Readers' Choice Awards Best National Moving Companies of 2026

Moving is one of the most stressful experiences a household can face, and choosing the right company to handle it can feel just as daunting as the move itself. Our panel of industry experts identified 15 national moving companies that earn top marks for technological transparency, specialty handling, pricing integrity, breadth of coverage, service design, and more.

Then we asked you to vote to determine this year's Reader's Choice Award winner—and you did. Thousands of readers weighed in to tell us which movers they trust, have used, or would recommend.

Here are the 10 national moving companies our readers rated highest.

Winner: American Van Lines

American Van Lines operates in 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, and is known for its hands-on crew training and specialized handling skills. The company hires full-time movers certified in the relocation of pianos and antiques, which sets them apart from other van lines that offer these services only as extras. Their crews have about 10 years of experience on average, and they build custom crates on-site for large or fragile items. With flat-rate pricing, the quote you get at the start of your long-distance move is the price you pay at delivery, as long as your inventory doesn't change.

For people moving heirlooms, instruments, or fine art across state lines, our experts highlight American Van Lines' certified specialty crews as a real advantage. Readers who voted for American Van Lines consistently described their experiences with words like "smooth," "careful," and "amazing crew," praising the team's professionalism and the seamless process from first contact to final delivery.

Runner up: Safeway Moving Inc.

Safeway Moving was started by a U.S. Army veteran and operates across 48 states as a full-service long-distance mover. The company uses flat-rate pricing, so the price you're quoted won't change at delivery as long as your inventory stays the same. Every interstate move includes 30 days of free storage, which helps when closing dates and move-in times don't align. Safeway uses a triple-check virtual survey to avoid quote surprises and offers price matching with qualifying competitors. Military discounts are available for active-duty personnel and veterans. Our panel sees Safeway's upfront pricing, included storage, and veteran-led culture as a strong value for long-distance moves.

Safeway drew the largest volume of reader comments of any nominee, and the enthusiasm was striking in its consistency: voters highlighted transparent pricing, responsive customer service, and crews that handled belongings with genuine care. Readers frequently described their moves as "stress-free" and "seamless," with many noting that communication stayed strong from the initial quote through final delivery. Several commenters specifically praised the company's ability to navigate tricky logistics like tight staircases, long-distance timing, and fragile-item handling without a hitch.

#3. Gentle Giant Moving

Gentle Giant Moving, founded in 1980 in Boston, is known for hiring only full-time W-2 employees to handle moves, never brokers or subcontractors. The company works in about 12 states and offers coast-to-coast long-distance moves with its own fleet and crew. For interstate moves, Gentle Giant offers a 100% Crew Guarantee, promising a refund for any crew member if expectations aren't met. The company describes its movers as athletic and well-trained for challenging situations, and reviewers often mention their skill with tight spaces and heavy lifting.

Our experts highlight Gentle Giant's single-crew, no-handoff approach as a big plus for customers who want consistency throughout their move. Readers backed that assessment emphatically, describing the crews as efficient, caring, and fast—with several voters noting that the movers literally run between loads. Commenters praised the company's community-focused culture and said Gentle Giant consistently delivers the same high standard of service on every move, whether large or small.

#4. National Van Lines

National Van Lines, founded in the Chicago area in 1929, is now a 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Few van lines in the country have this structure. With over 400 agents, National serves the 48 contiguous states. Under the ESOP, employees own shares in the company, which encourages quality and accountability on every job. National also set up one of the first independent international moving divisions and is a certified NVOCC for overseas shipments.

Our panel sees the employee-ownership model as important because it means the people handling your move have a personal stake in doing a good job. Readers echoed that sentiment, frequently describing National Van Lines as family-oriented and personally attentive—a company where you're "not just a number but a name." Voters highlighted the staff's deep knowledge, the personal touch of always speaking with a real person, and a level of customer care that multiple commenters said kept them coming back for decades.

#5. Two Men and a Truck

Two Men and a Truck began in the early 1980s as a side job for two teenagers in Michigan and has grown into the largest franchised moving company in North America, with over 430 locations and more than 3,000 trucks. The company operates in 46 states and also serves Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The brand is proud of its 96% customer referral rate, a figure that both the company and independent reviewers highlight as proof of its focus on customer service. Services include local and long-distance moving, packing, junk removal, and portable storage containers through the Value Flex option. Our panel notes that Two Men and a Truck's high referral rates and large franchise network make it stand out in a crowded industry.

Readers who voted for the company returned again and again to its core values, especially what the brand calls "The Grandma Rule"—the idea that every customer's belongings should be treated with the same care you'd show your grandmother's. Voters described honest pricing, well-trained crews, and a genuine community focus, with several noting the company's charitable initiatives, such as the Movers for Moms program.

