Company Is Reputable?

    Recommendations from trusted friends and family are arguably the best way to find a reputable moving company. But if you can’t depend on recent experiences from people you know, do your research before you book. Make sure the mover is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Once you've established that the company is properly licensed, read through customer reviews on sites such as Yelp, Angi, and Trustpilot.

  • Where Can I Buy Moving Boxes?

    There are many places to buy moving boxes, but Amazon has the biggest variety, offering standard sizes as well as specialty boxes for TVs, mirrors, glassware, and more items. Home Depot, Lowe’s, Uhaul.com, and local hardware and office supply stores also carry moving supplies.

  • What is the Best Day For Hiring Moving Services?

    If you can be flexible with your move date and avoid weekends, it can save you money. In general Mondays through Thursdays are the best days to hiring moving services.

Methodology

To find the best moving companies, our research team reviewed 19 services, collecting a total of 589 data points. Ratings were created by assigning weights to each of the 31 moving criteria we considered. Our top picks received high scores in heavily weighted areas such as customer experience (23 percent), moving services (20 percent), and pricing structure (20 percent).

The information presented here was verified by at least two data collectors through customer service calls. If we were unable to find information due to multiple failed attempts to contact a company, pieces of criteria that couldn’t be confirmed via the website were assigned a zero. For more details on our research process and scoring system, head to our complete moving methodology page.

Moving boxes on a green background

The Spruce / Amelia Manley

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