877-412-1344 TL;DR
Cross-country moves cost between $2,389 and $14,000+, depending on home size, distance, and service level. This guide ranks nine moving companies for cross-country relocations, covering full-service van lines, coordinator-led movers, and budget DIY options. AmeriSafe Van Lines stands out for its dual-carrier/broker model, which gives you one point of contact throughout. Allied Van Lines is the best no-deposit option, and U-Pack is the best choice for budget-conscious DIY movers.
Why Choosing the Right Cross-Country Mover Matters
About 27 million Americans move each year, and cross-country relocations are among the most stressful. You’re trusting strangers with everything you own, shipping it thousands of miles, and paying thousands of dollars for the privilege. Get it wrong, and you could face damaged furniture, missing boxes, or worse.
The BBB received more than 700 complaints against moving companies in 2024, with victims losing an average of $754 to scams. Meanwhile, moving company pricing has risen approximately 21% in 2026 due to higher fuel costs, according to moveBuddha. That makes picking the right company more important than ever.
This guide compares nine moving cross-country movers by pricing, service quality, and real customer experiences. Whether you want white-glove treatment or a bare-bones container move, there’s an option here for you.
Get a personalized long-distance moving quote from AmeriSafe Van Lines.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
Company | Best For | Avg. Cross-Country Cost | Deposit Required | Free Storage | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AmeriSafe Van Lines | Coordinator-led, one-company accountability | Custom-quoted | Yes (72-hr refund window) | Arranged through partners | Nationwide |
Allied Van Lines | No-deposit booking | $4,400–$17,000 | None | 90 days | 50 states |
JK Moving Services | Premium white-glove moves | $6,277–$9,061+ | Yes | Yes | Nationwide |
Safeway Moving | Budget full-service | ~$3,664 (comparable routes) | Yes | 30 days free | 50 states inc. AK/HI |
International Van Lines | International + domestic combo | ~$4,153 (FL to NY) | Yes | Short-term | 180+ countries |
American Van Lines | Specialty items (pianos, antiques) | Mid-range | Yes | Yes | 48 states |
North American Van Lines | Flexible estimate types | ~$4,300 (1,000 mi) | Varies | Short-term | 50 states |
U-Pack | Budget DIY long-distance | $2,500–$5,000 | None | At service center | 50 states |
PODS | Flexible storage + moving | ~$3,810 avg | None | 30 days included | 46 states |
Full-Service Cross-Country Movers
1. AmeriSafe Van Lines
Best for: Coordinator-led cross-country moves with one point of contact
AmeriSafe Van Lines holds dual authority as both a Licensed Interstate Motor Carrier and a Licensed Interstate Moving Broker with FMCSA authorization for household goods. This means AmeriSafe can deploy its own trucks on certain routes or partner with vetted carriers depending on distance and capacity, giving customers nationwide reach without losing the accountability of a single company.
Key features:
Dedicated move coordinator from first call through final delivery
Full-service menu including packing, storage, senior moving services, and specialty item handling
FMCSA Rights and Responsibilities documents and arbitration info are published publicly on the website
Separate sales and customer service phone lines, so post-booking support isn’t routed through a sales queue
Clear deposit and refund policy with a 72-hour cancellation window
Pricing: Custom-quoted based on inventory, distance, and services selected. No standardized package tiers are published.
Tradeoffs:
No published price ranges to compare before calling
Deposits become non-refundable after 72 hours from signing
Newer brand compared to legacy van lines like Allied or North American
Why it matters for cross-country moves: The biggest anxiety people have when moving cross-country movers report is: “Who will actually show up?” With agent-based van lines, you book through one company, but a local agent handles the work. With pure brokers, a carrier you’ve never heard of might appear on moving day. AmeriSafe’s dual model, built around a single coordinator, is designed to address exactly that concern.
You can read customer reviews directly on AmeriSafe’s site, covering routes like Florida to New York and Chicago to California.
