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Best Moving Companies in Kentucky 2024

We compared 25 companies and chose the top movers

    • Colonial Van Lines
      4.3(2,603)
    • International Van Lines
      4.6(1,002)

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      Best Moving Companies in Kentucky 2024

      If you live in Kentucky and are planning to move, you might be considering hiring movers. To help, we’ve chosen our top picks for Kentucky by comparing some of the top movers on ratings and reviews, price, discounts, availability, additional services and other factors.

      Read our full methodology below for all the details. Our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear.

      Our editor’s top picks

      1. Best overall: Colonial Van Lines
      2. International moves: International Van Lines
      Why trust ConsumerAffairs?
      • Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
      • 4,536,144 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
      • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
      • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
      • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.

      Compare moving companies in Kentucky

      Quick and easy. Get matched with a Moving partner.

      Our top 2 picks for moving companies in Kentucky

      To help find the best options for you, our research team started by comparing 80 moving companies. We analyzed ratings and reviews from customers in Kentucky as well as other factors, like packing services, storage options and price, and we ultimately chose two companies as our top picks in Kentucky.

      Colonial Van Lines

      4.3
      2,603 reviews
      Highlight
      Climate-controlled storage options
      Types of moves
      Commercial, residential, military
      Discounts available
      Seasonal
      Special Offer

      SAVE up to $500!

      SAVE up to $500 on your long-distance move with Colonial Van Lines.

      Colonial Van Lines is a carrier that provides moves to and from Kentucky. It offers binding quotes, so your price is locked in as long as your initial inventory is accurate.

      Highlights

      • Broker vs. carrier: Carrier
      • Packing services: Single items, kitchen, full packing
      • Storage options: Climate-controlled facilities and modular cubes

      Many Colonial reviewers are happy with the detailed inventory and communication from the company, as well as the professionalism and efficiency of the movers.

      Wendy of Bowling Green said about her experience with the company: “Had several companies call me to move me from one state to another. Colonial Van Lines was the only one who helped me with pricing and keeping in touch with me throughout the whole experience. They really were genuine on treating me like a person and not just a client. Would definitely use them again.”

      Lee of Verona also had a good experience: “I did a small apartment move for a college student from Chicago to Kentucky. So, it was all handled over the phone and it was very easy. The process was great. The estimate varied a little bit, but I understand why. Every couch weighs a little bit different, every table weighs something different, but their standard use was fine. Everything was well-packed and well taken care of.”

      A few customers mention difficulty getting in touch with the company and receiving answers regarding their move.

      Carey from Paducah didn’t have a great experience: “We had three different moving coordinators, and they didn't come when they were supposed to come. They showed up a day late. The guys that came to unload the truck were angry because they had to drive from Clarksville. So, they didn't get here at the same time. My husband was helping the driver unload the truck the morning that they got here. So, that was unacceptable.”

      International Van Lines

      4.6
      1,002 reviews
      Highlight
      Quick (under 15 minutes) quotes
      Types of moves
      Commercial, residential, auto transport
      Discounts available
      None specified

      International Van Lines is a broker and carrier that provides moves to and from Kentucky. It offers auto transport, commercial and residential moves, and full-service packing and unpacking.

      Highlights

      • Broker vs. carrier: Broker and carrier
      • Type(s) of quotes: Binding and nonbinding
      • Storage options: Short- and long-term (first month free); storage-in-transit

      Many IVL reviewers on ConsumerAffairs say they appreciate the care taken with their belongings and the stress-free moving experience the company provided.

      Cynthia of Covington went with IVL because she “wanted something better” than the cheaper companies she’d gone with in the past that required her to do much of the work herself. “International Van Lines was something better. They showed up on time, were very professional and wore proper attire. I felt very comfortable knowing my belongings were in capable hands. They did an excellent job and I would definitely use them again and highly recommend,” she told us.

      Occasionally, a reviewer mentions that the moving crew carelessly packed and unpacked their belongings.

      Scott from Louisville ran into a few issues with his move: “Everything once moving day came was worse than I was led to believe. Several hours late, poor communication. It got worse. Communication upon delivery or lack thereof was prevalent from start to finish. Then promises not kept from there, including time/day my stuff would arrive.”

