Best Moving Companies in Alaska

Moving to or from a remote state such as Alaska poses challenges not faced during mainland moves. Even if your move involves a main city such as Anchorage, Juneau, or Fairbanks, relocating to Alaska can be especially difficult. A top-notch professional moving company can help the process go more smoothly.

To make choosing a provider a little easier, the This Old House Reviews Team has researched the best moving companies in the country. This guide compares the pricing and services of the best moving companies in Alaska to help you pick the right mover.

Through in-depth research, we determined that the best moving companies in Alaska are the following:

• International Van Lines: Best Overall Full-Service Mover
• Interstate Moving and Relocation Group: Most Efficient
• Moving APT: Best Customer Service
• JK Moving Services: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover
• North American Van Lines: Best for Claims

International Van Lines

• Our Take: Best Overall Full-Service Mover
• Availability: 50 states

International Van Lines (IVL) offers a full-service experience for local, cross-country, interstate, and international moves. Every move includes complimentary liability insurance, but IVL also offers affordable upgrades for customers who want full-value contents coverage. Because IVL is licensed as both a mover and a broker, it can outsource labor as needed to ensure availability for your move.

All quotes include industry-standard services, including loading, unloading, and transportation, but you can also choose from a range of add-on services for a completely hands-off experience.

Pros and Cons

✔ Quotes include loading, unloading, and basic furniture assembly
✔ Customers can upgrade from limited liability insurance to full-value protection
✔ Ocean and air freight services support international moves

✘ Booking requires a 25% upfront deposit
✘ Binding estimates are not available

Services

As its name suggests, IVL is well-equipped to handle international moves. The company offers ocean and air freight, auto transport, and storage in transit. Every move includes loading and unloading and basic furniture assembly services. If customers choose to self-pack, IVL sells packing materials. Alternatively, you can take advantage of IVL’s full packing services.

Cost

IVL divides its charges into three separate payments, starting with a 25% up-front deposit that’s refundable if you cancel at least 48 hours in advance. The remainder is split into two equal payments due at pickup and delivery.

IVL does not offer binding estimates or instant quotes. However, its non-binding estimates account for various factors, including tolls and taxes. Remember that IVL charges more for moves involving more than two flights of stairs, an elevator, or long carrying distances. Get your personalized IVL quote.

Learn More: International Van Lines Review

Interstate Moving and Relocation Group

• Our Take: Most Efficient
• Availability: 50 states

Interstate Moving and Relocation Group (IMRG) is a moving broker, meaning it connects customers to high-quality local and interstate moving companies rather than providing those services itself. IMRG connects its customers to carriers that prioritize affordability, customer service, and efficiency. The company aims to ensure that all moves are handled promptly.

Pros and Cons

✔ All moving partners are thoroughly pre-screened
✔ Customer service strives to exceed expectations
✔ Partner negotiations result in competitive prices

✘ Website does not include a tracking portal
✘ Deposits are nonrefundable after a 72-hour window

Services

Although IMRG specializes in long-distance residential moving within the United States, it has partners who can handle local and international moves. IMRG can also coordinate corporate and military moves, auto transportation, and packing services. Thanks to a large network of pre-screened partners, IMRG can connect you with nearly any other specialty service you require.

It’s worth noting that IMRG does not offer weekend customer service. Customers are also unable to track their shipments through the IMRG website.

Cost

IMRG offers instant ballpark quotes online but does not provide binding estimates. Your moving date, distance, and size will affect your quote. To get a quote that’s least likely to change on moving day, you must fill out an accurate moving inventory on the IMRG website.

IMRG requires a deposit to book your move and has a strict cancellation policy. The company has a 72-hour grace period for customers to cancel their moves via email, after which deposits are nonrefundable. Deposits are also nonrefundable if you book your move fewer than five days in advance. However, nonrefunded deposits can be applied to a future move booked within 24 months of the cancellation date.

Customers can fill out IMRG’s online form to request a moving quote or call 866-922-5801. Get your personalized IMRG quote.

Moving APT

• Our Take: Best Customer Service
• Availability: 50 states

Like IMRG, Moving APT is a moving broker, not a carrier. Moving APT sets itself apart with an extensive network of well-vetted professional movers and a team of moving consultants that help customers find the best movers for their needs. All its partners have professional moving equipment, liability insurance, and trained moving staff. Moving APT also offers live 24/7 support via phone. The company will remain your primary point of contact during your move to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Pros and Cons

✔ Customers can contact support via phone 24/7
✔ Partner companies must meet strict criteria
✔ Discounts and price-matching are available

✘ Refunds are nonrefundable without seven days’ notice
✘ Customer experience may vary by contractor

Services

Moving APT’s consultants will match you with an Alaska mover that offers everything you need. Available services include common ones such as packing and unpacking, plus specialty services such as furniture repair, paper shredding, and cleaning. Its partners can also handle fragile, bulky, or high-value items such as pianos, heavy machinery, antiques, and fine art.

Moving APT has partners that can accommodate local and interstate moves across all 50 states. It can also handle international moves, corporate relocations, and car shipping.

