Moving APT
- Competitive pricing
- Free online estimates
Native Van Lines
- Free 30 day storage
- Large network of movers
Adams Van Lines
- Customized moves
- Binding estimates
Among all the million things on your to-do list associated with an upcoming long-distance move is finding an experienced, licensed and reputable mover. Lucky for you, Pricing Van Lines has years of experience working with hundreds of moving companies nationwide.
We’ve pre-screened them all looking at important factors like:
- being industry leaders
- having a professional and courteous attitude
- reliability
- reputation
- experience with local and international relocations
All you have to do is read through the list below of the long-distance movers that we have carefully selected and choose the one that you want to use to make your move successful and stress-free.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Long-Distance Movers?
Long-distance or state to state movers will likely charge between $1100-$8600. There are many factors that may impact the exact price, including distance, size and weight of your shipment.
The chart below will help you figure out how to budget for your specific move:
| Distance | 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom |
| 100 miles | $1100 – $1400 | $1150 – $1600 | $1400 – $3200 |
| 250 miles | $1300 – $1900 | $1400 – $3400 | $2,000 – $4600 |
| 1000 miles+ | $1500 – $2900 | $2000 – $7000 | $5400 – $7800 |
| 2500 miles+ | $1700 – $3700 | $3800 – $7600 | $8600+ |
There are a couple of ways that you can save money on your long-distance move. Instead of hiring full-service movers, you can do all of the packing yourself (or recruit some friends to help you) and then rent a truck and drive to your new home yourself.
This is likely to save you around $1200. Alternatively, you could rent a moving pod for about $2000. The pod gets delivered to your door, you fill it with your belongings and then the company comes back to pick it up and deliver it to your new address.
If you want to read more about moving cost and pricing check the following article:
How Long Does a Long-Distance Move Take?
Depending on just how far your long-distance move is, it can take anywhere from 1-21 days or even more for your belongings to arrive.
Remember that unlike moving just a few blocks or cities away, a long-distance move can have many moving parts that need to be coordinated.
| Distance | ETA |
| 100-500 miles | 1-5 days |
| 500-1000 miles | 2-10 days |
| 1000-2000 miles | 3-17 days |
| 2000-3000 miles | 5-21 days |
Even if you aren’t moving a huge amount of belongings, keep in mind that a moving company may not want to send a half-empty truck on a long drive.
They would prefer to wait and fill it with another customer’s stuff so they don’t waste the space or the gas.
Make sure you ask your movers how long your specific move will take so that there are no surprises.
The Top 5 Long-Distance Movers
With our customers’ best interests and needs in mind, we analyzed countless long-distance and state-to-state moving companies to bring you the ones that we believe offer the best value and service. You can’t go wrong by using any one of the below to help you move.
1. Moving APT
- Competitive pricing
- Free online estimates
Rated as one of the best movers nationwide for state-to-state moves, Moving APT offers a wide range of white-glove services and has a strong track record of customer satisfaction. The company’s professional customer care agents will listen to your needs and connect you with the best mover for you.
Moving APT handles thousands of state-to-state moves each year, and every long-distance moving company that they recommend is licensed and insured.
Pros
- Free online estimates
- Well-screened moving companies
- Competitive pricing
- Covers wide geographic area
Cons
- Must provide email and phone number to receive quote
- Online chat sometimes slow to respond
Why We Recommend Moving APT
Moving APT stands out from other out of state movers for its proven track record of customer success stories, transparency and truly outstanding service.
Compliant on every level, Moving APT follows all city, state and federal regulations, is fully insured, licensed and bonded, and offers affordable moving services.
Competitive pricing is a cornerstone of Moving APT’s business model, so you can be sure you will get a cost-effective estimate that will satisfy your budget.
2. Native Van Lines
- Free 30 day storage
- Large network of movers
Native Van Lines has been operating for more than 20 years, serving over 250,000 happy customers. As one of USA’s leading moving companies, Native Van Lines has agents in 500 different locations.
Their business model is one in which they partner with local movers, connecting customers to the movers who can best meet their needs.
Pros
- Free 30 day storage
- Large network of movers
- Great customer service as proven by positive reviews
Cons
- Online quotes unavailable
- Limited services in certain locations
Why We Recommend Native Van Lines
Native Van Lines has amazing agents who will quickly and efficiently collect quotes from the different moving companies they work with who are local to your original or final destination.
They go above and beyond to ensure that you receive the highest quality and most reliable service for the best possible price within your budget.
