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
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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.
