9 Best Maryland Moving Companies 2022

1. Best Full-Service Mover: International Van Lines
2. Best for Extended Storage: Allied Van Lines
3. Best Customer Service: North American Van Lines
4. Best Add-On Services: American Van Lines
5. Best for Military Moves: Safeway Moving Systems
6. Best Insurance Options: JK Moving Services
7. Most Competitive Pricing: U-Pack
8. Best for Self-Service: PODS
9. Best Long-Distance Moving Container: 1-800-PACK-RAT

Here’s a snapshot look at our recommend providers. Quickly compare companies to find the right choice for your needs and budget—or keep scrolling for a more detailed review of each:

Maryland Full-Service Movers

Maryland Self-Service Movers

* Long-distance average cost is based on aggregate data from customer reviews for a two-bedroom home, moving 250 miles. Cost can vary significantly based on move weight and distance. Be sure to request a free quote to get an accurate estimate for your move.

Where Are You Moving?

The first thing that you’ll need to consider when you choose a moving company is the distance that you’re traveling. Every moving company sets its own service area based on local and interstate regulations. Find the best movers for your needs:

Best Long-Distance Moving Companies in Maryland

There are highly qualified moving companies that can help make your move to, from, or within Maryland easy. Explore the top long-distance movers in the state below:

1. International Van Lines

International Van Lines (IVL) is a major name within the moving industry, with operations in all 50 states and experience moving between more than 150 countries around the globe. IVL prides itself on providing an all-inclusive moving process, operating as a full-service moving company.
In addition to providing all of the services you could need for a long-distance move, IVL also boasts one of the most impressive customer service teams within the moving industry. Newsweek awarded IVL with their “Best Customer Service” award for 2021, a national testament to the company’s commitment to keeping their customers informed and on schedule. This can be a major benefit for anyone moving for the first time who wants to ensure that they have reliable assistance standing by.

IVL Services

All moves scheduled with IVL include loading, transportation, and unloading as basic services. On top of that, you can select from a wide range of add-ons like professional packing services, crating, furniture assembly, and more.

• Local, long-distance, and international moving
• Packing and unpacking
• Storage (short-term and long-term)
• Custom crating
• Debris removal
• Auto transport
• Piano moving
• Air and ocean freight
• And more

IVL Cost

Even with its status as the best full-service mover in the industry, International Van Lines is also one of the most affordable. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing for different house sizes and move lengths:

• Get a free quote to budget your potential move with International Van Lines.
• Read our IVL review for more info.

2. Allied Van Lines

Allied Van Lines has over 85 years of experience moving clients in the U.S. Offering local, long-distance, and international moving services, they are fully equipped to help you with your relocation. Beyond their basic services, packing, unpacking, and auto shipping are just a few of the add-on services you can add to your moving package. With an A+ BBB rating and 96% client satisfaction rate, you can rest assured that your belongings will be in good hands with this moving company.

Allied Services

You can design unique moving plans, selecting from an impressive variety of add-on services like packing, storage, debris removal, and more:

• Local and long-distance moving
• International moving
• Packing (full-service or partial)
• Unpacking
• Furniture assembly and disassembly
• Auto shipping
• Storage
• Debris removal
• GPS shipment tracking
• And more

Allied Cost

Local moves with Allied are billed at an hourly rate, which varies by location. Long-distance moves, however, are priced at a flat rate, with distance and move size having the largest impact on price.

• Get a free quote to budget your potential move with Allied Van Lines.
• Read our Allied review for more info.

3. North American Van Lines

North American Van Lines is one of the top moving companies in the industry. They were founded over 80 years ago and have provided leading services to all clients since then. With one of the biggest fleets in the nation and highly trained moving crews, NAVL facilitates moves of all sizes anywhere in the U.S. When you move with North American Van Lines, you will have a dedicated moving coordinator who will help to ensure your move is as convenient as possible.

NAVL Services

North American has more than 500 locations in the US, allowing them to provide both local and long-distance moving services in all 50 states. The company also has a strong reputation for international moves, serving 130 countries globally.

• Local and long-distance moving
• International moving
• Packing and unpacking (full-service or partial)
• Furniture assembly and disassembly
• Debris removal
• 24/7 shipment tracking
• Appliance installation
• Storage
• Excellent insurance options
• And more

NAVL Cost

For interstate and cross-country moves, the distance you’re traveling and how much you’re moving will have the largest impact on cost. On average, NAVL pricing is competitive with other full-service movers. For a typical two-bedroom 250-mile move, for example, you can expect to pay between $1,800 to $4,500. Here is some sample pricing from the company to help you plan your move:

• Get a free quote to budget your potential move with North American Van Lines.
• Read our NAVL review for more info.

