Best Moving Companies in Texas

By Alex Hawkins Updated April 19, 2024

All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Texas is a state rich with opportunity across its nearly 300,000 square miles. It’s no wonder that major Lone Star State cities, including Dallas and Austin, have seen so many new homeowners arrive in search of a fresh start. However, finding a professional mover to help you get there may be a less exciting aspect.

We conducted in-depth research on the best moving companies in Texas to help you eliminate some of the hassles of the moving process. From interviewing industry experts and surveying thousands of previous moving customers, we determined that International Van Lines is the best all-around mover in Texas. The company provides one of the most robust selections of moving services, including options for specialty services for antiques and other difficult items and custom insurance plans.

Did You Know?

388 movers requested and received a free no-obligation quote from one of the above companies in the last 30 days.


Texas’ Top Moving Companies of 2024

Here are the best moving companies in Texas based on service offerings, specialty options, and industry reputations:


Side-By-Side Comparison: Best Movers in Texas

Based on analyzing each provider’s insurance options, quote process, specialty services, and reputation with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), we find the following companies to be the best movers in Texas. See how they compare in the table below.

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

International Van Lines

Our Top Pick

4.7

Our Rating

What We Like

International Van Lines (IVL) started in 2000 as an international moving logistics company and continues to facilitate moves to 180 countries worldwide. Unlike other movers, IVL acts as the carrier for its international moves involving Texas rather than outsourcing its services.  If you are moving overseas, IVL offers air freighting—the fastest and most efficient way to ship your belongings door-to-door. The company also offers ocean freighting in a full container load, which will provide a private container to transport your bulkiest items, including any high-end or rare vehicles. This enclosed container will be exclusive to your belongings and should protect them from the elements and help avoid any mix-ups, damage, or lost items.

Cost Details

IVL’s moving calculator tool provided us with a free quote to move a four-bedroom home from Denver to San Antonio.  For a more precise binding estimate on a home of any size, you can complete an in-home or virtual survey with an IVL customer service representative. IVL accepts major credit cards, money orders, cash, and checks, and it requires a deposit to lock in your moving date and services. 

Sample Quote: $6,000 to $8,700 (4-bedroom move from Denver, CO to San Antonio, TX)

Deposit: 25% of your total moving cost

To find out the cost of your move, get a free quote from International Van Lines.

Services Offered in Texas

IVL supplies full-service domestic options for in-state Texas moves and interstate moves, such as furniture disassembly and reassembly, packing and unpacking, loading, shipping, and unloading. Specialty additional services include: Ground vehicle shipping:

  • Ground vehicle shipping
  • Custom crating for fragile, antique, and valuable items
  • Junk removal
  • Packing supplies
  • Short-term and long-term storage options

American Van Lines

Best for Antiques

4.4

Our Rating

What We Like

American Van Lines (AVL) is a great option if you are looking to transport one-of-kind items and heirlooms to your new Texas home. The company focuses on hiring and retaining full-time, experienced moving crews. Its movers are background-checked and drug-tested, and American provides them with ongoing training on how to expertly pack, load, and transport items that require special handling. In fact, American Van Lines has successfully relocated whole art collections from individuals, antique stores, and museums.

Cost Details

American Van Lines’ online moving cost page gave us a quote for moving the contents of a four-bedroom home (approximately 14,000 pounds) from Dallas to Denver. American will supply you with a personalized binding estimate after conducting either an in-person or virtual survey of your home. During the survey, you and a customer service representative will inventory your home and account for any special requests. The company accepts certified checks, cash, and major credit cards. American does require a larger up-front deposit than some competitors.

Sample Quote: $8,178 (4-bedroom move from Denver, CO to Dallas, TX)

Deposit: 10%-50% of your total moving cost

To find out the cost of your move, get a free quote from American Van Lines.

Services Offered in Texas

American Van Lines offers standard full-service options, as well as a wide selection of add-on services for additional convenience. These options include:

  • Vehicle shipping
  • Custom crating for fragile, antique, and valuable items
  • Moving difficult items such as grand pianos, gym equipment, and antiques
  • Packing supplies
  • Short-term and long-term storage options

JK Moving Services

Best Mobile App

4.9

Our Rating

What We Like

JK Moving assigns a personal moving coordinator to each customer to help you create a customized full-service moving package based on your moving needs. This approach to customer service provides a direct line of communication with the mover, as well as guidance and advice on how to make your relocation to Texas easier.  In addition, all of JK Moving’s full-service packages include comprehensive contents protection coverage. The company’s full-replacement-value protection bases insurance coverage on the actual value of your belongings, providing peace of mind that you’ll be fully reimbursed if any of your items are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit.

Cost Details

We worked with a JK Moving coordinator to obtain a ballpark moving quote to move the contents of a two-bedroom home 750 miles. This quote includes packing, furniture disassembly, wrapping and padding, loading, and unloading for all household items. It also includes the company’s full-replacement value protection.