Cost

Moving APT requires a deposit to book your move that is nonrefundable if you cancel with less than seven days’ notice. However, the company provides several opportunities to save money. Not only does it have a price-match policy, but all of its partners offer discounts for military, senior, and differently-abled customers. Other customers can save on short-distance moves or early reservations.

To ensure you get the best possible deal, you can call 855-910-1001 to speak to a moving consultant. Your moving consultant may be able to find a partner that offers financing. You can request an instant ballpark estimate online or fill out a moving inventory to receive a binding estimate. Get your personalized Moving APT quote.

Learn More: Moving APT Review

JK Moving Services

• Our Take: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover
• Availability: 50 states

For those seeking flexibility and customization, JK Moving Services is the best option for Alaska moves. This company assigns each customer a dedicated personal moving coordinator to help with the entire moving process, from the initial quote to the final payment. Customers can choose the level of packing assistance they would like. JK Moving even gives customers various deductible and coverage limit options when they purchase moving insurance.

Pros and Cons

✔ Smaller moves include a week of free storage
✔ Customers can apply for financing through Enhancify
✔ Dedicated personal moving coordinators oversee each move

✘ Local moving services are not available in Alaska
✘ Website does not have an instant online quote tool

Services

JK Moving offers DIY, full-service, and fragile-only packing options plus specialized service for antiques, fine art, wine, and pianos. Customers can arrange auto transport and storage services through this company, too.

Although JK moving only has local movers in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., its long-distance services are available in all 50 states. The company can also handle government and military moves and employee relocations.

Cost

JK Moving accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Qualified customers can also obtain financing with rates as low as 0% through Enhancify. All customers will be charged an up-front deposit and must pay the remaining balance before their belongings ship.

Binding estimates are available following a virtual self-survey, virtual consultation, or in-home consultation. JK Moving uses the size of your furniture, the layout of your home, and the distance to your destination to determine how many hours, trucks, and workers your move will require. Get your personalized JK Moving quote.

Learn More: JK Moving Review

North American Van Lines

• Our Take: Best for Claims
• Availability: 50 states

North American Van Lines (NAVL) provides peace of mind in two ways. First, it requires all its drivers to meet strict standards and undergo annual certification so your belongings will be in the best possible hands. Second, it offers a simple claims process if anything goes wrong. Contact information for the claims department is posted on NAVL’s website, and customers can file domestic and international claims using a convenient online form.

Pros and Cons

✔ Online forms make filing claims easy
✔ Customers can track shipments via WorldTrac
✔ Not-to-exceed and bottom-line quotes provide transparent pricing

✘ Third-party companies handle some moves and services
✘ Payment options and services may vary by location

Services

NAVL customers can choose full-service, fragile-only, or self-packing. The company’s premier offering is its white-glove moving service. This service includes packing, unpacking, cleaning, and home setup services. NAVL movers can help arrange furniture, hang pictures, and set up your home gym and entertainment center.

Other services offered by NAVL include moving storage, auto transport, and debris removal.

Cost

NAVL offers instant ballpark quotes via its Quote on Demand tool. Customers can also complete a phone interview or virtual home walk-through to receive a binding estimate. Binding estimates utilize bottom-line or not-to-exceed pricing to help customers avoid sticker shock. Bottom-line prices will not change, while not-to-exceed quotes may amount to less than estimated but never more. Custom pricing is also available. Get your personalized NAVL quote.

Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

We recommend requesting quotes from at least three Alaska moving companies before selecting one. Compare each quote’s pricing, terms, and included services to determine the best deal.

After choosing a moving company, you may want to explore other services available to Alaska residents. Homeowners or renters insurance, for instance, are valuable investments. Alaska is prone to earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, and other hazards that could damage your new home. Southcentral and western Alaska are also home to several volcanoes.

Because the cost of living in Alaska is higher than in other states, Alaskans tend to have higher power bills. However, solar panels could help you trim those costs. A home warranty can save you money by covering the cost of repairing or replacing key components of your home, while pet insurance can help keep your furry friend healthy. Pest control and lawn care services are also available.

Here are a few helpful articles relevant to Alaska renters and homeowners:

• Best Homeowners Insurance Companies
• Best Renters Insurance Companies
• Best Home Warranty Companies in Alaska
• Best Pest Control Companies
• Best Lawn Care Services
• Best Solar Companies
• Best Pet Insurance Companies in Alaska

Whether you are planning a short-distance move from one Alaska town to another or a cross-country move to or from the state, it’s important to choose the right mover. Our top recommendation for your Alaska move is International Van Lines. As a broker and carrier, IVL can provide you with an extensive range of services. It offers full-value contents coverage plans and can support ocean or air freight shipments.

We also recommend IMRG as a moving broker that works with fully vetted and reliable moving carriers. JK Moving is another great option if you value customizable services and are not planning a local move within the state.

The best choice for you will depend on your specific moving needs and budget, so be sure to compare quotes from several companies before making your decision.

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score out of 100.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.