4. American Van Lines

American Van Lines (AVL) specializes in long-distance moving services but is also available for local and international moves. One great reason to choose them is that they have the most well-trained and efficient staff in the industry. Unlike some other moving companies that contract labor to third parties or contractors, AVL performs all moving services as a direct carrier. With an average of 10 years experience, thorough background checks, drug testing, and in-house training, American Van Lines crews are really among the best available.

AVL Services

AVL is available throughout the continental United States and can provide you with a full-service move no matter where you’re coming from or going to. Their impressive list of add-on services is just one reason they’re among the best Maryland moving companies to work with:

• Local, long-distance, and international moving
• Residential and commercial moving
• Full-service or partial packing
• Car shipping
• Storage
• Antique moving
• And more

AVL Cost

American Van Lines is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive on our list. In terms of cost, they sit right in the middle of the pack among the providers we’ve feature here. Knowing that you’ll be working with a direct carrier and one of the most experienced teams can make them well worth the extra cost:

• Get a free quote to budget your potential move with American Van Lines.
• Read our AVL review for more info.

5. Safeway Moving Systems

If you’ve ever moved across state lines, you probably already know that the process can be stressful and expensive. If you’re concerned about what your move will cost, you may want to consider booking with Safeway Moving Systems. This industry-leading company operates as a moving broker and is one of the best long-distance movers in Maryland today. They can often help you schedule a more affordable move by working with their team of partner companies across the country.
If you’ve heard horror stories about brokers in the past, rest easy knowing that Safeway only partners with vetted companies that meet the strictest of quality standards. In fact, Safeway is so confident in the quality of its local teams that it provides a satisfaction guarantee on all moves booked through them.

Safeway Services

Working with Safeway is easy. First, you’ll connect with a Safeway representative, who will ask you a few questions about when you need to move and the special services you want to book alongside your transportation. Safeway will then connect you with a local moving team that has availability when you need to move, often at a more affordable rate than if you were to hire a company directly. Here’s what’s available when you work with them:

• Long-distance moves only
• Commercial and residential moves
• Military moving
• Storage (Up to 30 days free)
• Packing (free)
• Furniture assembly and disassembly
• And more

Safeway Cost

It might look like Safeway is more expensive than the other full-service movers on our list, but they can be even cheaper depending on your needs. That’s because full packing services and up to one month of storage is included for free. If you need these services for your relocation, Safeway can be one of the best options out there:

• Get a free quote to budget your potential move with Safeway.
• Read our Safeway Moving Systems review for more info.

6. JK Moving Services

JK Moving Services offers long-distance and interstate moving services to and from all parts of the country. They provide highly personalized moving packages that fit the unique needs of each customer. You can choose from an array of services to make your move as easy or as affordable as possible.
JK Moving Services also goes above and beyond to accommodate you and keep you informed throughout your move. When you first contact their team, JK will connect you with a personal moving coordinator who will help ensure that you get your questions answered every step of the way. They also offer 24/7 customer service and even GPS shipment tracking so you can keep tabs on your delivery whenever you want.

JK Services

JK Moving Services offers nearly any moving service you could think of. You can create a custom moving package to fit your exact needs:

• Local moving in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
• Long-distance and international moving
• Residential and commercial services
• Packing (full-service or fragile-only)
• Climate-controlled storage
• Furniture wrapping
• GPS shipment tracking
• Financing assistance
• And more

JK Cost

For a typical two-bedroom move traveling around 250 miles, you can expect to pay somewhere between $1,700 and $4,500. This is on par with other top movers in Maryland.

JK provides customers access to financing plans with as little as 0% APR, which is rare in the moving industry. If you’re on a tight budget and are nervous about having to pay a large sum all at once, this can make paying your bills much easier.

• Get a free quote to budget your potential move with JK Moving Services.
• Read our JK review for more info.

7. U-Pack

If you’re searching for a more affordable way to move out of state, you may want to consider scheduling with U-Pack. Unlike some of the other moving companies on our list, U-Pack does not operate as a full-service mover. Instead, they are a moving container service that provides transportation and storage services only. When you book your move with U-Pack, the company will deliver a weatherproof moving container to your property for you to load yourself. U-Pack will then pick up the container and deliver it to your new home, where you’ll unload it. This can be a very affordable way to move if you’re up to the task of doing some labor yourself.

