Best Packing and Moving Companies Of 2023

If you’ve ever moved in the past, you might already know that packing can be as much of a challenge as loading up your moving truck and even taking your things to your new home. If you’re forced to move at the last minute, you might want to consider hiring a professional packing and moving service provider to help you safely load all of your things. Working with professional packers can even end up saving you hundreds of dollars by the time you get into your new home if you have fragile or awkwardly shaped items to move. 

At House Method, we understand that choosing the right packing and moving company can be a challenge. We’ve created a comprehensive guide to help you learn everything you need to know about the best packing and moving companies of 2023. Read on to learn more about: 

• The best movers and packers offering service throughout the country
• What you might expect to pay for moving and packing services
• Additional tips that you can use to be sure that you’ve budgeted enough for your upcoming move

The 7 Best Packing and Moving Companies 

Our top recommended packing and moving companies for 2023: 

• Best Full-Service Mover: International Van Lines
• Most Transparent Pricing: American Van Lines
• Most Moving Partners: Moving APT
• Most Customizable Moving Experience: JK Moving Services
• Most Vehicle Shipping Options: Allied Van Lines
• Best Overall Container Service: U-Pack
• Best Pricing Options: North American Van Lines

Compare The Best Packing and Moving Companies

Company	Website	Our Take	Our Rating	BBB Rating	Local Cost
International Van Lines	Site	Best Full-Service Mover	9.8	B	$600 – $1,200
American Van Lines	Site	Most Transparent Pricing	9.7	N/A	$500 – $1,000
Moving APT	Site	Most Moving Partners	9.6	B
JK Moving Services	Site	Most Customizable Moving Experience	9.5	A+	Call for a quote
Allied Van Lines	Site	Most Vehicle Shipping Options	9.4	A+	$750 – $1,350
U-Pack	Site	Most Widely-Available Container Service	9.3	A+	N/A
North American Van Lines	Site	Best Pricing Options	9.2	A+	$750 – $1,350

International Van Lines

Why We Recommend International Van Lines

International Van Lines (IVL) is the biggest name in American packing and moving companies. Not only do they provide service to all 50 states, but they can also move you to over 150 countries worldwide. They are a full-service moving company, with means they can handle every aspect of your move, or you can choose partial packing services — or anything in between. You can get packing supplies from International Van Lines if that’s all you need, and they offer short-term storage solutions at your destination.

IVL’s defining feature is its commitment to customer service and proactive scheduling assistance. Major nationwide publications have lauded IVL for its thorough employee training process. Forbes has even rated International Van Lines the Best National Moving Company of 2023 and several previous years. IVL averages 20,000 moves each year, and the company’s specialty is long-distance moves. If you want to avoid the hassle of planning your move, packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, and auto transport, then International Van Lines can take that weight off your shoulders with a full-service move.

Services Offered

International Van Lines operates as a full-service moving company, which means that their long-distance movers offer more services than you might expect with standard partial moving companies.  You can currently book the following services through IVL to make your move simple and stress-free.  

• Packing and unpacking services
• Loading and unloading services
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Crating
• Specialized packing services for fragile items
• Storage solutions for both short-term and long-term periods
• Packing supplies
• Auto transportation services
• Military moving services
• Commercial moving services

How Much Does IVL Cost?

Like most full-service moving companies, IVL bases its pricing primarily on the distance you’re traveling and the size of the home that you’re moving. If you’re moving across the country, you’ll pay more for your moving services. If you own a larger home, you likely have a heavier shipment of household goods to move, which increases moving and packing costs. 

Read best moving companies for small moves if you aren’t moving far.

Get an idea of what you might pay for your move when you work with IVL using the chart of average customer pricing below. 

	<250 miles	500 miles	1,000 miles	2,000 miles
Two-bedroom home	$1,400 to $4,400	$1,900 to $4,900	$2,100 to $5,100	$2,400 to $5,400
Four-bedroom home	$3,200 to $6,200	$5,100 to $8,100	$5,700 to $8,700	$6,200 to $9,200

State Availability: All 50 states

Get a quote from IVL here.

American Van Lines

Why We Recommend American Van Lines

American Van Lines (AVL) is a top packing and moving company that works all across the contiguous U.S. They have up front pricing and a flat-rate pricing system so that you always know how much you’re paying — there are no hidden fees. American Van Lines will use an inventory of all your items and several factors to calculate the cost of your move, including weight, mileage, fuel costs, and special services (like piano or pool table moving). Once they give you the calculated rate and you agree to the terms, your contracted quote will not change.

