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Best Moving Companies in Kentucky

Author Image Written by Shane Sentelle + 1 other Reviewer Icon Reviewed by Kent Sisneros Updated 06/28/2024

Full-service Kentucky movers take care of every step of your moving process whether you are moving to Lexington or Richmond, while container delivery services and labor-only services provide move-day help at affordable prices.

If you need some extra help on an upcoming move, we are here to help. Our top choice is International Van Lines (IVL). In this article, we’ll discuss five of the top moving companies servicing Kentucky, including information on getting a free quote, to help you find the best moving company for you.


7 Best Moving Companies in Kentucky

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

Best Service Offerings: International Van Lines
Best Overall Moving Labor: American Van Lines
Best Specialized Packing: JK Moving Services
Best for Vehicle Relocation: Allied Van Lines
Best for Claims: North American Van Lines
Best Overall Self-Service Mover: 1-800-PACK-RAT
Most Convenient: PODS

Compare the Top Moving Companies in Kentucky

Overall Rating

4.5 / 5
4.3 / 5
4.7 / 5
4.9 / 5
4.8 / 5
4.2 / 5

BBB Rating

A+
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+

FMCSA Licensing

Carrier
Carrier
Carrier
Carrier/Broker
Carrier/Broker
Carrier/Broker

Average Price*

$5,250
$5,625
$7,171
$5,370
$5,969
$2,547

Deposit Required

Up to 25%
Up to 50%
$250
None
None
Varies

Pros

  • Flexible insurance plans
  • Free month of storage
  • Upfront pricing
  • Hires movers who average 10 years of experience
  • Provides fixed-rate quotes
  • Trains its employees regularly to efficiently handle special packing and crating
  • Background-checked movers
  • Financing available
  • Intuitive AI-assisted online quote tool
  • Climate-controlled storage facilities
  • Expedited relocation services
  • In-house vehicle shipping
  • Budget-planning service
  • No deposit
  • Only provides binding estimates
  • Customized rental periods are available
  • Offers price-matching for comparable services from competitors, such as PODS
  • Containers are made entirely of steel to better protect belongings from weather damage

Cons

  • Below-average customer reviews
  • Outsources some moves
  • Requires up to a 25% deposit
  • Charges higher average prices
  • Has limited customer service on weekends
  • Requires a deposit of up to 50% of the total cost
  • Higher-than-average pricing
  • Long quote process
  • No refund on your deposit
  • Misleading quote tool
  • No weekend support
  • Slow claims process
  • Items may take 10–14 days to arrive
  • Limited storage services according to zip code
  • Three-day requirement for cancellations
  • Can only do long-distance moves with an 8-foot container
  • Requires a deposit for long-distance moves
  • Services aren't available in all states

Summary

We recommend International Van Lines (IVL) if you want the most moving service options possible. The company boasts one of the most extensive moving service catalogs at highly competitive rates.

We recommend American Van Lines if you’re moving high-end items or antiques because it focuses on training its staff to move difficult and valuable items.

We recommend JK Moving Services for its ability to offer financing options through its partnership with Enhancify and its high-end, white-glove packing services.

We recommend Allied if you want to ship a vehicle due to the company’s in-house vehicle relocation services.

We recommend North American Van Lines (NAVL) as the best long-distance mover overall because of its customizable insurance packages, highly rated customer service, and extensive service options.

We recommend 1-800-PACK-RAT for partial-service moves because of its simple and affordable storage and transportation solutions.

Rating Categories

Customer Service

5 / 5
4.4 / 5
4.4 / 5
4.4 / 5
4.4 / 5
3.6 / 5

Reputation

4.3 / 5
3.9 / 5
5 / 5
3.9 / 5
3.6 / 5
4.7 / 5

Value

2.8 / 5
3.3 / 5
3.1 / 5
4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
5 / 5

Service Offerings

4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5

Item Protection

5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
2 / 5

Scheduling

4.1 / 5
2.3 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
5 / 5
4.1 / 5
Company Star Rating BBB Rating Deposit Required Visit Site
4.5
A+ 25% GET ESTIMATE
4.3
A+ Up to 50% up-front GET ESTIMATE
4.3
B- Up to 40% GET ESTIMATE
3.9
B Up to 33% GET ESTIMATE
4.2
B Varies between partners GET ESTIMATE
4.7
A+ $250 up-front GET ESTIMATE
4.9
A+ None GET ESTIMATE
4.8
A+ None GET ESTIMATE
4.8
A+ None GET ESTIMATE
4.0
A+ None GET ESTIMATE

Why Trust Us? We conducted 4,800+ hours of research on moving companies and crafted a ranking system based on the following research
31
Companies Considered
1000
Homeowners Surveyed
21000
Reviews Analyzed
22
Providers Compared

