Best Long Distance Moving Experts of 2025

For nearly a decade, we've thoroughly evaluated long-distance moving companies to help you find the top moving experts in the country. Our research includes:

• Looking at pricing transparency.
• Validating proper licensing and accreditation.
• Analyzing customer reviews.
• Getting real-life input from people who've moved with the companies we recommend.

While there are thousands of moving companies to choose from, it makes a difference choosing an expert company with fair prices and a proven track record of quality service. We've found the top moving experts in customer service and experience, pricing transparency and accuracy, industry reputation, and perks like free storage to find movers that make your move less of a headache.

Whether it's moving to a nearby state or across the country, Colonial, American and United Van Lines are the top three moving experts we recommend, but we've included other top companies with different strengths so you can find the best one to fit your moving needs.

1. Cost. You need to balance reasonable prices with the services offered. Costs for a professional mover can vary from $1,200 up to $29,000, depending on how many miles you're moving and the size of your home. To some extent, you want your full-service move to be "expensive." Maybe not "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" expensive, but pricey enough to feel confident your movers didn't skip steps that could lead to late delivery or damaged items.
2. Binding estimates. Pay special attention to nationwide companies that offer binding quotes. The guarantee means your price won’t change after signing on the dotted line—as long as you don’t have any major changes (like adding more items to the home inventory) that you and the movers agreed on during the quote process.
3. Affordable deposit. Many moving companies charge a deposit, which can be from 10% up to 50% of the total cost. Make sure to choose a company that matches your budget. If you pay a deposit, make sure you understand the policies if you need to cancel or change your move.
4. Customer service. Pay attention to how the company communicates with you when getting a quote. Ask what kind of communication to expect—and when—before you book. If you're moving on the weekend, consider a company that offers 24/7 customer support.
5. Perks. Look for companies that go the extra mile, like giving you 30 days of free storage, real-time GPS tracking, supplemental insurance, or special discounts.
6. Timelines. Depending on the company, moving timelines can vary based on the logistics of your move. If you need to have your move completed by a specific date, you may need to pay an extra cost for a guaranteed delivery date, so be sure to ask about that when you get quotes. Also, depending on your location, getting a guaranteed delivery date isn't always an option.
7. Carriers vs. brokers. Simply put, carriers have their own moving van fleets and in-house moving staff, while brokers coordinate with other companies. You should always check a company's licensing status and reputation before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.

After narrowing down your top moving companies, you'll need to chat with a rep to get your final quote.

Here's how it works:

1. Request a quote: Fill out the online form with basics about your move.
2. Compare options: Your selected movers will email you details about their services so you can find the company that best meets your needs.
3. Talk it out: Expect a call from a representative. They'll help you take inventory for your move, confirm dates, discuss extras like packing or storage, and finalize your quote.

Colonial Van Lines is one of our favorite choices for long-distance moving, offering a range of services and options like packing, storage, and specialized care for items like antiques and art. Colonial specializes in out-of-state moves, working only with customers crossing state lines. Moving deposits usually land around 40%, but the more services you add, the more that deposit covers.

What sets it apart is Colonial's commitment to education. Movers undergo extensive hands-on training at the company's two-bedroom training facility, while customers benefit from a dedicated Account Manager to help them through the moving process.

Ready to start your move with Colonial Van Lines?

American Van Lines is our value pick thanks to its flat-rate pricing. These long-distance movers don’t tack on fees for every service—and they don't skimp on the things you need to keep your stress level low and your belongings safe. American 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). The catch? American doesn’t have GPS tracking, which is a feature our readers really like.

Looking for premium quality at a great price?

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. 

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.

See how competitive a quote from United Van Lines is!

Mayzlin Relocation is the youngest company on our list, but we like it for its competitive pricing, lower deposit requirement, and abundant discount options. We think Mayzlin is a good choice if you’re looking for an affordable moving company and you’re willing to give a newbie a chance.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.

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

Looking for a company with some of the best discounts?

Allied Van Lines stands out for its convenience, offering virtual in-home estimates and 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 customer reviews, which represent less than one percent of all moves Allied performs each year and tend to score lower than some competitors. However, certain carriers in its network receive near-perfect ratings, so we recommend checking reviews for the specific Allied Van Lines carrier you plan to use.

Ready to book a move with no deposit needed?

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:

• Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
• Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
• Go mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
• Set up regular reviews. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.

After spending months interviewing, researching, and comparing long-distance moving companies across the U.S., three rose to the top of our 2025 recommendations: Colonial Van Lines, American Van Lines and United Van Lines. Each of these companies can service moves to and from most states and have been found to treat their customers with transparency, respect, and care.

• Colonial Van Lines scores a top spot thanks to how easy it is to get an instant online quote. It's one of the only companies we've found that will give you a ballpark estimate seconds after hitting "Submit."

Want to move with Move.org’s top pick?

Fill out one form and receive quotes from the top companies so you can compare prices and find the best fit.