Best long-distance moving companies

Small, local moving companies are great when you need to move across town or within the same state, but they aren't always equipped for long, interstate and cross-country moves. That's where national moving companies can help, but choosing the right one for a multi-state, long-distance move can also be tricky — especially given the amount of mixed online reviews. The Yahoo Local team aimed to make the process easier, using our proprietary system to evaluate and objectively rank the top six national movers. Whether you're moving to a neighboring state, to a nearby town or across the country, our list has a national moving company for you.

Quick overview

The right long-distance moving company for YOU

When you're trying to find the best national, long-distance moving company, one of the most important things you can do is understand the difference between brokers and agent networks . Moving company brokers don't do any of the moving themselves, but essentially operate as sales reps that connect you with independent moving companies who bid on your job. National moving companies with agent networks, like Mayflower or United Van Lines, contract with local movers all over the country that act as agents operating under their brand name.

With agent networks, the national moving company is responsible for everything involved in your move from start to finish. That isn't the case with brokers, which means you may encounter more issues that could be harder to resolve. Then there are franchises, like one of our picks, College Hunks , which are similar to agent networks with independent locations that operate under the parent company umbrella.

Note that none of our top picks are exclusively brokers , though International Van Lines is a carrier that maintains broker authorization in case it can't service your location itself. Bekins Van Lines and Allied Van Lines both have an agent network and operate their own fleets; The others solely operate their own fleets.

For long-distance moving companies that operate as a franchise or agent network, it's best to look into reviews for your local location, rather than the company as a whole. One agent or franchise in a city nearby may have an excellent reputation, while the one in your city is rated poorly. When reaching out to companies, ask them which locations will handle your move so you can research their reputations before signing anything. We're comfortable recommending Bekins, which, again, is an agent, because we collected sample reviews and ratings from a variety of its locations and averaged them out to represent an average customer experience.

Our pick for the best overall national moving company, BLVD Moving , isn't an agent or a broker, and it operates its own fleet of trucks. While it's based in California with four locations, it takes on moves nationwide in every U.S. state. It is Better Business Bureau (BBB)-accredited with a B rating and has a solid 4.4-star rating on Google (1,314 reviews), though its mixed 2.4-star Yelp rating (393 reviews) is worth noting. With a crew that has decades of experience, the BLVD Moving team has the expertise to make your cross-country move a smooth one.

Best long-distance moving companies

BLVD Moving is the bestoverall long-distance mover

BLVD Moving is run by folks with decades of experience in the moving industry. While it only has four California locations, it offers local and long-distance moving services all over the U.S. It's a family-owned, independent company with its own fleet of trucks and movers, though its terms and conditions state that it may use subcontractors or agents for some moves. Typically, this is done in the moving industry to meet increased demand, but it's worth noting.

We contacted BLVD Moving for a quote on a 500-mile move with roughly 1,340 cubic feet of belongings — about what you'd expect for a basic three-bedroom home move without large appliances. The company estimated the move would cost about $6,700, which is similar to other long-distance movers. It requires a 33% deposit upon signing, with 50% of the remaining balance due upon pickup. The rest of the balance is due upon delivery.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Residential, office and commercial moves

• Packing services

• Storage

• Financing

If you need to cancel your move, BLVD Moving allows you to do so and receive a refund on your deposit if you cancel at least two full business days before your scheduled pickup. BLVD provides a delivery window of between two and 21 business days based on the distance of your move. The delivery window starts from the preferred delivery date you provide, so you may have to wait a little over a month once you're ready to receive your shipment.

The company recommends booking your move at least a month in advance, though you might want to do so earlier during busy times like summer months and the start and end of each month. (Read our detailed guide to the best and worst times to move for additional information.) The quote process is relatively easy, with the ability to get virtual estimates or fill out an online inventory sheet to receive a quicker estimate. BLVD also offers financing with interest as low as 0% for those who qualify.

BLVD Moving is accredited by the BBB and has a B rating with 99 registered complaints. That number of complaints looks high, but it's not uncommon among national movers. It also has a 4.4-star rating on Google (1,314 reviews) and 2.4 stars on Yelp (393 reviews). All of its movers are full-time employees who undergo background checks.