Our Top Picks For Moving Companies In Kentucky

International Van Lines

Best Service Offerings
4.5

International Van Lines is our top choice for a full-service mover. Full-service movers take care of every step of your moving process, from packing your belongings to unloading and unpacking. International Van Lines is equipped to handle long-distance moves anywhere in the United States and helps with moving in more than 180 countries around the world. If you need your vehicles transported, International Van Lines can also handle that service.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers full-service moves from start to finish Can move internationally Transports fragile items Cons More expensive than some competitors Difficult to get price information from its website

Services

International Van Lines offers several moving services, which expand far beyond local and long-distance moving. International Van Lines can move you almost anywhere in the world, and its fleet of trucks can handle moves of any size. Its full list of services includes:

  • Local moving
  • Long-distance moving
  • Auto transport
  • International moving
  • B2B shipping
  • Packing supplies
  • Air freight services
  • Corporate and military relocation
  • Packing, loading, and unloading
  • Transportation of fragile items

Cost

We received an estimate from International Van Lines for a move in Louisville. A full-service move is estimated to cost between $4,200 and $6,150. For a more accurate estimate, we recommend getting a free online quote from IVL.

American Van Lines

Best Overall Moving Labor
4.3

American Van Lines is another top choice for a full-service mover. American Van Lines’ experienced team of movers is prepared to handle your most difficult items, such as pianos and antiques. American Van Lines is also flexible with your moving timeline, offering a free month of storage for every long-distance move, if needed.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers a free month of storage Provides an itemized list of your possessions Has trained professional movers Cons Is more expensive than self-service moving Isn’t ideal for local moves

Services

American Van Lines can take care of your move from start to finish, and its team of professionally trained movers with an average of 10 years of experience each can protect your belongings. American Van Lines’ services include:

  • Local moving
  • Long-distance moving
  • Corporate relocation services
  • Military moving
  • International moving
  • Commercial moving
  • Antique and piano moving
  • Storage solutions

Cost

American Van Lines doesn’t offer instant quote information. Your move’s price will depend on several factors, including the distance and weight of your move. We recommend that you fill out this online form for a free quote from AVL

JK Moving Services

Best Specialized Packing
4.7

JK Moving is a full-service mover that focuses on customization. Each move is assigned a move coordinator to formulate the most efficient and safest way to transport your belongings. Additionally, all of JK Moving’s trucks are equipped with GPS tracking software.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers customized full-service moves A move coordinator assigned to every move Provides GPS tracking on all shipments Cons Price information are difficult to obtain online Is more expensive than self-service moving

Services

JK Moving’s services for Kentucky residents extend beyond long-distance moves to include:

  • Packing and unpacking
  • Loading and unloading
  • Long-distance moves
  • International moves
  • Corporate relocation services
  • Commercial and office moves
  • Government moves
  • Storage

Cost

JK Moving doesn’t readily provide quote information on its website. The most effective way to get an estimate from JK Moving is to fill out an online form and call a sales representative. Make sure to have an idea of what needs to be moved—a great way to do this is to provide an inventory of your home’s items.

Allied Van Lines

Best for Vehicle Relocation
4.8

As the longest-running moving company in the U.S. Allied Van Lines maintains an extensive network of moving agents throughout all 50 states and more than 130 countries. The company provides full-service moving locally, long distance, and internationally, as well as partial-service packages for do-it-yourselfers and optional add-ons like storage and vehicle transportation.

Allied can ship most vehicles—including cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, and boats—using either open or enclosed car carriers. Enclosed carriers provide maximum protection from the elements, so they are an optimal way to transport classic cars or other highly valued vehicles.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers transparent pricing through a flat-rate guarantee Provides mobile storage containers through Allied Express, an alternative solution to metal move containers that includes loading and unloading Offers customizable plans through a variety of optional add-on services Cons Doesn’t provide instant quotes for local moves Some customer complaints through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) cite pressure by movers to sign off on receipt of items before they can inspect their condition

Services

Allied’s list of moving services includes:

  • Boxes and packing supplies
  • Customized crates for electronic devices
  • No-deductible vehicle coverage up to $100,000
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Appliance disconnection and reconnection
  • Personal relocation consultant
  • Online shipment tracking

Cost

It costs approximately $3,844 to $4,374 to move the contents of a two-bedroom home from Frankfort, Kentucky, to Richmond, Virginia, in early October. The cost to move with Allied Van Lines depends on a number of factors, including the distance and date of your move, the size and weight of your items, and any add-on services, such as crating, vehicle relocation, and storage. You can get a free online quote from Allied Van Lines by filling out this quick survey.

