Planning a move in 2026? We evaluated 5 national moving companies — Allied Van Lines, Two Men and a Truck, PODS, North American Van Lines, and U-Pack — across pricing, licensing, and service flexibility to find the best option for local, long-distance, and budget-conscious moves.
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If you're planning a move in 2026, Allied Van Lines leads for long-distance full-service reliability and Two Men and a Truck is the top pick for local moves — both are FMCSA-licensed with transparent pricing. We evaluated 5 national movers across pricing transparency, licensing compliance, service flexibility, and customer satisfaction. Whether you're moving across town or across the country, this guide gives you real data to choose confidently.
We evaluated each company across 4 criteria:
| Criteria | Weight | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Transparency | High | Hidden fees are the #1 mover complaint with the FMCSA |
| FMCSA Licensing & Insurance | High | Required by federal law for all interstate moves |
| Service Flexibility | Medium | Full-service vs. container vs. freight affects cost and control |
| Customer Satisfaction | Medium | BBB ratings and FMCSA complaint records normalized by shipment volume |
Data sources: FMCSA mover search database (fmcsa.dot.gov), BBB accreditation records, American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), company online estimators.
Best for: Families relocating 500+ miles who need guaranteed pickup and delivery dates
Average cost (3BR long-distance): $4,000–$8,000
Binding estimates: Yes — not-to-exceed pricing available
Allied Van Lines operates one of the largest carrier networks in North America with over 500 agents across 48 states. The company offers binding not-to-exceed estimates for interstate moves, GPS shipment tracking, and an established claims process. Allied maintains a complaint rate below the industry median in the FMCSA database relative to shipment volume — a meaningful indicator of operational consistency.
Homeowners making corporate relocations or cross-country family moves who need a confirmed delivery window and prefer full packing support. Less suited for renters, single-room moves, or anyone willing to trade convenience for significant cost savings.
Best for: In-city or short-haul moves under 100 miles
Average cost (2BR local): $400–$1,200
Hourly rate: $120–$180/hr depending on crew size and market
Two Men and a Truck operates 350+ franchise locations nationally with a primary focus on local residential moves. Online booking with upfront hourly rates makes budgeting predictable. Some markets offer flat-rate local move pricing. The franchise model means you should check local reviews, but overall the company ranks well with the BBB in most major metros.
Renters or homeowners moving within the same metro area who want professional movers without a full carrier contract. Strong choice for apartment-to-apartment moves, senior downsizing, and storage unit moves. Not recommended for cross-country moves requiring guaranteed delivery dates.
Best for: Moves requiring schedule flexibility or storage overlap between homes
Monthly storage cost: $149–$299/mo depending on market
Delivery and pickup fee: $75–$175 per trip
PODS delivers a portable storage container to your home, you pack it at your own pace, and they transport it locally or cross-country. This hybrid model eliminates the single moving-day pressure and creates a natural storage buffer if your new home isn't ready. PODS operates over 230,000 containers and is available in most major U.S. markets.
People with overlapping leases or flexible closing dates who want to avoid moving-day chaos. Also ideal for those downsizing who need temporary storage during the transition. Not a fit for large households needing crew labor or urban areas without street-level container access.
Best for: Interstate moves balancing service quality with competitive pricing
Average cost (3BR long-distance): $3,500–$7,500
Specialty services: Pianos, antiques, vehicles, fine art
North American Van Lines offers full-service interstate moving at pricing generally 5–15% below Allied and Mayflower while maintaining FMCSA licensing and a broad regional agent network. The company publishes a transparent rights and responsibilities summary in compliance with federal regulations. Strongest coverage in the Midwest and Southeast corridors.
Families making multi-state moves who want full-service capability without paying the top-brand premium. A particularly good fit for relocations within the central U.S. where North American's agent coverage is densest.
