The Best National Moving Companies of 2023

How to Choose and Hire the Right National Moving Company

➡️ Experience matters

Reputation matters when it comes to finding the right national moving companies. After all, you are trusting them to move your belongings over long distances. Choosing the cheaper local mover who just got into nationwide moves may be tempting, but in this game, experience is everything. 

Moving clients across the country or just one state away requires considerable knowledge, so finding a company with a good reputation and more than five years of experience in national moves is essential. 

Additionally, an experienced moving company with a good reputation is more likely to provide high-quality service due to its industry knowledge, which can help reduce stress and anxiety during the moving process. 

Choosing a reputable moving company can also help you avoid falling prey to scams that exploit unsuspecting customers. 

➡️ Personal referrals

While online customer reviews are valuable when searching for the best national moving companies, nothing beats word-of-mouth advertising, especially from someone you trust.

Before relying solely on online reviews, take the time to pick the brains of friends and family members about their experience with moving companies. 

By gathering personal referrals in addition to online reviews, you can make a more informed decision when choosing a national moving company.

➡️ Speaking of reviews

Don’t worry if you can’t find anyone to give you a thumbs up for a nationwide moving company. Platforms like Yelp and Google are useful in helping you choose the right national mover.

When reading reviews, look for common themes like customers praising a mover for friendly customer service or exceeding their expectations. These patterns can give you an idea of the overall quality of service provided by the moving company. 

Also keep in mind that in the moving industry, not all reviews are genuine, so it’s essential to read a variety of reviews and consider the overall picture before making a decision.

➡️ Ensure your national moving company is licensed and insured

When choosing national moving services, it’s crucial to ensure they are properly licensed and insured. 

Look for a mover registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and assigned a unique USDOT number. 

You can verify their credentials and insurance by checking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database. To do this, search for the mover’s USDOT number, and if you find it you can rest assured that you are working with a licensed and insured company. 

Checking the database can provide peace of mind and help ensure a smooth and stress-free move.

➡️ Leading national moving companies offer in-home estimates

A long-distance move is a complex and expensive process, so we recommend finding moving services that provide in-person estimates for your move. In-home estimates are more accurate and reliable.

Firstly, an in-home estimate allows the moving company to conduct a personalized evaluation of your belongings, giving them a better understanding of the scope of your move. 

This customized assessment can help you avoid unpleasant surprises on moving day by giving you a more accurate estimate.

Secondly, during an in-home estimate, the moving company can identify any potential issues that may affect the move—such as narrow doorways or staircases—allowing them to plan ahead and avoid unexpected challenges on moving day.

Finally, an in-home estimate also lets you clarify your expectations with the moving company and ask any questions. This ensures that both parties are on the same page and helps to avoid misunderstandings or complications during the move. 

➡️ Be aware of common red flags.

There are a couple of red flags to watch out for when choosing national moving services. Here are some of the most common ones:

🚚 Lack of licensing and insurance: Legitimate moving companies should have proper licensing and insurance, so be wary of any company that cannot provide proof of these essential credentials.

🚚 Suspiciously low estimates: If the price is low, it’s usually too good to be true. A much lower estimate could indicate a moving company is cutting corners or engaging in shady practices, such as bait-and-switch pricing.

🚚 Lack of transparency: A trustworthy national moving company should be transparent about all aspects of the moving process, including their pricing, services, and policies. Avoid companies that seem evasive or unresponsive when you ask questions.

🚚 Demands for large upfront deposits: Reputable national moving services typically only require a small deposit up front, with the remainder of the payment due after the move has been completed. A company asking for a large deposit upfront could be a sign of a scam.

🚚 Unprofessional behavior: If a moving company behaves unprofessionally, such as showing up late to meetings, being rude, or treating your belongings with disrespect, it’s a red flag. Trustworthy moving companies are respectful to clients and take care of their stuff. 

🚚 No physical address or poor online presence: Be cautious of companies with no physical address or a poor online presence, such as no website or negative reviews. These companies may be fly-by-night operations or scams.