#6. International Van Lines

International Van Lines was founded in 2000 as a cross-border specialist and has since expanded into domestic moving, now operating in all 50 states and handling relocations to more than 180 countries. As a licensed Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) and Federal Maritime Commission-registered freight forwarder, IVL has the credentials to arrange ocean and air freight directly, enabling it to manage moves involving land, sea, and air transport under a single contract. Customers receive a dedicated relocation coordinator, and the company offers 30 days of free storage with long-distance moves. A full refund on deposits is available up to 48 hours before the move date.

Our panel recognized IVL for its ability to manage complex, multimodal relocations that most domestic van lines are not equipped to handle end-to-end. Readers praised the company's transparency, knowledgeable sales staff, and attentive customer service, with several voters noting that IVL stood out from competitors by providing clear, honest answers to every question throughout the process.

#7. College HUNKS

College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving started in 2005 and now has about 200 locations in the U.S. and Canada. The name stands for Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable, and Service, reflecting the company's unique approach. Franchisees offer moving, junk removal, and donation pickup in one streamlined booking. Donated items go straight to charity partners like Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill, with the company diverting roughly 70% of its hauls away from landfills. For customers managing a move and cleanout, the bundled approach slashes coordination headaches. Our panel singled out College HUNKS for integrating moving, hauling, and donation services into a clear market differentiator.

#8. Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines, founded in 1928, serves all 50 states and offers local, long-distance, and international moves to over 135 countries. With a network of more than 400 agents, it handles packing, loading, vehicle transport, and custom crating. Allied stands out for its GPS-based shipment tracking, which lets customers check their moving truck's location at any time using a six-digit registration number, from departure to arrival. The company is a good choice for customers who want clear visibility during long-distance moves, a digital claims process, and no upfront deposit. Our panel appreciates Allied's modern, transparent approach to an industry that's often hard to navigate. Readers who voted for Allied noted the company's thorough packing and praised its responsive, easy-to-use claims process for resolving post-move issues promptly.

#9. Atlas Van Lines

Atlas Van Lines started in 1948 as a group of independent moving agents and has kept this structure for over 75 years. Today, it has about 500 agents in all 50 states, under the Atlas World Group. Unlike brokers that pass moves to third parties, Atlas is a registered carrier that manages and completes the interstate moves it books. This gives customers peace of mind about who is handling their belongings. Atlas also offers virtual surveys, online shipment tracking, and a background-check promise called "No Stranger in Your Home" for its van operators. Our panel sees Atlas’s direct, transparent approach as a major benefit for interstate moves.

#10. North American Van Lines

North American Van Lines, founded in 1933, operates in all 50 states with about 500 agents. Like its sister company Allied Van Lines, NAVL is a full-service carrier that offers packing, storage, auto transport, and international moves to over 130 countries. The company has an online claims portal for both domestic and international shipments, so customers can file and manage damage claims directly on the website without needing to call. Reviewers say this makes it easier to resolve post-move issues. NAVL also has an on-time delivery pledge with reimbursement for qualifying shipments. Our panel views NAVL's easy-to-use claims system as a real benefit for customers facing post-move issues. Readers who voted for North American Van Lines highlighted the company's efficiency and careful handling, with voters noting that their belongings were transported long distances on schedule and without a single lost or broken item.

Our Experts

Ryan Carrigan

Ryan Carrigan is the founder of moveBuddha and a moving industry expert with over 13 years of experience. Through moveBuddha, he has helped more than 400,000 people each year to compare moving companies and estimate costs. Ryan combines deep industry knowledge with data-driven tools and content to simplify the moving process and empower consumers to make smarter, more confident decisions.

Dan Hamilton

Dan is the founder and leader of Hamilton & Co., the highest-rated real estate team in the Upstate region of South Carolina. With over 20 years of experience and more than 1,500 5-star reviews across platforms, his team is known for helping people relocate to the Greenville area and find the right home in the right community. Connect with Dan at Hamilton & Co..

Kurt Jacobson

A man of many hats (literally), Kurt has worked as a chef for 20 years, a realtor, an aircraft mechanic, and a travel writer. Each of these career stops afforded him opportunities to travel across the U.S. and beyond, giving him a unique perspective on the art and science of relocation. He currently lives with his wife, two cats, and a dog in Castle Rock, Colorado. You can follow Kurt on Instagram at @KurtTravels2.

Susan Lanier-Graham

With decades of professional writing experience, Susan crafts stories that span lifestyle, travel, architecture, and beyond. She has navigated multiple relocations around the world, including corporate and military moves, giving her firsthand insight into the complexities of moving and storage. From managing household goods to securing storage for RVs and long-term transitions, she understands what works in real life. Her writing translates that experience into practical, trusted guidance for consumers and travelers alike. Follow Susan at Wander with Wonder.

Cori Solomon

Cori, an award-winning freelance writer and photographer based in Los Angeles, California, focuses her writing on art, food, pets, wine, and travel. Her career has ranged from residential real estate brokerage to art and writing. She connects her interests through the idea that people are always on the move, whether relocating to a new home, traveling, or exploring art and wine. Cori’s goal is to bring people together through networking to find the right home, the ideal travel destination, or the perfect bottle of wine. Read more from Cori at The Written Palette.