2. Allied Van Lines
Best for: No-deposit booking with flexible pricing
Allied Van Lines operates one of the largest moving fleets in the country, with more than 3,500 long-haul vehicles. Move.org’s February 2026 evaluation placed Allied at the top based on nationwide availability, booking flexibility, and its zero-deposit policy.
Key features:
No deposit required to book
This Old House rated Allied 4.9 out of 5 and named it “Best for Vehicle Relocation.”
Options for transporting cars, motorcycles, and boats alongside household goods
A+ BBB rating
Pricing: Cross-country moves with Allied typically run $4,400 to $17,000, depending on household size and distance, with an average cost of around $7,780, according to Allied’s own calculator.
Tradeoffs:
Uses an agent network, which means local execution quality varies by location
Customer reviews are mixed, with some reporting damaged belongings and a frustrating claims process
Higher-end pricing compared to newer competitors like Safeway Moving
Real-world perspective: Practitioners on moving forums frequently note that Allied’s experience depends heavily on the local agent assigned to your move. The corporate reputation is strong, but the local crew makes or breaks the experience.
3. JK Moving Services
Best for: Premium white-glove cross-country moves
JK Moving Services earns the top spot on U.S. News’s 2026 Best Interstate Moving Companies ranking. Every job gets a dedicated personal move coordinator from initial consultation through final delivery.
Key features:
Employees trained in a model home built inside JK’s headquarters
Dash cams are installed in every fleet vehicle
Free GPS tracking on every shipment
In-house teams (not contracted agents) handle your move
Pricing: Starting costs begin around $6,277 for standard service on a 960-mile move and $9,061 for full service, based on U.S. News sample quotes from March 2026.
Tradeoffs:
Significantly more expensive than most competitors
Some customers report communication issues closer to their moving date
Not the right fit for budget-conscious movers
Limited geographic coverage compared to van lines with massive agent networks
Real-world perspective: JK Moving is often described as a “high-end white-glove moving company” that justifies its premium pricing through operational rigor. If you’re moving valuable art, wine collections, or fragile antiques across the country, JK is built for that.
4. Safeway Moving
Best for: Budget-friendly full-service cross-country moves
Safeway Moving is moveBuddha’s pick for the best interstate moving company in 2026, combining competitive pricing with nationwide availability and 30 days of free storage on interstate moves.
Key features:
Covers all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii
30 days of complimentary storage on interstate relocations
Real-move data shows competitive pricing against legacy van lines
Pricing: Real-move comparisons show Safeway quoting $3,664 for moves where North American Van Lines quoted $5,789, and United Van Lines quoted $7,031 for comparable shipments.
Tradeoffs:
Newer brand without the decades-long track record of legacy van lines
Fewer customer reviews available to evaluate consistency
Service quality on specific routes is harder to verify in advance
5. International Van Lines
Best for: Combined international and domestic cross-country moves
If you’re moving from Miami to Seattle this year and then from Seattle to London next year, International Van Lines handles both. IVL routes to more than 180 countries and provides 24/7 customer support.
Key features:
ConsumerAffairs’ top-rated moving company for 2026
Among the most competitive cross-country quotes for certain routes
24/7 customer support availability
Handles both domestic and international relocations
Pricing: IVL quoted $4,153 for a Miami-to-New York move, while competing companies quoted $5,200 to $7,069, according to ConsumerAffairs data.
Tradeoffs:
Higher quotes on certain route types per U.S. News data
International specialization may mean less focus on domestic-only moves
Deposit terms and amounts vary by move
6. American Van Lines
Best for: Specialty item handling, including pianos, antiques, and artwork
American Van Lines is moveBuddha’s top choice for moving high-value items. This is a direct moving company, not a broker, that operates its own fleet and employs its own moving staff.
Key features:
Own fleet and in-house crews (no brokered moves)
Specialized handling for pianos, antiques, and fragile artwork
Comprehensive moving services provided directly to customers
Pricing: Mid-range for cross-country moves, though exact figures are custom-quoted. If you’re shipping a grand piano or a collection of antique furniture, the specialty-item handling premium is worth the added protection.