The BLVD Moving headquarters is located at 21622 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, Calif. 91311. The company is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time every day of the week. You can call BLVD Moving at 844-274-0500 or visit its website to request an estimate.

Read Yahoo Local's full review of BLVD for even more details.

College Hunks is our top alternative long-distance mover

With more than 200 locations in 39 states (and one in Alberta, Canada), College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving has a huge reach and is a franchise mover. The company was founded in 2005, giving it more than 20 years of experience in the moving industry. However, it isn't limited to just moving — it offers the widest range of additional services of any company on this list.

Exact pricing for College Hunks varies depending on the policies and rates of your local franchise, which makes it hard to pin down a rough ballpark that applies across the board. However, the general approach the company takes is to use a flat-rate truck and travel fee for interstate moves (around $6,000 for our 500-mile example move in the Midwest), with hourly rates applied for loading and unloading. It also requires a deposit equal to 10% of the overall estimate. Cancellation policies depend on your local franchise.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Packing services

• Labor-only services

• Donation pickups

• Junk removal

• Storage

• Home staging

An important thing to note is that College Hunks has franchise locations in only 39 states, so it may be unavailable as an option depending on where you live. You can find a full list of locations at the College Hunks website for more information. Transit times also depend on how far your move is, though they'll typically head straight to your destination without having to shuffle loads like some of the larger van lines do. Your move coordinator should be able to provide concrete details as you plan your move.

Beyond moving, College Hunks offers junk removal services (and is one of our best U.S. junk removers ), donation pickups and several labor-only services that you might not find at other national moving companies. This makes the company a great choice if you're downsizing or have a lot of stuff to get rid of during your move.

College Hunks is a franchise, so some of its locations around the country are BBB-accredited, but most aren't because it's up to each location to decide if it wants to go for accreditation. However, you can find a list of accredited locations at the BBB . Likewise, each location has its own ratings on Google, Yelp and other review websites, so it's best to look into your specific location. College Hunks movers undergo a background check before they're hired.

College Hunks has locations all over the U.S., but its headquarters is at 4411 W. Tampa Bay Boulevard, Tampa, Fla., 33614. Its hours are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. You can call the company at 833-626-1326 or visit its website to request an estimate.

If you're considering College Hunks and want more details, read our detailed College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving review .

Bekins Van Lines is best for long-distance moves with seniors

While most of the other companies on this list measure their lifespan in decades, Bekins Van Lines has been around since 1891. When you're dealing with a company that has more than 134 years under its belt, you know it has the experience to make your move a smooth one. With an agent network of more than 350 affiliated moving companies across the country, it also takes on local and long-distance moves no matter where you're located in the U.S.

Pricing for a 500-mile three-bedroom home move with Bekins lands near $7,000, which is slightly higher than other national movers on this list. However, the one big thing Bekins has going for it is that you won’t need to pay a deposit fee to schedule your move. You can cancel your move within three days of signing your contract without worry, but doing so after can incur a penalty charge.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• Packing services

• Storage

• Specialty item moves

• Commercial and corporate moves

• Senior moves

• Moving supplies

• Financing

Bekins says you should aim to book your move one or two months in advance to get your preferred moving date. Transit time can vary depending on the agent you work with and the distance traveled, but move coordinators aim to provide delivery windows of several days, aiming for your preferred delivery date. Your truck driver will give you 24 hours' notice before delivery so you can prepare.

One of the major areas Bekins stands out above the rest of the companies on this list is its specialized senior moving services. Moving with aging loved ones can be challenging, so it's important to find a mover with senior-focused experience and expertise . The company says many of its agents are "Bekins Silver Certified," which means they've undergone specific training for moving elderly people.

Bekins Van Lines' headquarters is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and has 13 registered complaints. While a high number of complaints is typical for national moving companies, it's worth noting that Bekins has the lowest number among companies on this list. It has a 4.8-star rating on Google (1,172 reviews) and 2.4 stars on Yelp (90 reviews). All Bekins movers are background checked and undergo specialized training.

The Bekins Van Lines headquarters is located at 8010 Castleton Road, Indianapolis, Ind., 46250. It's open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time Monday through Friday and closed on weekends. You can call 866-703-5014 or visit its website to request an estimate.

For more details about the company, check out Yahoo Local's in-depth Bekins Van Lines review .

