Top 5 Out of State Moving Companies of 2022
Beginning an out of state journey for a new job or raising a family sounds exciting until it comes time to plan the actual move. You need a full-service out-of-state mover you can trust to handle such an important task. Interstate Moving Now has expertly researched out of state movers and delivered the top-10 solutions here.
Top 5 Out of State Movers in The USA
You have hundreds of out of state moving companies to pick from, but only a handful can complete the process without hiccups.
Interstate Moving Now vetted countless long distance movers and settled on these top-10 choices. Start your search with the best out-of-state movers for your upcoming relocation.
We considered several factors we know are important to you – such as pricing, quality services offered, location, customer service, and customer reviews – to arrive at this top-10 list of out of state movers.
Top 3 Recommended Out of State Movers
These are just our top three picks. Keep reading for the full range of options and to learn important questions to ask when looking for movers.
List of 5 Best Out-of-State Movers
We already did the research so you can spend less time on your computer.
Each full-service out-of-state moving company on this list reigns supreme in unique ways. All you have to do now is pick the one that best meets your specific needs.
1. Mayflower
Mayflower Transit has been in the moving industry for more than 80 years. The company has been moving families across the country since 1927 and is known for providing excellent value services at competitive prices. They have over 500 agents and 650 locations to date and offer standardized techniques for safe packing and cargo loading.
Mayflower provides innovative technologies that inventories and tracks the shipment of their customers – Precise Track and MayTrack. We also like their accessible online claims process.
Website: www.mayflower.com
Pros
- Customers can track shipments in real-time by simply entering their order number and last name through the website tool
- They offer commercial customers specialized transportation service of the booths, equipment, and supplies used in tradeshows and exhibitions
- They have a host of useful checklists and tools available for reference, which includes a video library
- Responsiveness
Cons
- Far too many customers have complaints regarding damaged items
- Even “ballpark” estimates typically require speaking with a representative and can’t be calculated automatically on their website
2. United Van Lines
Headquartered in Fenton, Missouri, United Van Lines is one of the largest national moving companies in the country today. United Van Lines has a wide network of cross country and long distance movers covering more than 400 agents in various locations around the US.
This nationwide mover specializes in various types of relocation including full service moving, storage services, moving containers, corporate relocation, even international moving.
Website: www.unitedvanlines.com
Pros
- Instant online estimates
- Nationwide availability
- Cleaning services
- Online shipment tracking
Cons
- Unpredictable customer services
3. North American Moving Services
North American is a respected brand not just in the US but internationally as well. The company has representatives not just in every state in America, but also in more than 175 countries around the world.
Their customers swear to the great long distance moving service offered by North American’s crew. Most if not all of their previous clients opt to hire them again and again.
Website: www.northamerican.com
Pros
- Large network of local moving agents
- Quick ballpark estimates
- Excellent moving resources
- GPS shipment tracking
Cons
- Mediocre customer service
- Reports of broken furniture
4. Wheaton Worldwide Moving
Wheaton, a globally renowned national moving company started with a simple move from Ohio to Michigan in 1945. From that day on, the company has grown and evolved into a global behemoth with more than 250 agents nationwide, 4, 000 employees worldwide spread into 52 nationalities.
Not only do they have a proven track record of good service, they are also striving towards going green and reducing their environmental footprint.
Website: www.wheatonworldwide.com
Pros
- Local, long-distance, and international moves
- Instant online quotes
- Priority relocation services
Cons
- No online shipment tracking
5. Arpin Van Lines
Arpin Van Lines is a privately owned moving services company that specializes in domestic and worldwide moving and storage services. The company which is under the Arpin Group, has its headquarters in Rhode Island and has over 330 domestic agents and strategic service centers all over the globe.
Arpin has been in the national moving industry for over 100 years now, and that’s a testament to their expertise and passion for the job.
Website: www.arpin.com
Pros
- They now offer customized moving services for military veterans and discounted rates of moves and property coverage.
- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, local agents can conduct “virtual estimates” using a mobile device and platforms including FaceTime, Zoom, or Facebook Messenger.
- Arpin now offers discounts during the off-peak season (September through April), for realtors, seniors, and more. (see details below)
- Features carrier negligence liability coverage as well as catastrophic liability coverage
Cons
- Many customer complaints result from movers that are mishandling boxes and furniture items and creating significant damage
- Many customer complaints result from movers that are mishandling boxes and furniture items and creating significant damage
- They were a long-standing family-owned moving company that was recently absorbed by a major corporate group. It is uncertain if the company will maintain its prior history of success.
