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The best long-distance moving companies 2024


While any move can be difficult and stressful, long-distance moves come with their own set of complications. These moves generally demand more preparation, and unique problems can arise during the trip. Fortunately, long-distance moving companies are equipped to handle it all. They’re also subject to more rigorous regulations than local movers, such as being registered with the federal government.

Our picks

Atlas Van Lines: Best long-distance mover

North American Van Lines: Best for flexible pricing

Mayflower Transit: Best for large moves

United Van Lines: Best for liability coverage

Suddath Relocation Systems: Best for military moves

Solomon & Sons Relocation Services: Best for East Coast moves 

Allied Van Lines: Best for full-service moves

Atlas Van Lines: Best long-distance mover

Star rating: 4.5 out of 5

Deposit required: No

Availability: 50 states, Washington, D.C., Canada, Mexico (Not available in Puerto Rico) 

Storage available: Yes

Why we picked Atlas Van Lines

With 75 years of experience, Atlas Van Lines earns high marks for providing full-service local and long-distance moves, full-service packing and unpacking and vehicle shipping for longer-distance moves. It offers binding and non-binding quotes, but note that nonbinding estimates — which are estimates calculated based on the suspected weight of the items and the services provided — may cost you 10% more than binding estimates, agreements made ahead of time to lock in a rate.

Who should use Atlas Van Lines

We recommend Atlas Van Lines to anyone moving more than 100 miles away. There are 430 independent Atlas companies across every state and Canada and 1,500 global partners in 17 countries. It also offers storage, antique shipping and oversized hauling to make long-distance moves easier.

Pros

  • Available in all 50 states and 17 countries, more than any provider on our list
  • Full Value Protection is offered at no extra cost for AAA members
  • More than 300 warehouses coast to coast can store your items as long as you need

Cons

  • Not available in Puerto Rico
  • No option for self-service moving

North American Van Lines: Best for flexible pricing

Star rating: 4.5 out of 5

Deposit required?: No 

Availability: 50 states, Washington, D.C., Canada and Mexico (not available in Puerto Rico)

Storage available: Yes

Why we picked North American Van Lines 

North American Van Lines has more than 500 agent locations, making this company particularly accessible in all 50 states. Customers can choose the services they do and don’t want to use depending on their budget and needs. No deposit is required, and consumers choose between:

  • Bottom-line pricing, a guaranteed price
  • Not-to-exceed pricing, which means the cost may go below the estimate but never above it
  • Customized pricing, which offers a combination of guaranteed and separate service costs

Who should use North American Van Lines 

You should consider North American Van Lines if you want as much control over pricing as possible. In addition to three pricing structures, the company offers a range of a la carte moving services — including full-service packing, junk removal, storage and vehicle shopping — and doesn’t require an upfront deposit.

Pros

  • Three different pricing options provide more customer control over the final cost
  • No deposit is required, making it a more budget-friendly choice overall
  • 90 years in business with an A+ BBB rating

Cons

  • Despite having 500 agent locations, it doesn’t service Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories.
  • Self-service moving is not a choice.

Mayflower Transit: Best for large moves

Star rating: 4.4 out of 5

Deposit required?: No

Availability: 46 states, Washington D.C., Canada and Mexico (not available in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories)

Storage available: Yes

Why we picked Mayflower Transit

With 100 years in business and a massive nationwide fleet with a large team of service agents, Mayflower is our top choice for large moves. With more than 500 locations, it helps move customers in over 150 countries. The company offers customizable packages, including storage, vehicle shipping, junk removal and oversized hauling.

In addition, Mayflower provides binding estimates to lock you into a firm price, with no upfront deposit required. Every quote automatically includes Full Value Protection, which will compensate you if something happens to your belongings during the moving process, and is calculated by multiplying the estimated weight of your shipment by $6 per pound.

Who should use Mayflower Transit 

Mayflower is a great choice for homeowners moving a large house with oversized belongings. Short- and long-term storage is available, as is the ability to move larger objects like hot tubs and boats.

Pros

  • Vehicle shipping, large-object moving and short- and long-term storage options mean nothing has to be left behind
  • 100 years in business and is one of the oldest providers on our list
  • Wide availability across 500 locations

Cons

  • While impressive for its vast number of locations and countries that it services, it doesn’t service Hawaii
  • Protection is built into the quote you receive, which will increase the price

United Van Lines: Best for liability coverage

Star rating: 4.2 out of 5

Deposit required?: No

Availability: 46 states, Washington, D.C., Canada and Mexico (not available in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont or West Virginia)

Storage available: Yes

Why we picked United Van Lines 

United Van Lines is another exceptional long-distance moving company with nearly 100 years of experience. The company offers local, long-distance and international moving services through 500 locations in 46 states and the District of Columbia. It also provides full-service packing and unpacking and GPS tracking of your move for an added feeling of control, making it an excellent choice for people looking to feel protected.

