How to Find the Best Cross Country Moving Companies
Whether you’re moving across the country for a new job opportunity or you’re moving back to your parents house, there are many factors to consider when choosing a cross country moving company —and finding the best moving companies cross country can be a challenge. Mover-Help.com is chock full of research, verified user reviews, and over 100 years of moving company industry knowledge help make your choice easy.
If you’re looking to find the best interstate mover near you, check out our Movers Near Me tool.
Cross Country Movers
What determines the best moving companies for cross country moves?
Types of Cross Country Moving Services Offered
There are many different types of cross country moving services – your cross country mover should offer all of these in the case of an emergency:
- Overnight, Short Term and Long Term Storage – you never know when a closing issue can occur
- Packing Services – so you don’t feel out of control or pressured to get all of the packing done
- Full Replacement Coverage – your homeowner’s insurance may cover moving but your cross country moving company should also offer this
- Guaranteed Pick-Up AND Delivery Dates
Quality customer service
Excellent customer service is a must in a top-tier moving company. It affects your experience during your moving estimate, on moving day, and every time you need to get on the phone to ask your mover a question.
Customer service is the most important thing to consider when moving cross country so we place a lot of weight on quality and ease of getting a long distance moving company estimate – you can find a moving calculator and get a free moving estimate here:
Long Distance Movers
PROS
- Over-the-phone moving estimates
- Transparent pricing and price-matching program
- Wide variety of moving kits, boxes, and supplies
- Excellent customer service
Our #1 Pick for Cross Country Movers
Monster Moving and Storage earned the top spot for a few different reasons.
long distance moving companies
Reason #1: We like the approach it takes to moving estimates
Unlike many of the other interstate moving companies on our list, Monster Movers conducts its moving estimates over the phone and with a
We preferred the over-the-phone estimate over the in-home estimate that many other long distance movers in the industry offer because it puts your comfort and convenience first.
When you schedule an in-home estimate, you generally have to take time off work and make sure the house is somewhat presentable when the relocation consultant comes to conduct the estimate. During an over-the-phone estimate, you can go through each step in the process whether you’re sitting at your desk at work or you’re sitting in your house, surrounded by the clutter and empty takeout boxes that make it feel like home.
Monster Moving and Storage also claims that conducting over-the-phone moving estimates saves you money in the long run. Since it doesn’t have to pay someone to drive out to your home and conduct an in-home estimate, it can pass those savings along to you.
Reason #2: We like its transparent pricing
We aren’t focusing on price too much for our interstate moving company comparison since it varies so much from one moving scenario to the next, but Monster Movers pricing presentation deserves mentioning.
Of all of the moving companies we reviewed, Monster Movers had the most transparent pricing structure. Our relocation specialist emailed us our quote and explained each item while we were still on the phone during our over-the-phone estimate.
We enjoyed how this gave us an immediate opportunity to understand what we’d be signing up for and allowed us to ask questions about pricing.
The Monster Movers representative we worked with even encouraged us multiple times throughout our over-the-phone estimate to call other movers to see if we could get a better estimate.
Of all of the moving companies we reviewed, Monster Movers had the most transparent pricing structure.
interstate moving companies
Reason #3: We love its excellent customer service
Monster Movers was by far the most responsive customer service experience we had while going through the moving estimate.
We reached out to Monster Movers by phone and through online chat through google to ask questions and follow up on our estimate, and its representatives were quick to respond through both channels in just a few minutes. Not only were they quick to respond, they were incredibly thoughtful and thorough in their responses too.
Our Monster Movers representative also called to follow up with our estimate a few times to make sure all of our questions were answered and to ask if there was anything she could do to help us make our decision. Normally, this would feel like a badgering sales call, but our representative was kind and helpful, and they came across as having our best interest at heart.
Long Distance Moving Service Offerings
- Long-distance moving
- Business and commercial moving
- Corporate relocation
- Over-the-phone estimates
- Moving kits, boxes, and supplies
- Packing and unpacking
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Loading and unloading
- Custom crating
- Piano transport
- Auto transport
- Basic liability coverage
- Full-valuation coverage
- Temporary storage and storage in transit
- Assistance setting up home services and utilities
Monster Movers is a full-service moving company that maintains one of the largest moving networks in the world. Not only does it partner with plenty of agents (local moving companies) to meet your needs, it provides stellar service, too.
