7 Best Flat-Rate Moving Companies
Here’s the short answer: Flat-rate moving companies provide upfront pricing estimates that won’t change unless you add additional services or items. Based on our research, Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, and International Van Lines are the best flat-rate movers.
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Flat-rate moving companies are ideal if you prefer predictable costs and want to avoid the potential hidden fees associated with hourly rates.
Our favorite flat-rate moving companies include some of our top picks for the best long distance moving companies as well as the best moving container companies.
Why should you trust us? At moveBuddha, we’ve evaluated 4,400 local and national moving companies and 2,400 car shippers to help you find the best moving solutions for you. That includes how to find the best flat-rate moving company for you.
The 7 best flat-rate moving companies
We’ve diligently researched, combed customer reviews, and pulled the best flat-rate moving companies so you can choose the right professional movers for your needs.
- Best quote process: Safeway Moving
- Best discounts: American Van Lines
- Best insurance coverage: International Van Lines
- Most experienced: AirVan North American Van Lines
- Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services
- Best for larger container moves: U-Pack
- Best for bulk items: PODS
Comparing the best flat-fee movers
Compare the best flat-rate movers to find the best fit for your moving needs, and use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates from multiple flat-rate moving companies.
| Company | Best for | Rating | State availability | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safeway Moving | Quote process | 4.85/5 | 50 | 2018 |
| American Van Lines | Discounts | 4.5/5 | 48 (excluding HI and AL) | 1995 |
| International Van Lines | Insurance coverage | 4.45/5 | 50 | 2000 |
| AirVan North American Van Lines | Experienced movers | 4.5/5 | 50 | 1960 |
| JK Moving Services | High-end moves | 4.6/5 | 50 (local moves limited to MD, VA, and Washington, D.C.) | 1979 |
| U-PACK | Larger container moves | 5/5 | 50 (plus Canada and Puerto Rico) | 1997 |
| PODS | Bulk items | 4.8/5 | 46 (including Washington, D.C., excluding AL, MT, DN, WV, WY) | 1998 |
Our reviews of the best flat-rate moving companies
Dive into our best flat-rate moving companies to start your journey to a successful move.
Best quote process: Safeway Moving
rating
4.85 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
Safeway Moving may be newer to the moving industry than some of the veterans on this list, but it’s one of the best moving companies, with highly competitive pricing and a compelling suite of services. We like that Safeway price matches quotes for the same services from competitors.
Safeway is a full-service moving company offering long-distance moves, crating for specialty items, loading and unloading, packing and unpacking services, and professional transport of your household goods.
You can keep your items in a storage unit for up to 30 days for free if you aren’t moving into your new home right away.
While its triple-check verification process ensures you’ll receive an accurate quote, you’ll have to speak to an actual representative to receive your estimate. The company lost points for not offering online quotes, which is a slight inconvenience.
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
Pros and cons
- Triple-check verification process to ensure accurate quotes
- Guaranteed price match
- Includes packing and storage services for all moves
- Doesn’t provide local moving services
- Doesn’t offer online tracking
Read our full Safeway Moving review
Best discounts: American Van Lines
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
American Van Lines (AVL) provides local and long-distance moves in the contiguous United States. The company has nearly 30 years of experience servicing local, long-distance, international, military, and commercial moving needs.
We love that AVL’s employees are trained in-house to provide exemplary service, so you can trust them to handle your fine art, antiques, and treasured household goods.
Even with its far reach, the company remains family-owned and prioritizes a personalized customer experience, but that limits its customer service to business hours.
Because they only offer binding estimates, you can feel confident that their quote rate will be exactly what they say on moving day. American Van Lines also offers moving discounts for military members and senior citizens.
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Pros and cons
- Offers price matching
- Professional movers and uniformed drivers trained to in-house standards
- Offers binding estimates only
- Requires 50% credit card deposit
- Doesn’t offer 24/7 customer service or online quotes
Read our full American Van Lines review
Best insurance coverage: International Van Lines
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
International Van Lines (IVL) is among our favorite interstate moving companies. Like AVL, its full-time workers are trained to uphold a standard of excellence that instills confidence.
