Best Long Distance Movers of 2025
For nearly 10 years Move.org experts have examined pricing, credentials, and real customer reviews to give you (human) recommendations you can trust.
Moving is stressful as it is, let alone moving long distance. While there are thousands of moving companies to choose from, it makes a difference choosing one with fair prices and a proven track record of quality service.
What's more, many customers fall prey to moving scams. That's why we're here—to help you find movers that can make your upcoming cross-country move less of a headache. In our recommendations, we've prioritized customer service and experience, pricing transparency, industry reputation, and perks like free storage.
Colonial Van Lines, American Van Lines, and Mayzlin Relocation are our top three picks for the best out-of-state moving companies, but we've included other top companies with different strengths so you can find the best fit.
The best long-distance movers of 2025
Compare the best long distance moving companies
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Pricing data collected by requesting ballpark estimates from moving companies.
*Colonial Van Lines serves 40 states for origin and 46 states for destination.
**For states outside of Florida. If your move originates in Flordia, you only have to pay a 20% deposit.
What to expect during a long-distance moving quote
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:
- Request a quote: Fill out the online form with basics about your move.
- Compare options: Your selected movers will email you details about their services so you can find the company that best meets your needs.
- 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.
What to look for in a moving company
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The best cross-country moving company reviews
1. Colonial Van Lines: Best trained movers
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.
—Leslie, Colonial Van Lines customer testimonial
Ready to start your move with Colonial Van Lines?
2. American Van Lines: Best value
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.
Images: Move.org Moving Grant recipient Crystal took pictures of her American Van Lines moving crew during her move.
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.
—Crystal, Move.org Moving Grant recipient
Looking for premium quality at a great price?
3. Mayzlin Relocation: Best discounts
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
—Cameron, Mayzlin customer testimonial
Looking for a company with some of the best discounts?
4. Solomon & Sons Relocation: Best for East Coast moves
Although Solomon & Sons is available across the country, it shines the brightest on the East Coast. Its sales team will expertly guide you through the quoting process to a guaranteed price based on your unique moving needs across state lines.
The sales team at Solomon & Sons really delivers a superior quoting experience. Because it's based in South Florida, Solomon can perform a detailed in-home estimate, which gives you a more accurate quote. But for folks in other areas, Solomon & Sons can set up a video call and run through a list of questions to start organizing your long-distance move.
Even more impressive, Solomon & Sons can provide its services in five different languages: Russian, Spanish, French, Hebrew, and English.

Image: Solomon & Sons Relocation staff.
Ready to start your move with Solomon & Sons?
5. Allied Van Lines: Best interstate moving company
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.
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.
—Wilder, Move.org Moving Grant recipient
Image: Move.org Moving Grant recipient Wilder caught the Allied Van Lines crew delivering his goods early.
Ready to book a move with no deposit needed?
Long-distance moving FAQ
The best long-distance moving company Colonial Van Lines. It's one of the most experienced moving companies out there, with highly trained movers. Plus, Move.org readers can get up to a $500 discount!
The average cost for interstate movers is about $9,060. However, prices vary depending on things like mileage, home size, and added services.
We recommend tipping movers about 15% of your total bill for large homes and 5% for smaller homes. If the math is tricky, you can also ballpark and give each mover $40.
Moving insurance is critical to ensure the safety of your belongings. The federal government requires that all cross-country moving companies provide moving insurance (called “valuation”). You can also purchase additional insurance from third parties to be extra safe.
You should schedule your movers at least four weeks before your move. During this time, you should also coordinate a moving permit if you need one, gather any remaining supplies, contact utility providers, and make any travel arrangements.
Start by getting a quote from several movers for a long-distance full-service move. Read customer reviews for phrases around quote and price accuracy, safe delivery, and quality service. Many companies will also offer discounts, extra services, and perks like free storage that are worth watching for.
How we reviewed the best cross-country movers
Methodology
We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor. During our searches, we:
- 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.
- Perform site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
- 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.
Final word: Colonial, American and Mayzlin top our list of the best long-distance movers
After spending months interviewing, researching, and comparing long-distance moving companies across the U.S., three rose to the top of our 2025 recommendations: Allied Van Lines, Colonial Van Lines, and American 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."
- American Van Lines is one of our best moving companies because it has 30 years of experience, fully vets all drivers and movers with background checks, and offers affordable, flat-rate pricing.
- Mayzlin Relocation is one of the newer interstate moving companies. It offers a low deposit, competitive prices, and lots of chances to get a discount on your move.
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