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Best Moving Companies in Tennessee

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

In this article, we’ll discuss the top moving companies in Tennessee, including information on getting a free estimate.

Moving doesn’t have to be a stressful occasion. More and more homeowners are utilizing professional moving services to help on their big moving days. Our top choice is International Van Lines (IVL). From container delivery services to full-service movers who take care of every step of the process, there are dozens of reputable movers in Tennessee.


Top 7 Moving Companies in Tennessee

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

Best Service Offerings: International Van Lines
Best Overall Moving Labor: American Van Lines
Best Specialized Packing: JK Moving
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 Top Movers in Tennessee

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 Tennessee

International Van Lines

Best Service Offerings
4.5

International Van Lines is a full-service mover, meaning it will cover every step of the moving process. This includes packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and transportation. Essentially, IVL takes care of the unpleasant parts of your move and lets you relax. While you’ll pay extra for this full-service move, you won’t have to worry about scheduling or labor, and you can have peace of mind on your big day.

Pros and Cons

Pros Takes care of every step of the moving process Supports international moves Can transport vehicles Cons Quote information is often imprecise More expensive than self-service moving

Services

International Van Lines’ full range of moving solutions includes:

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

Cost

We received a rough estimate of $4,200–$6,150 for a full-service move in Tennessee. Your exact rate will depend on several factors, including the size and length of your move. For this reason, we recommend getting a free online quote from IVL for a personalized rate.

American Van Lines

Best Overall Moving Labor
4.3

American Van Lines features a network of professional moving labor, all of whom are highly trained at American Van Lines’ training facilities. The company also employs full-time movers with an average of 10 years of experience each. For this reason, AVL is our top choice for homeowners who need help moving difficult items, such as pianos and antiques. American Van Lines also offers a free month of storage with every long distance move, so if your home isn’t ready for move-in, you can have peace of mind knowing that AVL will take care of your belongings.

Pros and Cons

Pros Its teams of experienced movers can handle fragile items Offers a free month of storage for long-distance moves High-value storage is available for valuables and antiques Cons Sample quotes are difficult to obtain More expensive than self-service moving

Services

AVL’s 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 estimates, since every full-service move requires different personnel and services. For this reason, we recommend filling out this online form for a free quote from AVL and getting in touch with a moving agent.

JK Moving Services

Best Specialized Packing
4.7

JK Moving is a full-service mover that prioritizes customization. Since every move is different, JK Moving will appoint a moving coordinator to every move in an effort to tailor its services to each homeowner’s needs. JK Moving also offers storage solutions, and every storage facility has 24/7 video surveillance and options for climate-controlled storage.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides a move coordinator for every move 0% financing available Has teams of professionally trained movers Cons More expensive than self-service moving Doesn’t offer local moving in Tennessee

Services

JK Moving can support a long-distance move to or from Tennessee, but local moves are only available in certain areas. In Tennessee, JK Moving’s moving resources 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 offer instant cost estimates on its website. Instead, we recommend getting in touch with a moving agent by calling JK Moving after filling out an online form. The most reliable way to get accurate cost information is to provide an inventory of your home’s items, especially fragile or difficult items.

Allied Van Lines

Best for Vehicle Relocation
4.8

Allied Van Lines is an experienced full-service moving company that offers customizable local, long-distance, and international relocation plans. Allied’s add-on options include the transportation of most vehicles—from cars, trucks, and SUVS to boats, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. The company owns a fleet of carrier trucks, meaning you work directly with Allied on your vehicle transportation needs and not with a third-party agent.

Allied Van Lines offers both open and enclosed carriers. While open carriers are the most economical option, they do expose your vehicle to the elements. Enclosed carriers provide added protection from the outdoors during transport and are therefore ideal for high-value vehicles and classic cars.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers full-value protection coverage Provides short-term and long-term storage options Offers mobile storage containers Cons Some customer reviews mention difficulties and delays with the claims process Doesn’t provide instant quotes for local moves

Services

Allied’s list of services includes:

  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Debris removal
  • Boxes and moving supplies
  • Custom crating
  • Appliance disconnection and reconnection
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Shipment tracking

Cost

You can request an instant quote through Allied’s website, which will provide you with an estimate for your move based on the size of your apartment or home, where you’re relocating, and what time of year you’re planning to move. For example, Allied estimates that moving a two-bedroom home from Nashville to Oklahoma City in mid-April would cost between $7,127 and $8,152.

