Best Moving Companies in Texas (2023)

If you’re moving to Texas or want to get away from the influx of crowds, a professional mover can make the moving process less stressful. The This Old House Reviews Team has researched and analyzed some of the best moving companies in the Lone Star State to help provide transparency and insight into the moving experience with each company.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the top-rated moving companies in Texas and closely compare each company’s pricing, services, benefits, and downsides.

Our detailed and rigorous rating methodology has led us to name the following moving services as the best movers in Texas:

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

International Van Lines

Our Take: Best Overall Full-Service Mover

If you want a moving company to handle as much of your move as possible, we recommend International Van Lines (IVL). IVL is a full-service mover that provides a variety of in-house full-service moving options and offers services such as packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, and furniture disassembly and reassembly at competitive rates.

Customers can mix and match their services with IVL, so they can request partial-service moves if desired. As one of the best long-distance moving companies in the industry, International Van Lines is better suited for moves over 100 miles rather than local moves in Texas.

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers specialty moving services for pianos and antiques
✔ Available anywhere in the United States
✔ Provides vehicle-shipping services

✘ Better suited to long-distance moves than local moves
✘ Does not provide sample pricing online

Services

International Van Lines offers a wide selection of services that can be used to design either a partial-service or full-service move. When it comes to specialty services, IVL helps with any difficult and challenging items like pianos and antique furniture. The company provides protection plans for all its moves, ranging from limited liability coverage to full-value protection.

Though IVL provides its services for both local moving and cross-country moves, it does require a two-bedroom minimum move for local moves. For smaller moves especially, we find the company is better suited for cross-country moving. IVL Services.

Cost

We received a quote from International Van Lines for a two-bedroom move from Dallas to Austin in about a month and a half for $2,015–$3,445. This estimate includes loading services and transportation.

Free Quote: Get Your Personalized International Van Lines Quote

Learn More: International Van Lines Review

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Our Take: Most Efficient

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is a broker with a moving network that spans all 50 states. This means it doesn’t provide moving services directly. Rather, it works through reputable third-party carriers near you to carry out all moves it books.

IMRG is equipped to handle both self-service and full-service moves. Anyone who books with this provider will enjoy an easy quick-quote interface, a straightforward full quote process, and the solid reputation of its partners.

Pros and Cons

✔ Provides moving services in all 50 states
✔ Has a price-matching option for all move bills
✔ Offers discounts, depending on the partner who books your move

✘ Charges a 4% fee for moves canceled within 72 hours of the move date
✘ Provides limited weekend customer service

Services

IMRG’s partners can provide anything from container moves for self-service relocations to full-service assistance that includes packing, crating, long-term storage, and more. This broker lists many of its top moving companies on its website, along with provider breakdowns pointing to their credibility and service offerings. This provides insight into who will handle your move before you go through the quote process.

Cost

We received a preliminary quote for a two-bedroom move between Dallas and Austin, Texas. Our cost range of $3,900–$7,000 covers a single flight of stairs, some light packing, and all basic labor needed for your move. 

To get a full comprehensive estimate from IMRG, submit your name and contact information and some information about your move. You’ll be contacted by a moving company representative who will help facilitate your move through a partner company.

Free Quote: Get Your Personalized IMRG Quote

Learn More: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Review

American Van Lines

Our Take: Most Experienced Moving Labor

American Van Lines (AVL) is a great choice for anyone who wants top-tier movers that can handle difficult items and requests. AVL hires its moving teams full-time, which means customers receive consistent and reliable service for options like packing, crating, loading, and specialty services for expensive and difficult items like artwork and antiques. Each AVL mover holds about 10 years of moving experience on average, and the company makes a great choice for interstate moves to or from Texas.

Pros and Cons

✔ Provides fixed pricing on its estimates
✔ Offers a price-matching policy
✔ Highly skilled workers with an average of 10 years of experience

✘ Not ideal for local moving
✘ Up-front deposits range from 10%–50% of total price
✘ Prices can be higher than some competitors

Services

American Van Lines offers popular full-service options with experienced labor, such as furniture disassembly, packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, and furniture reassembly. AVL does not offer its services for in-state moves.

We also find AVL’s fixed pricing to be a great perk. The price customers receive at the end of the quote process becomes a binding estimate that AVL does not change. This adds a layer of financial security to AVL. Other moving companies may adjust their cost based on unexpected changes during the move. American Van Lines services.

Cost

Though American Van Lines does not provide online quotes, it does feature cost information on its moving cost page. The company states that a move from Los Angeles to Austin for a two-bedroom apartment (or 6,000 pounds) is roughly $5,030. This is the average cost of this move with AVL, so this quote includes a variety of services in it.

Free Quote: Get Your Personalized American Van Lines Quote

Learn More: American Van Lines Review

Moving APT

Our Take: Best Customer Service

Moving APT stands out for its focus on customer service among our top Texas movers. As a broker, Moving APT does not directly provide moving services. Rather than handling your relocation directly, you can give Moving APT your relocation details, and the company will match you with a reputable mover from its network of 2,500 movers nationwide. All movers in Moving APT’s network are licensed, insured, and reputable.

