2026 GUIDE

Best Full-Service Moving Companies
of 2026

At some point, a move becomes too much to manage yourself. Too much furniture. Too many rooms. Too much distance. Too many things that could go wrong. That’s when full-service moving companies earn their place. You hand the problem over. A crew arrives, packs what needs packing, loads everything, drives it to your destination, and unloads on the other end. You manage nothing on the day of the move. It’s the most expensive category in the moving industry — and for the right situation, it’s worth every dollar. For the wrong situation, it’s significant money spent on service you didn’t need.

This guide explains how full-service moving works, when it makes sense, what it costs, and how the six major national providers compare.

Who’s It For

Full-service moving is the right call when the move itself is too large, too complex, or too high-stakes to handle yourself.

Whole-home moves with significant furniture
Long-distance or cross-country relocations
Senior moves where physical labor isn’t an option
Families coordinating a move around school schedules and work
High-value items — pianos, antiques, fine art, large appliances
Anyone who simply doesn’t want to manage the logistics

If you have boxes only and no furniture, a full-service mover is almost certainly more than you need. See the Micro-Move Storage guide for a better fit. If you have furniture but want to handle the loading yourself and save money, a moving container may be the right middle ground.

How It Works

Full-service moving companies operate through a network of agents — independently owned and operated locations affiliated with a national brand. The quality of your move will depend heavily on which agent is assigned to your route, not just the brand name at the top of the contract.

The standard process:

An estimator surveys your home, either in person or virtually, to assess volume and generate a quote
You receive a binding, non-binding, or not-to-exceed estimate
On move day, a crew arrives and handles packing, loading, and transport
Your belongings are delivered within an agreed window at your destination
Optional unpacking services are available at an additional cost

The most important term to understand before signing anything is the type of estimate. A binding estimate locks in your price regardless of actual weight. A non-binding estimate can change. A not-to-exceed estimate caps your maximum cost. Always confirm which type you’re getting before committing.

What Full-Service Moving Costs

Pricing is driven by four variables: home size, distance, time of year, and services selected. The ranges below are based on standard service — loading, transport, and unloading — without full packing. Add packing services and expect costs to increase by 20 to 40 percent.

Home Size	Local Move	Long-Distance (500 mi)	Cross-Country (2,000+ mi)
Studio / 1 bedroom	$800–$1,500	$2,000–$4,000	$4,000–$7,000
2 bedroom	$1,200–$2,500	$3,500–$6,000	$6,000–$10,000
3 bedroom	$1,800–$3,500	$5,000–$9,000	$9,000–$14,000
4+ bedroom	$2,500–$5,000	$7,000–$12,000	$12,000–$20,000+

Note: These are general ranges based on 2026 market data. Your actual cost depends on your specific inventory, origin and destination, moving date, and which provider you use. Always get at least three quotes before committing.

Key cost factors to discuss with any provider:

Binding vs. non-binding vs. not-to-exceed estimate
Packing materials and labor — full, partial, or none
Storage if there is a gap between move-out and move-in dates
Specialty items — pianos, hot tubs, artwork, safes
Accessorial fees — long carries, stairs, elevator use, shuttle trucks
Valuation coverage — basic released value vs. full value protection
Peak season surcharges — May through September is significantly more expensive

Compare Full-Service Moving Providers

Six major national providers. All offer loading, transport, and unloading as standard. Packing is an optional add-on with every provider listed here.

Provider	Local Move From	Long-Distance From	Best For	Packing Included	Coverage
Mayflower	$1,000+	$3,000–$10,000+	Customer experience, complex moves	Optional add-on	Nationwide + international
United Van Lines	$1,000+	$3,500–$12,000+	Interstate moves, customization	Optional add-on	All 50 states + 150+ countries
Allied Van Lines	$1,000+	$3,600–$13,000+	Extra protection, white-glove	Optional add-on	Nationwide + international
North American Van Lines	$1,000+	$3,600–$11,000+	Long-distance, complex items	Optional add-on	All 50 states + 175+ countries
Atlas Van Lines	$1,000+	$3,500–$11,000+	GPS tracking, specialty items	Optional add-on	Nationwide + international
Two Men and a Truck	$1,000–$2,800	$5,000–$23,000	Local moves, franchise network	Optional add-on	47 states

Note: Pricing shown is a general starting range based on 2026 market data. Your actual cost depends on home size, distance, move date, and services selected. All providers require an in-home or virtual survey for an accurate quote. Always get at least three quotes before committing.

Provider Profiles

Mayflower

One of the most recognized names in the industry. Mayflower consistently scores at or near the top of customer satisfaction surveys — in 2026 U.S. News research, it earned the highest customer experience score of any national van line.

Operates through an agent network across all 50 states and internationally. A sister company to United Van Lines under the UniGroup parent. The quality of your experience will depend heavily on the local agent assigned to your move.

United Van Lines

The largest van line in the country by fleet size. Strong for interstate and cross-country relocations, with service to all 50 states and more than 150 countries.

Offers a wide range of customizable services. Like Mayflower, it operates through independently owned agents — research the specific agent in your area before committing to the brand. Best suited for complex, long-distance relocations requiring full coordination.

Allied Van Lines

Known for extra protection options and white-glove add-ons. Allied is frequently recommended for moves involving high-value items, extensive packing needs, or customers who want not-to-exceed pricing.