U-Pack Services

Convenient and affordable, U-Pack offers a middle ground between renting a moving truck and hiring a full-service crew. They are one of the most affordable interstate moving companies in Maryland. While you’ll need to load your container yourself (or hire a third-party), U-Pack’s containers are easy to open and low to the ground, which limits the risk of injury when lifting. U-Pack’s services are available for moves that cross state lines and are more than 150 miles in length.

Here’s what they offer:

• Two container sizes (rent as many as you need)
• Storage
• Moving labor (upon request, for an extra fee)

U-Pack Cost

Of all the best Maryland movers on our list, U-Pack is the cheapest. Unfortunately, they’re not available for local moves, but if you need to move to another state, they’re the most budget friendly option.

• Get a free quote to budget your potential move with U-Pack.
• Read our U-Pack review for more info.

8. PODS

U-Pack isn’t the only moving container company on our list. While U-Pack is great for interstate relocations, PODS can be an affordable solution for local moves. If you don’t want to hire a full moving team and are willing to do a little work on your own, they offer a super cheap way to get the job done. Simply rent your container(s), fill them, then unload them once PODS delivers them to your new location.

PODS Services

Beyond providing the containers and shipping them for you, there’s not much else available from PODS. That’s what helps to keep the costs so low. Still within this service model, PODS is one of the best companies out there. Here’s why:

• Available for local, long-distance, and interstate moves throughout the U.S.
• Three container sizes
• Storage
• Moving labor (upon request, for an extra fee)

PODS Cost

If you take care of loading and unloading by yourself, you can save as much as 50% compared to a full-service move with many add-on services. Here are a few sample price ranges for different types of moves with this company:

• Get a free quote to budget your potential move with PODS.
• Read our PODS review for more info.

9. 1-800-PACK-RAT

We felt like we should give you at least three reliable options for a self-service move. Like U-Pack and PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT is an industry-leading container service with a strong reputation. They can help you move locally or across the country, offering container big enough to move anything from a one bedroom apartment to three bedroom home. While they’re last on our list, they are certainly not least. Depending on your specific needs and budget, they may even be the best choice for you:

Pack Rat Services

Every container rental with 1-800-PACK-RAT includes a full month of time. That can make moving much more relaxed, especially compared to full-service movers who often try to get everything done in a single day. With Pack Rat, you can take your time to load, so you don’t have to stress about getting everything done all at once. Here’s what you’ll have access to when you book with them:

• Local, long-distance, and interstate moves
• Three container sizes
• Storage
• Moving labor (upon request, for an extra fee)

Pack Rat Cost

While not quite as cheap as renting a moving truck and shipping everything yourself, 1-800-PACK-RAT can take care of the transportation for you, taking a major hassle off your shoulders. You’ll still have to manage the loading process—but you can reduce your moving expenses significantly by doing so. Here’s what you can expect to pay:

• Get a free quote to budget your potential move with 1-800-PACK-RAT.
• Read our 1-800-PACK-RAT review for more info.

Best Local Moving Companies in Maryland

Some moving companies may limit their service area to shorter local moves. Explore a few of the best local moving companies in Maryland to find reliable providers near you:

Compare Moving Quotes

Moving to Maryland

Every state has its own set of moving regulations. Moving companies are also required to obey federal laws when operating across state lines. We’ll cover everything you need to know about moving to or from Maryland in our guide below. From important moving regulations in the state to cost guides and best places to live, you should find all of the information to make planning your relocation simple:

Moving Regulations in Maryland

Unlike many other states in the country, Maryland does not regulate movers at the local level. Even so, there are important federal guidelines that every mover must comply with. Here’s what you need to know:

• Interstate Moves Regulated by the FMCSA. Moving companies in Maryland that offer interstate moves must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You can verify that a moving company is registered with the FMCSA by asking for the company’s USDOT number and searching for it in the FMCSA’s Company Snapshot tool.
• Local Licensing Not Required. Maryland does not have a state-specific license that it issues to moving companies. Only companies providing interstate services require a license. However, the Maryland Movers Conference is a voluntary organization that works to ensure the safety and integrity of companies in the state.
• Bills Cannot Exceed 110% of Quote. The 110% rule states that an interstate mover cannot bill you more than 110% of your non-binding estimate until the delivery of your household goods is complete. If a mover must assign additional fees to your move beyond 110% of your estimate, they must collect money after delivering your household goods to your new home.