How We Choose the Best National Moving Companies

We’ve reviewed over 150 national movers and analyzed over 220 relocation estimates to find the best professional national movers in the U.S.

To draw up the list of the top national movers, we considered many important factors, such as pricing, the company’s location, services offered, customer reviews, and quality of services.

National Moving Companies: Reviews

Midland Van Lines

Midland Van Lines

4.9

Highest Quality Service

Intro

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Intro

Midland Van Lines is a family-owned and operated business in Denver, Colorado. Moving long distances is Midland Van Lines's specialty. Every year they help thousands of families move across the U.S.

Experience and going the extra mile set them apart from other national moving services; Midland Van Lines boasts a highly skilled and knowledgeable team with 15+ years of experience in interstate moving.

Midland Van Lines is ideal if you want to spend a little more to enjoy a seamless moving experience. They offer comprehensive moving services to fit your unique needs. Don’t worry if you don’t have an unlimited budget. If you book early with Midlands, you can receive up to 40% off the price of your move.

They are also well known for their white-glove professional moving services, great customer service, and innovative use of technology; the company has garnered an excellent reputation as one of the best in the business.

Services

• ➡️ Long-distance moving
• ➡️ Packing service
• ➡️ Specialized moving
• ➡️ Moving insurance
• ➡️ Commercial moves
• ➡️ Nationwide availability

Pros

• No-strings-attached quotes
• Advanced moving technology
• Great customer service
• Discounts of up to 40% for early bookings
• Only hires movers with a minimum of five years' experience
• Experts in long-distance moves
• Experts in moving high-value items

Cons

• No instant quotes

Why we recommend Midland Van Lines

Customizable moving options

A one-size-fits-all approach may not work for everyone, as each individual or family has different requirements when it comes to moving. To go the extra mile for their customers, Midlands Van Lines provides personalized moving solutions.

A representative from Midlands Van Lines will create a customized plan to tailor their services to match your specific needs, including packing, storage, or additional services.

This level of personalization can make the transition to your new home smoother, as you can trust that everything is being taken care of in a way that fits your lifestyle and budget.

White-glove moving services

With Midlands Van Lines; you can expect nothing but the best from start to finish. Their team of highly trained and experienced professionals will handle every aspect of your move with white-glove care, ensuring that your belongings are transported safely and securely.

Midland Van Lines can also take on more unique or complex large homes or commercial space relocations. They are well equipped to transport heavy and valuable items like large furniture, antiques, and even priceless art.

It doesn’t stop there. They offer secure packaging and complete crating solutions for your high-value items. Also, Midland Van Lines is insured for up to $200,000 in the unlikely event of property loss or damage.

Full-service moving option

If you're looking for a genuinely luxurious moving experience, Midlands Van Lines provides a full-service moving package.

With this comprehensive package, you can expect a team of highly trained professionals to take care of everything, from packing your belongings to unloading them at your new home.
Midlands’s experienced movers will care extra for your high-value items if needed.

In addition, they offer concierge services such as unpacking and setting up your new home, and arranging for storage solutions for any items you may not want to bring with you.

With a full-service package, you can relax and let Midlands Van Lines take care of every detail, ensuring a seamless and stress-free relocation.

Tower Moving Systems

Tower Moving Systems

4.9

Most Professional Outstanding

Intro

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Intro

Tower Moving Systems is a moving broker with certified agents specializing in long distance moves servicing all 50 states. Their mission is simple: provide the best service and pricing for interstate moves.

With over 20 years of collective experience, Tower Moving Systems specializes in long-distance and local moves, including residential, corporate, and military moves. They also offer free storage and redelivery, full white glove moving services, and specialized soft crating for fragile items.

To make your long distance move easier, Tower Moving Systems will assign a personal moving assistant to guide you through the process from start to finish.

