Best Moving Companies in Maryland

The moving process is both exciting and challenging. Whether you’re moving to Baltimore or out of the state, a professional moving company can help make your Maryland move stress-free.

The This Old House Reviews Team has researched and reviewed the best moving companies in the nation to help you in your search. Here are our top recommendations  for Maryland moves.

7 Best Moving Companies in Maryland

After in-depth research, here are the best moving companies in Maryland:

• International Van Lines: Best Overall Full-Service Mover
• American Van Lines: Most Experienced Moving Labor
• JK Moving Services: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover
• Moving APT: Best Customer Service
• Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation
• North American Van Lines: Best for Claims
• 1-800-PACK-RAT: Best Overall Self-Service Mover

International Van Lines: Best Overall Full-Service Mover

International Van Lines (IVL) offers comprehensive full-service options, including packing, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking, and furniture disassembly and reassembly. IVL also offers top-tier specialty services for moving items like pianos and antiques.

The company provides both full-service and partial-service moving packages, and customers can mix and match services based on their moving needs. Due to IVL’s size, the company functions better for long-distance moves involving Maryland rather than a local move.

Pros & Cons of International Van Lines

✓ Offers both full-service and partial-service packages
✓ Provides adjustable full-value protection plans
✓ Offers specialty services for antiques, pianos, artwork, and more

✘ Prices can be high than DIY moving options, especially for local moves
✘ Not the best option for local moves

Services

International Van Lines offers a comprehensive collection of service options, including:

• Unpacking and packing services
• Loading and unloading services
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Crating
• Specialty services for recreational and sports equipment, fragile items, large appliances, pianos, antiques, and more
• Transportation and delivery
• Auto shipping
• Contents protection plan options
• International moves
• Commercial moves
• Packing and moving supplies
• Air freight services
• Corporate and military relocation
• Moving checklist
• Moving calculator

IVL offers local moves for customers moving within the same state, but this service requires you to have at least a two-bedroom apartment or home.

Cost

International Van Lines quoted us a two-bedroom home going from Baltimore to Frederick, Maryland, in about two months for $2,015–3,445. This quote includes loading and transportation services.

To create a moving package with International Van Lines, fill out this short online survey.

Learn More: International Van Lines Review

American Van Lines: Most Experienced Moving Labor

American Van Lines (AVL) is another full-service moving company that offers reputable services for packing, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking, and much more. Its moving teams are hired on a full-time basis and hold an average of 10 years of moving experience.

Another unique characteristic of AVL is its fixed-price structure. AVL provides a binding estimate at the end of its quote process, so the price you are quoted does not change over the course of your move. AVL does not offer in-state moving, but we recommend you look into AVL if you are planning a cross-country move.

Pros & Cons of American Van Lines

✓ Provides binding estimates
✓ Its full-time movers have an average of 10 years of experience
✓ Offers on-site private storage and personal storage vaults

✘ Prices can run higher than some competitors
✘ Requires an up-front deposit that ranges from 10%-50% of your total moving price
✘ Does not offer moves within the state (long distance only)

Services

American Van Lines offers flat-rate pricing on its comprehensive selection of services, such as:

• Full or partial packing and unpacking
• Loading and unloading
• Specialty services for difficult items including antiques, musical instruments, recreational equipment, and expensive artwork
• Custom crating
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Transportation
• Storage services
• Moving supplies
• Commercial moves
• Military moves
• Vehicle relocation services
• Contents protection plans

Cost

AVL does not provide instant quotes, but it does provide some cost information on its moving cost page. American Van Lines told us that moving a two-bedroom apartment (or 6,000 pounds) from Dallas to Baltimore would cost $6,000–$7,000.  This quote is the average price of this move with AVL, so it includes a variety of service options.

To see what American Van Lines’ moving teams can bring to your Maryland move, complete this online questionnaire.

Learn More: American Van Lines Review

JK Moving Service: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover

JK Moving provides full-service moving packages customized to your specific moving needs. Not only will the company tailor your package based on your budget, but it also offers the option of financing through Enhancify.

This makes JK Moving a great option for anyone interested in full-service options on a budget. JK Moving is also the best full-service option on this list for local moves in Maryland.