For most homes, JK Moving conducts a virtual or in-person walk-through of your home to provide you with a binding estimate—a price that will not change come moving day, barring significant changes in your home inventory. During this process, a JK Moving representative will make a complete list of your belongings, identify any difficult-to-move pieces or tricky architectural elements in your home, and determine the right size moving team and any special equipment they’ll need.

Sample Quote: $7,500 (2-bedroom move from Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX in mid-April)

Deposit: $250

Services Offered in Texas

Standard full-service offerings include packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, wrapping and padding, loading and unloading, and transportation of all household items. Other specialty services include:

  • Extra care
  • Custom crating for fragile, antique, and valuable items
  • Moving difficult items such as grand pianos, gym equipment, and antiques
  • Short-term and long-term storage options

JK Moving also features a mobile app that lets you add or change any services you need, make payments, and track your shipment during transit. 

North American Van Lines

Best for High-End Appliances

4.8

Our Rating

What We Like

Founded in 2000, North American Van Lines (NAVL) features a massive network of more than 500 local moving partners. This nationwide company is especially responsive to the concerns of Texas homeowners and features a dedicated customer service department for intra-Texas moves. In addition, NAVL’s user-friendly mobile app helps you efficiently conduct a virtual survey, create a digital inventory, and store your moving documents. 

Cost Details

We used NAVL’s online tool to generate a free quote to move a three-bedroom home from Denver to Dallas in mid-March. Our quote includes packing, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking, and shipment tracking.  NAVL does not offer online quotes for homes of four or more bedrooms for local Texas moves. However, the company will provide a binding estimate through in-person and virtual surveys. NAVL accepts cash, credit cards, and checks.

Sample Quote: $7,096 to $7,811 (3-bedroom move from Denver, CO to Dallas, TX in mid-March)

Deposit: No deposit required

To find out the cost of your move, get a free quote from North American Van Lines.

Services Offered in Texas

NAVL’s array of full-service moving options includes furniture disassembly, packing, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking, and furniture reassembly. If you have high-end appliances, NAVL is an especially good choice for you. NAVL disconnects, transports, and reconnects appliances, streamlining the process of getting them to your new home. The company also provides specialty services:

• Extra care for complicated and/or fragile items
• Custom crating
• Vehicle shipping
• Storage

Allied Van Lines

Best Customer Experience

4.7

Our Rating

What We Like

Since 1928, Allied Van Lines has aimed to improve the customer experience of full-service moving through its use of personal moving agents, helpful online tools, and reassuring contents protection plans. And like NAVL, Allied features a dedicated service and claims department for intra-Texas moves. Not only does Allied’s Extra Care Protection provide thorough full-replacement-value coverage, but the company also offers a unique coverage plan for pairs/sets of items. If one item in a pair—such as lamps, candlesticks, or end tables—is damaged, Allied will make good based on the value of both items. 

Cost Details

Using Allied Van Lines’ online moving calculator, we received a ballpark quote to move the contents of a three-bedroom home from San Francisco to Austin in mid-March. This quote includes packing, loading, transportation, unloading, unpacking, and tracking of the shipment, as well as a basic carrier liability coverage plan that covers your items at 60 cents per pound.  To get a personalized estimate for a home larger than three bedrooms or any local move within Texas, and to learn more about Allied’s Extra Care Protection and pairs coverage, you can contact the company for a virtual or in-person survey.

Sample Quote: $10,648 to $11,791 (3-bedroom move from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX in mid-March)

Deposit: No deposit required

To find out the cost of your move, get a free quote from Allied Van Lines.

Services Offered in Texas

Allied Van Lines offers full-service moving options, such as packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading. Allied also offers a fragile-only packing service, which is excellent for those who prefer to pack for themselves but require assistance with packing delicate items such as antique china. Allied Van Lines also features a portable storage container service, Allied Express. This service acts as convenient short-term storage if you need to empty a room during a home renovation. Allied Express includes two to four of Allied’s movers for loading and unloading assistance. 

• Difficult to move items such as musical instruments, gym equipment, and unique artwork
• Packing for fragile items like antiques and artwork
• Short-term storage

1-800-PACK-RAT

Best for Self-Service Moves

3.9

Our Rating

What We Like

An excellent option for DIYers with fewer items to move, 1-800-PACK-RAT will deliver your choice of 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot portable storage containers directly to your driveway. These remain with you for 30 days after initial delivery. You pack the containers at your own pace and then notify the company when you’re ready to have them delivered to your new home. If you prefer, you can take advantage of PACK-RAT’s partnership with Hire-A-Helper to get some labor assistance.

Cost Details

PACK-RAT quoted us a total of $3,559 to drop off, pick up, transport, and redeliver a 16-foot container from Denver to Austin in late May. This quote also included up to $10,000 in contents protection and a $299 fee for extending the rental period for one month. For reference, a 16-foot container holds up to 6,000 pounds, approximately two or three rooms’ worth of items. 
1-800-PACK-RAT provides flat-rate pricing based on the number of containers you order and the amount of time you need. The company accepts payment via major credit cards through its online portal, My PackRat. 