American Van Lines employs certified piano moving experts as well as certified antique movers. They will also individually wrap each of your items that need it, whether with bubble wrap or other protective materials. This can make AVL a great choice for your packing and moving company if you have a number of fragile items you need to move and you’re worried about damage. 

Services Offered

You can currently book the following additional services through Allied Van Lines when planning your moving process. 

• Packing and unpacking services
• Storage unit arrangement
• Specialty packing services for items like pianos and antiques
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Crating for large items (like pianos)
• Moving supplies
• Office moving services and corporate relocation

How Much Does AVL Cost?

Get an idea of what you might pay for your move when you work with AVL using the chart of average customer pricing below.

	<250 miles	500 miles	1,000 miles	2,000 miles
Two-bedroom home	$1,700 to $4,700	$2,300 to $5,300	$2,600 to $5,600	$4,200 to $7,200
Four-bedroom home	$4,800 to $7,800	$5,600 to $8,600	$7,400 to $10,400	$10,800 to $13,800

State Availability: 48 States

Get a quote from American Van Lines here.

Moving APT

Why We Recommend Moving APT

Moving APT is not a packing and moving company in itself, but it can connect you with the packing and moving companies that fit your needs and budget. Moving APT is a broker that partners with over 2,500 moving companies across the nation. Their model is to act as the connection between you and the moving company or companies in your area that best fits your schedule and what type of move you want, whether it be full service, local, long-distance, or transport only without packing.

Because Moving APT has partners all over the country, they can match you with the most affordable companies for what you need to get to your new home. With so many partners to choose from, you’re sure to find the right moving service provider for your individual needs. They’ve already helped to move more than half a million customers across the United States, making their company one of the top choices for quick, affordable moving processes.

Pros & Cons of Moving APT

Services Offered

Moving APT is not a moving company itself. Instead, it brokers services through a range of more than 2,500 partner carriers to be sure that each of its customers is able to get exactly what they need when moving. Some of the most commonly booked services from Moving APT include the following. 

• Commercial and residential moving
• Piano moving
• Auto shipping
• Packing services
• Packing supplies (included for some moves)
• Appliance connection services
• Limited furniture disassembly and reassembly

Services available may vary depending on your team and location. Contact a Moving APT representative to learn more about specific services available with your move. 

How Much Does Moving APT Cost?

Moving APT offers a price matching guarantee that ensures you won’t overpay for your move. Many Moving APT customers take advantage of this policy, which makes it more difficult to estimate exactly what you’ll pay for service before you get your free quote. In our review, we found that a homeowner moving a four-bedroom home a distance of 1,000 miles can expect to pay about $7,800 for their move with Moving APT. Click the link below to learn more about what you might expect to pay for your move with Moving APT.

State Availability: All 50 States

Get a quote from Moving APT here.

JK Moving Services

Why We Recommend JK Moving Services

JK Moving Services can help you enjoy a stress-free moving experience by walking you through each step of the moving process, from creating packing checklists to inventorying your valuables and from packing just your breakables to packing up your entire home. JK Moving Services is the most customizable full-service packing and moving company out there, with an entire list of add-ons so you can tailor your move the way you want. Their team is best known for creating customized packing and moving packages, which can be ideal if you have multiple high-value or fragile items you need to move.

JK Moving Services has its own handy mobile app so you can connect with customer service 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns about your move. This is also where you can track the location of your shipment, giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing where your things are at all times. JK offers professional packing services for your appliances, furniture, and antiques as well as vehicle transportation. Because JK tends to be pricier than competitors, its financing option to pay for your moving plan allows you to have the moving services you want without breaking the bank.

Services Offered

You can currently book the following additional services through JK Moving Services when planning your upcoming move. 

• Packing and unpacking services
• Loading and unloading services
• Long-term and short-term storage unit arrangement
• Transportation and delivery
• Freighting
• Crating
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly services
• Specialty services for items like antiques and pianos
• Specialized services for commercial moves for law firms, hospitals and other specialized workplaces
• Government moving services
• Archive services
• Auto relocation services

How Much Does JK Moving Services Cost?

Like Moving APT, JK Moving Services takes a personal approach to pricing. You can’t be sure what you’ll pay for your move through JK Moving Services before you connect with a representative to claim your free quote. As a general pricing example, we found that a homeowner can expect to pay between $2,500 and $5,500 when moving a two-bedroom home a total distance of 500 miles. 

State Availability: All lower 48 states.

Get a quote from JK Moving Services here.

Allied Van Lines

Why We Recommend Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines is another full-service mover at the top of our list thanks to their nationwide availability and easy vehicle transportation options. They offer services in all 50 states as well as international moves. With Allied, you have the option of full packing services, fragile-only packing, or DIY packing services, during which Allied can provide you with packing tips or packing materials. You can also opt for their new affordable moving container service, which allows you to save money while also enjoying professional container loading, unloading, and transportation. 