Maryland Moving Costs

The price that you’ll pay to complete your move will vary depending on two primary factors:

• The distance you’re traveling
• The size of your home

Below, you can view some sample data on what previous customers paid for their Maryland move for different home sizes and distances. You can use this table to estimate what you might expect to pay for a similar move:

Keep in mind that these are only rough estimates based on past customer data. Be sure to get a quote from multiple moving companies before booking your moving date to ensure that you don’t overpay for your move.

Best Places to Live in Maryland

Maryland is one of the most diverse states in terms of geography, weather, and demographics. The following are some of the most highly-rated cities and towns to live in the state:

• North Potomac. North Potomac is an urban suburb of Washington D.C., which provides commuters with more affordable housing opportunities while maintaining a short drive into the city for enhanced employment opportunities. Many families flock to North Potomac thanks to the city’s well-rated public school system as well.
• North Bethesda. Another suburb of Washington D.C., North Bethesda is highly ranked thanks to its easy access to major highways and wealth of educational and cultural opportunities. Residents of North Bethesda have access to the Josiah Henson Museum and Park, the St. Anselm’s Museum, and a variety of other well-maintained public parks just a short drive away.
• Ellicott City. A suburb of Baltimore, commuters who work within the city appreciate Ellicott City’s access to major roadways. Ellicott City also maintains a highly-performing public school system, which makes it popular with families.
• Rockville. Rockville is consistently rated as one of the best places to live in Maryland for young professionals thanks to its growing economy and urban-suburban mix. Rockville’s nightlife has also been expanding, drawing more businesses and individuals to the area.

Top Reasons to Move to Maryland

Maryland is an advantageously situated state that comes with a host of benefits for residents. Some of the top reasons why Americans are choosing to move to Maryland include:

• Wealth of employment opportunities. Maryland is home to a wealth of employment opportunities, especially in the government and tech sector. Maryland’s close proximity to Washington D.C. is also a major draw for commuters, many of whom work in the government sector and who need access to the nation’s capital while enjoying a lower cost of living.
• A rich history to explore. As one of the original 13 colonies, Maryland is rich in history and is rife with restored historic homes and preserved sites. In fact, two of Maryland’s largest cities (Baltimore and Annapolis) served as the nation’s capital at separate points in history.
• Plenty of fun for the whole family. Maryland is home to several nationally celebrated sports teams, including the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens. From football season to baseball season, there’s always a team to cheer for as a resident of Maryland. However, if sports aren’t your thing, you can always take time to visit the National Aquarium or enjoy one of Maryland’s world-renowned beaches.
• A diverse climate. When it comes to weather and geography, Maryland has it all. The state enjoys all four seasons throughout the year, and you can find everything from flat farmland to the Blue Ridge Mountains without exiting the state.

Tips for Living in Maryland

Before you decide to move to Maryland, you should be sure that you fully know the Old-Line State. The following are a few tips and facts to consider before you begin your adventure in Maryland.

• Maryland can be expensive—so budget accordingly. Though Maryland is relatively more affordable than the Washington D.C. area located nearby, the state is the eighth most expensive state to live in the country.
• Explore more career opportunities. Maryland has a booming economy, and many of its sectors aren’t found widely in other states. For example, Maryland is home to a few major federal agencies, including the National Institute of Health. When searching for employment, you may want to consider branching out of your comfort zone and exploring job opportunities more specific to the Maryland area.
• Plan to spend more time on the road. If you’re a city dweller and you’re used to public transportation being readily available, you may want to brush up on your driving skills before you head to Maryland. Though Baltimore residents have access to four major forms of transportation, the efficiency of these routes is notoriously unreliable when compared to other states. Public transportation options in more rural areas are often even more limited.

How to Choose the Best Moving Company

The moving company that you choose to help you move is almost as important as where you decide to move. Below are some of the most important factors that you should consider when searching for a moving company in Maryland.

• Licensing: Make sure that the moving company you work with has a valid USDOT number.
• Services: If you’re looking for a faster moving process, you might want to schedule add-on services like packing or storage with your move. Write down all the services you want to schedule with your mover and search for companies that offer all the extras you need.
• Experience: The best moving companies have multiple years of experience operating in your local community. You may want to check out each company’s Better Business Bureau profile before booking your move to ensure that they have a history of operating in your area.
• Availability: Not every moving company provides service everywhere in the country. Some movers may only offer limited local services, while others may have mileage requirements. Before booking, ensure that they’re licensed and authorized to operate where you need service.