In-home moving estimates are a pretty similar experience from one moving company to another. Thirty minutes before the estimate even began, Monster Movers relocation assistant gave us a call to confirm we’d still be available to meet with them and to see if we’d like any questions answered before our appointment. We liked this opportunity to ask any last-minute questions and we appreciated knowing about how long after the phone call we could expect them to arrive.
Once the in-home estimate was underway, it was evident that Monster Movers relocation assistant had our best interest at heart—achieving a comfortable, affordable move.
We never felt like we were being sold anything during the process, which was a welcome experience. In fact, our relocation specialist even advocated for not using certain services because he didn’t believe they were worth the money for our move.
interstate movers
Reason #4: It has responsive customer service representatives
If we didn’t make it clear enough in reason number one, we’ll make it clear here—we were very impressed with Monster Movers’ customer service during each and every one of our interactions.
The in-home estimate was just the tip of the iceberg. Each time we reached out to Monster Movers’s representatives to ask questions about our move, they responded quickly and thoroughly. It didn’t matter if we were giving them a phone call or sending them an email, each response was prompt and they didn’t make us feel like we were burdening them with our requests.
If customer service is important to you, you likely won’t go wrong with scheduling your move with Monster Movers.
Reason#5: Service Offerings
- Local, national, and international moving services
- Corporate relocation
- Full-service packaging
- Fragile-only packing
- Unpacking and debris removal
- Moving boxes and supplies
- Loading and unloading
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Appliance disconnection and reconnection, including hot tubs and pools
- Custom crafting
- Auto and boat transportation
- Storage-in-transit and permanent storage options
- Basic liability coverage
- Full-valuation coverage
Reason #5: It has great customer service
Monster Movers has a wealth of online resources on its website to help out in each stage of the moving process. They offer packing tips, handy moving checklists, and is the only cross country moving company to offer an instant cross country moving estimate all completely done online from the comfort of your own home.
We believe a mover’s online resources should be a quick reference for the information you need without bogging you down and distracting you from all the other important tasks of moving.
Service offerings
- Local, national, and international moving services
- Corporate relocation
- Full-service packing
- Fragile-only packing
- Moving boxes and supplies
- Appliance disconnection and reconnection
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Custom crating
- Loading and unloading
- Crane vans for large items
- Storage
- Satellite tracking
- Auto transport
- Basic liability coverage
- Full-valuation coverage
- Online checklists and moving tips
Things to consider when choosing your interstate mover
Free vs. paid moving services
When you’re researching full-service long distance movers, you’ll notice that some services are included in the cost of your move while others cost extra. Some of the included services you should expect to see from a good interstate moving company include the following:
- Loading and unloading the truck
- Furniture assembly and disassembly
- Basic liability insurance
- Shipment tracking
Paid services will vary from mover to mover, both in cost and the type of service offered, but these are the most common paid services you’ll come across:
- Packing and unpacking your belongings
- Boxes and moving supplies
- Appliance disconnection and connection
- Customer crate assembly
- Storage
- Auto and vehicle transport
- Full valuation insurance coverage
Many interstate moving companies offer additional services as well. If there’s something you feel would make your move easier—like cleaning debris from your old house or setting up utilities in your new one—be sure to choose a mover that can take care of your specific needs.
best long distance movers
Is hiring a professional mover worth the cost for your long-distance move?
Everyone’s situation is different, but for a long-distance move, you likely won’t regret hiring a professional moving company.
Renting a truck and doing everything yourself seems like a good idea on the surface. Advertised truck rental costs are fairly low, and a lot of people feel like their belongings are in good hands when they’re behind the wheel.
The fact is, DIY moving costs add up and a lot can happen in the back of that truck if things aren’t packed properly.
Here are a few things to consider when doing the math and deciding between a professional or DIY move.
- Time: Your time isn’t free, you know.
- Materials: Buying boxes and packing materials yourself can add up.
- Gas: Big moving trucks aren’t the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road.
- Food: Purchasing meals on the journey between your old and new homes gets expensive, especially if you don’t plan on surviving off of gas station food.
- Lodging: If you’re moving a long distance, you’ll likely have to break your trip up over multiple days and find a hotel or two along the way.
- Insurance: Carefully loading your belongings onto the truck will only get you so far. If your things aren’t packed properly, some may break during the trip. You’ll want to buy moving insurance to make sure you’re covered in the event of a loss.
After you add up the extra costs associated with a DIY move, going with a professional moving company ends up costing about the same (and sometimes less) than a DIY move, andyou save yourself the trouble of loading and driving the truck. Your pocketbook and your back will thank you.
