Best Interstate Movers of 2024

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Our mission at moveBuddha is to make moving easier, and we use our firsthand knowledge of the industry to simplify and streamline what can often be a stressful process.

Since moveBuddha’s foundation in 2015, our team has talked to thousands of consumers and analyzed 4,400 moving companies across the U.S. We’ve collected detailed moving experiences through our Better Moves project, and we routinely dig deep into online consumer reviews to identify the most common complaints and compliments companies receive.

We created our own system for analyzing and rating moving companies on important factors like cost, services, availability, and customer satisfaction. Our experienced editorial team fully fact-checks all content to ensure it is accurate, informative, and up-to-date.

More about Safeway Moving

Pros & Cons

Services

• Interstate moves
• Long-distance & cross-country moves
• International moves
• Packing & unpacking
• Customized crates for art & electronics
• Long-term & climate-controlled storage
• 30 days’ free storage on long-distance moves
• Condo & HOA association moves (meets insurance requirements)
• 24/7 customer service

Cost

Here’s a quick snapshot of Safeway’s pricing for interstate moves based on different sizes and distances, based on cost data from our Better Moves project:

Availability

Safeway Moving provides interstate moves in all 50 states.

Customer feedback

Safeway Moving is highly rated overall with our readers and on consumer feedback sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Yelp. Many customers praise Safeway for its proficient service and fair pricing, as well as their friendly customer support team.

Negative reviews frequently cite damaged or broken items. Keep in mind that Safeway, like most national moving companies, relies on local partners across the U.S. to handle moves outside their scope, so your experience may vary depending on location.

Here’s what Safeway customers had to say:

“Safeway had top-notch drivers and moving teams. I didn’t realize I needed a parking permit for delivery, which caused some issues, but Safeway worked with me every step of the way. Their team was so professional that I would definitely use them again.” – Christian, Better Moves participant

“They gave me a quote in 15 minutes (which was entirely accurate), confirmed everything with an online profile, and the portal sent repeated reminders and confirmations of my move…. [The movers] were incredibly polite and extremely efficient. They broke down our furniture, shrink wrapped, and padded everything, then rebuilt it at the new place. Nothing was damaged, and the move was totally frustration-free!” — Bailey M., BBB

“I was given misinformation about the whereabouts of my possessions and my calls went unanswered for days…. To make matters even worse, my dishes, planters, glassware, picture frames, paintings, and expensive furniture all arrived damaged. Family heirlooms were destroyed and their [insurance] compensation to me was [only] $100.” — Jennifer V., Yelp

More about Mayzlin Relocation

Pros & cons

Services

• Interstate moves
• Long-distance moves
• Military moves
• Corporate moves
• Packing & unpacking
• Professional moving consultant
• Climate-controlled storage with 24/7 protection

Cost

Here are some general price ranges from Mayzlin Relocation for basic interstate moving packages:

Availability

Mayzlin Relocation is available in all 50 states.

Customer feedback

Mayzlin Relocation has an A rating with the BBB and a nearly four-star status based on its Google reviews, but customer feedback is a little more mixed on sites like Yelp. People like Mayzlin’s strong customer service and good communication throughout the moving process. But others say their experience was less than satisfactory due to delivery delays and damage to household goods.

Here’s what Mayzlin customers had to say:

“I would recommend Mayzlin because the communication and customer service were excellent and the movers were courteous, communicative, and efficient. Overall, I was pleased with the service I received on my cross-country move. Grandma’s china and my extensive porcelain figurines collection all arrived just fine, thankfully!” — Elizabeth”, Better Moves participant

“Overall, the experience was a mixed bag. The price was fair, however, I was given a three to 14-day estimate on drop-off in my new location. It ended up taking 20 days…. I wouldn’t be too upset about the extra week if there was more communication in between…. The pickup crew was very friendly and I thought they did a good job overall, but that was before realizing the person who took apart my L-shaped desk did not properly take it apart and, as a result, it snapped during transit, rendering it a total loss.” — Justin R., Google reviews

