Home Improvement Ideas Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Moving The Best Moving Companies for Every Type of Move Atlas Van Lines uses technology to simplify each stage of the process. By Lisa Bernardi Lisa Bernardi Lisa Bernardi is a freelance writer who frequently covers home financing, consumer tech, and insurance topics for a variety of publications. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on November 12, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: David Papazian / Getty Images Moving is a ton of work whether you’re packing up a studio apartment or a 5,000-square-foot home, so you might be tempted to hire the first moving company that pops up in your search window. There are dozens of reasons why you shouldn’t do that, but instead of giving you a lecture, we’re here to help by sharing our exhaustively researched list of the country’s best moving companies. Our team of data collectors spent two months reviewing 19 nationwide movers and evaluating each one in key areas like services provided, customer support, and coverage for lost or damaged items. Ten reputable companies rose to the top of the pile, and this detailed breakdown will guide you toward the right fit for your specific needs. Once you’ve compared companies, we highly recommend getting quotes from multiple places before you schedule your move. After all, it’s good to have options. Best Moving Companies of 2022 Best Overall: Atlas Van Lines Best for Cross-Country Moving: North American Van Lines Best Local Moving Company: Bellhop Best International Moving Company: Mayflower Best for Self-Service Moving: PODS Best for Packing: Colonial Van Lines Best for Moving and Storage: Wheaton World Wide Moving Best Auto Shipping Company: United Van Lines Best for Minimal Fees: 1-800-Pack-Rat Best Tracking System: Allied Van Lines Best Overall: Atlas Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? YesVehicle relocation? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Available in all 50 states and 17 different countries Online tracking system Easy to file claims for damage, loss, or delays Long- and short-term storage options Cons Doesn’t offer truck, van, or moving pod rentals Why It's on Our List Whether your move takes you to a new block or a new continent, Atlas Van Lines can make the trip a lot smoother. The company is at the top of our list due to its wide range of services, real-time tracking capabilities, and user-friendly customer portal. Atlas offers tailored options for local and long-distance moves to every U.S. state, plus step-by-step support for international moves to more than a dozen countries. Should you need to store your belongings for a few weeks or months while you house hunt or renovate, Atlas will keep them safe in a climate-controlled warehouse until you're settled. If something does happen to one of your items while it's in Atlas' care, you have nine months to file a claim with the company, which can be completed through the customer portal. The dashboard also processes payments, tracks your shipment as it's transported to your new location, and provides a direct line of communication to your moving team. Best for Cross-Country Moving: North American Van Lines North American Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? YesVehicle relocation? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Interstate moves are completed in two to five business days Offers furniture assembly and appliance installation Service area extends to Canada and more than 130 other countries Online tracking for both domestic and international shipments Cons Tight window for claims process Why It's on Our List If your upcoming move is going to be a cross-country expedition, North American Van Lines provides fast and reliable service. Interstate jobs typically take less than a week—sometimes as little as two days—so you won’t feel uprooted for long. Throughout the entire process, customers have the option to follow their belongings in real time with the company’s 24/7 tracking tool. Once the items arrive at your new home, North American’s team of movers can assemble your bed, entertainment center, or any other piece of furniture, as well as hook up your appliances for an additional fee. One downside to using North American is that if any of your things are damaged or disappear in transit, you only have 30 days to file a claim with the company. Issues reported after the one-month mark won’t be eligible for reimbursement, which is why we recommend taking stock of your belongings as the movers bring boxes into your new place. Best Local Moving Company: Bellhop BELLHOP Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? NoVehicle relocation? No Pros & Cons Pros Scheduling is done online Hourly labor option A move can be booked with as little as one day's notice Claims process takes just one to two business days Cons Service area limited to 27 states Must file a claim within five days of your move Why It's on Our List Not all moves require a gigantic truck, especially if you live in a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Bellhop is a great option when you don’t have far to go or don’t have much to move. The company allows you to book its services online and offers live chat support if you need assistance. One thing we really appreciate about Bellhop is its flexible scheduling. If you need to change the date of your move, you can do so for free up to 72 hours in advance. When dealing with an unpredictable landlord (or homeowner), that level of adaptability takes some of the pressure off. Bellhop is also transparent with its pricing. For local moves, the company only makes you pay for the time it actually takes to relocate your belongings (though you must book a minimum of two to three hours depending on the services you select). Currently, Bellhop is available to customers in 27 states, namely servicing major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and New York City. Best International Moving Company: Mayflower Mayflower Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? YesVehicle relocation? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Wide range of moving services across 150 countries Long- and short-term storage options Customers are assigned a single point of contact following the booking stage Move coordinators manage each part of the process, including customs clearance Cons Must pay for full-service packing Why It's on Our List With operations in more than 150 countries, Mayflower is a natural choice for your international move. The company itself has been around for almost a century and is used to working with foreign agencies. After requesting a quote through the website, you’ll be contacted by an estimator, who’ll provide a customized rate based on the specifics of your move. Once you’re booked with the company, a move coordinator will guide you through the intricacies of an overseas relocation by prepping documents, arranging proper transport, and managing any special provisions. One thing to keep in mind is that Mayflower’s international service includes packing in the price, which could be seen as a pro or a con. On the one hand, you don’t have to worry about properly securing your belongings for long-distance travel, but on the other hand, it makes an already pricey move even more expensive. Because of its scope, Mayflower does offer many optional services like storage (both short- and long-term), unpacking, and car shipping, and its protection coverage encompasses shipping delays and identity theft. Best for Self-Service Moving: PODS Pods Moving Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? NoVehicle relocation? No Pros & Cons Pros Containers come in three different sizes Units can be used for both moving and storage Flexible rentals Moving supplies are available to buy on the website Cons Customers cannot transport the containers themselves Why It's on Our List A company like PODS gives you the tools you need to do most of the heavy-lifting yourself, saving you money on services like packing and loading. Not only are the rates more affordable than a full-service mover, but you also have control over how long you keep the portable container and where it’s stored. To get started, select the container size you need (8, 12, or 16 feet), pick a drop-off date, and then take your time filling it up (PODS rents units for 30 days at a time). Once you’re done, the company will transport your stuff to your new home or a secure storage center. If you find that you need help packing and loading items into the container, PODS can connect you to third-party vendors in your area that provide hourly labor, though the company itself doesn’t offer those services. Unlike other moving providers, PODS shares pricing information on its website. While the cost ultimately depends on where you live, the size and number of units you need, where you want to store your containers, and how long you keep them, prices start at $149 per month. Plan to spend an additional $75 on pickup and delivery fees. Best for Packing: Colonial Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? YesVehicle relocation? No Pros & Cons Pros Wide range of packing options, from single-item to full-service Packers inventory everything Mobile app makes it easy to get an accurate quote Operates across the continental U.S. Cons Disappointing coverage options for loss and damage No online tracking technology Why It's on Our List For many people, packing is an unenjoyable, weeks-long chore that can burn you out well before any movers arrive. If you’d rather leave the wrapping, boxing, and taping to the professionals, Colonial Van Lines should be at the top of your list. The company offers tailored packing services for every room in your home, like the Kitchen Pack, which ensures that your pots, pans, and dishware are properly secured for the trip. Colonial also accommodates specialty moves, using additional materials to safely transport antiques, artwork, pianos, and other valuable items. If you do decide to entrust the company with your most prized possessions, make sure you’re adequately covered in the event of loss or damage. With Colonial’s standard coverage of $0.60 per pound (up to $20,000), you likely won’t receive full reimbursement for high-value items, so you may want to budget for extra protection through a third party. Best for Moving and Storage: Wheaton World Wide Moving Wheaton World Wide Moving Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? YesVehicle relocation? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Flexible long- and short-term storage options Stored items get returned within 24 hours of the request being submitted Optional enhanced coverage for high-value items Operates in all 50 states Cons No rental options for containers or trucks Why It's on Our List If you need to move out of your current home before your new home is ready, booking a company that provides efficient and reliable moving and storage services is a must. Wheaton World Wide Moving has a generous 180-day storage-in-transit policy, meaning you can leave your belongings in one of the company’s facilities for up to six months. This arrangement is particularly useful for homeowners who are in the midst of renovations and living in temporary housing. When you’re ready for the items, Wheaton will deliver the shipment to your requested location within 24 hours. In addition to its exceptional services, Wheaton has advanced coverage options for valuables. Items worth more than $100 per pound, such as jewelry, artwork, electronics, and collectibles, must be inventoried and can have a deductible assigned to them. To combat damage or loss, the company also offers speciality packing to ensure that your most precious belongings are wrapped and stored away with the utmost care. Best Auto Shipping Company: United Van Lines United Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? YesVehicle relocation? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Manages both domestic and international car shipments Customers can choose between door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal service Will transport luxury cars and antiques Guaranteed deliver-by date Cons Certain vehicles require an enclosed car carrier, which is more expensive Why It's on Our List Relocating a vehicle can be such a complicated process that many of the best moving companies don’t even offer it as a service. Not only does United Van Lines have the ability to move your car across the country, but the provider will also ship it internationally if you're headed overseas. From luxury to antique vehicles, the company can relocate just about any type of automobile door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal—the latter mode costs less but requires you to drop off and pick up your car at one of United's storage facilities. You can also track the vehicle's whereabouts online (domestic shipments typically take between eight to 10 business days). If you’d like to tack on any additional moving services, such as packing, storage, and the like, the company has plenty of options to accomodate your needs. Best for Minimal Fees: 1-800-Pack-Rat 1-800-Pack-Rat Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? NoVehicle relocation? No Pros & Cons Pros No hidden service fees Transparent pricing for storage units Online storage space calculator Multiple Contents Protection Plan tiers (up to $75,000) Cons $500 deposit required for long-distance moves Why It's on Our List Any way you slice it, moving is expensive. But if you’re willing to give up a few conveniences in exchange for a lower price, we recommend 1-800-Pack-Rat. By renting one or more of the company’s moving and storage containers, which customers load and unload themselves, you'll save on labor costs and won't be hit with any hidden fees. What we like best about 1-800-Pack-Rat is that you only pay for what you need. The company offers resources to help you figure out what that is, including a free space calculator to estimate the size and number of containers you should rent. The provider also has a running list of discounts, which can be found on its "Current Offers" page. Though 1-800-Pack-Rat's storage facilities are only spread out across 30 states and Washington D.C. at the moment, the team may still be able to provide services in your area, so it's a good idea to request a quote even if your location isn't listed on the website. Best Tracking System: Allied Van Lines Get a Quote Key Specs Full-service packing? YesVehicle relocation? Yes Pros & Cons Pros Provides 24/7 online tracking for both domestic and international shipments 90-day storage-in-transit option Portable containers are available for smaller moves Agents in all 50 states and more than 130 countries Cons Tracking information not accessible via a mobile app An estimate isn't immediately given through the online quote tool Why It's on Our List Out of every moving company we evaluated, Allied Van Lines has the best tracking system. Customers are given access to an online portal where they can view the status of their move and easily locate their belongings 24/7. This feature is available for all bookings, including local, long-distance, and international relocations. Unlike other traditional moving companies, Allied provides portable storage containers in addition to large trucks. However, its offerings differ from PODS and 1-800-Pack-Rat's self-service options because Allied movers load and unload the units, making it easier on the customer. One area where the company could improve is its online quote tool. Clicking “submit” won’t give you an actual estimate for your move—it instead prompts a representative to get in touch with you for more information. Final Verdict Atlas Van Lines outscored competitors in nearly every category, earning high marks for its impressive list of services—including an array of packing and storage assistance—and easy-to-use customer portal that keeps everything in one place. Whether you're moving down the block or across the Atlantic, Atlas is capable of safely transporting your items from point A to point B. But depending on your individual needs, there may be another reputable moving company that's better suited for the job. To find the best fit, request quotes from multiple providers on this list before you book. Frequently Asked Questions How Much Do You Tip Movers? It's appropriate to tip movers between 15 and 20 percent of the total bill. For instance, if your move costs $2,000, you should tip $300 to $400, split amongst the entire crew. Try to find out how many movers will be assisting you ahead of time so that you have the correct amount in cash for each. Should You Pay Movers Upfront? If a moving company asks you to pay a large sum of money at the time of booking, that's a red flag. Though you may be required to submit a small deposit to reserve the date, it should never exceed a couple hundred dollars. If you're unsure whether the payment requested is legitimate, check that the mover is properly licensed through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's database. How Much Are Moving Pods? The price of a moving pod depends on a number of different factors, including what you plan to use it for, how long you need it, and its size. PODS charges $149 and up per month for its containers, with delivery and pickup fees averaging around $75. For the most accurate pricing, request quotes from multiple moving container companies in your area. Methodology This list of the best moving companies was compiled using more than 500 data points collected over a two-month span. Our research team reviewed nearly 20 companies, looking at services provided, customer support channels, quote processes, online tools, and more. Weights were assigned to each piece of criteria evaluated, then used to calculate an overall score. In order to receive a high rating, companies had to perform well in a handful of categories, including but not limited to: Types of services offered (10%)Nationwide availability (10%)Company reputation (6%)Online quote system (5%)Packing options (5%) The information presented here was accurate at the time of publication and confirmed by at least two data collectors. Verification was completed through customer service calls and live chat or email exchanges. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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