Tradeoffs:
Does not service Alaska or Hawaii
Packing services are required for furniture disassembly (you can’t opt out)
Fewer published pricing benchmarks are available than some competitors
7. North American Van Lines
Best for: Flexible estimate types and à la carte service
North American Van Lines offers something most competitors don’t: a choice between binding, non-binding, and not-to-exceed pricing structures. This gives customers more control over how they manage cost uncertainty.
Key features:
Three estimate types (binding, non-binding, not-to-exceed)
Large agent network with broad geographic reach
À la carte service model: save money by packing yourself
Pricing: Approximately $4,300 for a 1,000-mile move, with costs scaling by distance and weight.
Tradeoffs:
The website is clunky and difficult to navigate
Deposit terms are unclear until you engage with a sales representative
Agent network means inconsistent local quality (same challenge as Allied)
Budget and DIY Cross-Country Options
Not everyone needs or wants full-service movers. If you’re willing to pack and load yourself, container services save serious money. Moving containers costs 30 to 50% less than full-service cross-country movers, according to FreightWaves data. But those savings come with trade-offs: you take on the physical labor and assume more risk of damage.
1. U-Pack
Best for: Budget-focused DIY cross-country moves with predictable pricing
U-Pack’s pay-for-space model is straightforward. You only pay for the trailer space you actually use, with no fuel surcharges or hidden fees added later.
Key features:
Pay for space used, not a fixed container size
Guaranteed transit times with no fuel surcharges
Highest customer reuse rate among container companies (90%, per moveBuddha data)
Lowest damage rate: 5% compared to 20% for some competitors
Pricing: $2,500 to $5,000 for a two-to-three-bedroom cross-country household, representing savings of $2,000 to $4,000 below full-service movers.
Tradeoffs:
You handle all packing, loading, and unloading yourself
3-day window for loading and unloading (tight for larger homes)
No local moves under 100 miles
No packing supplies or labor included
Real-world perspective: On moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project, one customer named Steve E. had water leak into his moving container during transit. He recommends waterproofing your valuables and wrapping everything in plastic, not just blankets. Good advice regardless of which container company you choose.
2. PODS
Best for: Flexible timing with built-in storage
PODS is about $540 cheaper than the industry average for moves over 2,000 miles, and the container-based model lets you pack at your own pace without a crew watching the clock.
Key features:
Pack on your schedule (no time pressure)
30 days of storage included
Container stored at a secure facility or at your location
Available in 46 states
Pricing: Approximately $3,810 average for cross-country moves.
Tradeoffs:
You handle all physical labor
Limited liability protection compared to full-service movers
20 to 40% of container moves experience delivery delays, with PODS among the higher-delay providers per moveBuddha data
Not available in all states
Real-world perspective: One user on moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project, Janna G., learned the hard way that moving containers wasn’t allowed on her NYC street. The unexpected redelivery and parking permits added costs she hadn’t planned for. Always confirm local regulations before booking a container move.
How Much Does It Cost to Move Cross Country in 2026?
Distance and weight are the two biggest factors that determine your total. But several other variables can push your bill significantly higher.
Cost ranges by move type:
Move Type | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
General cross-country move | $2,389–$6,867 |
2-3 bedroom home, cross-country | $3,060–$5,280 |
2,000 sq ft house, cross-country | $8,000–$14,000 |
Full-service 2,800-mile move (standard) | $8,620–$14,328 |
Full-service 2,800-mile move (full service) | $9,709–$17,231 |
DIY container move, cross-country | $2,500–$5,000 |
Sources: Angi (May 2026), U.S. News sample quotes (March 2026), moveBuddha 2026 dataset.
Add-on costs to budget for:
Professional packing: $0.15 to $0.21 per pound, typically $900 to $1,500 for a full home. Learn more about professional packing services.
Fuel surcharges: Typically 10 to 20% of your base cost, though fuel price spikes can push this to 25 to 30%.