“[They] were an absolute lifesaver when it came time for me to use a moving company for the first time. Right from the start, they were reasonable, honest, and forthright with the pricing. They were also really fast to reply to my messages. They were also really kind and worried about the safety of the belongings during the move. I will definitely use their services again when the time comes for me to relocate.”Timothy A., BBB

More about JK Moving

Pros & cons

Services

• Interstate moves
• Long-distance moves
• International relocations
• Commercial moving & storage
• Furniture disassembly & reassembly
• Full-service packing & unpacking
• Packing & unpacking
• Professional moving consultant
• Secure storage solutions
• Third-party financing
• Vehicle transport

Cost

JK Moving Services provides binding and not-to-exceed estimates, which help ensure you won’t be hit for extra charges on moving day. The company’s pricing can be significantly higher than other full-service movers. Although moving costs vary, here is a look at what you could expect to pay:

Availability

JK Moving can handle out-of-state moves in all 50 states.

Customer feedback

Our readers say JK Moving provides top-notch service well worth the price, and they appreciate the company’s attention to detail. JK has an excellent rating on Google and with the BBB, even if reviews are a little more mixed on the latter site. Positive reviews mention JK Moving’s efficiency and communication. But some customers (who did not opt for fixed-rate quotes) complain about final costs far exceeding their original estimates, and others note damage to furniture during loading and unloading.

Here’s what JK Moving customers had to say:

“JK actually quoted me less than I expected for such a big move, which was a nice surprise. They were incredibly communicative and let me know of any changes. They handled my belongings with care, and I would happily work with them again.” — Jose, Better Moves participant

“The week leading up to the move, my coordinator easily called me five times to communicate the needs of the movers and for any questions I had. Easily the best part for me! The next best thing was the movers. They were incredibly thorough in their packing of my furniture and ensuring that all pieces were appropriately wrapped to reduce damage. The movers were also very professional and easy to talk to, which I greatly appreciated. Overall I had a great moving experience. The only thing that kept me from giving a 5/5 was the cost of the move and a few hidden costs I wasn’t aware of.” — Aaron A., Google reviews

“I was quoted $4,955 for a move from a two-bedroom apartment. They do a good job moving stuff and don’t break anything, but my final total came out to $6,414, which is nearly $1,500 (30%) higher than the quote I received! I realize that it is an estimate, but to be off by 30% is totally unacceptable.” — John K. , BBB

More about American Van Lines

Pros & cons

Services

• Interstate moves
• Long-distance moves
• Corporate relocations
• Military moves
• Antique & piano moving
• Packing & unpacking
• Professional moving consultant
• Packing materials
• Private, climate-controlled storage options

Cost

Your costs will depend on how far you’re moving, how much stuff you have, and whether you purchase any add-on services. Here is what some of our readers paid for their moves with American Van Lines:

Availability

American Van Lines provides serves in the continental U.S. (not available in Alaska or Hawaii).

Customer feedback

American Van Lines maintains above-average ratings (four stars or higher) across customer review sites, including the BBB, which gives American an A overall. The company has received a significant number of complaints through the BBB over the last several years, but it’s important to note they have addressed and resolved all of those customer issues.

People like American Van Lines for moving crews’ professional and careful handling of belongings, and many online reviews note the company’s solid customer service. But other customers aren’t as happy with that service, and some negative reviews cite communication issues and unexpected price hikes.

Here’s American Van Lines customers had to say:

“I would recommend working with American Van Lines because of their excellent communication, professionalism, and timeliness. While I ended up paying quite a bit above my estimate, this is because I had to estimate what was in my storage unit over the phone, when I hadn’t seen the items in over two years.” – Kathy, Better Moves participant

“I liked the driver and his helper. For the most part the company did well, I was disappointed that I could not get calls responded to. There was not much energy to return calls or they were returned a good while after. It was my first time moving across country and needed more info to feel more at ease. At the end of the day, my stuff was picked up. I didn’t realize how big the truck was, but they delivered in an amazing amount of time. They dropped it off and it all went well.” — Y.S., Trustpilot