      What to consider when hiring a moving company in Kentucky

      Choosing a reliable mover is crucial to a smooth and stress-free relocation. To ensure you select the right company, focus on these factors:

      • Reputation: Read customer reviews on third-party sites and ask about the company's experience and training. If reps come to your house for an in-person survey, see how professional they are.
      • Service area: Confirm the company can handle your move's distance (local, regional, cross-country, etc.).
      • Pricing, fees and policies: Seek clear, transparent pricing (ask if you’ll pay hourly or by a flat rate). Inquire about hidden fees, add-ons and policies for lost/damaged items and cancellations.
      • Additional services: Ask upfront about packing, unpacking, storage and moving of specialty items — these can affect cost.

      Cost to move in Kentucky

      The cost of moving depends largely on distance and how many belongings you have. Local movers typically charge by the hour, averaging $80 to $100 per hour for two movers. Long-distance movers often charge a flat fee, averaging $5,000 to $10,000, for moves over 1,000 miles.

      Other products and services, like packing, storage and additional insurance, add to the cost. Factors like home size, location, extra stops, specialty items and time of year can also affect pricing. Tipping movers is customary (usually 10% to 20% of the total cost). To save money, consider decluttering, moving during an offseason and asking about discounts. You can also move yourself, but this may make an already stressful relocation more difficult.

      Estimates for moving services from Louisville (40202)

      The figures below are based on current (as of publishing) industry estimates for a three-bedroom home with no additional services.

      Tips for a successful move in Kentucky

      There are ways to simplify the process and make a move less stressful — it just takes some planning.

      1. Think about how much time, energy and money the move will require

      Evaluate your time frame, how much you need moved and your moving budget. Set aside extra funds for unexpected costs if you can.

      2. Declutter

      To save on costs, try reducing the weight and volume of your belongings. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need — your city or town may have local or national charities that offer donation pickup.

      3. Get a head start on packing

      Start packing seasonal or less frequently used items first. As you get closer to your move-out date, aim to pack one room per day and label boxes clearly.

      » MORE: How to pack for a move

      4. Have essentials ready

      Pack a box or bag for each person in your household that has essentials for moving day and the day after. Include a change of clothes, toiletries and any necessary medications — you don’t want to be without these during the move, especially if you’re driving a long distance.

      5. Have a plan for contacting your mover

      Ensure you have a reliable contact for the moving company so you can communicate logistics, ask questions and track your move. Some companies offer tracking via an app; find out if yours has this ahead of time so you can download it and be ready for moving day.

      » MORE DETAILS: Moving checklist

      FAQ

      How much does it cost to rent a moving truck?

      The cost of renting a moving truck varies widely, from under $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the truck's size, the distance traveled and the rental duration. For local moves, expect to pay around $20 per day plus mileage fees.

      How much should I budget for moving boxes and other supplies?

      New moving boxes for a large home can be expensive. Consider reusing old boxes or getting them from friends, family or grocery/liquor stores to save money. Additional moving supplies, like packing paper and cushioning, can add up, so budget around $100 for these.

      How much does it cost to ship a car?

      Long-distance car shipping typically costs between $500 and $1,700. The exact price depends on factors like the distance traveled and the type of vehicle you need shipped.

      Does Kentucky have a high cost of living?

      The cost of living in Kentucky is relatively low in terms of housing, food, transportation and health care costs.

      Methodology

      ConsumerAffairs carefully collects in-depth, verified reviews to tell each customer’s experience with a company. We believe customer experiences are a crucial indicator when evaluating companies, so these reviews are a significant factor when selecting our top picks.

      To choose the top moving companies in Kentucky, we started with the 80 popular providers listed in our main moving guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in Kentucky. We then weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

      • Storage options: We looked at the availability of storage units and any free storage periods.
      • Packing services: We considered the types of packing services offered, including whether a company offers packing services and whether it offers both full and partial packing.
      • Deposit requirements: We prioritized companies that ask for 20% or less down versus those with higher deposit requirements.
      • Discounts: We outlined how many discounts each company offers and what types (e.g., senior, military, student).
      • App: We gave a company preference if it has an app with a useful service, like requesting a quote or tracking a move.

      Not sure how to choose?

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