You can submit an itemized valued inventory list of all your household goods and replacement value, which can be helpful if any of your belongings are damaged in transit.
While it provides local, long-distance, and international moving services, IVL doesn’t maintain physical locations in many areas, so it can feel impersonal compared to local movers.
However, IVL’s vast network of movers allows it to service most local moves with only a 48-hour lead time, and you get access to a dedicated moving coordinator for the entire moving process.
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
Pros and cons
- Employs full-time workers, not just contractors
- Cancellation policy allows full refund up to 48 hours before move
- Offers itemized valued inventory for full replacement value
- Donates portion of proceeds to environmental charities
- Doesn’t offer price matching
- Limited branch availability despite serving all 50 states
Read our full International Van Lines review
Most experienced: AirVan North American Van Lines
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
AirVan North American Van Lines has more years of experience than any company on the list. Its deep legacy in the industry has helped it stand out in a few ways.
It offers the typical local and long-distance moving services, and you can utilize its auto transport services. Once your items are in their movers’ hands, you can use satellite tracking through the WorldTrac system to keep an eye on your items and plan for delivery.
We like that the company uses an interactive driving simulator to train drivers to anticipate potential issues and delays.
However, AirVan North American Van Lines is operated independently by agents across the country, so the quality of service can vary by location.
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- Satellite tracking for all shipments
- Can add packing and moving supplies to estimate
- Drivers trained through interactive simulator
- Limited storage options
- Tedious claims process, according to customer reviews
Read our full AirVan North American Van Lines review
Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services
rating
4.6 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
JK Moving Services is a high-end moving company with a significant price tag to match, but it’s our opinion that you get what you pay for.
JK Moving Services helps minimize some of the moving costs by offering low-interest financing options through its partner, Enhancify. International Van Lines is one of the only other competitors to offer this option.
JK Moving ensures accurate pricing with various types of estimates. When we gathered quotes, we found out that you can use the self-survey option through the company’s AI-supported mobile app, schedule an in-home consultation, or request a virtual estimate.
Leading up to your move, JK’s customer service representatives will contact you, prioritizing proactive communication and reducing waste.
- White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
- Guaranteed pickup & delivery
- $250 deposit for interstate moves
- Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
- Financing available
Pros and cons
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Offers low-interest financing options
- AI-assisted mobile app with tips and self-survey quote options
- Local moves limited to Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
- High pricing compared to many competitors
Read our full JK Moving Services review
Best for larger container moves: U-Pack
rating
5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
U-Pack offers a large suite of container sizes and a 28-foot freight trailer, which is larger than the typical 26-foot box trucks provided by similar companies. U-Pack’s main freight trailer option is 28 feet, which is larger than the typical 26-foot moving trucks provided by similar companies.
Customers can conveniently request quotes online, and the service will default to the lowest-priced option that meets all their needs. While it’s not a full-service moving company, you can enlist help with loading and unloading during the quote process.
Once you finalize your quote, it’s binding and includes all applicable taxes and fees, which not all companies display transparently.
It also includes a ramp for loading and unloading, load locks, and bulkheads (for freight trailers), and professional drivers will handle the delivery of your ReloCube or freight trailer.
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Pros and cons
- Instant quote options
- Freight transport options
- Pay for only the space you need when you use a freight trailer
- Only services long-distance moves
- Rigid cancellation policy
- Can be difficult to load and park
Read our full U-Pack review
Best for bulk items: PODS
rating
4.8 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
PODS is another moving container option, but it stands out for its affordability and flexibility. It can accommodate container reservations with 30 days’ notice, and you can easily change or update your reservation anytime.
When you book with PODS, you’re paying for storage container rental only, which means the number of items you have and their weight won’t be a factor in your total cost.