“Many of my belongings were broken during the move, which reflects how carelessly they handled them. The basic insurance policy that they offered was not helpful as it only covered $0.60 per pound. Communication and coordination were poor, and it took multiple calls to get a schedule for loading and delivery, as well as a final invoice.” — Rosana B., Google reviews

More about NAVL

Pros & cons

Services

• Interstate moves
• Long-distance & cross-country moves
• International moves
• Corporate relocations
• Packing & unpacking
• Temporary & long-term storage
• Car shipping
• Packing materials
• Moving supplies

Cost

The cost to move with North American Van Lines will depend on your customized plan, as well as distance and size. Here is some pricing information based on our input from our Better Moves project participants:

Availability

North American Van Lines provides interstate moves in all 50 states.

Customer feedback

While North American Van Lines has overwhelmingly negative reviews on consumer feedback sites like the BBB, our readers tell us their experience with the company was a mostly positive one. NAVL has an A+ rating from the BBB, despite only earning one star out of five based on customer reviews. Many customers like the company’s binding estimates — which protect you from paying more than you’re quoted — and punctual deliveries. But some people reported issues with delayed deliveries, and others note unexpected up-charges and damaged items.

Here’s what NAVL customers had to say:

“They were awesome. Overall this experience wasn’t a headache. My stuff arrived when they said it would and overall was in great shape. I thought it would be significantly more stressful to move over 2,000 miles and the movers made it stress-free with my belongings. The only complaint is the driver or someone not reaching out to give an update on when the packers would arrive.” — Michele , Better Moves participant

“I felt that overall the moving staff handled my items with care and were careful with furniture and more delicate items that they weren’t tossed around and placed conscientiously in the truck. There were a few items that I think could’ve been packed a bit more securely…. Despite offering some additional packing services and additional labor at origin, they stayed true to the initial binding quote they gave me.” — Alexander, Better Moves participant

“Five days late packing and loading for our relocation, non-responsive to phone calls, would not call back, four weeks to get our possessions, damaged goods, left my motorcycle behind in their warehouse, no response on when it will get to our new location.” — Mike R., BBB

Average cost of an interstate move by state

What is an interstate move?

An interstate move is any move that crosses state lines. Depending on where you live, these moves could involve a journey of several thousand miles or only a few hundred miles. What makes interstate moves distinct from other long-distance moves is the fact that crossing state lines results in additional regulatory requirements. Those requirements vary from state to state, so interstate moves are primarily regulated at the federal level. Interstate movers must be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Interstate movers must also be knowledgeable of and compliant with the various regulations of the states in which they operate.

Do interstate movers have a minimum size requirement?

Most interstate moving companies have a minimum size requirement of 1,000 pounds. This is equivalent to roughly 40 medium-sized moving boxes or a small studio apartment worth of household goods. During the peak summer moving season (May–August), some companies increase their minimum move size to 2,000 or even 3,500 pounds. This is about the average weight of a one-bedroom apartment.

Do moving companies offer storage?

Yes, most moving companies offer storage. Of the 4,400 movers we researched, 86% provide some sort of short- or long-term storage solution. And many interstate moving companies will offer up to 30 days of free storage (aka “storage-in-transit”). Keep in mind the moving company will most likely store your goods in their warehouse, so you won’t have access to them during this time.

If you’re relocating more than 1,000 miles or cross-country, consult your mover about delivery time frames to see if storage services are necessary. It’s not uncommon for deliveries to take more than two weeks.

Do moving companies ship cars?

Some moving companies ship cars, but it is not a common service. Among our best interstate movers, only JK Moving and North American Van Lines provide auto transport services. If you need auto transport for a corporate relocation or a family move, check out our picks for the best car shipping companies.

How early should I book a move?

You should book a move at least two months before your expected move date. Book as soon as possible if you’re moving during the busy summer months (May–August). If you wait too long, many companies will fill up, and you won’t have many options. Timing is complex, so check out moveBuddha’s guide on the best time to move.