3. Adams Van Lines
- Customized moves
- Binding estimates
Adams Van Lines was built on the premise that not all moves are created equal and every long-distance move has its own unique objective and challenges.
The company is focused on customizing their service to meet each customer’s needs regardless of the type of move or distance to travel.
The professional crew works with you from start to finish making sure that all licenses and insurance are in order and that your household belongings arrive at their new location safe and intact.
Adams Van Lines is known as one of the best state-to-state movers in the industry for all around service, satisfaction and safe moves.
Pros
- Transparent flat-rate pricing
- Customized moves
- Certified and licensed
- Binding estimates
Cons
- No online quotes
Why We Recommend Adams Van Lines
Adams Van Lines is a leading moving company operating in many states. We are impressed by their experience and knowledge of the industry’s trade secrets which they use to ensure that your move is simple, stress-free and in full compliance with any and all regulations.
From packing to an efficient loading, hauling and unloading process, Adams Van Lines acts professionally and with care to ensure that your move goes off without a hitch.
4. United Van Lines
- Many storage facilities
- Approved for military relocation
With over 320 local agents and an active presence in almost all 50 states (minus Hawaii), United Van Lines is one of the country’s largest movers.
The company prides itself on putting customers first no matter how short or how long the move will be, offering customized solutions to suit a range of different needs and requirements.
When it comes to long-distance moves, United Van Lines uses advanced technology and a focus on customer service to provide friction-free, easy and efficient moving experiences.
Pros
- Available nationwide (except Hawaii)
- Free online estimates
- Many storage facilities
- Approved for military relocation
Cons
- No online quotes
Why We Recommend United Van Lines
We love United Van Lines for their affordable prices, large coverage area, and strict inspection policies.
They are likely to have an agent and even a storage facility in even the most obscure locations and they have a generous insurance program offering full value protection for all of your belongings.
5. Two Men and a Truck
- 300 locations nationwide
- Polite and personable service
A business that started in 1985 with literally two men and their trusty moving truck, this company has grown to own a fleet of over 2,800 trucks of all sizes.
Two Men and a Truck is one of today’s biggest and strongest players in the long-distance moving company market.
Despite their size, the company has maintained a “small business” feel, providing personalized service and attention and always striving to exceed customer expectations.
Pros
- 300 locations nationwide
- Verified movers with all licenses
- Home staging services also available
- Polite and personable service
Cons
- Complex process to obtain quote
- No price-matching policy
Why We Recommend Two Men and a Truck
One of our favorite features – among many to choose from – of Two Men and a Truck is that they give each customer access to GPS tracking so that you can monitor your shipment’s process in real-time.
Whether you are just crossing one state line or moving cross-country, you will never have to worry about where your belongings are.
In addition, the company offers unpacking, packing and storage services and are very prompt with their deliveries, all at affordable prices.
How to Choose a Reputable Out-of-State Moving Company?
Although we’ve done the hard work for you and have vetted many long-distance moving companies to bring you the best ones, we wanted to share some of the key features we looked at.
Just in case you need to do any of your own research, these are the most important things to look out for:
- Prices – always get at least 2-3 quotes so that you can compare prices and make sure that you are not being taken for a ride. At the same time, remember that you get what you pay for and a price that seems too good to be true probably is.
- Binding quotes – a mover that offers a binding quote means that the price they give when they come to assess how large your shipment will be will not change. This is great for planning a budget, but make sure you understand under which circumstances it could change, such as if you add more items.
- Deposits – it’s not unreasonable for a long-distance mover to ask for an upfront deposit to confirm your mover. These deposits can be up to 50%, but anything more than that should be a red flag.
- Reputation – don’t be shy to ask for references. You want to make sure that the movers you hire will do everything they claim to offer, and the best way to find that out is from people who have used them before. Check review sites like Yelp and Google too.
- Credentials – in a world full of scammers, it’s extra crucial to check and make sure that any movers that you are considering are fully licensed and insured.
- Extras – it can’t hurt to go for a moving company that throws in a little extra to make your move even easier. This could be anything from a week of free storage to some free packing boxes or any other type of discount.
What are the Key Factors that Affect State-to-State Moving Costs?
There are a lot of details that go into pricing a move. Many long-distance moving companies will start from a baseline price and then will adjust upwards or downwards depending on the details of your move. These details include:
- Shuttle Fee – sometimes a moving truck is too large to get to the final destination and items have to be transferred to a shuttle. This usually costs $.10 to $.15 per pound with a $300 minimum fee.
- Long Carry – if the movers have to carry your belongings more than 75 feet from the door of the moving truck to the door of your property, they may add a long carry fee of $75 per 50 feet.