Deposits: Most companies require 20-50% of the total estimate upfront.
Storage in transit: Some companies include 30 days free; others charge weekly. Check storage options if you need flexibility between move-out and move-in dates.
Seasonal pricing matters too. Summer is peak moving season, and costs run higher due to demand. If your schedule allows, moving in October through March can save 10 to 20% on your total.
Before requesting quotes, it helps to understand what to expect from the quoting process so you can compare estimates accurately.
Broker vs. Carrier: The Distinction Most People Miss
This is the single most important concept to understand before hiring cross-country movers, and most people have never heard of it.
Carriers own trucks and employ movers. They physically transport your belongings. Brokers don’t own trucks or employ movers. They connect you with a carrier and take a fee for the matchmaking.
The confusion gets worse because some brokers use “van line” in their names, making them appear to be carriers. And some companies operate as both. This isn’t inherently bad, but you need to know what you’re dealing with.
A dual carrier/broker company (like AmeriSafe Van Lines, which holds both FMCSA authorities) can assign its own trucks on certain routes or partner with vetted carriers when that makes more sense for the distance or timing. The key difference from a pure broker is accountability: a carrier has skin in the game because its own FMCSA record is on the line.
Why this matters for your move: If you book through a pure broker, you may not know which company will actually show up on moving day until a few days before. With a carrier or carrier/broker hybrid, there’s more continuity and a clearer chain of responsibility.
Always verify a company’s FMCSA registration at protectyourmove.gov before paying anything.
Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates: Know the Difference
When comparing quotes from cross-country movers, the type of estimate matters as much as the dollar amount.
Binding estimate: The price is locked in based on the listed inventory and services. Even if your shipment weighs more than expected, you pay the quoted amount. This is the safest option for budgeting.
Non-binding estimate: The final price can change based on actual weight or additional services needed at pickup. Federal law states that if costs exceed the original non-binding estimate by more than 10%, you have 30 days before you’re required to pay the difference. But that still means a surprise bill.
Not-to-exceed estimate: A hybrid that caps the maximum price but allows you to pay less if the actual weight comes in under the estimate. Only some companies offer this (North American Van Lines is one).
Get at least three binding estimates before committing to any company. If a mover refuses to provide a binding estimate after an in-home or virtual survey, that’s a red flag.
How to Avoid Cross-Country Moving Scams
Moving scams are not rare. They are common enough that the FMCSA maintains a dedicated consumer protection program. Here are the warning signs that experienced movers and consumer advocates consistently flag.
Red flags to watch for:
Unusually low estimates. If one quote comes in dramatically lower than others, it’s likely bait-and-switch pricing. The low number gets you to sign, then the real bill shows up on moving day.
Cash-only or personal payment app demands. Practitioners on Reddit and moving forums report that some movers ask for final payment via Venmo or Zelle to personal accounts, or refuse credit cards entirely. The mover will often say, “It’s company policy.” This eliminates your fraud protection.
No physical address. Any legitimate moving company has a physical office. Check Google Maps.
Unmarked trucks on moving day. Professional cross-country movers use branded, DOT-numbered vehicles.
No in-home or virtual survey. A company that quotes your entire move based on a phone description alone is guessing, and that guess will change.
Hostage-load scams are the most severe form. The mover loads your belongings, then refuses delivery unless you pay hundreds or thousands more than the agreed price. Your furniture is on their truck in another state. You have no leverage.
How to protect yourself:
Verify the company’s USDOT and MC numbers at protectyourmove.gov.
Pay with a credit card for built-in fraud protection.
Get a binding estimate after a visual survey of your belongings.
Read reviews on BBB, Google, and moveBuddha, not just the company’s website.
Check that the company posts required FMCSA disclosures. AmeriSafe, for example, openly publishes its Rights and Responsibilities documentation and arbitration details.
Dedicated vs. Shared Trucks: What Cross-Country Movers Don’t Always Tell You
If your move is cross-country, there’s a good chance your belongings will share truck space with other customers’ shipments. This is standard practice for long-distance van lines and is how they keep costs manageable.
