Reading Reviews For Long Distance Movers? Here's What You NEED to Know.
- American National Movers
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Many people searching for the best long distance movers and reading reviews are doing it wrong. Read this article, and you'll be able to review your long distance moving company and vet them properly.
Moving your belongings from state to state and hiring long distance movers is overwhelming. Most people only relocate out of state once or twice in their lives, so looking up reviews for long distance movers is totally normal. But what many don’t know is that even the best long-distance movers may have more negative reviews than the shady brands.
Sounds surprising? Let’s unpack why that happens — and what it means for your decision-making.
Why The Best Long Distance Movers May Have Several Complaints Online.
Sounds counterintuitive, right? If a brand is truly one of the “best,” why would they have so many negative reviews?
There’s a science behind it, and in the simplest terms, it comes down to two key factors: demand and years in business.
Just because a long distance moving company has bad reviews doesn’t automatically disqualify them as a good option. What matters is how many jobs they’ve handled and how long they’ve been operating.
Review Examples:
The most popular relocation brands have a lot of negative reviews. Why?
United Van Lines is considered one of the top long-distance moving companies, yet it averages a 1.9-star rating on Yelp.
Allied Van Lines, another major national mover, averages about 1.8 stars on Yelp.
American National Movers holds a strong 4.8-star average across platforms — but does that make us automatically “better”?
In all fairness, no, American National Movers having fewer complaints than the brands mentioned with the low star ratings does not make us a better brand. They have been in business longer and take on thousands of loads each year, making their high volume of complaints justifiable.
Why Top Long Distance Movers Get Bad Reviews:
Popular brands tend to get a lot of heat because they are held at a higher standard, so if something goes wrong people tend to complain. You pair that with a high volume of long distance moves, and negative reviews are bound to happen.
Here is a detailed explanation:
Demand & Years in Business.
Major van lines, national moving companies, and popular long distance movers take on several jobs each month. With higher volume comes higher risk of complaints—even if the percentage remains low. A small, long-distance company doing 10 to 20 jobs a month might have zero complaints or very few, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better.
Long Distance Moving: High Risk Industry.
Long distance moving brands are taking on a tough business: multiple state regulations, long travel, coordinating trucks/crews, weather/road conditions, and the risk of cargo damage. More moving parts = more chances for something to go wrong. Even small hiccups may trigger negative reviews, because moving to another state can be frustrating for consumers. It's far from a walk in the park.
Expectations vs Reality.
Many customers expect a perfect day with 5-star service—but given the logistics involved, even a long distance moving company with a 95% satisfaction rate still leaves several customers dissatisfied and highly impacted. In the moving industry, reviewers only post when something went wrong, not when everything went smoothly.
How to Tell If a Moving Company’s Reviews Are a Red Flag — or Just Reality
When you see mixed reviews, don’t panic. Even reputable long distance movers collect complaints over time. What matters more than the number of negative reviews is the pattern of the complaints and how the company handles them:
1. Check How the Company Responds.
A good mover doesn’t ignore complaints. They address them professionally, offer to fix issues, and explain what went wrong.
If the company blames the customer or never replies at all, they don't value their customers or their business. Consider another option.
2. Look at the Pattern of Complaints.
One-off issues happen — but if you see dozens of reviews mentioning lost items, hidden fees, or broken furniture, that’s a pattern worth noting.
Compare these across platforms like Google, Yelp, and the BBB to see if they’re consistent.
3. Evaluate the Positive Reviews Too.
Not all 5-star reviews are created equal.
If they all sound generic or were posted around the same time, they may not be authentic.
Look for specific details like names of movers, routes, or problem-solving examples — those are usually genuine.
4. Consider Time and Volume.
A 20-year-old company with thousands of completed moves will always have more total complaints than a new company with a few dozen jobs.
That’s why it’s better to assess ratios (number of reviews vs. total moves) instead of raw scores.
Final Thoughts: Reading Reviews The Smart Way.
Vetting a brand and reading reviews for long-distance movers can be confusing, but it is still one of the best ways to get a quick sense of how the company works.
Online feedback highlights the strengths and weaknesses of long-distance moving companies. But try not to focus solely on negative experiences, because even the best long-distance movers may have some dissatisfied customers.
At American National Movers, we encourage you to research every company thoroughly, including us. Transparency matters. That’s why we proudly share our verified reviews across multiple platforms, along with a detailed breakdown of how we price and manage each move.