Moving APT representatives are available 24/7 to address any questions or handle issues. The company will oversee your move by checking in with your mover to ensure everything is going according to schedule.

Pros and Cons

✔ Will leverage its network of movers to find you the lowest price
✔ Provides discounts on local moves of less than 50 miles
✔ Offers comprehensive lists of top movers on its website

✘ Has received consumer complaints about hidden fees through  the U.S. Department of Transportation
✘ Operates on a strict cancellation policy

Services

Moving APT offers full- and partial-service relocations locally, long-distance, and internationally in Texas and all other U.S. states. You can customize your moving experience with add-on services such as long- and short-term storage, crate-making, and appliance disconnection and reconnection. 

Cost

Using Moving APT’s online calculator, we received a quote of $1,700—$3,500 to move a two-bedroom house from Austin to Dallas. Moving APT gives binding estimates, which won’t change on moving day, after completing a virtual review of your home and household goods. 

Free Quote: Get Your Personalized Moving APT Quote

Learn More: Moving APT Review

Safeway Moving Inc.

Our Take: Most Customer-Oriented

Safeway Moving Inc. is a broker and carrier currently based in Fort Lauderdale. This veteran-owned company specializes in long-distance relocations of all sizes. While Safeway owns a small fleet of trucks, it does the bulk of its business as a broker, which means it contracts other companies to handle most of its moves. 

All Safeway partner companies carry $1,000,000 insurance policies rather than industry-minimum $750,000 plans. This allows it to comply with the most stringent homeowner association (HOA) rules and regulations.

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers flat-rate pricing for all moves
✔ Requires partner companies to carry $1,000,000 insurance policies
✔ Provides light packing and 30 days of storage (at destination) with long-distance moves

✘ Offers no online pricing information
✘ Has negative reviews for communication quality after booking

Services

Safeway Moving Inc.’s providers can offer light packing and 30 days of storage included in the price of each move. Beyond this, Safeway movers can help you with almost any moving-related task, including crating or specialized protection for valuables, fragile-only packing, long-term storage, and vehicle shipping.

Cost

Safeway doesn’t provide cost information on its website. However, it offers flat-rate pricing for all moves, regardless of which partner company you’re assigned. You can initiate this process by filling out a quote request form on its homepage via the link below, or by calling its phone number. A company representative will ask for basic information about your move, including origin and destination addresses, home size, and basic service needs. You will then be quoted a transparent bottom-line rate. 

We were quoted a rate of $5,802 for a mid-sized move with full packing between Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas. This mover requires a 40% deposit to book.

Free Quote: Get Your Personalized Safeway Moving Inc. Quote

Learn More: Safeway Moving Inc. Review

North American Van Lines

Our Take: Best for Claims

North American Van Lines offers custom full-value release coverage based on the value a customer declares on their shipment. This approach provides comprehensive contents protection based on the actual value of your belongings rather than a predetermined amount based on weight. North American Van Lines also features a transparent and thorough claims process that is easily accessed across its website.

Pros and Cons

✔ Transparent, detailed, and accessible claims process if your belongings are damaged or destroyed
✔ Offers customized contents protection plans
✔ Provides GPS tracking and personal moving agents to help you keep track of your move

✘ Storage services vary according to location
✘ Agent availability varies according to location

Services

North American Van Lines is a full-service mover capable of handling just about every part of your move with services such as packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and unpacking. The company also offers assistance with the installation of appliances, a rare perk with movers. North American Van Lines services.

Cost

North American Van Lines provided us with a ballpark estimate to move a two-bedroom home from Dallas to Phoenix with a medium-sized load for $5,082–$5,808. The company can also provide a binding estimate through either a virtual survey or in-home visit. The company also provides a useful mobile app for virtual surveys and digital inventory creation.

Free Quote: Get Your Personalized North American Van Lines Quote

Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

Allied Van Lines

Our Take: Best for Vehicle Relocation

If you want to make sure you have your RV for Big Bend National Park or have your boat on hand for the gorgeous lakes near Austin, check out Allied Van Lines. Allied provides in-house vehicle relocation services, rather than outsourcing the job to another company. This allows customers to potentially save on vehicle relocation services in a moving package that also provides popular full-service options like packing, loading, unloading and unpacking.

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers storage services for short-term and long-term storage
✔ Includes GPS tracking
✔ Offers top-tier in-house vehicle transportation services

✘ Not the best option for local moving
✘ Does not provide sample pricing online

Services

Allied Van Lines offers a variety of industry-standard full-service moving options, such as furniture disassembly, packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, and reassembly of furniture. The company’s fragile-only pack option and specialty services are especially impressive offerings.

Like many other nationwide full-service movers, Allied Van Lines is better suited to long-distance moves rather than local moving. This is because Allied is geared towards large freighting shipments, so its prices for local moves can be high when compared to companies that cater towards shorter or smaller moves. Allied Van Lines services.