Allied also has custom crating services for awkward or specialty items, such as pianos or motorcycles. They offer disassembly and assembly services for furniture items, hot tubs, and even antique items. The storage options are also great — you can get up to 90 days of free storage upon arrival at your destination if you need it. If you’re moving a vehicle alongside your home, you also receive the protection of knowing that Allied will cover your transportation costs incurred if your vehicle shipment is late. 

Services Offered

You can currently book the following additional services through Allied Van Lines when planning a residential or corporate move. 

• Packing services and unpacking services
• Fragile-only packing
• Storage for in-transit items
• Arrangement of long-term storage units
• Shipment tracking
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Auto and boat transport
• Basic liability coverage
• Full-value coverage

How Much Does Allied Van Lines Cost?

Get an idea of what you might pay for your move when you work with Allied Van Lines using the chart of average customer pricing below.

	<250 miles	500 miles	1,000 miles	2,000 miles
Two-bedroom home	$1,800 to $4,500	$2,400 to $5,400	$2,700 to $5,700	$4,400 to $7,400
Four-bedroom home	$3,300 to $6,000	$5,700 to $8,700	$7,500 to $10,500	$10,900 to $13,000

State Availability: All 50 states

Get a quote from Allied Van Lines here.

U-Pack

Why We Recommend U-Pack

U-Pack is a moving container service, meaning that the company offers you a unique option to save money on your move without renting a moving truck. U-Pack specializes in residential moving processes using weatherproof moving containers. As the name suggests, U-Pack provides these containers and their transportation while you pack and load your own things. You save money because you’re not paying for packing or unpacking services, but you may also be able to employ limited packing help through a third-party service at a more affordable rate than hiring a full-service mover.

You can check out U-Pack’s website for the moving containers that best suit your needs. You can either ask for a full moving trailer or one or more ReloCubes, which are U-Pack’s patented containers that can fit in a small parking space. Once you’ve determined how many and which type of container you need, you then schedule a drop-off. In most cases, you’ll receive instant pricing online and you can book your move in as little as a few minutes. A U-Pack driver will drop off your container at your home when your moving date arrives, and you have three days to load everything up before they return. A U-Pack driver will then take your full container to its destination whereupon you have three days to unload the container.

Services Offered

You can currently book the following services through U-Pack. 

• Long-distance moving container services
• Storage services

U-Pack only provides service on moves of 150 miles or more. If you’re planning a local move, you may want to consider a competing moving container service like PODS. 

How Much Does U-Pack Cost?

Get an idea of what you might pay for your move when you work with U-Pack using the chart of average customer pricing below.

	<250 miles	500 miles	1,000 miles	2,000 miles
Two-bedroom home	$600 to $1,600	$1,200 to $2,200	$1,600 to $2,600	$2,100 to $3,100
Four-bedroom home	$800 to $1,800	$1,800 to $2,800	$2,800 to $3,800	$4,100 – $5,100

State Availability: All 50 States

Get a quote from U-Pack here.

North American Van Lines

Why We Recommend North American Van Lines

North American Van Lines is a full-service mover specializing in long-distance residential moving across the U.S. From the packing process to loading and getting your household goods to their destination, North American Van Lines can help. They offer moving boxes, packing tape, dish pack barrels, stretch wrap, mattress boxes, and more moving supplies that you may not be able to find with other moving companies. You can get packing and moving tips from them as well as these materials, so you can be prepared to do a DIY move. You can also sign up for a full-service plan if you’d prefer to leave the packing to the professionals.

North American has bottom-line and not-to-exceed price plans so that you can prepare for the final cost of your move and not be surprised by any hidden fees. You can even get climate-controlled storage for your belongings if you need it, which can be beneficial if you’re moving fragile or temperature-sensitive items. North American can assist you with your move using a plan that’s as simple or as detailed as you desire, and you have complete control over your moving and your pricing structure.

Services Offered

You can currently book the following additional services through North American Van Lines to make your upcoming move easier. 

• Full-service packing
• Fragile-only packing
• Boxes and moving supplies
• Appliance disconnection and reconnection
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Custom crates
• Loading and unloading
• Crane vans for large items
• Storage
• Auto transport
• Basic liability coverage
• Full-valuation coverage

How Much Does North American Van Lines Cost?

Get an idea of what you might pay for your move when you work with North American Van Lines using the chart of average customer pricing below.

