Best Long-Distance & Cross-Country Movers 2026

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 7 million people make a cross-country move annually. If you're looking to make a long-distance move, you're probably searching for the best interstate moving company.

To help you make the right choice for your move, we've put our top long-distance moving companies head-to-head. Quickly compare pricing, deposit requirements, availability, and what makes each company stand out.

Allied Van Lines ticks all the boxes to be our number one pick, but the best mover for you depends on the specifics of your move: budget, timeline, and extra needs (e.g., packing, storage, car shipping). Use this comparison to find the best mover for you and your family.

Allied Van Lines, founded in 1928, is the oldest moving company in the U.S. Allied's long legacy of customer service and professionalism is one of the reasons why this long-distance moving company shines for flexibility and convenience.

Allied offers virtual in-home estimates. They also stand out for being one of the few moving companies that doesn’t require a deposit. Over the past 15 years, Allied has helped approximately 750,000 families move, earning a spot on our list of best long-distance moving companies every year since 2016.¹

Though it has fewer customer reviews than you might expect from a company nearly 100 years old, Allied excels in features that simplify the moving process, such as storage options, virtual quote options, and packing supplies. Its network of 400 local agents ensures efficient service across the country, and it offers some of the best storage solutions in the industry.

The only downside is Allied’s limited body of customer reviews. Allied tends to score lower than some competitors. However, multiple carriers in its network receive near-perfect ratings, so we recommend checking reviews for the specific Allied Van Lines carrier you plan to use.

Book with confidence — Allied doesn’t require a deposit.

Allied Van Lines was put to the test with Wilder, who received a Move.org Moving Grant to help with his move from Nashville, Tennessee to Plano, Texas. Wilder's experience with Allied was just what he’d hoped for: “fast, easy, and cheap.” The company offered the lowest price, the move was quicker than expected, and customer service was overwhelmingly positive.

Even with a few minor hiccups, Wilder said he would definitely hire Allied again and recommend the company to others.

Allied Van Lines personnel pack up Wilder's belongings for the move from Nashville, Tennessee to Plano, Texas

We really like Allied Van Line's Virtual Moving In-Home estimate service. Instead of scheduling an in-home visit for your quote, you can opt for a video chat appointment. A moving coordinator guides you through showing your home using your phone’s camera, and they use this to create your estimate. While a final binding quote still requires an in-person visit, the virtual option gives you a price idea upfront and saves time if you choose not to move forward with Allied.

Colonial Van Lines stands out for its commitment to personnel training.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), loss and damage claims against moving companies are a common complaint. Colonial reduces this likelihood for your cross-country move through their commitment to their employees. Allied personnel attend Colonial Van Lines University, where they learn about packing delicate items, loading, driving, and more. This level of training translates into safer and faster long-distance moves.   

Colonial offers a range of services and options like packing, storage, and specialized care for items like antiques and art. They  specialize in out-of-state moves, working only with customers making long-distance moves of 50 miles or more. 

Moving deposits usually land around 40%, but the more services you add, the more that deposit covers.

If you prefer to do research without having to talk to somebody, this is the only company that provided an instant estimate when I filled out their online quote form. 

Colonial is a strong choice if you want experienced, well-trained moving crews.

Relocating families and businesses nationwide requires careful planning, skilled hands, and strategic thinking, which is why Colonial Van Lines invests in comprehensive training through its own institution, Colonial Van Lines University (CVLU).

Every new team member undergoes an immersive training program lasting two to four weeks at CVLU. Moreover, Colonial extends the benefits of CVLU to its customers. Quick courses are available for packing valuable items like dressers, chairs, appliances, books, fine china, and clothing—giving you the benefit of expert knowledge when preparing your possessions for relocation.

Moving company estmates can be non-binding, binding, or binding not-to-exceed a certain dollar amount. Cross-country moves can be expensive. For that reason, we recommend choosing a moving company that offers binding estimates whenever possible, like Colonial Van Lines. This will help you avoid distressing or unexpected price hikes after signing. Colonial’s estimates are guaranteed, but you can adjust them with the Quality Assurance team up until your moving date—perfect for adding or removing services like packing based on your needs.

Colonial calculates final binding quotes based on factors like load weight, locations, and moving dates to give you the most accurate pricing. As long as none of those things change, you can expect to pay what you were quoted, with no costly surprises. Colonial even offers a price match guarantee for qualified lower quotes from a competitor.

American Van Lines is our value pick thanks to its flat-rate pricing and binding price quotes. These long-distance movers don’t tack on surprise long-distance fuel charges, or fees — and they don't skimp on the customized services you need to keep your stress level low, and your belongings safe. American Van Lines charges a flat rate, and lets you use all of its many moving services (including piano moving). The company also background checks its workers (including drug tests and background screenings). 