Allied Van Lines is the best long-distance mover for vehicle shipping

Allied Van Lines was founded in 1928, boasting nearly 95 years of experience in the moving industry and specialized delivery industries. It’s worth noting that the company is actually owned by Sirva , a global relocation company. Allied is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, but has locations in 45 countries around the world, with a network of more than 300 local agents within North America. It owns and operates its own fleet of more than 3,500 long-haul vehicles and employs around 4,200 drivers, claiming to move over 50,000 families each year .

Getting an accurate quote with Allied can require a lot of effort on your part. Because every office is franchised, a representative will need to help you pin down the closest location in your area. If there aren’t any franchise locations nearby, then your move could be subcontracted to a partner mover within their agent network. From there, you’ll be asked to schedule an in-person (or virtual) evaluation of your home, where a representative will visit and take note of the volume of items you have to be moved. The process of actually getting a quote can take a while, so it’s best to reach out as soon as possible.

Thankfully, we were at least able to receive a very rough ballpark estimate over the phone, with our 500-mile move likely costing around $7,000 or more. Your move is priced based on the total weight of the shipment, distance traveled and the time of year your move is taking place. Unlike many other movers, Allied doesn’t charge a deposit fee or require any sort of down payment to book your move. Payments can be made with cash, card, certified check or money order.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moving

• International moving

• Military moves

• Storage

• Moving containers

• Vehicle shipping and transport

Allied recommends scheduling your move at least four weeks in advance. However, if you plan on moving during the busier season (between May and September), they recommend calling even further in advance. After your belongings are shipped, a customer service representative will be assigned to your order, providing you with updates on the delivery window. You’ll also be provided with real-time, 24/7 tracking services to see where your belongings are and if there are any delays. Additionally, the driver will contact you 24 hours prior to delivery.

There are two major things that set Allied apart from the rest. Firstly, it provides shipping services for cars, boats and other motorized vehicles. Shipments generally take between three to seven business days . If Allied is late on the delivery, they’ll provide you with a free rental car until your vehicle arrives at its destination. Similar to Pods and U-Pack, Allied also offers its own moving container services . A portable storage container will be shipped to your current home, loaded up by a team of two or four movers and then shipped to your destination.

Allied Van Lines is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and 67 filed complaints. Each location has its own set of reviews on Google, so there’s no definitive, overarching Google Reviews rating for the company. However, it does have a 1.8-star rating on Yelp (486 reviews), which, while low, is relatively common for national movers. All of Allied’s movers undergo special training and background checks before heading out on their first job.

Because it’s a franchise, you’ll find Allied Van Lines locations all over the nation, but it’s headquartered at One Parkview Plaza, Suite 400, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., 6018, with a PO box at 988 Fort Wayne, Ind., 46801. Customer service representatives are available 24/7. To get the quote process started, you can call 800‑689‑8684 or visit its website .

International Van Lines is the best long-distance mover with GPS

International Van Lines launched in 2000, initially operating as an international moving company, as its name suggests. The company started taking on domestic moves in 2007, and it has quickly grown to handle more than 20,000 moves each year. It now offers local and long-distance moves across all 50 states and can coordinate international moves to more than 140 countries.

The company is among the cheaper options on this list, with rough ballpark pricing landing around $6,000 for a typical three-bedroom home move across a distance of 500 miles. Again, exact pricing will vary depending on the weight of your shipment and the space it takes up in the truck. This mover requires a 25% deposit to lock in your move date, and it's refundable as long as you cancel with at least 48 hours' notice.

Services offered

• Local and long-distance moves

• International moves

• Auto transport

• Packing services

• Storage

• Corporate moves

• GPS truck tracking

The transit times for International Van Lines generally range from three to 17 business days, depending on the locations involved in your move. It notes that every move is different, however, so you could experience delays depending on everything from the total distance of your move to the company's availability. Your move coordinator will be able to provide concrete details based on your preferred moving dates.

One thing that sets International Van Lines apart from most companies on this list is that it provides real-time tracking on its fleet of trucks. You can keep an eye on exactly where your shipment is at any given moment, providing some peace of mind during an otherwise stressful time.

