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Methodology

How we rank movers

New: Certified vs Verified →

We rate long-distance movers on the same six weighted factors, worth 100 points in total, with checkable evidence preferred over vague "we move everywhere" claims. Each mover earns a CMR Score from 1 to 10, re-checked every 3 to 6 months. Only movers that pass CMR's full certification review earn the CMR Certified Approved seal.

CMR Certified Approved badge

Two badges, two different meanings

Featured movers carry either the gold CMR Certified Approved seal, which means they passed CMR's full certification review, or the teal CMR Verified mark, which means we confirmed they are a real, licensed company but have not certified them. See the difference.

The six factors behind every score

1

Complaint record · 35 points

FMCSA and BBB complaints, measured against how many moves the company runs, so a large carrier is not punished for its size and a small one cannot hide behind a short record. This carries the most weight because complaint records are public and much harder to fake than reviews.

2

Federal record · 20 points

Active USDOT registration and interstate authority, whether the company is a direct carrier or a broker, and its safety and out of service history. Check if a mover is a broker or a carrier.

3

Price transparency · 15 points

Binding or Not-To-Exceed estimates, the size of any deposit, and real booked prices where we have them. We flag practices like large upfront cash deposits.

4

Customer reviews · 10 points

Blended across up to 6 review platforms, so no single site can swing the score. Recent, steady feedback counts for more than an old lifetime total.

5

Service range · 10 points

Interstate coverage, packing, storage and specialty services, weighed against the kinds of moves the company actually takes on.

6

CMR review · 10 points

Our team's check of the company's estimate, contract and customer process.

The six factors add up to 100 points, and the CMR Score shows that total on a 10-point scale. CMR Certified Approved movers are scored through CMR's certification review instead of this rubric. See how certification works.

Why complaints count more than reviews

Online reviews can be gamed in both directions: some companies buy positive reviews, and competitors can post fake negative ones. FMCSA and BBB complaint records are public and much harder to fake, so complaints carry 35 of the 100 points and reviews carry 10. Within reviews, recent and steady feedback counts for more than an old lifetime total.

Editorial independence. Reading our guides, profiles, and route pages is free, and some links can earn us a referral reward. That support never changes a mover's CMR Score, whether it earns the badge, or where it ranks, those are decided on the evidence alone. See our disclosure.

Verify it yourself

Every featured mover lists its USDOT number and BBB grade so you can confirm licensing and accreditation directly. We'd rather show our work than ask you to take our word for it.

Dig into the details

CMR ScoreHow the 1 to 10 score is calculated Our rating systemThe badge and how reviews factor in Editorial methodologyThe principles and research process Company reviewsSee scores on every mover we've reviewed

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