Find Reliable Interstate Moving Companies: 2023 Updated

two men in uniform unloading boxes from an interstate moving van

Hiring an interstate moving company has many benefits for businesses and homeowners relocating long distances.

It can be cheaper than self-service methods and, because of standard company policies, offers maximum protection of your items during transit.

Finding a reliable interstate moving company is important in ensuring your long-distance move happens stress-free.

A good company has experience, the right registration, flat-rate pricing, and suitable insurance that protects your possessions from loss, damage, or theft.

Keep reading to find the best interstate moving companies near you.

What is the Number One Moving Company in the United States?

At longdistancemoving.com, we compare quotes from the best moving companies near you. Our reviews, ratings, and price comparisons offer you quotes from the best interstate moving companies.

Some of the best interstate moving companies have:

  • Appropriate licenses and registration
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Easy online booking policies
  • Good reviews and customer ratings
  • Additional services, like packing and loading services, unpacking, appliance connection on arrival, and short/long-term storage services in every state
  • Tracking systems that let you monitor where your moving van is online

From our 2023 review of the best interstate moving companies, here are our top 5 picks:

  1. Van Lines Inc
  2. Moving APT
  3. Mayflower Moving
  4. Arpin Van Lines
  5. United Van Lines

How Do I Know if a Moving Company is Legitimate?

Anyone with a van cannot move someone else’s residential possessions across state lines in exchange for payment. All moving companies must be registered to transport residential or commercial items from state to state.

You’ll know if a company is registered if they can supply you with a USDOT number. To check a company has the appropriate registration, enter the number into the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.

Or use a comparison website (like longdistancemoving.com) that checks a moving company’s registration before listing.

Every legitimate moving company must also offer two types of insurance to customers. The standard insurance is released value, which offers a small payment for items that are lost or damaged during moving.

Additional insurance is available in the form of full value, which reimburses the “full” cost of any item lost or damaged.

Working with a moving company without a legitimate registration or insurance policy could be a scam. If your items go missing, you won’t be able to make an official claim if the company was not registered.

Here’s how to check if a moving company is legitimate:

  1. Ask for the company’s USDOT number
  2. Check their registration with the FMCSA
  3. Read the insurance policy – legit companies offer both full and released value insurance as standard
  4. Check unsolicited customer reviews on Yelp
  5. Use a comparison website to find the best interstate moving companies

Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it could be. Always do your research, read independent customer reviews on Yelp or use comparison websites (like longdistancemoving.com), and trust your gut if something seems off.

Can Movers Be Trusted?

family unloading boxes from a moving company van outside a new house

Provided you work with a legitimate company, you can trust a moving company to safely transport your possessions interstate.

Top interstate moving companies are registered and suitably trained to transport your belongings. They also have the right registration and insurance, which protects you if something goes wrong.

However, it’s important to protect yourself when a moving company shows up at your door. It’s easy to find out if someone is moving soon if you’re a scammer.

A scam artist could obtain your telephone number, advise you about a change in time of arrival, and steal your possessions. Moving company scams are rare, but you should always stay vigilant so you don’t lose all your belongings when moving.

Before your moving company arrives, ask for the name of the person that will be meeting you and how you can check if they work for the company.

Most reliable interstate moving companies will have trained employees in uniform, with an ID badge, and a company vehicle with a logo. When your moving company shows up, ask for their name (to check if it’s the same as the one you’ve been given) and to see an ID badge.

Remember to trust your gut if something doesn’t seem right. Vans without a logo are not out of the ordinary, nor are moving staff showing up in non-uniform, but it could be a sign of a scam.

If you suspect a scam:

  • Ask to see an ID badge
  • Ask for paperwork related to your move with a company logo
  • Call the company directly to check if it’s the right people at your door
  • If you get a call about a change in arrival time, call the company back on the number you initially contacted them on

How Do You Know if a Moving Company is Reliable?

Moving all your possessions interstate shouldn’t be left to an amateur. Starting a new life in another state should be an exciting time. Losing your possessions to a scam or negligence on the company’s behalf is something nobody wants when moving.

When choosing a moving company, make sure you pick a company that is reliable, experienced, professional, and has a good track record. Independent reviews (not those found on the company’s website) can tell you a lot about a company’s professionalism and dedication to customer service.

When choosing a reliable interstate moving company, check for the following things that can be expected from a professional moving company:

  • A widely advertised USDOT number (that you can enter into the FMCSA website to check their registration)
  • A company website
  • A moving vehicle with a company logo
  • Trained staff that wear a uniform or have an ID badge
  • Email confirmation of booking, complete with terms and conditions
  • On-the-day staff have the appropriate booking paperwork

How Do I Plan An Interstate Move?

Preparation is key when it comes to making your move stress-free. The earlier you book a moving company, the better. Most companies have cheaper prices the earlier you book. Plus, getting a quote early when companies have more availability means you can move on your preferred date and work with the best company.

Interstate movers are experienced in handling moves, so check their website for advice on preparing for a move.

Or simply ask what you need to do between booking with them and your moving date. Some of the top interstate moving companies also offer packing services (including packing supplies), which can make the moving process even simpler.

Depending on how far you’re moving interstate, moving vans can take between 5-20 days. When packing, keep an overnight bag or a small suitcase with you that contains the things you’ll need before your moving truck arrives. For example, clothes, toiletries, toilet paper, washing up liquid, pajamas, and a towel.

To prepare for your interstate move, make sure you:

  • Declutter your belongings
  • Donate/sell/destroy items you don’t want to move (like old/bulky appliances and heavy paperwork)
  • Create an inventory of items to transport
  • Get quotes from the best interstate movers
  • Schedule a moving date
  • Pack belongings into boxes several days before your moving date (unless you’re hiring packing services)
  • Pack an overnight bag with essentials to last you a week

Learn more about how to prepare for an interstate move.

What is the Cheapest Way to Move Between States?

To save money when moving between states, you should:

  • Downsize your possessions
  • Don’t transport old, heavy, or bulky appliances
  • Pack/wrap items yourself
  • Sell vehicles
  • Ask family/friends for donations of moving supplies
  • Choose a moving date out of season
  • Book a moving company early

Be wary of hiring a van yourself to transport your belongings. While the cost of hiring a van may be cheap, consider the additional costs involved. For example, how you’re going to return the vehicle and whether there is a depot local to you.

Otherwise, you’ll have to transport the vehicle back to the state you hired it from and book yourself a flight back to your new state.

When you hire a moving company, the quote provided will be a flat, all-inclusive rate, so it will include the cost of gas, parking, food, amenities, toll charges, and accommodation costs for overnight stays.

If you hire a van and move yourself interstate, you’ll need to fund these costs in addition to the cost of the actual vehicle.

For example, a moving company may quote a price of $2,000 and a hire van could cost you $130 per day. However, with the extra charges you’ll need to fund, it could end up costing more overall.

Plus, hiring a moving company is designed to be less stressful than doing it yourself. Interstate movers are professionals and know how to pack the vehicle properly and handle changes encountered en route.

Summary: How to Find Reliable Interstate Moving Companies

Getting a cross country movers company quote is quick and easy with longdistancemoving.com. All you need to do is enter your details, click “get a quote”, and browse the best long distance moving companies near you.

Simply enter the following information to get your quote:

  • Current ZIP code
  • ZIP code of where you’re moving to
  • Planned moving date
  • How large your property is (from select options)
  • Your contact details

We’ve researched the best cross country movers so you don’t have to! Once you’ve entered your information, we’ll generate FREE estimates from nearby long distance movers in minutes.