Tower prides itself on being accurate, customer-focused, and highly rated in the moving industry. They have an A rating, accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, and a 4.5/5 star rating on Yelp and other review sites.

Tower Moving Systems is a top choice for anyone needing a reliable and professional moving company.

Services

• ➡️ Long distance moving
• ➡️ Local moves
• ➡️ White glove moving services
• ➡️ Moving Insurance
• ➡️ Vehicle shipping
• ➡️ Storage

Pros

• Personal moving assistant
• Binding quotes
• Transparent pricing
• GPS tracking
• Extra 15% discount for any military personnel and first responders
• Free storage
• Accredited with the BBB
• Binding estimates

Cons

• No instant quotes
• Third-party carriers are used, so quality may vary

Why We Recommend Tower Moving Systems

Tower Moving Systems is a top choice for anyone in need of professional moving services.

There are several reasons why they stand out from other moving companies in the industry:

➡️ Binding Estimates

Tower Moving Systems provides binding estimates based on inventory, meaning that customers can be confident that the price they are quoted is the price they will pay, with no surprises or unexpected fees.

➡️ High attention to detail

The Quality Assurance Department at Tower Moving Systems has eliminated 98% of surprise price hikes on pickup, thanks to their thorough inventory process and communication with the customer.

➡️ GPS tracking

Tower Moving Systems have GPS tracking so that you know where your belongings are at all times. Customers can get in touch with their personal moving assistant to get updates and provide personalized attention and support throughout the entire moving process.

➡️ Great Customer Service

Tower Moving Systems’ commitment to customer satisfaction and attention to detail make them a top choice for anyone looking for a stress-free moving experience.

🏆 Customer opinion  “Tower Moving Systems is a great company to work with. They helped me move from one state to another and the service was excellent. They were on time, efficient, and did such a great job. I would recommend them to anyone who needs assistance with moving or needs help packing or transporting their belongings!”  Elias Murphy

Long-Distance National Movers – Runners-Up

What Are The Benefits of Hiring a National Moving Company?

➡️ Save money

While top national moving companies may seem expensive at first glance, you will save money in the long run. Most long-distance moving companies offer various services to fit your specific needs. If you were to pay for all of these services individually, it would cost way more. 

Another reason national movers are cheaper is that they often move a large volume of items across long distances, which results in discounts from their providers. These discounts can be passed on to customers, leading to lower costs.

➡️ Excellent full-service packing 

National movers have experience with various moves, including long-distance and international moves. They have the expertise to pack and transport your items efficiently, reducing the risk of damage and minimizing the need for costly repairs or replacements.

It’s important to go with a trusted national moving company that has earned a sterling reputation for organizing and packing their clients’ possessions. Nationwide movers will have the resources and the experienced moving team members to get the packing and storage parts of the move done right the first time.

➡️ State-of-the-art tracking systems

Leading national moving companies that operate across the country typically install the most advanced tracking systems to ensure every move remains on track for timely completion.

National moving companies who offer state-of-the-art tracking systems can use tech to provide real-time updates, improved communication, and enhanced security, and they can facilitate better planning, too: 

🚚 Real-time location tracking: With GPS tracking, you can monitor the exact location of your belongings in real-time during the moving process. This can provide peace of mind and help you track the progress of your move.

🚚 Improved communication: GPS tracking allows you to communicate more effectively with the moving company. You can get updates on the status of your move, confirm the delivery time, and provide any necessary instructions.

🚚 Enhanced security: GPS tracking can help prevent theft or loss of your belongings during moving. If a moving truck carrying your items is stolen or goes missing, the GPS tracking system can quickly locate it.

🚚 Better planning: GPS tracking can help you estimate the arrival time more accurately and ensure everything is on schedule.

➡️ Knowledge of the national road and highway system

Let’s assume you want to save money by hiring a local mover to perform an interstate move. Can you be confident that the moving service knows the roads and highways that run through the multiple states your belongings must travel through? 

It is highly doubtful that a local moving company located in, for example Delaware, understands how to navigate Los Angeles roads and highways at the height of rush hour. 