For a guaranteed rate, schedule a virtual in-home estimate. Allied Van Lines will calculate the cost of your move using the factors listed above, as well as:

  • The size of your move, including the total weight of your items
  • Any items that need special handling, such as crating
  • Your home layout, including entry and access points

Get a free quote from Allied Van Lines by filling out this online form

North American Van Lines

Best for Claims
4.9

North American Van Lines is a full-service moving company that accommodates local, long-distance, and international moves of all sizes. North American has a network of 500 local movers and is available in all 50 states. North American has simplified the claims process with separate sections on its homepage of its website for international and domestic claims. Customers can also file claims over the phone through the company’s designated claims support division.

Pros and Cons

Pros Utilizes crane vans to handle large equipment without a loading dock Has an online library of moving checklists, how-to videos, tips, and more Offers discount programs to American Legion and union members and their families Cons Has a long in-home estimate scheduling process Storage options are based on local availability and can be limited

Services

North American’s list of services includes:

  • Mobile storage containers
  • Packing and unpacking
  • Loading and unloading
  • Self-packing advice and assistance
  • Debris removal
  • Custom crating

Cost

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. 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.

For a free 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 is a popular container delivery service and is our top choice for a self-service move in Tennessee. 1-800-PACK-RAT has a nationwide network of storage facilities and can facilitate a move to most states. The company will drop off a weather-resistant steel container for you to load at your own pace, and when you’re ready to move, it will transport your belongings safely to your new home or a storage location.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers $10,000 in contents protection for all long-distance moves Allows you to load a container at your own pace Customers can schedule pick-ups and deliveries online Cons Scheduling can be imprecise A $500 deposit is required for long-distance moves

Services

In addition to its container drop-off services, 1-800-PACK-RAT can enlist local movers to help with loading, unloading, and packing. However, this labor is through third-party companies. Here are the services offered by 1-800-PACK-RAT:

  • Moving labor
  • Portable storage containers
  • Short- and long-term storage solutions
  • Moving supplies
  • Car shipping services

Cost

We received a quote of $474.50 for a 12-foot container and $494.50 for a 16-foot container. This rate includes the initial drop-off, final pick-up, and delivery of your container, as well as one month’s rent.

We recommend filling out this online form for a more precise moving estimate.

PODS

Convenience
4.8

PODS is the most convenient moving company on our list. This container delivery service lets you send your belongings to your new home, a storage location, or both. PODS has a nationwide network of storage facilities and can move you to almost any location in the United States.

Pros and Cons

Pros Easy to schedule pick-up and drop-off Offers multiple size options for containers Can support moves to almost anywhere in the United States Cons Moving labor is through third parties Seasonality can limit availability

Services

PODS delivers containers and provides storage, both locally and for interstate moves. If you need extra hands for moving, PODS can match you with third-party local movers. PODS’ services include:

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

Cost

We received a quote of $496 from PODS for a 16-foot container, which is ideal for a three-bedroom move. For an additional month of storage, PODS charges $259 for each additional month of container rental.


Which is the Best Moving Company in Tennessee for You?

Before hiring a moving company, we recommend prioritizing which moving services you’ll need, setting a moving budget, making a home inventory, and receiving free quotes from several moving providers.

With detailed cost estimates, you’ll be able to better prioritize your moving needs and find the best company for your upcoming move.


Compare Tennessee Moving Company Services

ProviderGet EstimateLocalLong-DistanceLabor Included
International Van LinesGet Estimate✔✔✔
American Van LinesGet Estimate✘✔✔
JK MovingGet Estimate✘✔✔
Allied Van LinesGet Estimate✔✔✔
North American Van LinesGet Estimate✔✔✔
1-800-PACK-RATGet Estimate✔✔✘
PODS✔✔✘

FAQs About Moving Companies in Tennessee

Do I need a moving company?

Hiring a moving company isn’t right for every homeowner, but for many, a moving company can save countless hours of planning and logistics. Furthermore, hiring professional movers can protect your belongings in transit.

What is the difference between full-service and self-service movers?

Full-service movers are more expensive than self-service movers, but they will take care of every step of your moving experience. This includes packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and transit. If you have fragile items, they will be well-equipped to safely transport them.

Self-service moving companies allow you to take charge of your move. You can pack and unpack on your own, and your self-service mover will transport a container for you.

Does JK Moving offer local moves?

JK Moving only offers local moves to the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas. However, if you’re planning a long-distance move, JK Moving can help you move almost anywhere in the country.


Other Considerations When Moving in Tennessee

When you arrive at your new Tennessee home, there are several additional home services you may need. Below, we’ve provided resources to help you find the best home warranty, home insurance, and pest control company in your new area.


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.