Best Interstate Moving Companies

Our top picks for interstate movers

Our research team compared top moving companies based on customer ratings and reviews, cost, and packing and storage services to help you find the best options for moving across state lines.

Our picks for the best interstate movers are:

• Colonial Van Lines
• Allied Van Lines
• International Van Lines

Interstate moving companies buyers guide

There are many reasons you might leave one state to live in another — maybe you have a new job, want to be closer to loved ones or simply need a fresh start. Crossing state lines with every single item you own can be challenging, though, especially if you move on your own rather than hire a mover.

If you have a family or pets, you’ll likely want to drive your own car or fly to your new home (most truck rentals only have one row for passengers, with either two or three seats). To save time and hassle, it might make sense to hire a trusted moving company to help you on moving day.

Interstate moving costs

The cost of a long-distance move — a move that crosses state lines and spans more than 1,000 miles — can range from a few thousand dollars to closer to $10,000. On average, it costs around $5,000. The total cost of an interstate move depends on several elements, including the distance of the move. According to Shannon Steinberg of Allied Van Lines, the following are the other biggest cost factors:

• Packing quality: If you have well-packed boxes that aren’t too heavy and flat on top, you’ll have a smoother move — overly heavy boxes can break apart or close improperly, making your work pointless once the movers arrive. The same is true for poorly prepared furniture: If your furniture isn’t properly wrapped and secured, the movers will have to do this part, which adds time and money to your bill.
• Volume of goods: How much stuff you have (and how much it weighs) affects the overall cost of your move. The more items you have, the bigger the truck you’ll need and the more time it will take to load and unload.
• Laborers required: If you have a small home or few possessions, you won’t need as large of a moving crew, which will keep your costs down.
• Demand for location: If you live in an area with a high demand for movers, you’ll likely pay a premium.

» COMPARE: Moving yourself vs. hiring movers

What to look for in an interstate moving company

When looking for a moving company, consider the following:

1. Research movers

Start your search by asking friends or family for recommendations and checking out interstate moving companies online. It’s also a good idea to look at customer reviews. As you search, compare movers based on prices, services, reputation and other factors.

If you have bulky or fragile items, or if you need to hire professional packers, check to make sure the interstate movers you’re considering provide the appropriate services.

2. Check credentials

Every interstate moving company should be registered with the federal government and have a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. You can use a USDOT number to search the company’s safety and complaint record on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) website.

3. Get quotes

It’s best to get quotes from at least a few companies. Then, choose the company that offers the best price for the service(s) you want.

Some moving companies are brokers, while others are carriers. A broker arranges your move by connecting you with a moving company, while a carrier owns the trucks and handles the move itself. Working directly with a carrier can offer more control, but brokers may provide more options.

» SEE OUR PICKS: Best packing services

Tips for moving to another state

Here are some tips for simplifying your move across state lines:

Book your interstate moving company up to two months in advance, if possible.

Book your move in advance

Pick a moving company and lock down a time and date for your move. Once you select an interstate mover, have the company come to your home to give you an estimate.

Declutter your home

Think about what you want to take to your new home and what you want to donate, sell or throw out. Remember that you pay for everything you move, so it can make sense to get rid of furniture or items that you no longer want.

Collect and label boxes

It can help to gather any packing materials you may need for your move a couple months in advance. When you pack, label what’s in each box, along with which room it’s going in.

Change your address and set up utilities

A few weeks before the move, start thinking about changing your address and switching your utilities. You can call in advance for these switches and select the day you want them to take effect.

Research parking restrictions

Be sure to research any parking restrictions at both your old and new home to ensure you’ll have no issues parking a moving truck if you’re renting a truck.

» MORE: Moving checklist

Should you get moving insurance?

Moving with an interstate company includes basic moving insurance, which goes by the weight of your items, not the value.

“If you hire a professional and registered mover, by law all of your belongings listed on your bill of lading [the detailed list of goods transported] will be covered with free basic insurance coverage of 60 cents per pound per article [item] by default as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation,” said Voyo Popovic, CEO of Piece of Cake Moving & Storage.

Your items will be bouncing along highways and byways and could suffer damage, so if you have valuable, fragile or sentimental items, full-value protection might be a good choice. How much additional insurance will cost comes down to what your items are worth and how far the move is. According to Popovic, very expensive items, like jewelry or valuable art, are usually excluded from this insurance.

FAQ

Methodology

To make our choices for the best interstate moving companies, we collected 17 data points each for 70 companies. We used this data to evaluate cost, availability and add-on services to make our final selections. We also looked at customer reviews on our site to see which companies have the most consistently happy customers.

Our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations.