American Van Lines Review: Pricing & Services (2024)
Here’s the bottom line: American Van Lines provides full-service moving services, vehicle shipping, packing and unpacking, and custom crating. They service both local and long-distance moves in the contiguous United States, but don’t serve Alaska or Hawaii.
- Over 20 years in business
- Excellent customer service score
- Best pricing we've seen
- Can handle last minute moves
93% of users select this mover
Why trust us?
Ryan Carrigan created moveBuddha in 2015 with the mission to make moving easier. Over the past nine years, he and the moveBuddha team have talked to thousands of consumers across the nation about their moves.
Ryan got his start in the moving industry as a high school student, working as a grunt on a local moving crew. When he graduated college, he got a job working in sales for a large moving broker, where he learned just how crazy this industry really is.
Those real-life experiences provided plenty of learning opportunities, as well as the inspiration for finding a way to make the moving process easier to navigate.
By drawing on industry experience, conducting extensive research on services and total costs, and collecting experiences from actual movers through the moveBuddha Better Moves Project, Ryan and the moveBuddha team have been able to comprehensively evaluate the major interstate movers.
American Van Lines (USDOT#614506) offers competitive pricing on long-distance and local moves. The company has flat rate quotes, as well as military and senior discounts.
Their moving services cover just about anything you could ask for, from full-service packing and moving supplies to climate-controlled storage solutions for even the highest-value items.
- Can I afford it? moveBuddha readers pay an average of $3,948 with American Van Lines (AVL), putting their pricing in the middle of the pack compared to other professional movers. However, your quote will differ depending on the size of your home, distance, and the cost of add-on services like packing.
- Do they offer the services I need? AVL offers full-service packing and other high-value add-ons like car shipping and climate-controlled storage. These add-ons come at a higher cost, but many customers say they prefer working with one company for everything.
- Do they have a good reputation? Yes. Based on our extensive research and analysis of thousands of customer reviews, we rate AVL as one of the top moving companies. Our Betters Move Project participants say they had minor hiccups, such as communication delays or quote inaccuracies. However, these slight annoyances are common across the moving industry. Overall, American Van Lines is a well-rated full-service moving company that customers trust.
It’s clear to us why hundreds of customers choose to work with American Van Lines each year. Read on to discover more about American Van Lines, the services they offer, and how they stack up against the competition.
Pros and cons of moving with American Van Lines
- Climate-controlled storage and customized crating options
- Several moving discounts available, including for military members and seniors
- All employees are background-checked and drug tested before hire
- Flat-rate, all-inclusive pricing
- Not available in Alaska or Hawaii
- Requires a 50% deposit upfront via credit card
- No online shipment tracking available
Jump to the info you’re looking for:
Average cost to move with American Van Lines
The average cost of moving with American Van Lines is $3,948, but the final dollar amount you will pay will depend on the exact factors of your move and any extra services you book. The larger your home and further your moving distance is, the more expensive it will be.
Here’s a breakdown of the distance and pricing shared by Better Moves Project participants who chose AVL:
| Participant | Moving from | Moving to | Move size | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allison | NJ | TX | 2 bedrooms | $4,050 |
| Jen | MO | UT | 2 bedrooms | $4,816 |
| Phoenix | WI | CA | 2 bedrooms | $4,140 |
| Kathy | Washington, D.C. | MO | 1 bedroom | $4,074 |
Hungry for more data? Check out these average costs shared by moveBuddha readers, based on their move size and distance.
| Home size | Distance | AVL quote |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 800–1,500 miles | $4,000 |
| 1 bedroom | 1,600–2,000 miles | $5,400 |
| 2 bedroom | 800–1,500 miles | $4,600 |
| 2 bedroom | 2,000+ miles | $11,700 |
| 3 bedroom | 800–1,500 miles | $5,400 |
| 3 bedroom | 1,600–2,000 miles | $3,100 |
| 3 bedroom | 2,000+ miles | $6,900 |
American Van Lines has an online quote request form that gathers some basic information about your potential local or long-distance move. A representative will follow up to complete the estimate process.
Be aware, however, that phone quotes are just ballpark numbers, so the final cost may be more than what you were originally quoted unless you get a binding estimate.
Binding — or flat-rate — estimates give you an exact dollar amount upfront that covers all aspects of your move without hidden fees. For a binding estimate, an American Van Lines agent will need to come to your home and perform a walk-through to predict the cost of your move accurately.
To get started, you can check out our moving cost calculator to get a general idea of how much your move will cost.
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American Van Lines: Customer reviews
American Van Lines has the best-possible rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) based on 508 customer reviews and low incidents of formal complaints. AVL also has an excellent ranking on Trustpilot.
Critical reviews cite issues like late arrivals and inaccurate quotes. While some complaints are valid, most negative reviews are about logistical problems that can happen with any moving company, like communication delays during peak season.
Positive customer reviews say the company has friendly, professional, and on-time staff. Others say AVL employees were communicative and helpful throughout the process.
moveBuddha reader Kathy agrees that AVL’s team is top-notch.
However, reader Phoenix found AVL’s communication a little lacking. Even so, she had a great experience.
As with most moves, something is bound to go wrong. But it’s how a moving company handles those missteps that really matters, and that’s what Jen, another of our readers, appreciated.
Another American Van Lines customer, Allison had a great experience during her move. Here’s what she had to say:
American Van Lines’ reputation
Based on our methodology for ranking movers, we gave American Van Lines a 4.5 out of five stars. We came to this ranking based on the company’s:
- Customer satisfaction scores
- Standard services
- Industry reputation
- Add-on services, like climate-controlled storage
- Geographical availability
- Type of moving service offered (i.e. full-service)
- Ease of payment
- Ease of scheduling
Originally founded in 1967, American Van Lines has decades of experience in the industry. They accept last-minute moves, offer excellent customer service, and have some of the best pricing we’ve seen.
Our Better Moves Project participants love AVL’s friendly employees and attention to detail. AVL’s packing services are also a big hit. Sure, there were a few issues with delivery delays and third-party partners, but AVL always does right by our readers, and that’s why we rank them so highly.
American Van Lines services
American Van Lines services include the following:
- Local moves: If you’re making a local move, AVL offers affordable hourly rates, packing, and custom crating options to get your household goods to your new home in one piece.
- Long-distance moves: American Van Lines offers long-distance moves and interstate moving services nationwide, except to and from Alaska and Hawaii.
- Packing: Not a fan of packing? Upgrade your moving package to include hiring professional packers, and American Van Lines will safely wrap, pack, and inventory your items before picking them up on your moving date.
- Military moves: There’s a reason AVL is on our list of best military movers. For a seamless move, military members can book an in-home estimate, packing and unpacking services, packing materials, short- and long-term storage units, and furniture assembly and disassembly. Remember to ask AVL about their military moving discounts!
- Corporate relocation: American Van Lines offers commercial relocation help, including disassembling and reassembling furniture and commercial storage. With corporate service options, employee relocations couldn’t be any easier. Simply book a walk-through to inventory all items, sign off on the estimate, and your employee is on their way to their new location.
- Antique and piano moving: Whether you’re moving multiple antiques or just need to ship a piano to your new home, American Van Lines specializes in transporting oversized or fragile items. In fact, we rated them best overall on our list of top antique moving companies. We recommend calling AVL to request a custom crating quote for high-value antiques.
- Storage options: AVL offers safe, secure, and private storage units with video surveillance, optional climate control, and fire and storm protection.
- Moving boxes and supplies: If you prefer to pack yourself, you can buy packing materials directly from your AVL team. Just keep in mind that this will likely be more expensive than procuring moving supplies yourself.
- Insurance: American Van Lines insures your belongings, although this usually isn’t enough to cover the cost of replacement. If you’re shipping high-value items, buying extra insurance through AVL could be a good idea.
How American Van Lines stacks up against the competition
There are many reasons customers choose American Van Lines over some of our other best moving companies, all of which have excellent reputations and offer some of the same services.