Even with quotes from moving companies, it’s a huge challenge to figure out the precise cost of your move. You can’t be sure of the actual amount until after everything is done.
You may nail down the cost of a truck rental, but you can’t uncover all the hidden charges. We will divide the cost into three main sections to help you understand.
1. Using a Pro Out-of-State Mover
Prepare to spend some money hiring a full-service moving company to manage your entire out-of-state move. However, you will have a sweet moving experience when someone else is responsible for the work.
According to AMSA (one of the reputable sites in the moving industry), the weight of 7,400 items on a long-distance move of about 1,225 miles will cost $4,300 on average. This price includes moving materials and packing services.
For comparison, 1,225 miles is the distance between Princeton, New Jersey, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Your out-of-state moving cost depends on the weight of your items, labor costs, mileage traveled, insurance costs, and other extra moving services – each move results in a totally unique rate.
We strongly recommend gathering three to five different moving quotes to compare prices before you hire one.
You should also consider a moving company that offers a binding not-to-exceed moving quote rather than a non-binding or just a binding quote. With a binding not-to-exceed quote, you’ll know the final price won’t exceed the estimate. In other words, no surprise charges.
Binding not-to-exceed estimates mean you always pay the quoted amount even if there are weight or size adjustments to your shipment. In fact, you will pay less than the original quoted amount if you reduce the weight of your shipment.
2. Using a Moving Container
A moving container rental is worth considering for those seeking a cost-effective, DIY out-of-state moving solution. The containers are perfect for unpredictable out-of-state relocations since the container can serve as temporary storage at any time.
You have a few providers to pick from when moving out of state. Some popular container companies include PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and U-Pack. Renting a ReloCubes from U-Pack costs an average of $2,231, according to a recent comparison by HireAHelper.
Working with a moving truck rental company instead of spending a fortune on movers or moving container providers is a worthwhile option to explore.
Moving truck rentals cost a fraction of full-service movers. It still costs time and effort to pack, load, and unload, but you’ll save plenty of money from the sacrifice.
Moving truck rental rates can depend on the day and time of your rental. Generally, renting a 10ft moving truck from U-Haul for a move from Miami, Florida, to New York will cost around $1,700. Rental providers like Penske and Budget don’t cost quite this much.
Several factors determine the price of moving truck rentals. These include the distance traveled, the time of rental, equipment used, date of move, type of move (one way or round trip), as well as fuel charges.
Hidden Moving Costs May Include
- Moving supplies: Moving and packing materials such as labels, cardboard boxes, packing tape, packing paper, and foam pouches.
- Closing costs on housing: Closing costs on your new rental or home along with insurance, realtor fees, appraisal fees, and more.
- Household furniture: New household furniture due to space constraints. Expect to buy one or two new furniture items to decorate your space.
- Automobile shipping: Professional transportation for your vehicle to the new state if you don’t plan to drive it.
Pro Tips
If you are searching for an ultimate checklist that will guide you through the entire moving steps, then you are in the right place. Our step-by-step moving checklist can assist you to hire the right moving company, unpack your entire box in your destination home, and all the tasks in between.
How long does a state-to-state move take?
Out-of-state moves can take anywhere between 1 – 21 days, depending on how far you are moving.
We’ve put together a table with the average time to complete an out-of-state move based on mileage.
How to Hire Out of State Movers While Avoiding Scams
The National Consumer Complaint Database received over 4,000 complaints from customers last year, which involves delayed delivery, belongings held hostage by movers, and so on.
Follow the steps below to hire the right moving company for your out-of-state move and avoid issues with your belongings or getting ripped off.
1. Research Your Options
Begin your research as soon as you see the need to move. You can usually reserve a mover for at least 30 days before the move, while other movers allow booking up to 90 days.
Ask around for recommendations from your colleagues, friends, family, or neighbors.
If someone you know recently completed a move, ignore the Google search results as rogue movers can easily set up a slick website. Instead, check for residential movers on the Better Business Bureau website, where they’re rated based on factors such as complaints and legal action against the mover. Yelp is also an excellent source for reviews on movers, but do not base your entire decision on what you read here.
Familiarize yourself with the terminology you find online as you read reviews on movers. Many movers use strange vocabularies such as a “bill of lading” – the receipt containing your things and transportation agreement.