Who should use United Van Lines

We recommend United Van Lines to homeowners with more valuable possessions. The company offers its Full Value Protection with every move at no additional cost. Calculated by multiplying the weight of the shipment by $6 per pound, this liability protection means the company will pay to repair or replace anything damaged within this limit. Filling out a High-Value Inventory Form for expensive but lightweight items (like jewelry) ensures you get the most out of this protection. Additional protection options to increase your coverage are also available.

Pros

  • Full Value Protection with the option of a higher valuation means you can more thoroughly protect your valuables
  • GPS tracking available
  • Car shipping is offered

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer appliance disconnection and hookup
  • Not available in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia or Puerto Rico
  • Getting a quote can be time-consuming

Suddath Relocation Systems: Best for military moves

Star rating: 4.2 out of 5

Deposit required?: No

Availability: 48 states, Washington, D.C., Mexico and Canada (not available in Hawaii and Alaska)

Storage available: Yes

Why we picked Suddath Relocation Systems 

Suddath Relocation Systems has operated since 1919, growing to service more than 180 countries. It has 45 locations and 3.5 million square feet of warehouse space. One caveat: Suddath can help move your car through one of its affiliates, but it doesn’t offer vehicle shipping or oversized hauling.

Who should use Suddath Relocation Systems

Of the more than 80,000 households Suddath moves yearly, more than 38,000 are military families. With the frequent moves that can come attached to being in the military, Suddath looks to alleviate that stress with helpful tools like a military move checklist, military moving tips, live chat, customer phone support and shipment tracking, all specifically catering to the needs and based on the feedback of military families.

Pros

  • Moves more than 38,000 military families each year
  • Offers military-specific resources like a military move checklist and military moving tips
  • 104 years in business, making it the oldest on our list

Cons

  • Doesn’t service Alaska and Hawaii
  • Doesn’t offer appliance hookup
  • Doesn’t offer oversized hauling

Solomon & Sons Relocation Services: Best for East Coast moves

Solomon & Sons Relocation Services

Star rating: 4.1 out of 5

Deposit required?: Yes

Availability: 43 states and Washington, D.C. (not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico)

Storage available: Yes

Why we picked Solomon & Sons 

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Solomon & Sons Relocation Services is a family-owned business offering local and long-distance moving. Solomon & Sons employs its multilingual, background-checked moving teams year-round, unlike many nationwide movers.

The company offers everything from full-service packing and unpacking to oversized hauling, appliance disconnection and hookup and junk removal, among other services.

Who should use Solomon & Sons 

Solomon & Sons specializes in residential and commercial relocation services throughout Florida. It also offers special pricing for those moving to a major metropolitan area along its consistent routes to cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina. Unfortunately, it’s not available in the northwestern United States.

Pros

  • Special pricing available if going to certain major metro areas
  • Full-service, appliance disconnection and hookup and junk removal available
  • Allows customers to have third-party insurance if they prefer

Cons

  • At 9 years old, it is younger than the competition
  • 20% deposit required
  • Doesn’t service parts of the western United States

Allied Van Lines: Best for full-service moves

Star rating: 4.1 out of 5

Deposit required?: No 

Availability: 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico

Storage available: Yes

Why we picked Allied Van Lines 

Allied Van Lines is a reputable and well-equipped long-distance moving option that will do the work for you. With 500 agent locations in North America, and 175 countries across the globe, Allied Van Lines serves all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico. Additional helpful tools include a virtual assessment, a moving supply calculator and GPS tracking for shipments.

Who should use Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines is an excellent choice for stressed movers looking to lower their workload. This full-service mover offers everything from planning and organizing, to disassembling and reassembling furniture, to packing and moving items. Allied also provides vehicle shipping, shuttle service to nearby cities, storage and move-out cleaning (through a third party).

Pros

  • Will cover everything from planning to disassembling and moving your furniture
  • Virtual assessments available
  • Vehicle shipping, storage and oversized hauling offered

Cons

  • Quote process can be tedious
  • No junk removal offered
  • Customer service not 24/7

Our rating (out of 5)

Atlas Van Lines 4.5
North American Van Lines 4.5
Mayflower Transit 4.4
United Van Lines 4.2
Suddath Relocation Systems 4.2
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services 4.1
Allied Van Lines 4.1

No. of states available

Atlas Van Lines 50
North American Van Lines 50
Mayflower Transit 46
United Van Lines 46
Suddath Relocation Systems 48
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services 43
Allied Van Lines 50

Years in business

Atlas Van Lines 75
North American Van Lines 90
Mayflower Transit 100
United Van Lines 95
Suddath Relocation Systems 104
Solomon & Sons Relocation Services 9
Allied Van Lines 95

Some readers may be surprised to see a handful of major…



Read More: The best long-distance moving companies 2024

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