But shared trucks mean more stops, more loading and unloading, and more opportunities for items to get damaged or lost. Transit times also stretch longer, since the truck is making deliveries along the route.
A dedicated truck carries only your belongings. It goes from point A to point B without detours. Delivery is faster, and the risk of damage or loss drops significantly. The tradeoff is cost: dedicated trucks are substantially more expensive, sometimes 30 to 50% more than shared service.
If you’re moving high-value items or need a guaranteed delivery date, ask specifically whether your move will use a dedicated or shared truck. Don’t assume.
How to Choose the Right Cross-Country Mover
Picking from a list of nine companies is still a lot. Here’s how to narrow it down based on what actually matters.
Verify FMCSA registration. Every legitimate interstate mover has a USDOT number. Look it up. It takes 30 seconds.
Understand whether you’re hiring a broker, carrier, or both. Ask directly. A good company will tell you without hesitation.
Get three or more binding estimates. Compare apples to apples. Make sure each estimate includes the same services and inventory.
Request an in-home or virtual survey. Phone-only estimates are unreliable for cross-country moves. Your 3-bedroom house has more stuff than you think.
Read reviews beyond the company’s website. BBB, Google Reviews, and moveBuddha all provide less curated feedback.
Pay with a credit card. Never wire money or use cash for your deposit.
Ask about your delivery window. Cross-country moves typically take 7 to 14 days, but some companies quote wider ranges.
For more detailed guidance on vetting interstate movers, including what questions to ask during the estimate process, that resource covers the full checklist.
Ready to compare quotes? Contact AmeriSafe Van Lines for a personalized cross-country moving estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a cross-country move take?
Most cross-country moves take 7 to 14 days from pickup to delivery. The exact timeline depends on distance, route, and whether your belongings share a truck with other shipments. Dedicated trucks are faster. Always confirm the delivery window in writing before signing.
What’s the cheapest way to move cross country?
Moving containers like U-Pack ($2,500 to $5,000 for a 2- to 3-bedroom home) or PODS (~$3,810 average) costs 30 to 50% less than full-service movers. The tradeoff is that you do all the packing, loading, and unloading yourself. If you want professional help at a lower price point, Safeway Moving and International Van Lines consistently quote below legacy van lines.
What’s the difference between a moving broker and a carrier?
A carrier owns trucks and employs movers. A broker connects you with a carrier but doesn’t perform the move. Some companies hold both authorities, meaning they can use their own trucks or partner carriers depending on the route. Always ask which type of company you’re working with before signing. Check the interstate moving FAQ for more details on how this distinction affects your move.
Do movers provide insurance for cross-country moves?
All interstate movers are required to offer basic valuation coverage at 60 cents per pound per item. That means a 50-pound TV worth $1,500 would only be covered for $30. For anything valuable, purchase full-value protection or a separate moving insurance policy through a third-party provider.
Can I move my car with my household goods?
Some companies, like Allied Van Lines, transport vehicles alongside household goods. Others contract this out to auto transport companies. Ask your mover directly. Shipping a car cross-country typically costs $1,000 to $1,500 on its own, so bundling can sometimes save money.
What is a binding estimate, and should I get one?
A binding estimate locks in your price based on the listed inventory and services. Unlike a non-binding estimate, which can increase based on actual weight, a binding estimate protects you from surprise charges. Always get a binding estimate after a visual survey of your belongings.
How do I verify that a moving company is legitimate?
Visit protectyourmove.gov and search for the company’s USDOT number. You can verify their operating authority, complaint history, insurance coverage, and whether they’re registered as a broker, carrier, or both. Any company that can’t or won’t provide its USDOT number should be avoided entirely.
When is the cheapest time to move cross country?
Late fall through early spring (October to March) is off-peak season for cross-country movers. Demand drops, and many companies offer lower rates or more flexible scheduling. Summer months, especially June through August, are the most expensive time to move due to high demand.