If you've used American before, you may not have had access to GPS tracking of your moving van during a long-distance move. We're pleased that American Van Lines now offers this all-important service on every truck in its fleet. Even so, customers sometimes complain about less-than-stellar communication and customer service during moves. 

Get predictable pricing with a flat-rate quote from American Van Lines.

American Van Lines specializes in moving large and heavy instruments long distances. They know all the tricks of the trade to ensure that your piano arrives undamaged—and in tune.

You can have American  disassemble and reassemble your piano and large pieces of furniture for you. This helps to ensure that your important items are kept safe during moves. American trains its staff to disassemble, load, transport, unload, and reassemble your piano in working condition.

Best of all—you don’t pay extra thanks to AVL's flat-rate pricing.

American Van Lines’ flat-rate prices can save you time and money. Some interstate moving companies upsell you on services you don't need to make extra cash. 

Not so with American Van Lines. The company charges a single upfront rate based on the distance you're moving, the weight of your belongings, and any extra services. 

For example, let’s say you get a quote from American Van Lines—and another company that doesn’t use flat-rate pricing:

It’s easy to see how your invoice looks cleaner (imagine a bill with two dozen extra line items). Plus, you can save money if you use enough high-end services.

AVL’s across state movers are top-of-the-line professionals. The company puts every potential long-distance mover through an intense pre-hire screening process, including background checks and drug testing. Those who make the cut arrive at your home wearing uniforms that identify them as American Van Lines professionals.

Mayzlin Relocation is a 10-year old company, making it a relative newcomer into the long-distance and cross-country moving industry. We like Mayzlin for its competitive pricing, lower deposit requirement, and abundant discount options. If you're a teacher, student, senior, military member, or first responder, Mayzlin may be a great choice for you.

Mayzlin offers the most discounts and price matching.

Many long-distance movers charge a hefty deposit of up to 50% for out-of-state moves. But Mayzlin Relocation sticks to a more affordable 25%. Moving cross-country is already expensive, so a lower initial deposit makes a big difference. On top of that, you can get a full refund for your deposit up to seven days before your moving date.

Mayzlin Relocation sales agents do everything they can to make your long-distance move cheaper. Along with discounts for early booking, Mayzlin will price match with any reputable carrier.

You may also be in luck if another customer cancels their move and Mayzlin needs to fill that slot. Ask your sales agent about potential savings while you're getting your quote!

Discounts offered by Mayzlin include:

• Move.org reader discount
• Military
• Senior
• Membership discounts (AAA, AARP, Costco, etc.)
• Student
• Teacher
• Law enforcement
• First responder
• Early reservation discount
• Tariff discounts

Bottom line: Mayzlin stands out for its discount opportunities and fair pricing

United Van Lines is a leading choice for your upcoming long-distance relocation with full-value protection on every move, an extensive list of services, and no need to pay a hefty deposit.

The company provides a comprehensive range of services for cross-country moves, including auto transport, home cleaning, storage, and full-service packing. This makes United an excellent option for anyone seeking a convenient, one-stop shopping experience for their move.

We especially like United's wide network of agents that can help you move across the country or across town. I used United for a recent local move and was pleasantly surprised at how easy and affordable it was. In fact, my final cost was a little bit less than the estimate I was given. 

United is a good fit if you want full-service moving with extra protections.

We got to learn about United Van Lines firsthand with Kerry, one of the recipients of our Moving Grant. Overall, United met our expectations. Most of the staff were efficient and punctual, and every customer service representative was helpful throughout the process. On top of that, United exceeded its reputation for pricing transparency by lowering Kerry's estimate and sticking to that price.

United Van Lines friendly movers getting ready to move Kerry's belongings into her new apartment. 

I got to put United's local moving services to the test in Spokane, Washington. I needed to move my belongings I had in storage to a new apartment. After I requested my quote, I got a call within 24 hours. I was able to explain my situation and get a quote on the spot. On the day of the move, my moving crew (known as "Dr. Phil and son") was on time, friendly, and careful with my belongings. Best of all, I ended up paying almost $100 less than my estimate.

BLVD Moving is a family-owned moving company that handles residential and commercial moves. Based in California, this mover is ideal for West Coast customers planning long-distance or commercial moves. BLVD Moving is also known for expertise in handling high-value or delicate items, like pianos and antiques.

BLVD Moving is a West Coast company with nationwide capabilities. Whether you're relocating your home or business, the company offers long-distance service to all 50 states — with in-house teams trained to handle everything from antiques to large commercial moves.

You’ll get a binding quote upfront that includes all expected services — so there are no surprise charges down the road. And if something goes wrong? BLVD uses barcode tracking to locate lost items quickly, and it resolves claims through a combination of in-house and third-party processes.