- Stairs – expect to pay between $50-$100 per flight of stairs if you are moving to or from somewhere with multiple flights of stairs.
- Special Items – movers may charge you more for certain oversized items or things that need special care. Pianos, pool tables, grandfather clocks, and antiques are examples of such items that will probably incur a surcharge of $150
- Packing – it’s a huge convenience to get the movers to pack for you as well, but one that definitely comes at an extra cost which can be anywhere from $300 to over $2500. Make sure you confirm whether you need to pay for packing supplies in addition to the time spent packing or if it’s included.
- Insurance – while state-to-state movers are required by federal law to provide insurance options to customers, they are allowed to charge extra for these options or you can purchase your own. This type of insurance will cost around $10 per $1,000 of valued possessions with a deductible of $250-$500.
- Storage – while many out of state movers do offer some amount of free storage, depending on how long you need it for you may have to pay. Expect to pay around $.07 per pound with a $200 minimum.
Tips for Saving Money on Your Long-Distance Move
A long-distance move is definitely going to cost you, but there are some easy ways to save money:
- Rent a Truck – it’s a lot of work and you’d have to calculate whether the trade off is worth it, but instead of hiring a long-distance moving company, you could rent a U-Haul or other one-way truck and do the whole thing yourself. You can recruit friends and family to help you pack and perhaps even convince someone to share the driving with you – make it a fun road trip!
- Free Moving Boxes – some moving companies may offer gently used boxes for free, or you can also check your local supermarkets or other stores to see whether they have boxes they are happy to give away. Purchasing moving boxes and supplies can be pretty expensive so even a few free boxes can help make a difference.
- Purge – the fewer possessions you have to move, the less expensive the move will be. Take some time before moving day to do a big declutter and get rid of things that you really don’t want or need.
FAQ
How long does a long-distance move typically take?
Long-distance moves vary in duration, taking anywhere from 48 hours to 3 weeks. Just packing up your home itself can take a few hours, and the same for unloading. It’s the travel time in between that really determines the length of time that the move will take
Should I tip long-distance movers?
Tipping is completely up to you, but it is the generally accepted practice to provide a little extra for a job well done. It’s fair to tip long-distance movers between $20-$40 per mover per day, unless the move takes more than a week.
Should I move long-distance by myself?
If you’ve got a small space with minimal belongings then using a pick-up truck or U-Haul style truck with a little help from friends could be the ideal solution for you. If, however, you have a larger space with a lot of furniture and household goods to move, you will probably be better off hiring a long-distance moving company.
Are there items that movers won’t move?
You should always check with your specific moving company, but there are a few things that many movers will refuse to transport including:
- Perishable items
- Hazardous materials
- Plants
- Pets
Can I negotiate with movers?
You can certainly try to negotiate with movers once you get a quote. This is why it’s important to get quotes from more than one long-distance moving company so that you can compare and get a sense of what is reasonable. Don’t be shy to ask for discounts or if there are any promotions available.
Our Methodology
Reputation
- We comb through thousands of customer reviews to find the most highly-ranked and experienced movers.
- Industry connections give us a big-picture view of the services provided in the field.
- We pose as mystery shoppers to test customer service and pricing.
Licensing
- We use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) database to confirm that moving companies have an arbitration program in case of damages, and we check any outstanding claims against them to ensure that they respond to and resolve customer complaints quickly.
- The FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System tells us all we need to know about each company’s safety records including any accidents they’ve been involved in or inspections they have had.
- We confirm compliance with the legal requirement for long-distance movers to offer full or released-value protection for your belongings.
Feedback
- In addition to online customer reviews, we gather feedback from our own clients following each move.
- Video testimonials provided by our clients reveal which movers go above and beyond.
- Detailed surveys give us the lowdown on how each mover performs.
Negotiations
- It’s our responsibility to make sure our clients get the best deal – we work one-on-one with moving companies to make sure they offer competitive prices and outstanding service.
- We do not work with movers who engage in last-minute upselling and overcharging. We know the going rates and we can tell when a mover is trying to take advantage and we won’t let that happen.
- We look for movers who are willing to exceed expectations so we can send them more business. The movers that need improvement will not be recommended by us.
Ready for a Stress-Free Move?
While moving can be a stressful process that many people dread, it really doesn’t have to be that way. A quality and reliable long-distance moving company can make all the difference in making the process much simpler and even enjoyable.
The top 5 long-distance movers that we have listed for you here will provide you with quality and efficient state-to-state moving without any hassle.