A sister company to North American Van Lines under the SIRVA parent. Operates across the U.S. and internationally. Strong reputation for planning coordination and move management for complex relocations.

North American Van Lines

Sister company to Allied Van Lines, with a separate agent network. Particularly well regarded for handling specialty and oversized items. Offers service to all 50 states and more than 175 countries.

A solid option for customers with complex inventories — large appliances, custom furniture, fragile collections — who want a provider with documented experience managing high-care items.

Atlas Van Lines

Differentiates on technology. Atlas offers GPS shipment tracking, virtual move estimates, and an electronic inventory system — useful for customers who want visibility into where their belongings are during a long-distance move.

The driver and at least one crew member are the same at pickup and delivery, which reduces the handoff risk common with large van lines. Serves all 50 states and internationally.

Two Men and a Truck

The largest moving franchise in the country by location count, with more than 400 locations in 47 states. Unlike the van lines above, Two Men and a Truck is franchise-based and focuses heavily on local and regional moves.

Local moves are charged hourly — typically $150 to $200 per hour for a two-person crew. For long-distance moves, the company offers an Expedited Service and a budget-friendly Value Flex option that uses shared transport. A strong option for local moves where you want a professionally trained crew without the overhead of a national van line.

What to Look For Before You Book

Get three quotes minimum

Pricing in this industry varies significantly between providers for the same move. The only way to know if a quote is fair is to compare at least three. Get quotes from both national van lines and regional providers in your area.

Understand your estimate type

Binding estimates lock in your price. Non-binding estimates can increase based on actual weight. Not-to-exceed estimates cap your maximum. Ask explicitly which type you’re receiving and get it in writing.

Research the specific agent, not just the brand

All major van lines operate through independently owned agents. A Mayflower move in one city may be handled by a completely different company than a Mayflower move in another. Check the local agent’s reviews on Google and the BBB separately from the national brand.

Book early, especially in summer

Peak season runs May through September. Rates are higher and availability tightens. For summer moves, book four to six weeks in advance. Off-season moves — October through April — are typically cheaper and easier to schedule.

Clarify valuation coverage

Basic released value protection is included at no extra charge but reimburses at only $0.60 per pound — not market value. Full value protection covers the replacement cost of damaged or lost items. It costs more but provides meaningful coverage for anything that matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a full-service move cost?

Costs range from roughly $1,000 for a small local move to $20,000 or more for a large cross-country relocation. The biggest variables are home size, distance, and whether packing is included. Always get at least three quotes and make sure you understand whether the estimate is binding, non-binding, or not-to-exceed.

What’s the difference between a binding and non-binding estimate?

A binding estimate locks in your price regardless of actual weight. A non-binding estimate can increase if your shipment weighs more than estimated. A not-to-exceed estimate caps your maximum — you pay less if the actual weight is lower, but never more than the quoted amount. Always ask which type you’re receiving before signing anything.

Do full-service movers pack everything?

Packing is almost always an optional add-on, not included in standard service. Standard service covers loading, transport, and unloading. If you want the crew to pack your belongings, expect to pay 20 to 40 percent more. You can also opt for partial packing — fragile items only, for example — and handle the rest yourself.

How far in advance should I book?

For summer moves (May through September), book at least four to six weeks in advance. Availability tightens significantly during peak season. For off-season moves, two to four weeks is usually sufficient. The earlier you book, the more flexibility you have on dates and pricing.

What is valuation coverage and do I need it?

Basic released value protection is included at no extra charge but only reimburses $0.60 per pound per item — a 50-pound TV would receive $30 in coverage regardless of its value. Full value protection covers the repair or replacement cost of damaged items. If you’re moving anything valuable, full value protection is worth the additional cost.

What’s the difference between a van line and a franchise mover?

Van lines like Mayflower, United, and Allied operate through networks of independently owned agents who book moves under the national brand name. Franchise movers like Two Men and a Truck operate similarly but tend to focus on local and regional moves. In both cases, the quality of your specific move depends heavily on the local agent or franchise assigned — always research the local operation separately from the national brand.

Can I move across the country with a full-service mover?

Yes — long-distance and cross-country moves are what van lines are designed for. All five van lines listed here serve all 50 states and offer international service. Two Men and a Truck covers 47 states for long-distance moves through its Expedited Service and Value Flex options.

What items can’t be moved by full-service movers?

Most companies won’t transport hazardous materials, flammable liquids, perishable food, plants, or live animals. Items with sentimental value that can’t be replaced — personal documents, jewelry, medications, irreplaceable heirlooms — should travel with you rather than on the truck. Confirm your provider’s prohibited items list before your move date.

When does full-service moving NOT make sense?

If you only have boxes and no furniture, a full-service mover is more service than you need and significantly more expensive than the alternatives. If you have furniture but want to save money and are comfortable loading yourself, a moving container is often a better fit. Full-service moving earns its cost when the volume, complexity, or distance of the move genuinely requires professional management.

How do I avoid moving scams?

Verify any mover’s USDOT number on the FMCSA website before booking. Avoid companies that give unusually low estimates without a proper inventory survey, ask for large deposits upfront, or refuse to provide a written estimate. Legitimate interstate movers are required to give you a written estimate and a copy of the ‘Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move’ booklet.

Related Guides

Not sure if full-service is the right category for your move? These guides cover the alternatives:

Best Full-Service Moving Companies of 2026