International Van Lines' headquarters is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and has 135 registered complaints. It also has a 4.3-star rating on Google (1,221 reviews), but its Yelp rating is quite a bit lower at 1.6 stars (631 reviews). Each crew member undergoes a thorough background check and additional training. The company says it may broker your move to a third-party company in its network if it can't service your location at the time of your move, but it aims to hold them to the same standards as its own crews.

The International Van Lines headquarters is located at 3957 NW 126th Avenue, Coral Springs, Fla., 33065. It's open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday. You can call 855-223-0047 or visit its website to request an estimate.

Our full International Val Lines review further breaks down the company's pros and cons.

Colonial Van Lines is another great option for a long-distance mover

Colonial Van Lines has been in business since 2003 and has quickly grown to include a fleet of more than 90 trucks and 45 independent agents around the U.S. The company says it handles more than 12,000 moves each year, giving it a ton of experience handling interstate moves of all sizes. It also runs an on-site training facility for its staff that mimics a fully-staged home so they can practice before jumping into the real work.

For a 500-mile typical three-bedroom home move, you'll pay around $6,300, though expect costs to increase by another $1,000 to $2,000 if you opt for packing services. As with the other movers on this list, your exact cost highly depends on the weight and volume of your belongings, so take the numbers here as a rough idea of costs. Colonial Van Lines charges up to a 30% deposit to lock in your moving dates. You can get a full refund of your deposit if you cancel at least five days before your move.

Services offered

• Long-distance moves

• Packing services

• Storage

• Commercial and corporate moves

The company estimates transit time to take between seven and 14 days, largely depending on the overall distance of your move. Several of the negative reviews we found for Colonial mention delivery delays, so that's worth keeping in mind as you decide what to pack in the Colonial truck. Outside of its Florida and New Jersey locations, Colonial works with a network of independent agents to handle moves across the contiguous U.S.

Colonial Van Lines isn't BBB-accredited , but it has an A+ rating and 159 registered complaints. It has a 3.3-star rating on Google (3,393 reviews) and 2.3 stars on Yelp (1,360 reviews). Whether your movers undergo a background check depends on the agent Colonial assigns your move to, so that's worth asking about when scheduling a move.

The Colonial Van Lines home office is located at 1441 SW 29th Avenue, Pompano Beach, Fla., 33069. It's open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and is closed on Sunday. You can call 800-356-1855 or visit its website to request an estimate.

We published an in-depth evaluation of Colonial Van Lines , which you can read for more details.

You can count on Yahoo Local moving advice, and this is why

We have decades of experience providing trustworthy information on all kinds of businesses at Yahoo. And we put in the work to show you why you should trust us instead of just telling you. Our proprietary rankings system, for example, incorporates reviews from multiple established sources of user ratings and weights them to deliver what we believe is the most authoritative local business ranking system. We provide details on what goes into our rankings so you can decide on trustworthiness, which are listed below. Unlike some competitors, Yahoo Local never takes payment for inclusion or placement, and our independent picks aren't "sponsored" or otherwise influenced by external parties. Want more details? Visit our full methodology page .

• 16 movers evaluated

• 208,651 customer reviews and ratings from four sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all six featured long-distance movers

• Independent price quotes sought from all five featured national moving companies

• Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

• Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

National moving company FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate?

What kind of information you need to get an estimate really depends on the mover. Long-distance moves with national moving companies are priced by weight and volume instead of the hourly rates you'd see from local moving companies for a nearby move. All national movers will begin by asking for an inventory of what you plan to move, which they use to calculate the weight of your shipment and how much space it will occupy in the truck (usually measured in cubic feet). Be prepared to list all of the furniture, lamps, appliances and number of boxes you plan to move for the most accurate estimate.

Beyond your inventory, be ready to provide the addresses for both sides of your move to help the company calculate its distance. If you haven't found a home or apartment in your new city yet, most companies should be able to work off of zip codes instead. For the most accurate estimate, let the company know if you also need packing and storage services, as both will add to the total.

What's the difference between a moving broker and a moving company with agents?

Companies that operate solely as moving brokers don't do any of the moving themselves and don't own a fleet of trucks. Instead, they're more akin to sales reps who connect you with a moving company that can meet your needs for a finder's fee. Hiring a mover through a broker typically comes with more risks due to potential scams, communication issues and the possibility of the broker connecting you with an unreliable mover.

