Our Experts
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Reviews ethics statement
Joe Supan is a senior writer for CNET covering home technology, broadband, and moving. Prior to joining CNET, Joe led MyMove’s moving coverage and reported on broadband policy, the digital divide, and privacy issues for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. He has been featured as a guest columnist on Broadband Breakfast, and his work has been referenced by the Los Angeles Times, Forbes, National Geographic, Yahoo! Finance and more.
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
Moving is always stressful and without the right help, it can easily become overwhelming. Getting a truck and loading it up yourself is always an option, however, hiring a moving company will make the process a lot easier. When you pick from the best moving companies, they will pack, unpack and even drive long distances to help you with your move. These are the companies you can trust will handle all your belongings with care.
Read more: Best Smart Home Gifts
Professional movers cost more than DIY options, but they offer efficiency and expertise. They’ll handle the heavy lifting, complex logistics and proper packing techniques that come from daily experience (compared to the average of 12 times most people move in their lifetime). To make your moving process simple, we’ve rounded up the best moving companies operating in 2025 below.
Best moving companies
This best list draws on government sources like the General Services Administration’s moving services score and the Department of Transportation’s safety ratings, as well as online customer reviews and firsthand experience getting estimates for a variety of moves. A good rule of thumb is to compare at least three moving quotes before picking a moving company. Each one should ask for a detailed inventory of your home before offering an estimate — this is a great way to judge their moving process.
Moving companies are tricky to review. Since I couldn’t realistically grade every mover’s hauling skills myself, I relied on other customers’ experiences. The most reliable source is the Form GSA3080, which government employees fill out to evaluate movers after they relocate for work. That data is compiled into an all-in-one score for movers. From my original list of more than 50 interstate movers, I cut any that had a below-average score.
From there, I looked into each company’s record with the Department of Transportation. Did it employ enough drivers to handle timely cross-country moves? How is its safety record? I eliminated any companies with below-average vehicle or driver inspection scores.
Then I tested out what I could: the quote process. I filled out online quote forms from 22 movers and waited for my phone to blow up. It should only take about 10 minutes to get a quote over the phone. I dinged any companies that put their sales pitches ahead of my questions or asked for a large deposit immediately. The best moving companies will request a detailed inventory of items you’re moving before they provide a quote, and they’ll be able to explain their policies in clear, simple language.
Finally, I dug into reviews and complaints with the Better Business Bureau. This was less about an overall number — moving is the kind of industry where people typically only leave reviews when there’s a problem — and more about finding a pattern of complaints. I also gave preference to companies that were certified as ProMover by the American Trucking Association. This means they’ve passed an annual review of their business practices, including their complaint history.
All interstate moving companies have a US Department of Transportation number, which is usually displayed at the bottom of its website. You can search this number on the DOT website to see information about the company’s safety record. Red flags for moving scams include offering a quote without a detailed inventory, unusually low prices or asking for a deposit in cash, money order or wire transfer.
An average tip for movers is around $5 per person for each hour of work. It’s also a nice gesture to have water or snacks on hand for movers while they’re loading or unloading items in your home.
Local moves average around $500, while interstate moves can cost as much as $10,000. Among the 22 companies I received quotes from, here is the average to move:
- <25 miles: $465
- 100 miles: $2,059
- 500 miles: $2,538
- 1,000 miles: $3,512
- 3,000 miles: $5,404
Add-ons like packing services and vehicle shipment will add significantly to the final cost.
It’s tempting to just go with the moving company that gives you the cheapest quote, but it pays to put in some extra legwork. To get started, you can view the federal government’s mover ratings that it uses for employee relocation. A high score isn’t a guarantee of a positive experience, but it’s a good place to start your list of moving companies you want to get quotes from.
A reputable moving company should offer an in-person or virtual tour of your home before providing a written estimate. The contract you sign is called a Bill of Lading and it should detail out every little part of your move, from estimates to services provided, as line items. This can (and should!) include everything from how much you’ll be charged for the move itself to whether or not the moving company will provide its own bubble wrap.
If you don’t understand something in your contract, ask your moving coordinator about it. A company with a strong track record will be able to explain any issues in simple terms.