For this reason, it’s an excellent option if you have a lot of specialty equipment, large furniture, or a large volume of boxes.
The main drawback we found with PODS is its lack of nationwide availability. You can determine whether PODS is available in your area when you request a quote.
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Pros and cons
- Several container size options
- Money-back cancellation policy
- Can add services mid-move and at the last minute
- Doesn’t have nationwide availability
- Long-distance moves can’t use all container sizes
Read our full PODS review
What to look for in a flat-rate mover
While shopping for a flat-rate mover, you should keep a few things in mind.
Binding estimates
A binding estimate is a free quote that remains fixed regardless of what happens on your moving day. There are only a few things that can change a binding estimate.
Your binding estimate may change if you add additional services, such as packing or unpacking specialty or fragile items. It may also change if your inventory is incomplete and the movers end up moving more items than intended.
Licenses and insurance
All interstate moving companies must uphold legal licensing and insurance requirements. Reputable moving companies will have a USDOT number proving they comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
It’s also a good signal if a flat-fee mover offers additional insurance coverage options as part of its services.
Reviews and reputation
The best interstate moving companies have customer reviews to support their advertising claims. Look up all the moving companies you consider working with on reputable review aggregators such as Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and Trustpilot.
Ask your friends and family for referrals, and check out our moving experiences from the Better Moves Project to get a better idea of the companies real people love. Providers with many years of experience should have a well-established online presence and a history of good feedback.
Compare the most reputable moving companies
Factors that affect flat-fee movers’ cost
Several factors impact the total cost of your move. Understanding how flat-fee moving works can give you peace of mind when you build your budget.
- Distance traveled: International and cross-country moves will always cost more than local moves. Flat-fee moving companies will consider the distance between your origin and destination location when providing a moving quote.
- Required services: If you require packing supplies, storage services, or you have specialty items, your moving costs may be higher than a lower-demand move.
- Total weight of your household goods: If you have many bulk items, such as appliances or large furniture, you’ll pay more than someone with a few light boxes. Shop around because moving companies may estimate the weight of your items differently.
- Size of your home: Movers should estimate the amount of work required to complete the project. Having a multiple-bedroom home, lots of stairs, or difficult parking situations will likely require additional labor.
Use our moving cost calculator to better understand your moving costs so you don’t go into the moving process blind.
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Flat-fee movers FAQs
What is a flat-fee mover?
A flat-fee mover includes mileage, tolls, and fuel charges in its estimated moving costs. Flat-rate movers usually conduct a thorough in-home estimate to calculate the number of boxes, total weight of your household goods, and any extra packing services, such as crating and furniture disassembly, you may need.
Other moving companies may charge an hourly rate, which carries the risk of increasing your estimate if your movers exceed the estimated time. Hourly rates are often advertised as comparatively low for the moving industry, but you may get caught with hidden fees at the last minute.
Is hourly moving or flat-rate moving cheaper?
Hourly moving can be cheaper than flat-rate moving for simple and local moves, but ultimately, you won’t know your moving costs until your belongings make it to your new home.
Flat-rate pricing can be a better option for long-distance relocations or any moves requiring additional services because your moving quote will include everything upfront. We recommend requesting at least three quotes from the best flat-rate moving companies before beginning the moving process.
Can a flat-rate mover still charge hidden fees?
Some flat-rate movers are more honest than others, so it’s important to ask questions about any additional fees you might expect during the moving process. It can also depend on the type of estimate you select.
For example, a non-binding estimate is subject to change, whereas a binding estimate will remain fixed through your moving date. Avoid hidden fees by reading customer reviews and handling packing independently.
Methodology
We've been evaluating moving companies for over 10 years and have developed a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies.
We Look At:
Customer satisfaction (40%):
The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%):
Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%):
The company is well regarded within the moving industry as well as participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (10%):
The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%):
We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, expedited delivery and more.
National availability (5%):
The company offers origin and destination services across the country.
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