	<250 miles	500 miles	1,000 miles	2,000 miles
Two-bedroom home	$1,800 to $4,500	$2,400 to $5,400	$2,700 to $5,700	$4,400 to $7,400
Four-bedroom home	$3,300 to $6,000	$5,700 to $8,700	$7,500 to $10,500	$10,900 to $13,000

State Availability: All 50 States

Get a quote from North American Van Lines here.

What To Look for In Packing and Moving Companies

How can you be sure which packing and moving company is right for you? It can seem like there are endless local and long-distance options, but there are some criteria you can use to help you in your choice. Be sure to take the following factors into consideration when you select a moving company.

Proper licensing: All moving companies that provide moves crossing state lines need to be licensed with the US Department of Transportation and keep that license current. If a company is not transparent about its USDOT number, that can be a red flag that they are not to be trusted as its licensure may not be current. Some states require local movers to get this licensing as well; it simply depends on the state. Any professional movers also need to meet the standards of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates the moving industry.

Customer reviews: It’s important to check out customer reviews about the companies you’re considering to see what previous customers have to say about their moving process. Of course, for every negative review of a company, there are likely a dozen stellar ones, so use your judgment when sifting through these. If customers consistently say the same negative thing about the company, it’s worth noting. Most moving companies put reviews on their website, but it’s better to look at reviews from unbiased third parties using websites like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot.

Budget-friendly: If you have a moving budget, be prepared to sacrifice some conveniences to stick to it. If the moving company you’re set on gives you a quote that is significantly higher than what you’ve budgeted, check out what other companies say. If the one you want has price matching and other companies are priced lower, your problem is solved. However, you may have to do a hybrid move in order to stick to your budget (you take care of some of the packing process and the mover takes care of the rest of the move).

What Costs Are Involved with Packing and Moving Companies?

While most homeowners already know that moving isn’t exactly an affordable process, there may be some costs involved with hiring a packing and moving company that you might not have taken into consideration. Some expenses you may have forgotten when planning your move might include the following. 

Insurance: Many moving plans come with built-in insurance because they are required by law. However, if you have a number of expensive items or items that have sentimental value, you might want to opt for a third-party insurance package to be sure that you have all of the coverage you need for your upcoming trip. 

Packing supplies: Packing supplies are not cheap unless you gather them yourself before your move. Although packing and moving companies will provide these upon request, they will also charge premium prices for your cardboard boxes and packing tape. If you know you’re going to need a lot of boxes, it’s best to get these from supermarkets, schools, and big box stores so that you don’t have to pay exorbitant prices for these moving basics.

Auto transport: If you are unwilling or unable to drive a long distance from your origin to your destination, you will need transport for your vehicle. The aforementioned full-service movers provide auto transport as an add-on to their moving plans, but these services come at an additional price. 

Final Thoughts

Feeling overwhelmed by the number of moving companies out there that can provide you with packing and relocation services? While it can be tempting to choose the first moving company that you receive a quote from, the best way to be sure that you’re getting the best possible price on your move is to collect as many quotes as possible from competing packing and moving companies. While nearly any full-service moving company will be able to provide packing and moving services, the price you’ll pay might vary by hundreds or even thousands of dollars between company quotes.

House Method Rating Methodology

At House Method, our primary goals are to be a reliable source of information and to be totally transparent to our readers. With that in mind, we’ve developed the following formula to render objective ratings – on a scale of 10 points – for the moving companies we review.

• Transparency (3.0): Communication and being fully straightforward regarding company policies and licensing are incredibly important. A given mover’s willingness to display these, to supply quick quotes, and to provide clearly-worded moving contracts all factor into the three points within this single rating criteria.
• Cost (2.5): A mover’s cost relative to industry averages, as well as accessibility to cost data play a role in the customer experience as much as anything else. We know that being sure of what you’re paying – and being confident that you’re not overpaying – will ultimately make for a positive move. We’ve weighted cost factors accordingly in our ratings.
• Customer Service (2.0): Establishing an easy line of contact with your movers during the booking process or during the move itself is a huge asset for any moving client. The stress of moving, in general, can be greatly eased by knowing you can talk to a licensed professional whenever you need to, which is why we’ve listed this as a key rating category. This is where customer reviews come into play; since the majority of complaints stem from poor customer service, feedback from BBB, Yelp, Google, and other review platforms factor into this criteria.
• Services Offered (1.5): This rates lower on our priority list than many would think, simply due to the fact that many movers provide a similar line of services. However, breadth of service offerings does still vary to a degree.
• Customization Options (1.0): Having the autonomy to fully customize your move should rate highly on any moving checklist. Here, we’ve taken moving package customization ability, as well as pricing for more involved add-ons. Steep pricing for such services can provide something of a soft barrier for clients looking to add to their move, and we’ve taken this into consideration.

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