National movers can use their experience and expertise to plan the most efficient routes for transporting your items. This helps reduce costs and cut down delivery times.

➡️ Peace of mind moving insurance

Despite the best intentions of the national moving company you’ve hired, there is a chance one or more of your things may be lost or damaged. It’s part and parcel of long-distance moving. 

Moving is stressful, and having moving insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that your belongings are protected. That’s why finding a long-distance moving company with good insurance coverage is vital.

Larger long-distance moving companies operating across the nation have the financial resources to provide full protection for your belongings if they are lost, damaged, or destroyed during the move.  

➡️ Great customer service

The best interstate moving companies provide a higher level of service to their customers, thanks to advantages like these:

🚚 Resources: Nationwide movers typically have more staff, better technology, and more efficient processes to handle customer inquiries and concerns.

🚚 Training:  A professional moving company can provide better training for their customer service staff, which means better customer service. Also, national moving companies may have more experienced staff better equipped to handle complex customer issues.

🚚 Availability: Nationwide moving companies may have more flexible hours and be available to assist customers around the clock. This availability is essential for customers moving long distances who may need assistance at odd hours.

Tips to Save Money on Your Moving Expenses

Pack like a pro

Did you know that packing accounts for around 25% of your moving company cost? The cost of packing supplies and full-service packing can eat away a significant part of your moving budget. The best way to save money during long-distance moving is to do your own packing.

To get started, you will need the following moving supplies:

Here are some tips for stress-free packing:

➡️ Create a timetable that gives you enough time to pack.

➡️ Begin by packing your least-needed items in the basement, garage, or attic.

➡️ Stay organized by packing items from one room at a time.

➡️ Assign specific work areas in each room.

➡️ Once a room is finished, categorize the boxes into light, medium, and heavy groups, with a maximum weight of 50 pounds for the heaviest boxes.

➡️ Mark any boxes or objects you do not want to be transported on the moving truck.

Some items may need to be packed by a professional

Some items are best left to your professional movers to pack, such as:

📦 Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments, and mirrors 40″ x 60″ or larger

📦 Pool tables

📦 Bulky, fragile items like large trophies, statues, chandeliers, etc.

📦 Large appliances and bulky furniture 

📦 Pianos

What to avoid packing 

Moving long distances can be more complex than local moves, as it may take multiple days to cover the extensive distance. Most professional movers will not move hazardous materials and don’t recommend you put your valuables or sentimental items into a moving truck. 

The following are examples of items that cannot be moved:

⚠️ Nail polish remover

⚠️ Paints and paint thinners

⚠️ Propane cylinders

⚠️ Automotive repair and maintenance chemicals

⚠️ Matches

⚠️ Lighter fluid

⚠️ Gasoline

⚠️ Fireworks

⚠️ Oxygen bottles

Valuables

Nationwide moving companies suggest that customers should keep valuable items or documents with them during cross-country moving. 

Valuables can include: 

💎 Family photos

💎 Jewelry

💎 Heirlooms

💎 Collections (coins, stamps, etc.)

💎 Cash

💎 Important documents (deeds, wills, bonds, stocks, etc.)

Packing tips from professionals 

Most national moving companies offer excellent full-service packing. Below, we’ll go through some of their packing tips: 

➡️ Keep all parts or pairs of things together—for example, a mirror and its bolts. Be sure to secure the bolts using plastic bags and tape. 

➡️ Wind electrical cords and fasten them to prevent dangling.

➡️ Wrap delicate items individually in clean paper, using tissue paper, paper towels, or facial tissue for fine china and crystal. Use colored wrapping paper for small items that might get lost.

➡️ Use a layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.

➡️ Place the heaviest items at the bottom, medium-weight in the middle, and the lightest on top. Fill empty spaces with crushed paper or cardboard dividers.

➡️ Cushion items with crushed paper, towels, or lightweight blankets. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning is needed.