Unlike many competitors, BLVD Moving doesn’t broker moves out. Instead, they use vetted contractors or in-house crews, monitor every job closely, and run a dedicated fleet of trucks out of five warehouse hubs in Southern California.

No matter where you're going, BLVD Moving delivers hands-on service, clear expectations, and experienced crews that take your move seriously. BLVD told us that all customers matter — regardless of the size of move — and their goal is to "make every move a breeze."

Ready to book a long-distance move with BLVD Moving?

Mayflower Moving, founded in 1927, is highly experienced in long-distance moving. Packing, crating, car shipping, even connecting and disconnecting electronics—Mayflower does it all. 

If you've got a daunting cross-country move ahead of you, it’s tough to find a more comprehensive moving experience than Mayflower can provide.

Costwise, Mayflower is at the high-end of the moving industry spectrum, so keep budget in mind when you consider their services. Many customers say they're worth the extra cash, although your experience will depend largely on the local agent you work with. 

Mayflower offers three levels of optional tiered protection that provide you with added peace of mind. These packages are available at an additional cost. 

A common frustration consumers face when moving across the country is not knowing exactly where their belongings are. Thankfully, Mayflower has you covered with its shipment tracking portal. All you need is your order number and last name to get an update on where your household items are on their journey to your new home. 

Hand the keys to your move over to Mayflower today!

North American Van Lines lets you pick and choose moving services. That’s a big deal because some companies charge you for everything whether you need it or not. This long-distance mover even has plans with supplemental insurance coverage. Not surprisingly, North American gets exceptionally high customer review scores.

North American Van Lines is known for its retiree and private client concierge premium relocation services. They provide downsizing support and expertise for older adults moving into smaller residences. They also help connect you to financial and real estate professionals, if you need those additional services. 

North American Van Lines lets you pick and choose which moving services you want. For example, do you want to save a couple of thousand dollars by packing your belongings yourself? North American is okay with that (many companies aren’t).

The same thing goes for other cross-country moving services too. If you’re up to the task of unloading your items, the North American Van Lines crew is happy to let you do the work.

North American Van Lines makes it easy to know where your household goods are even when you're states away. Once your move is in progress, the company will provide you with a six-digit registration number. Just plug that number into North American’s tracking website, and it will tell you where your belongings are.

Want to customize your move?

Check out our reviews of some other companies that we looked at during our evaluation and mystery shopping but didn't make the final cut for our best-of roundup:

• Atlas Van Lines
• Bekins Van Lines, Inc.
• Bellhop
• First National Van Lines
• International Van Lines
• Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
• JK Moving Services
• Moving APT
• Safeway Moving
• Solomon & Sons
• Two Men and a Truck

Once you've decided to hire a mover, you've only got a few steps left to get a quote for your move.

Here's how it works:

1. Share your move details: Movers need to know about your route, timing, and home size to give you an accurate estimate.
2. Narrow down your options: Pick the movers you want a quote from, based on your top priorities (e.g., deposits, services, discounts, etc.).
3. Review and compare options: Your selected movers will follow up with details about their services and costs.
4. Finalize your quote: After you've picked the estimate you like, a moving coordinator will work with you to help you take inventory for your move, confirm dates, discuss extras like packing or storage, and lock in your price.

For a deeper dive, learn more about online moving quotes and how to do a home inventory.

Check out our Ultimate Moving Checklist for a more detailed timeline and tips. Click below for a rough timeline

In late 2024, Move.org adopted an updated, more rigorous editorial strategy. This change included new editorial leadership and in-depth data collection and analysis from a dedicated data analyst. Our new approach is rooted in cutting through the noise to provide readers with honest, unfiltered information and reviews they can rely on. We are committed to bringing expert-backed insights that go beyond surface-level research.

We aim to clarify misleading marketing, uncover real customer experiences, and highlight the best each company offers. We know that moving is a deeply personal experience, and that’s why we’re on a mission to identify the good, the bad, and the ugly so you can find the cross-country mover that meets your unique needs—while avoiding the common pitfalls that can be both financially and emotionally costly. Here’s how we do it:

1. In-depth research and mystery shopping.
2. Industry verification and regulatory compliance.
3. Real-world moving experiences.
4. Collaboration with moving companies and cross-verification.
5. Ongoing monitoring and updates.
6. A 5-point rating system that looks at pricing and value, customer service and experience, services and extras, availability and scheduling, and reputation.

To learn more about how we evaluate and review cross-country moving companies, read our full methodology.

After spending months interviewing, researching, and comparing long-distance moving companies across the U.S., Allied Van Lines is our top pick for moving across state lines in 2026.

• Allied Van Lines is our pick for best overall interstate mover. It's one of the most experienced moving companies out there, doesn't require a deposit, and has been found to treat its customers with transparency, respect, and care.

1. Allied Van Lines, "Home page," 

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