Pros & Cons of JK Moving

✓ Offers local moving services in Maryland
✓ Provides a mobile app to help with inventory creation and quote process
✓ Financing is available via Enhancify

✘ Full-service options can be higher than competitor pricing
✘ Some customer reviews include multiple references to tardiness and broken items

Services

JK Moving offers the following services for your customizable moving package:

• Packing and unpacking services
• Loading and unloading services
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Crating
• Specialty services for difficult items such as antiques, artwork, and pianos
• Transportation
• Freighting
• Storage solutions
• Commercial moving services
• Government moves
• Contents protection plans
• Moving blog
• Archive services

Cost

JK Moving doesn’t provide online estimates, but you can fill out a short form and an agent will contact you. Your overall cost with JK Moving will depend on the services you choose, the total distance and weight of your move, and your point of origin.

Get in touch with a JK Moving coordinator for a free quote by filling out this online form.

Learn More: JK Moving Review

Moving APT: Best Customer Service

Moving APT acts solely as a broker, which means that instead of directly providing relocation services, the company connects customers to professional movers. Moving APT’s recommendations come from a large nationwide network of prescreened independent providers. 

Moving APT stands out for its customer service for its helpful, hands-on approach to the moving process. Based on your specific moving needs, the company will match you with a fitting pro mover. Moving APT will still oversee the process, checking in to ensure that the provider handling your relocation is doing everything appropriately and on schedule. Customer support is available 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns.

Pros & Cons of Moving APT

✔ Has a network of more than 2,500 independent moving companies
✔ Provides ongoing military and senior citizen discounts
✔ Conducts background checks on all in-network providers to make sure they are reputable
✘ Has received numerous complaints with the U.S. Department of Transportation about higher-than-estimated costs
✘ Will not refund your deposit for cancellations made fewer than seven days before your scheduled move

Services

Moving APT provides packing and loading services, as well as the following:

• Special handling of antiques and oversized items
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Vehicle shipping
• Short- and long-term storage
• Appliance disconnection and reconnection

Cost

It would cost approximately $5,500 to move a two-bedroom home from St. Paul, Minn., to Annapolis, Md., according to Moving APT’s online quote tool. Moving APT can give you a binding estimate—the exact price you can plan on paying—if you agree to a virtual review of your home and moving inventory.

Fill out Moving APT’s quick online survey for your free instant quote.

Learn More: Moving APT Review

Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation

Allied Van Lines offers a range of moving options, from full-service packages to DIY support, and it also provides short- and long-term storage, moving kits, and helpful online resources. Allied is the oldest moving company in the U.S., with more than 90 years of experience in the industry.

Unlike most moving companies, Allied can ship a variety of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans, as well as motorcycles, boats, and snowmobiles. The company maintains its own fleet of open and enclosed car carriers*.

*Open carriers are the trucks you’ve likely seen on the highway carrying stacks of new cars from auto manufacturers to dealerships. Enclosed carriers are essentially semi-truck trailers that protect vehicles from the elements or roadway hazards. Consider the enclosed carrier option for added protection during transport if you have a high-value vehicle like a classic car.

Pros & Cons of Allied Van Lines

✓ Provides in-house auto-shipping services
✓ Provides appliance disconnection and reconnection services
✓ Offers both in-transit storage and long-term storage services

✘ Doesn’t provide online sample pricing
✘ Better suited for long-distance moving

Services

Allied’s list of moving services includes:

• Long-distance moving
• International moving
• Local moving
• Mobile storage containers (loading/unloading included)
• Full-valuation coverage
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Fragile-only packing option

Cost

Allied determines your overall moving cost using factors such as the total weight and mileage of your move. Allied’s online instant quote tool estimates that moving a two-bedroom home from Annapolis, Maryland, to St. Paul, Minnesota, in early August would cost between $4,820 and $5,528.

Some factors that will impact your overall moving cost with Allied Van Lines include:

• The date of your move
• The distance of your move
• The amount and weight of household items to be moved
• The purchase of additional services

The company offers free basic liability insurance, but any supplemental insurance or add-on services, such as crating or vehicle relocation, comes with an additional cost.

To get a free quote from Allied Van Lines, take this quick online survey.

Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

North American Van Lines: Best for Claims

North American Van Lines has been in the moving industry since 1933 and currently partners with more than 500 local movers throughout all 50 states. Because of its expansive network, North American can accommodate local, long-distance, and international relocations of all sizes.