2. Run Background Check on the Moving Companies
Take a closer look at each recommendation you receive. You’ll need the company’s name, USDOT number, and MC (Motor Carrier) number. Cross any moving company off your list that refuses to supply any of the numbers since this implies they’re not licensed to transport items to another state.
Use the company’s DOT or MC number to search for them on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. The company will be listed either as a broker, carrier, or freight forwarder.
- A carrier directly moves your belongings.
- A broker will help you find and hire carriers (almost free in some cases).
- A freight forwarder is responsible for your items but will involve one or more carriers to transport them.
You can identify the moving company’s recent safety ratings and insurance information from the FMCSA’s website as well. The website also presents the number and kinds of complaints that have been filed against the company.
3. Request Instant Moving Quotes and/or In-Person Moving Estimates
Call three to five out-of-state movers for estimates. A reputable moving company will send an agent to your home for an in-home inspection. We’ve discovered that getting an on-site survey for small moves, like an apartment is essential, so be ready to contact more places.
Typically, you’ll have a clear understanding of what the move will cost during an in-home estimate as opposed to a rough estimate based on your room number.
4. Ask Questions
Ask the moving agent how they calculate the estimate as they take inventory of your things. Make sure you also ask if they have any base fees and whether the entire weight or time will determine the overall rate.
Don’t forget to ask how much they charge for extra services like packing, carrying your items up or down the stairs, or carrying heavy items such as a piano or large appliance.
Ask if the moving company will use their own movers for the packing and driving or if they contract the job to someone else. Whether your items will share truck space with items from other households is another great question to ask.
Also, ask if the crew loading your moving truck will also unload it at the new home or if it’s an indirect move involving different crews and moving trucks.
Put on your thinking cap and ask yourself these questions as well:
- Does the out-of-state mover have what it takes to match the needs of your interstate move?
- Is the out-of-state mover insured and licensed?
- Do they have experienced and capable employees?
- Do they have detailed rates, estimates, or quotes?
- Are their reviews good? (Consider the experiences of other people with similar moves who have used them.)
- Do they have a responsive customer care department?
5. Review Your Offers
Moving companies provide a written estimate after the home visit, whether a binding or non-binding estimate.
A binding estimate doesn’t allow changes to the initial price unless you add more items and adjust the quote or require more services than they initially quoted. In either case, the moving company will review the moving estimate and make necessary adjustments for you to sign before packing and loading.
The weight of your entire shipment on the moving truck, as well as the number of stops at weigh stations, will determine the price of a non-binding estimate.
In most cases, expect to pay up to 10% more once the official weight of your move is known. You can request to be on-site while they weigh the items.
5. Review Your Offers
Call three to five out-of-state movers for estimates. A reputable moving company will send an agent to your home for an in-home inspection. We’ve discovered that getting an on-site survey for small moves, like an apartment is essential, so be ready to contact more places.
Typically, you’ll have a clear understanding of what the move will cost during an in-home estimate as opposed to a rough estimate based on your room number.
6. Book Your Mover
Although price is the primary focus when comparing moving estimates, check the complaint database to find companies with better histories.
Just like other services, the cheapest option might not be the best choice. It’s always smart to trust your instinct or ask friends or colleagues for recommendations.
An order of service will follow your acceptance of moving estimates. It explains how the mover will pick up and deliver your items and covers payment terms, insurance, and delivery dates. Refrain from signing any blank or incomplete documents.
7. Prepare for Moving Day
Consult your moving carrier to verify the details of your pickup date and make any changes in writing if necessary.
Do a self-pack for all the items you’re moving and everything you’ll need for at least the first two weeks in your new home before your remaining household items arrive.
Make plans to supervise the whole pickup as it could take a day or more and plan to do the same during unloading.
You’ll receive a bill of lading and an inventory list on moving day, so be sure to read the documents clearly and keep them for comparison during delivery.
9 Tips to Prepare for an Out of State Move
Eliminate the stress of state-to-state moves with these tips.
1. Research the New State
Visit the destination city right before you finally relocate to grasp the vibe of the location and neighborhoods. Use a guidebook or get a map from the city’s visitor center and ask locals for recommendations.
If lodging in a hotel, request ideas from the concierge. You can also check reviews online for the destination city and state. Search for local hot spots and hangouts in the neighborhoods as you look for tourist attractions in the area.
If you have kids or plan to have kids, don’t forget to research schools when you visit as well.
2. Budget Accordingly
Moving out of state is not cheap. As reported by the AMSA, hiringcross country moverscost $4,300 on average.