Best for: Long-distance movers comfortable with self-packing who want to save 40–60%
Average cost (3BR cross-country): $1,800–$3,500
Pricing model: Linear feet of trailer space used — not weight
U-Pack is a freight-based moving service where you load a ReloCube or trailer section, and they drive it. Pricing by linear foot eliminates the weight-dispute risk common with traditional carriers. U-Pack is faster than container services for coast-to-coast moves and significantly cheaper than full-service carriers.
Budget-conscious movers making long-haul moves (500+ miles) who are physically able and willing to trade labor for cost savings. Ideal for younger renters or smaller households where saving $2,000–$4,000 justifies the DIY effort. Not suitable for seniors, large households, or anyone who needs crew labor.
| Company | Best For | Avg Cost (3BR) | Service Type | Binding Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Van Lines | Long-distance full-service | $4,000–$8,000 | Full-service carrier | Yes |
| Two Men and a Truck | Local moves | $400–$1,200 | Full-service (hourly) | Hourly flat |
| PODS | Flexible timeline moves | $600–$2,000 total | Self-pack + transport | Flat rate |
| North American Van Lines | Interstate value | $3,500–$7,500 | Full-service carrier | Yes |
| U-Pack | Budget long-distance | $1,800–$3,500 | Self-pack + freight | Linear-foot rate |
This guide draws on the FMCSA mover search database at fmcsa.dot.gov, BBB accreditation and complaint records, American Moving & Storage Association data, and publicly available pricing from each company's online estimator tools. We normalized complaint rates by shipment volume to account for company size. Companies with FMCSA compliance violations or complaint rates above the industry median were excluded. Last updated: May 2026. We review this guide quarterly and when significant pricing or service changes occur.
Local moves typically cost $400–$1,500 depending on crew size, hours, and market. Long-distance moves for a 3-bedroom home average $3,500–$8,000 depending on distance and service level. Full-service packing adds 30–50% to transport-only costs.
A binding estimate locks in your price regardless of the actual weight at delivery. A non-binding estimate is based on an estimated weight and the final bill can be higher. For any interstate move, request a binding not-to-exceed estimate in writing.
Book 4–6 weeks ahead for summer moves (May through September) when demand peaks. Off-peak months (November through February) typically allow 2–3 weeks notice. Last-minute bookings risk higher pricing or unavailability from reputable carriers.
For moves over 300 miles or households with 2+ bedrooms of furniture, professional movers typically reduce damage risk and save enough time to justify the cost premium. Truck rentals make sense for single-room or short-distance moves where savings of $500+ outweigh the physical effort.
Every interstate mover must have a USDOT number and an FMCSA Motor Carrier number. Verify both at fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move before signing any contract. Unlicensed movers cannot legally transport household goods across state lines.
Generally yes — container services run 20–40% less than full-service carriers for long-distance moves because you supply the labor. However, if you hire local movers separately to load and unload, that savings gap narrows significantly.
Standard carrier liability (released value protection) covers only $0.60 per pound per item. A 50-pound TV worth $800 would receive a $30 payout if damaged. Full-value protection or third-party moving insurance is strongly recommended for electronics, antiques, and high-value items.
Yes. Get at least 3 binding estimates and use competing quotes as leverage. Moving mid-month, midweek, or during off-peak winter months typically earns 10–20% discounts. Never pay more than a 10% deposit before your move date.
Avoid companies that demand large cash deposits, refuse to provide a written binding estimate, lack a physical address, or cannot be found in the FMCSA database. Dramatically low estimates often become inflated charges at delivery — a practice known as hostage load fraud.
Specialty items require carriers with documented experience in specialty crating. Ask for proof of crating capabilities and confirm the company's full-value protection policy covers the specific item. For items over $5,000 in value, a standalone moving insurance policy is worth obtaining.
This content is for informational purposes only. Moving costs vary significantly based on distance, household size, origin and destination markets, and service level selected. Verify licensing and complaint records through the FMCSA mover search at fmcsa.dot.gov before booking any carrier. Rates and availability are subject to change. Some links on this page may be affiliate links; this does not influence our rankings — our methodology is described above.
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