In contrast, moving companies that use a network of agents have contracts with local movers around the country that operate under their branding. When you hire movers through an agent network, the national company is still responsible for everything involved with your move, giving you one place to seek recourse for any issues. It also streamlines the estimate and process, and makes it easier to coordinate different services.

For more, check out our guide to moving brokers , which goes over everything you need to know in more detail.

Why are national moving company review ratings so mixed?

National moving companies can conduct potentially tens of thousands of moves every year, so there's a much larger opportunity for things to go wrong. Long-distance moves pose more hazards to belongings due to the time they're on the road, as well, leading to damaged items. Billing disputes are also quite common among the reviews and BBB complaints for national moving companies.

Some companies contract with independent movers around the country or operate as a franchise, so there can be a big difference in the quality of work between different locations. If you're concerned about the negative reviews for national moving companies, be thorough in questioning each company you speak with and trust your gut if you don't get satisfactory answers. It's wise to keep an eye out for common moving scams so you can avoid them. Also, consider going with a local moving company that provides interstate moves, as they may offer a more personalized touch to get positive word-of-mouth advertising.

What questions should you ask a national moving company?

When you're reaching out to national moving companies, you can get a better feel for whether they're right for your move by asking certain questions . Consider asking the following questions.

• Do you have your own team of movers, or do you contract with other companies?

  • (If they contract with third-party companies) Can you tell me which companies will handle my move?

• Do you background check your movers?

• How long is the delivery window for my belongings?

• Do you offer shipment tracking (GPS, etc.)?

• Do you require a deposit, and is it refundable if I cancel?

• How far in advance should I schedule my move?

• Are there any discounts I can take advantage of?

If you're obtaining multiple quotes from different companies (which you should), don't be afraid to ask if they'll match or beat a quote from a competitor. This can be a good way to play companies against one another and ultimately get a cheaper price. Just make sure the discounted cost is reflected in any contracts you sign beforehand.

Do national moving companies do local moves?

Many national moving companies can do local moves, but some, like Colonial Van Lines, focus solely on interstate moves. In most cases, local and regional moves may be better in the hands of a reputable local moving company. However, every move is different, and it's best to compare reviews for local moves among national and local moving companies before making a decision.

Should you hire a national or local moving company for long-distance moves?

One of the benefits of hiring a national moving company is that they do cross-country and regional moves at scale, so their crews are very familiar with common issues and can work around them. They're also more likely to have better availability than local movers that offer interstate moves. However, the prevalence of negative reviews for nearly every national mover shows that they're far from perfect.

Going with a highly-rated local moving company can provide you with more personalized service than the big guys, and they're likely to be more careful with your belongings if it's a mom-and-pop shop reliant on word-of-mouth recommendations in their communities. It's also possible that a stellar local mover near you is already an agent for one of the bigger national moving chains.

Read our detailed comparison of the best national movers vs. the top local movers for more information.

How much should you tip movers?

You never have to tip movers, but it's a good way to show your appreciation if they go above and beyond your expectations. Generally, it's recommended to tip between 10% and 20% of the total moving cost if you're going to leave one. You can split this between your moving crew yourself, though some companies may have a line for it on your final bill. For more tips, read through our guide to tipping movers , which offers more details on how and when to tip your crew.

More Yahoo Local-approved U.S. movers

Best California movers

Bakersfield / Fremont / Fresno / Irvine / Los Angeles / Sacramento / San Diego / San Francisco / San Jose / Santa Rosa

Best Florida movers

Boca Raton / Fort Lauderdale / Fort Myers / Gainesville / Jacksonville / Melbourne / Miami / Naples / Ocala / Orlando / Sarasota / St. Petersburg / Tallahassee / Tampa / West Palm Beach

Best New York movers

Albany / Binghamton / The Bronx / Brooklyn / Buffalo / Clifton Park / Hamburg / Ithaca / Kingston / Manhattan / New Rochelle / Poughkeepsie / Queens / Rochester / Syracuse

Best Texas movers

Arlington / Austin / Dallas / Denton / El Paso / Fort Worth / Houston / Round Rock / San Antonio / The Woodlands

• Best national moving companies in the U.S.

• See all Yahoo Local moving