For DIY moves, budget for a truck rental or container service along with moving supplies and other relevant expenses.
Start with your maximum budget, then make a list of all essential moving expenses.
3. Research Out-of-State Movers
You can’t go wrong hiring a leading out-of-state mover.
Just sit back and watch the professionals handle everything, from packing your home to transporting your things to a new state.
Finding a reputable mover that offers the services you need at a fair price is the only difficult task you’ll have to manage.
Pro Tips
Note that companies subcontracting a moving job will split your items between two moving trucks, implying that your entire shipment may not arrive on the same day. Remember to ask about any extra charges you may incur during your move.
4. Pack Before the Day of the Move
You’ll do more than arrange furniture, electronics, paperwork, and clothes when packing. You will also need to decide on what to donate to non-profit organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, and Goodwill.
A garage sale can also help reduce the number of items you load into the moving truck and help pay for your move. Place each item you’re moving in a specific packing room while you sell off the things you no longer need.
Use plastic containers, bags, and boxes as storage and label them accordingly for easy loading and unloading.
While the time spent on packing varies, many moving experts suggest starting this process as early as three months in advance.
5. Transfer Your Utilities
Remember to contact the utility providers of your new home to transfer and set up your gas, internet, water, electricity, satellite, security system, and sewage.
6. Forward Your Mail
Forwarding your mail is easy but incredibly important. Just log on to www.USPS.com and let them know when to start forwarding your mail to your new home address.
7. Tell Everyone About the Move
Give loved ones and your work your new home address. Don’t forget to give government agencies your new address as well for their records.
You can also cancel your old home’s utility plans and sign on with new companies once you’re in your new place.
8. Get a New Driver’s License
You’ll need a driver’s license in your new state, so check with the local DMV.
First, check their requirements since some states might not issue a driver’s license until you’ve lived in the state for a predetermined amount of time.
Although transferring a driver’s license from one state to another involves different requirements, you’ll usually need your current driver’s license, proof of residency, social security number, and other state-issued IDs.
9. Keep Every Receipt
You must keep every receipt you receive from the beginning to the end of the move, especially those you received if you donated to any charitable organization, like Salvation Army and Goodwill. The law allows you to deduct the valuation of your gifted items from the total wages on the income tax form.
If your move involves a work relocation, you can deduct moving expenses, like truck rental and gas costs, from taxes. Regardless, you’ll need receipts to verify the details.
Pro Tips
All the moving company is required to give a basic valuation on each move, and it covers $0.60 per pound. Moving companies may then offer full-value protection (FVP) which covers the cost to replace, repair or reimburse you an amount up to the complete value of your damaged items, for an extra fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance of an out-of-state move poses a difficult task for self-moving. It’s usually easier to hire a professional moving company to manage the task for you. Packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking will be their responsibility while you spend your time on something more important.
The cost of your out-of-state move depends on the weight of your possessions since the long distance is considered a huge liability if you file a claim against them. Your total moving cost hinges on many factors like specialty items, insurance, packing, assistance, and other services.
If you don’t need to move before a specific date, we advise moving outside the summer months or final/first days of every month. These are peak moving times. Fall, winter, and mid-month are ideal times to move due to lower demand.
Contact your mover as early as possible. Ideally, you’ll want a moving quote about five to six weeks before your moving date.
Try to pick a mover at least four weeks before the actual day of the move. Remember to sign the contract service booklet and verify your packing, pickup, and delivery dates. Moving to another state is never a walk in the park.
Expect a walk-through at your current home with a designated driver sent to you by your mover. Make sure you point out which items you’re moving and which are staying with the driver. The driver will then work with his crew to protect the floors and doorways.
The driver will also record their conditions using an inventory form as they load the truck. They will apply padding to anything delicate before loading.
The driver will ask you to sign documents like the bill of lading and the inventory as well as forms for high-value items.
An out-of-state furniture move will cost an average of $4,300, as stated by AMSA. However, each mover is at liberty of fixing prices.
These include using a moving container, renting an affordable moving truck, renting a small tow trailer. You could also get a cheap moving company, take a bus, and move your other items through standard shipping choices.
Start Your Journey with the Best Out of State Moving Companies
Moving is a hassle, but starting with the right out-of-state moving company can make all the difference in the world. Interstate Moving Now makes every step of the process easier by researching and vetting moving companies and putting them at your fingertips. All you have to do is start the quote process.
Ready to start planning? Print or download our moving checklist to start crossing items off your to-do list.