North American Van Lines

Best for Claims
4.9

In operation since 1933, North American Van Lines has a large network of providers across the country and globally. The company offers numerous add-on services, including electronics crating and vehicle transport, allowing customers to create customized moving packages. North American customers can quickly file domestic or international claims directly from the homepage of the company’s website. Dedicated claims support lines are also available for those who have additional questions or prefer to file their claims over the phone.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers full-valuation coverage Provides flat-rate pricing Uses crane vans to handle large equipment without a loading dock Cons Requires a 10%–50% deposit Some customer reviews mention lack of updates from movers after moving day and while items were in transit

Services

North American’s list of moving services includes:

  • Local moving
  • Long-distance moving
  • International moving
  • Short- and long-term storage
  • House cleaning
  • Debris removal
  • Moving checklists

Cost

Prices range from $4,852 to $5,529 for a basic-package move of a two-bedroom home from Lexington, Kentucky, to Albany, New York, in late summer. Your quote from North American Van Lines will depend on where you’re moving, when you plan to move, and any special handling requests and add-on services, among other factors. For an instant quote from North American Van Lines, complete this quick online form.

1-800-PACK-RAT

Best Self-Service Mover
4.2

1-800-PACK-RAT, unlike International Van Lines, is a self-service moving company specializing in container delivery. 1-800-PACK-RAT will drop off a properly sized container for you to load at your own pace. This removes the pressure of the tight deadlines often associated with moving companies. Instead of having hours to finish your move, 1-800-PACK-RAT will pick up your container when you’re ready.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers free contents protection for long-distance moving Has three container sizes to choose from Provides flexibility with storage solutions Cons Services are not available everywhere Offers moving labor through third-party companies

Services

1-800-PACK-RAT’s services extend beyond container delivery to include storage, supplies, and a few additional services, including:

  • Moving labor
  • Portable storage containers
  • Storage solutions
  • Moving supplies
  • Car shipping services

Cost

We received a sample price of $455 for a 12-foot container and $475 for a 16-foot container for moving with 1-800-PACK-RAT. This price includes the initial delivery, transportation, and final pick-up. If you need to keep your container for longer than a month, you’ll be charged $199 and $219 for each container, respectively. For a more accurate price, fill out this online form using your own information.

PODS

Convenience
4.8

PODS is a national container delivery service capable of moving customers almost anywhere in the country. PODS’ wide availability and its simple sign-up process make it our choice for the most convenient moving company. PODS will drop a container off at your house, and it will deliver your container to either your new location or a storage facility whenever you’re ready. Moving labor is also available, although it is through third-party local movers.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers city moving services Quotes are easy to obtain and customize Has storage facilities nationwide Cons Busier seasons can limit availability Offers moving labor through third-party companies

Services

PODS services include local and long-distance moving. The PODS containers can stay on your property, but if you want to store them long-term, PODS has a nationwide network of storage facilities. Its services include:

  • Local moving
  • Long-distance moving
  • Short- and long-term storage
  • Packing and loading assistance (third party)
  • On-site self storage containers

Cost

PODS gave us a quote of $446 for a move in Louisville. This includes renting the container for a month, drop-off, and pick-up. Storage can also be added if needed. For another month’s rent, the price is $229.


Our Conclusion

A professional moving service is a worthwhile investment if you want to make your move easy. Your belongings will be better protected, and you can enjoy your transition knowing that you have a little extra help.

If you want a full-service mover, consider International Van Lines, JK Moving, or American Van Lines. If you want to take charge of certain aspects of your move, 1-800-PACK-RAT and PODS are better options.


Compare the Services of The Best Moving Companies in Kentucky

Prices in this article reflect sample quotes we received for a local move in Louisville, Kentucky. Since every move is different, our recommendation is that you get a free quote from a few different moving companies using your own information.

ProviderFree EstimateLocalLong-DistanceLabor Included
IVLGet Estimate
AmericanGet Estimate
JK MovingGet Estimate
AlliedGet Estimate
North AmericanGet Estimate
PACK-RATGet Estimate
PODSGet Estimate

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a full-service mover when moving in Kentucky?

While you’ll pay more for a full-service mover than you will for self-service moving, your items will be better protected, since a team of professional movers will have the expertise to take care of fragile items. In addition, what is normally a stressful time for many people will be made less stressful by letting a team of professionals take care of your move. This is especially true if you are moving a long distance, since hiring a full-service cross-country moving company could help simplify your move. 

Is PODS or 1-800-PACK-RAT better?

Both providers offer many of the same services. Both PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT can deliver a container for you to load at your own pace. PODS has a higher level of availability, serving more states than 1-800-PACK-RAT, but 1-800-PACK-RAT offers free contents protection for all interstate moves if you are looking for interstate relocation services.

Does JK Moving provide local moves in Kentucky?

JK Moving is equipped to move you long distances anywhere in the country, but local moves are only available to residents in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.


Other Considerations When Moving in Kentucky

If you’re moving to Kentucky, you’ll need homeowners insurance, and it may be wise to invest in a home warranty and a reputable pest control service. Below, we’ll provide some resources to help you get your feet on the ground in a new location.


Our Rating Methodology

We back 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.