Best Moving Companies For Long Distance & Out Of State Moves
- American National Movers
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
It is highly recommended to hire national carriers and/or major van lines when moving household goods long distances or across state lines. National carriers like American National Movers and major van lines like Allied and United Van Lines are the top-rated brands that primarily focus on out of state and long distance relocations.
How We Ranked The Best Out Of State Movers
To determine the best moving companies for out of state and long distance relocations in 2026, we evaluated carriers based on criteria that matter to consumers. Every company on the list was vetted for:
1). FMCSA Carrier Compliance:
We ensured the brands mentioned have an active DOT number and are licensed carriers, not brokers. This means they are legally authorized to transport your furniture across state lines and have insurance.
2). Complaint to Volume Ratio:
We looked at companies with a low complaint ratio relative to their sales volume and BBB accreditation. Please be advised that national movers and major van lines generally have more registered complaints online because they service 100+ long-hauls per month.
3). Pricing Transparency:
Long distance moving companies that offer clear, flat-rate pricing scored higher than those with a reputation for hidden fees.
4). Fleet Capabilities:
We selected carriers with a large enough fleet to effectively handle out of state moves to ensure speed and efficiency without relying on brokering tactics
Top Out of State & Long Distance Movers Reviews
American National Movers is popular due to its high rating compared to other nationwide brands and affordable pricing. This company has been operational for 9 years and has a proven track record of reliability
✅ Pros
Pristine BBB Record compared to competitors
Highly Affordable Pricing
Flat Rates / Binding Estimates
❌ Cons
The calendar fills quickly during the busy season.
A deposit is required to reserve long distance moves
Allied Van Lines is popular for its branded trucks and 90+ years in the industry. Some consumers consider Allied pricing reasonable; others claim it is too expensive for simple hauls between states.
✅ Pros
90+ years in the long distance moving industry
Moderate pricing compared to major van lines moving companies
Massive nationwide agent network
❌ Cons
Mixed reviews
Expensive for small and mid-sized long distance moves
Uses carrier agents / independent carriers to operate under Allied’s DOT authority
Two Men & A Truck has a major online presence and has completed thousands of long distance hauls. However, since they book a large number of loads, their reputation management is lacking, and some consider this brand to be too expensive.
✅ Pros
Major brand with strong online presence
National moving presence
❌ Cons
$10,000 minimum charge for many long distance and out of state moves, regardless of the size of the load
2.7 star rating on Yelp, indicating service issues in certain states
Premium rates due to high company overhead and markup rates
United Van Lines is one of the largest and most recognized moving companies in the country, specializing in corporate relocations and residential long distance moves. Customers appreciate United for its efficiency and no-deposit policy. However, since they are a luxury brand, their quotes are much higher than those of most long-distance movers,, even though they receive mixed online reviews from consumers.
✅ Pros
No upfront deposit required to reserve your truck and movers
top-tier premium service for 4+ bedrooms and luxury estates
Nationwide fleet of trucks and carrier agents
❌ Cons
Premium pricing model with some long distance moves exceeding $18,000
Mixed feedback online due to varying customer service quality from the independent agent carriers
Not a cost effective option for smaller homes
Why Brands With Bad Reviews Are Still Considered Top Choices?
Out of state and long distance moving companies operating for several years with negative feedback online do not mean they aren't a reliable option. Please see the content below for a concise yet detailed explanation.
Brands that have been in business for 8+ years will naturally attract more negative online feedback than newer movers.
Consumers are more likely to report negative experiences rather than positive ones due to the high stress of moving between states.
Although feedback is mixed, major van lines and national carriers are known to be legitimate and have been doing long-distance moving far more than the average local moving company.
Why National Movers & Major Van Lines Are Recommended?
National moving companies and major van line carriers focus primarily on long distance and out of state relocations. Carriers like American National Movers and similar brands built their businesses around transporting household goods across state lines—not just local in-state moves. Sure, you can get a quote from your local mover or a smaller moving company, but if they don't have enough resources, men, trucks, and locations, they cannot effectively provide the efficient service many consumers aim for.
Please see the content below for a detailed explanation.
National Carriers / Major Van Lines Vs. Local Moving Companies
Please see the chart below for more information on why working with national moving companies and major carriers is a better choice for long distance moving and moves from state to state.
Cost Analysis & Breakdown
Local long distance movers with limited service areas are almost always too expensive for the average consumer because their interstate operational costs are incredibly high.
For example, if you are moving from Florida to New Mexico and hire a local long distance moving company in Florida, they likely do not have a terminal or office in New Mexico. Because they cannot legally park their truck or pick up a new customer in a state where they don't operate, the company has to charge you a massive premium to cover the cost of driving an empty truck all the way back to Florida (known in the industry as "deadhead miles").
National carriers and major van lines operate vast infrastructures with locations and trucks moving through almost every state simultaneously. This massive network makes affordable shared-load moving, partial-load services, and true one-way moving options possible. This allows national brands like American National Movers to completely eliminate those empty return-trip fees and pass the massive savings directly to the consumer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions people ask when looking for a reputable long distance and out of state moving company.
Why do long distance movers get many bad reviews?
Due to the high stress and activity of moving, consumers are more likely to report negative experiences than positive ones. As a result, movers tend to rack up negative reviews, even after providing many families with positive experiences.
Who are the best long distance and out of state movers?
United, Allied, American National Movers, and Two Men and A Truck are the best movers for long distance moves and moves between states. These brands have fleets of well-maintained trucks and nationwide moving capabilities.
Who is the largest moving company in the United States?
United Van Lines is recognized as the largest moving company in the U.S.A, based on fleet size, service-based locations, and brand recognition. This brand is a premium provider for luxury and high-end long-distance moves.
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