North American Van Lines customers can quickly and easily file domestic or international claims directly from the homepage of the company’s website. North American also maintains dedicated claims support lines for those who need additional assistance or prefer to file claims by phone.

Pros & Cons of North American Van Lines

✓ Has an online packaging calculator to help customers determine the amount and cost of moving supplies
✓ Utilizes crane vans to handle large equipment without a loading dock
✓ Provides discounts for American Legion and union members and their families

✘ Full-service options can be higher than competitor pricing
✘ Some customer reviews include multiple references to tardiness and broken items

Services

North American’s list of moving services includes:

• Packing and unpacking
• Custom crating for electronics
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly
• Loading and unloading
• Vehicle relocation
• Self-packing advice and assistance
• Online library of moving tips and checklists

Cost

Your quote from North American Van Lines will depend on the size and distance of your move, as well as your moving date and any special handling requests.

Other factors that will affect the total cost of your move include:

• The total weight of your items
• Any items that need special handling, such as crating
• Your home layout

Prices range from $3,828 to $4,354 to move the contents of a two-bedroom home from Silver Spring, Maryland, to Concord, New Hampshire, in early October.

For a free quote from North American Van Lines, complete this quick online form.

Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

1-800-PACK-RAT: Best Overall Self-Service Mover

1-800-PACK-RAT is our top pick for self-service moves in Maryland. The company provides some moving labor options, such as loading and unloading, through its partnership with HireAHelper. 1-800-PACK-RAT is a great option for both local and long-distance moves, but the company’s only Maryland branch is in Baltimore. so it’s best for moves within a 100-mile radius of Charm City.

Pros & Cons of 1-800-Pack-Rat

✓ Provides high-quality, weatherproof container(s) based on your schedule
✓ Offers $10,000 in contents protection on its moves
✓ Offers price matching with PODS

✘ Customers can’t book online
✘ Availability for interstate moves is limited

Services

1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes: eight feet (ideal for 1–2 rooms), 12 feet (ideal for 2–3 rooms), and 16 feet (ideal for 3–4 rooms). The company also includes 30 days of rental for your container, but additional time can be purchased.

1-800-PACK-RAT allows you to schedule when the company drops off your container(s) at your original home. You load the container(s) at your desired pace. Once loaded, you notify the company when to pick up and deliver the container(s) to your new home. You then unload the container(s) at your own pace.

1-800-PACK-RAT provides the following services:

• Self-service portable storage unit moves
• Long-term and short-term storage solutions
• Moving and packing supplies
• Packing and unpacking via HireAHelper
• Loading and unloading via HireAHelper
• Furniture movers via HireAHelper
• Vehicle shipping
• Contents protection plans
• Moving checklist
• Space calculator
• Moving and storage blog

Cost

1-800-PACK-RAT quoted us $565.20 for a 16-foot container moving from Baltimore to Fredrick in two months. This quote does not include taxes, but it does include all transportation and 30 days worth of rental.

For a free moving quote from 1-800-PACK-RAT, fill out this short questionnaire.

Learn More: 1-800-PACK-RAT Review

Our Conclusion

Each Maryland moving company on this list fulfills a different kind of moving need. Take some time to think about what you want out of a professional mover.

If you want a professional mover to handle as much of your move as possible, we recommend full-service movers like International Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, JK Moving, North American Van Lines, and American Van Lines. If you prefer a DIY move, we recommend self-service movers like 1-800-PACK-RAT and PODS.

We ultimately recommend you request a quote from each company to closely compare their pricing and offerings.

Comparing the Best Moving Companies in Maryland

Our list for the top moving companies in Maryland is based on factors such as moving services, contents protection plans, booking processes, container and truck options, payment options, customer service, and more.

We recommend getting a quote from each Maryland mover to compare pricing in your area.

Other Considerations When Moving in Maryland

There are several other services that you may want to consider to make your relocation easier. A home warranty comes in handy to provide additional financial security, and a home security system adds a layer of emergency preparedness to your new home.

Here are some of our recommendations:

• Best Home Warranty Companies in Maryland
• Best Home Insurance in Maryland
• Best Pet Insurance in Maryland
• Best Pest Control in Baltimore
• Best Lawn Care Services

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.