Check that they are properly licensed and insured
Before a cross country move, I highly suggest checking to see if the professional moving company is properly licensed and insured. Otherwise, you could end up engrossed in the drama that accompanies moving scams. Thankfully, this is easy to avoid.
Check to see that the moving company offers proper insurance is also important. After all, moving mishaps do happen – even with the best of movers. So it’s important that you’re prepared. Licensed interstate movers are required to offer two types of liability options: Full Value Protection and Released Value.
- Full Value Protection: “your mover is liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods in your entire shipment…This is the more comprehensive plan available for the protection of your belongings.” The cost of Full Value Protection varies by mover.
- Released Value Protection: The most economical protection available is Released Value, since it is offered at no additional charge. However, the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound per article.
Of course, if you select a long distance moving company from the vast network of cross country movers, you won’t have to bother asking this question. Every professional long distance movers that Moving.com works with is required to be licensed and insured.
Read reviews
In addition to checking the moving company’s complaint history on the U.S. DOT’s database, I recommend researching and reading as many reviews as possible. Check the moving company’s online reviews and ratings on their website as well as on various review sites. I highly recommend looking at moving reviews through customer lobby – the reviews are guaranteed by bill of lading.
Ask friends and neighbors
Of course, word-of-mouth is still a great way to discover quality movers in your area. So don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and neighbors for recommendations and suggestions. Most people are happy to share their good experiences – and even happier to tell stories about their bad ones. If you don’t know many people in the neighborhood, try Nextdoor.com – a social network for your neighborhood community. Remember: it doesn’t hurt to ask! While a mover may look good on paper, someone’s personal experience could prove otherwise.
Be honest with your inventory
Before hiring a cross country moving company, make sure they perform either an in-person inspection or a video survey of your belongings before giving you a quote for the cross-country move. You’ll know the moving company isn’t legitimate if they offer to give you a quote over the phone or internet (read: red flag!), based on your own account of the inventory. The company should survey your things themselves to give you as accurate a quote a possible. Once the inspection is complete, the mover’s estimate should be sent to you in writing and include all possible costs.
Keep in mind that an interstate move means the majority of the cost will be based on the weight of your belongings. So the less stuff you have to move, the cheaper. With this in mind, make sure the mover knows exactly what is coming with you. If you plan to leave large furniture behind, such as a bed or couch, inform the mover during the inspection.
Make sure you are hiring a moving company and not a broker or sub-contractor
Before hiring a interstate moving company for an interstate move, make sure to ask whether the moving company will be picking up, transporting and delivering all of the belongings themselves – or subcontracting part of the move out to a different party. Many professional cross country moving companies use moving subcontractors. These subcontractors are not employees of the moving company, and therefore may not be subject to the same standards as the moving company you originally hired. If you’re comfortable with subcontractors handling part of your move then be sure to ask whether they are insured. If you’re uncomfortable with another party handling part of your move, I suggest finding a moving company that does not subcontract.
How to Find Professional Cross Country Movers
How professional did the cross country moving company seem? Do they have a good reputation? Do they have a brick-and-mortar office and a professional moving truck? Do they have business cards and a professional website? Did the mover arrive in a timely fashion and answer all questions before, during and after the inspection? Did they provide you with an official Bill of Lading? Did something just feel off? Ask yourself these types of questions before hiring a moving company.
Also, be sure to quiz the mover about his or her experiences with your particular kind of move. For instance, if you’re moving to a high-rise apartment building, a townhome with lots of steps, a house with a small doorway or a busy street, you should inquire whether the moving company has experience with the type of move. An experienced mover will be well-prepared to handle a move with steep stairs, elevators, parking limitations and more.
Review your estimate
I recommend choosing the moving company that gives you an estimate you’re comfortable with, and provides information about any and all additional charges. Remember: you don’t want any unwelcome surprises at the end of your stressful and exhausting move.
The most common type of interstate moving estimate is the “non-binding estimate.” This estimate is the mover’s estimated cost based on the overall weight of your things combined with labor costs (i.e. loading, unloading, packing, etc). However, these estimates are “non-binding,” which means the final charge will be based on the actual weight of your belongings and any extra add-ons you require that are not listed in the estimate. When choosing a moving company, I suggest obtaining a non-binding not-to-exceed estimate. This ensures that the customer won’t have to pay more than the original estimate.