Cost

We received a ballpark quote from Allied Van Lines to move a two-bedroom home/apartment from Phoenix to Dallas for $6,018–$6,878. As a ballpark quote, it is subject to change over the course of a move based on unforeseen circumstances or unexpected events.

Allied Van Lines typically provides binding estimates through in-home and virtual surveys. These estimates will be much more accurate and will change only if your inventory changes significantly. We recommend that you work with Allied to get a binding estimate to avoid any moving day surprises.

Free Quote: Get Your Personalized Allied Van Lines Quote

Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

JK Moving Services

Our Take: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover

If you want full-service options but have a budget in mind, look into JK Moving. JK Moving provides customized full-service and partial-service moving packages based on your moving needs and budget.

Not only will JK Moving adjust your moving cost based on your budget, but the company offers the rare perk of financing your move. Through its partnership with Enhancify, JK Moving offers customers rates as low as 0% same-as-cash.* Services with JK Moving include popular options like loading and unloading.
*Subject to credit approval

Pros and Cons

✔ User-friendly app helps with inventory and GPS tracking
✔ Offers financing through Enhancify partnership
✔ Reputable 24/7 customer service

✘ Not available for local moves in TX
✘ Storage services are conducted by third parties

Services

JK Moving offers a variety of industry-standard full-service offerings, including furniture disassembly, packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, and furniture reassembly. Given that JK Moving is one of the largest moving companies in the United States, its customers receive reputable service when it comes to its crating, freighting, and specialty services for challenging items like antiques and pianos. JK Moving services.

Cost

The following factors impact your overall cost with JK Moving:

• Where your original home is located
• The overall distance of your move
• The size and weight of your move
• The date and time of year of your move
• Additional services you purchase

Free Quote: Get Your Personalized JK Moving Quote

Learn More: JK Moving Services Review

1-800-PACK-RAT

Our Take: Best Overall Self-Service Mover

If you want to save money compared to full-service movers and enjoy taking a DIY approach to moving, we recommend 1-800-PACK-RAT as our top choice for a self-service Texas mover. PACK RAT is a great option for both local and interstate moves, and it provides the option to receive moving assistance through a partnership with HireAHelper.

The company uses high-quality containers, and it features plenty of online resources to help inform customers’ moves further. PACK RAT primarily features locations in East Texas. Cities include Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. If you are looking to move towards West Texas, you may want to double-check that the company can help with your move.

Pros and Cons

✔ On-site storage facilities include 24/7 security and climate-controlled units
✔ Provides a price-matching policy with PODS
✔ Offers reputable moving labor through HireAHelper

✘ Availability can be limited for long-distance moves
✘ Does not provide sample pricing on its website

Services

1-800-PACK-RAT topped our list for the best moving container companies. The company offers three sizes for its moving containers: 8 feet (ideal for 1–2 rooms), 12 feet (ideal for 2–3 rooms), and 16 feet (ideal for 3–4 rooms).

PACK RAT delivers your choice of moving container(s) to your home. You then load your belongings onto the container(s) and notify the company when you want the containers to be picked up and delivered to your new home. 1-800-PACK-RAT provides 30 days of rental for the container, and customers can receive assistance with loading and unloading through its partnership with HireAHelper.

Cost

We obtained a quote from 1-800-PACK-RAT for a 16-foot container going from Dallas to Austin in roughly a month and a half for a total of $1,774.31. This quote includes all transportation, a no-cut security lock, a month of rental, and contents protection for up to $10,000.

Free Quote: Get Your Personalized 1-800-PACK-RAT Quote

Learn More: 1-800-PACK-RAT Review

With so many moving companies available, it can be difficult to determine which movers in Texas are right for you and your family.

See how these top companies stack up:

There are several other services you may need or want to consider outside of a professional mover when it comes to moving into, out of, or within Texas. You will need home insurance or renters insurance, and you may want to get a home warranty to combat the Texas heat damaging your HVAC system. Given the Lone Star State’s diverse wildlife and challenging climate, you may also want to connect with a pest control provider and lawn care service.

We encourage you to read over the following articles to make your Texas move goes as smooth as possible:

• Best Home Warranty Companies in Texas
• Best Homeowners Insurance in Texas
• Best Renters Insurance in Texas
• Best Pet Insurance in Texas
• Best Home Security Systems
• Best Lawn Care Services
• Best Pest Control Companies

Each moving company fulfills different moving needs, so it’s important to take some time and figure out what you value most from a moving company and your biggest concern with your Texas move. We recommend you obtain multiple quotes to narrow your focus and accurately compare each provider.

If you want to sit back and focus on settling into a new home while a moving company handles as much of your move as possible, look into full-service movers like International Van Lines, Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines.

If you’re looking to save money and don’t mind a DIY approach to moving, then we recommend self-service movers like 1-800-PACK-RAT.

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 on a 5-point rating scale.

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