Sample Quote: $3,559 (16-foot container from Denver, CO to Austin, TX in late May)

Deposit: No deposit required

To find out the cost of your move, get a free quote from 1-800-PACK-RAT.

Services Offered in Texas

For long-distance moves, PACK-RAT offers 8-foot and 16-foot containers. Its 12-foot containers are available only for local moves. In addition, PACK-RAT sells packing and moving supplies such as boxes and tape, and it offers vehicle relocation services through its partnerships with Mr. Car Shipper and Reindeer Auto. The company also provides online tools and resources, such as a collection of how-to videos, a space calculator, moving checklists, a weight calculator, and location guides to major cities in Texas such as Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

• Multiple container sizes
• Moving supplies available for purchase
• Helpful online tools

uShip

Best for Single Items

3.6

Our Rating

What We Like

An online platform where customers connect directly to more than 800,000 background-checked shippers, uShip can help with moving large, single items like vehicles and antiques. You create a profile on the uShip platform and post shipping job requests online. After uShip recommends five-star shippers who can move your item, you can accept a bid from the shipper that best fits your needs. Items uShip helps with include vehicles, appliances, furniture, pianos, recreational and outdoor equipment, electronics, artwork, and glasswork.

Cost Details

Through uShip’s website, we received a ballpark price to ship a 2020 Ford Bronco from Austin to Denver via an enclosed carrier in early May.
The company coordinates the payment of third-party providers; therefore, your total price will include both your accepted bid amount (a binding price) and uShip’s service fee. The company accepts all major credit cards for payment. 

Sample Quote: $824 (2020 Ford Bronco from Austin, TX to Denver, CO in early May)

Deposit: No deposit required

To find out the cost of your move, get a free quote from uShip.

Services Offered in Texas

Its vehicle relocation option is uShip’s flagship service. Its enclosed carrier option protects your rare or classic vehicle from the elements during transit. Best of all, uShip’s user-friendly mobile app lets you track your shipment via GPS and contact your shipper directly.


What Factors Affect the Cost of a Texas Move?

The primary factors that will affect the cost of an interstate move in Texas are the size of the shipment, the move distance, and the overall weight of the items. If you’re moving within the state, the bulk of your cost will also be based on the number of movers required and the hours worked. Remember to notify a mover of any difficult or unique items you own. 

Here’s a breakdown of the factors that will affect your move’s cost:

Crew size: A larger moving crew will be required for bigger households, accelerating the loading and unloading process but increasing labor expenses proportionally.

Home layout: Residences with narrow corridors, multiple levels, or lack of direct parking access create logistical challenges that can prolong job duration and boost costs.

Hours: Moves taking longer than the standard eight-hour workday will incur additional hourly charges for the movers’ overtime.

Seasonal demand: Peak moving season from May through September typically sees higher pricing due to increased demand for moving services.

Specialty items: Oversize furniture, antiques, artwork, pianos, and other delicate or high-value items often require specialized packing materials and handling techniques involving supplemental fees.

Travel fees: Depending on the specific route, your move may be subject to state taxes, road tolls, and fuel surcharges based on changes in transportation costs.


How Should I Prepare for My Texas Move?

Here are the important steps to take when preparing for your Texas move:


Our Recommendation for Texas Residents

If you have a long-distance Texas move, we recommend International Van Lines. Its personal moving coordinators provide a fully customized moving package tailored to your needs, including full-replacement coverage plans standard with all full-service packages. 

If you have a city-to-city or local move in Texas, we suggest you look into North American Van Lines with its massive network of local movers and Texas-focused customer service department. If you just need your prized vehicle transported across The Lone Star State safely, we recommend you take a closer look at uShip

We encourage you to obtain at least three quotes from different Texas movers and compare their service options carefully to find one that provides the moving experience you’re seeking. 


Texas Moving Companies FAQ

How are moving companies regulated in Texas?

Moving companies in Texas are regulated by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV). Get in touch with this organization to make sure your moving company is properly licensed.

How do I file a complaint about a mover in Texas?

If you have a complaint about your mover not complying with State of Texas regulations, you can file it with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles’ Complaint Management System.

How much do you tip movers in Texas?

A commonly followed practice is to tip 20% of the total cost of moving. It’s advisable to check the receipt to ascertain the exact amount each person contributed to the move before tipping them. If any movers provide exceptional service, you may consider tipping them more than the standard amount.

What should a moving estimate include?

A long-distance moving estimate should include the address of the moving company, the total distance of the move, a minimum weight and an estimated weight, the fees for service bought, the tariff price, any storage fees, fuel and toll surcharges, and insurance surcharges. A local Texas move estimate will replace distance and weight with the number of workers and estimated hours to complete the job. 


How We Chose the Top Moving Companies in Texas

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.