7 Best Moving Companies in Tennessee

By Sean Donnelly

Oct 20, 2023
Closeup of man packing cardboard box with packing tape.

Professional movers can handle all of the logistical hurdles and heavy lifting your upcoming move requires, removing much of the hassle of relocating to a new home. We’ve researched the best moving companies nationwide and narrowed down our list to the top providers in Tennessee. We recommend requesting free quotes from any movers you consider before you sign a contract and confirm your booking.


The Best Movers in Tennessee

We’ve listed the best movers in the Volunteer State and what makes each one stand out:


Best for International Moves: International Van Lines 

Why International Van Lines Stands Out

International Van Lines (IVL) is a well-known moving broker and carrier that has provided international and domestic moving services since 2004. Its service area includes all 50 states and 180 countries. Its dedicated customer service teams and qualified broker partners allow IVL to provide excellent full-service moving assistance in nearly any location.

Benefits and Drawbacks

IVL’s wide reach and speedy quotes make it a top performer in the domestic moving space. However, it outsources most of its moves in Tennessee to partners. Here are some additional benefits and drawbacks:

➕ Services long-distance and local moves in all 50 states
➕ Provides a comprehensive range of service packages for residential and commercial moves
➕ Offers a quick online quote tool

➖ Operates primarily as a broker in Tennessee
➖ Provides non-binding estimates

Cost 

IVL provides quotes with efficiency and accuracy in mind. When we called for a quote, we received ballpark pricing within 20 minutes. Our representative encouraged us to schedule a video call for a visual estimate and a more accurate quote before we booked.

Services

International Van Lines offers international, local, and long-distance moving services in all 50 states. Its nearest locations are in Florida and Texas, but its customer service team can connect you with its many partner companies across Tennessee. IVL can provide the following:


Best for Artwork and Antiques: American Van Lines

Why American Van Lines Stands Out

American Van Lines (AVL) is a moving carrier based in Florida. It has two additional hubs in North Carolina and Texas and provides direct long-distance service throughout Tennessee. Its movers average 10 years of moving experience, and its specialized packing and crating add-ons are among the highest-quality offerings available.

Benefits and Drawbacks

AVL’s binding estimates and experienced moving crews make it a moving mainstay. However, you may have to pay up to half of your moving costs up-front.

➕ Has background-checked and experienced moving crews
➕ Provides binding estimates for all moves
➕ Operates primarily as a carrier

➖ Features higher rates than many competitors
➖ Requires large up-front deposits

Cost 

American Van Lines’ customer service representatives are thorough when rendering pricing estimates. Our preliminary estimate without a visual component took nearly 40 minutes. While our company representative stressed the importance of visual appraisal of all goods to be moved, we were able to get a basic understanding of AVL moving costs.

Services

American Van Lines offers local and long-distance service but primarily specializes in long-distance and interstate moving within Tennessee. Its quality movers offer the following services:


Best for Major Cities: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group 

Why Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Stands Out

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is a Florida-based moving broker with partners throughout all 50 states. These partners include quality local movers as well as long-distance specialists and range from self- to full-service providers. IMRG offers price matching, fast quotes, and nearly unmatched flexibility when compared to its competitors.

Benefits and Drawbacks

IMRG’s wide service area makes it a quality option for numerous moving needs.

➕ Has vetted partners in all 50 states
➕ Provides price matching for lower competing quotes
➕ Offers moving guides for packing and move preparation on its site

➖ Provides non-binding estimates
➖ Has varied reviews depending on location

Cost 

IMRG’s quote process is similar to those other moving companies offer. We recommend having a full inventory list ready for review when you call, in addition to your basic move details. Our phone estimate lasted a half hour, but our representative mentioned that we should book a follow-up video estimate to ensure accurate pricing.

Services

IMRG provides relocation services exclusively through its partner carriers. These companies span all 50 states and offer residential and commercial moving services, with some limited international offerings. This broker offers the following services:


Best for Coordinated Moves: Moving APT

Why Moving APT Stands Out

Moving APT is a broker with a nationwide presence that provides service through its 2,500-plus partner companies. As a broker, its service profile varies depending on your exact location in Tennessee. Whether you require self- or full-service moving help across town or across state lines, Moving APT will likely have a partner that can help you.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Moving APT’s broad reach and flexibility make it a top choice for many moving clients. However, it does not provide services directly, so customer experience may vary depending on location.

➕ Provides quick quotes via a cost calculator tool online
➕ Offers price-matching guarantees
➕ Features moving guides and partner company bios online

➖ Offers non-binding estimates
➖ Requires large deposits for booking

Cost 

Moving APT offers quick quotes and in-depth personalized estimates. We were able to get ballpark pricing for a long-distance move when we called. Our Moving APT quote consisted of two back-to-back calls. Our second call was with one of its partner carriers. They mentioned that 30 days of free storage were available with each long-distance move.

Services

Moving APT’s partner companies provide a range of services that vary depending on your location. Broadly, services can include local and long-distance care for homes and businesses. Options for moving packages include the following:


Best for Condos and HOAs: Safeway Moving Inc. 

Why Safeway Moving Inc. Stands Out

Safeway Moving Inc. is a Florida-based moving broker that specializes in long-distance moving. Its moving partners are fully vetted and carry $1 million insurance policies that allow them to operate in exclusive condo and apartment complexes. As a bonus, Safeway provides bottom-line binding estimates, which will not shift unless your moving needs change.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Safeway’s flat rates and commitment to transparency are some of its prominent strengths. However, it’s less cost-effective than some other moving companies.