➡️ Pack small, fragile items separately in small boxes, then place those boxes in a larger container filled with crushed paper.

➡️ Avoid overloading cartons and seal them tightly with tape, except for items that require inspection by the moving company.

Need more tips? Check out our top tips on how to prepare for a nationwide relocation. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire National Movers?

National moving companies typically charge an average of $2,500 to $7,000—depending on the size of the move, total distance, and other factors, which we will touch on below. 

To get an estimate of how much your move may cost, refer to the chart below:

Calculate the cost of national moving companies 

Do you want to figure out how much your national move will cost? Use our free moving cost calculator to find out.

Let us know where you’re moving from and the destination of your new home. Use the drop-down function to select the number of bedrooms and supply your contact details. We’ll email you the best quotes from top movers. 

Which factors affect moving costs?

💸 Timing: Moves during peak season or high-demand times, such as summer and weekends, typically incur higher costs than off-peak periods when demand is lower.

💸 Additional services: A full-service national moving company can provide customers with extra services such as packing, storage, and debris removal, which are usually not included in the initial quote. Be sure to ask about any additional services and the costs beforehand.

💸 Special items: Some items, like pianos or bulky furniture, may require extra care and special packaging, resulting in additional fees.

💸 Stairs and elevators: For apartment moves, extra fees may apply if there is a long walk to and from the elevator, or if items need to be moved up multiple flights of stairs.
💸 Long carry: If the movers need to carry items a significant distance from the truck to your front door (or vice versa), an additional fee may apply based on the actual distance covered.

What FAQs Should I Ask a Nationwide Moving Company?

How long does it take to move nationwide?

How long your nationwide move takes depends on the distance you need to travel. Most nationwide (i.e. cross-country) moves will take anywhere from 10 to 14 days, but that can vary. See the table below for an estimate: 

What makes a good national moving company?

Top-notch moving services will have the following qualities: 

🚚 Experience: Look for a moving company with a proven track record of success. 

🚚 Licensing and insurance: A good moving company should have all the necessary licenses and insurance to operate legally and protect your belongings in case of damage or loss.

🚚 Transparency: The company should be up front about its services, fees, and policies. They should be willing to provide a written estimate and answer any questions you may have.

🚚 Customized services: A good moving company should offer customized services to meet your needs. They should be able to handle different types of moves—such as residential, commercial, and long-distance—and provide additional services such as packing, storage, and furniture assembly.

🚚 Customer service: High-quality moving services offer excellent customer service. They should be responsive, communicative, and available to address any concerns you may have throughout the moving process. 

Is my moving quote binding or nonbinding? 

Always ask your provider for a binding estimate when planning your national move. A binding quote guarantees that your move’s price won’t change once you have received your quote. Unless, of course, you add or remove items from your inventory. 

Does the moving company use third-party carriers? 

When researching moving options, hire a reputable moving company that has established partnerships with cross-country van lines. These van lines typically have a network of carriers and trucks that can handle long-distance moves efficiently and reliably.

One way to ensure that you are working with a legitimate national moving company is to verify that they work as an agent for a van line. 

This means that they are authorized to act on behalf of the van line and have agreed to follow their standards and regulations. It also means they have access to the van line’s network of resources, which can be crucial when coordinating a long-distance move.

By choosing a national moving company that partners with long-distance movers, you can have peace of mind knowing that your move is being handled by professionals dedicated to providing quality service. Plus, you may have access to additional services and resources only available through the van line’s network.

How 9Kilo Can Help You Choose a Nationwide Mover

Experience a stress-free and seamless cross-country move with 9Kilo Moving—the premier choice to help you find the right long-distance moving service. 

Our unparalleled network of top-rated national movers and long-distance moving companies is designed to provide you with a moving experience tailored to your specific needs and budget. 

Our team of expert moving industry veterans is backed by years of experience and knowledge, ensuring a smooth and efficient move—no matter the distance or complexity.

 Ready to find a national moving company?