➕ Offers flat-rate pricing for all moves
➕ Requires $1 million insurance policies for all of its partners
➕ Provides 30 days of free storage with all moves

➖ Features higher rates relative to competitors 
➖ Requires large deposits to book

Cost 

Safeway provided a thorough quote process when we called for pricing. The representative stressed that deposits are refundable and that it provides 30 days of storage with all long-distance moves. Our representative took down detailed inventory information before rendering a price.

Services

Safeway offers long-distance moving packages, but its exact service offerings aren’t unique within the moving industry. It advertises relatively few add-on services but can provide the following:


Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services 

Why JK Moving Services Stands Out

JK Moving Services is a moving broker and carrier that offers long-distance moving services to the lower 48 states. It features background-checked movers that are trained in the latest and best practices for safe moving. This mover also features an easy-to-use mobile app, which streamlines moves of all sizes for clients by providing virtual estimates and easy access to payment and move tracking.

Benefits and Drawbacks

This carrier features customer-friendly options that streamline the moving process, but it’s not available for a local move within Tennessee.

➕ Features a mobile app that helps with virtual estimates and move tracking
➕ Offers financing options as low as 0% (depending on your credit)
➕ Background-checks its movers before hiring

➖ Offers no local moving in Tennessee
➖ Has reports of brokered moves in negative reviews

Cost 

We were sent to a call center when we called JK Moving for a ballpark price. Representatives told us that we would have to schedule a visual or in-home inspection with a move coordinator for binding pricing.

Services

JK Moving exclusively provides long-distance movers for Tennessee relocations. Its interstate and cross-country moving packages include a standard range of services, including specialized packing and crating. Its services are backed by well-trained moving professionals and optional valuation coverage. JK Moving offers the following services:


Best Customer Experience: Allied Van Lines

Why Allied Van Lines Stands Out

Allied Van Lines is one of the nation’s oldest moving carriers. It has more than 500 locations, including multiple offices in Nashville. It claims a 96% satisfaction rate on its website and has assisted on more than 750,000 moves of varying sizes in the last 15 years alone. Allied’s qualified crews and nationwide fleet of trucks make basic and large-item moving easily accessible from a centralized location.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Allied is a top moving option thanks to its in-house vehicle shipping and nationwide operation. However, it has some negative customer reviews alleging damaged items.

➕ Requires no deposit to book
➕ Operates as a carrier to directly provide all service
➕ Provides instant quotes for homes with less than four bedrooms

➖ Provides varied service quality across its many locations
➖ Features limited customer service hours

Cost 

We got a ballpark quote for a move within 15 minutes of calling Allied,  ut these rough quotes should not take the place of a thorough in-home estimate. However, we did note that its representatives can yield fast quotes thanks to this ballpark estimate.

Services

Allied’s large moving vans and dedicated moving professionals can offer quality care for vehicles and large items. Other moving options include Allied Express service for longer moves and valuation coverage for high-value goods. Allied provides the following:


Compare the Top Moving Companies in Tennessee

We’ve put together a quick comparison of our top-recommended Tennessee movers to help you start the booking process.

Star Rating BBB Rating Link
International Van Lines International Van Lines
B VISIT SITE
American Van Lines American Van Lines
A VISIT SITE
IMRG Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
B VISIT SITE
Safeway Safeway Moving Inc.
A+ VISIT SITE
Moving APT Moving APT
B VISIT SITE
JK Moving JK Moving Services
A+ VISIT SITE
Allied Allied Van Lines
A+ VISIT SITE
North American North American Van Lines
A+ VISIT SITE
United Van Lines United Van Lines
A+ VISIT SITE
Mayflower Mayflower Moving
A+ VISIT SITE
International Van Lines
Logo International Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
American Van Lines
Logo American Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A
VISIT SITE
IMRG
Logo Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Safeway
Logo Safeway Moving Inc.
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Moving APT
Logo Moving APT
Star Rating
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
JK Moving
Logo JK Moving Services
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Allied
Logo Allied Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
North American
Logo North American Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
United Van Lines
Logo United Van Lines
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Mayflower
Logo Mayflower Moving
Star Rating
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE

Our Recommendation

We recommend requesting moving quotes from at least three residential moving providers. Professional relocation helps provide peace of mind, and undergoing the quote process allows you to determine your service needs before choosing a mover. Regardless of whether you are moving locally or staging a long-distance move into or out of Tennessee, we’re confident these companies can help.


Tennessee Moving Companies FAQ

How are moving companies regulated in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires no local licensing for moving companies supplying intrastate moving services. Interstate moving from Tennessee requires Bingo Stamps, which used to be a common licensing measure, but now few states use them. Tennessee movers must display Bingo Stamps on their truck cabs for each state in which they are authorized to carry household goods.

What is the cost of moving labor in Tennessee?

U-Haul data shows that the average cost of movers in Tennessee is $224. This is a statewide average of the cost of two movers for two hours of work, which is a standard minimum that movers charge for labor-only services.

What are the fastest-growing cities in Tennessee?

According to Redfin, the fastest-growing cities in Tennessee are Murfreesboro, Clarksville, and Smyrna. Since 2017, the cities have grown by 16%, 12%, and 11%, respectively.

Where are Tennessee residents moving to?

The U.S. Census Bureau shows that Tennessee residents are moving to Florida (18,772 new residents from Tennessee), Georgia (14,689 residents), Kentucky (10,552 residents), and Texas (10,446 residents), according to year-to-year data from 2020 to 2021.


How We Chose the Top Moving Companies in Tennessee

We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.

Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.

We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.