Let’s take a look at some of the similarities and differences between these top movers.
rating
 
4.5 / 5
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 Insured
Price
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% of users select this mover |
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4.5 / 5
Licensed
Insured
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Get A Quote
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American Van Lines vs. JK Moving
Both American Van Lines and JK Moving provide various moving services you can mix and match to build your perfect move. Whether you want to pack on your own or have pros pack for you, the choice is yours.
rating
4.25 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Both companies offer local and long-distance moving services, although JK Moving only provides local moving services in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Both companies serve all 48 contiguous states for long-distance moves, but only JK Moving also services Hawaii and Alaska.
While American Van Lines offers affordable quotes, JK Moving is often known as a more high-end white-glove moving company. You can expect their quotes to be much higher than the competition. That being said, JK Moving has fewer damage reports and customer complaints than the industry average, so you’re paying more for a higher quality of service.
Customers who don’t mind paying extra for a more premium experience will likely prefer JK Moving to American Van Lines. However, their prices aren’t for everyone, so those on a budget are better off choosing American Van Lines for a more affordable move that allows for some customization.
American Van Lines vs. Allied Van Lines
American Van Lines and Allied Van Lines both service various types of moves. Whether you want full-service or prefer to pack your items yourself, either company is a reputable choice.
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Allied Van Lines, however, is a more versatile company. Not only do they offer everything that American Van Lines does, but they also handle moves to and from Alaska and Hawaii and provide international moves to more than 130 countries.
Plus, Allied Van Lines has a moving container option similar to PODS, called Allied Express, that provides customers a DIY move option… with the perk of loading and unloading labor.
While Allied Van Lines offers more services than American Van Lines, their prices are often higher, and quotes can be less accurate than those American Van Lines provides.
Customers looking for a full-service move at a reasonable cost should choose American Van Lines over Allied Van Lines. However, customers who want something a little more DIY will likely find more of what they are looking for with Allied Van Lines — it just depends on the type of move you want.
American Van Lines vs. Mayzlin Relocation
American Van Lines and Mayzlin Relocation specialize in long-distance moves and offer local moving services. While both can help you move a large household, American Van Lines has a minimum move size, so those with smaller moves should look at Mayzlin Relocation.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
American Van Lines is well known for their large service area, which includes the 48 contiguous United States. Mayzlin Relocation is a smaller company, however. While they can service long-distance moves to the Lower 48, local moves are only available in North Carolina, Maryland, and parts of Texas, Florida, and California.
Most customers love Mayzlin’s excellent communication, while some complain about the lack of communication when working with American Van Lines. But, while American Van Lines has an online quote tool, Mayzlin does not, meaning customers have to speak with a customer service agent to book.
It’s also worth noting that as solid as Mayzlin Relocation is, they don’t have the same custom crating or storage options as American Van Lines, so customers who need those types of services will need to work with American Van Lines.
For customers who prioritize communication, Mayzlin Relocation is probably the better option. Still, because their service area is so restrictive, you can’t go wrong if you book American Van Lines instead!
American Van Lines vs. International Van Lines
American Van Lines and International Van Lines handle local and long-distance moves across the United States.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Like American Van Lines, International Van Lines offers many services to improve your moving experience, whether you need car shipping or storage. Both companies also handle corporate relocation and military moves with a military discount.
While you can request an online quote with American Van Lines, those working with International Van Lines will need to call for a quote. This isn’t a big deal, though, because you’ll need to call American Van Lines to get a binding quote, anyway. No matter how you slice it, you’ll likely need to pick up the phone and speak to a person with either company.
International Van Lines offers moves to international locations and outside of the contiguous United States. American Van Lines, on the other hand, only services the Lower 48, so you’ll need to go with International Van Lines if you’re moving to or from Alaska or Hawaii or overseas.
While American Van Lines customers report some communication issues, International Van Lines customer reviews report even more problems when it comes to contacting their movers. Regardless, customers of both companies report friendly movers who move their items in a professional and timely manner.
Overall, if communicating with your moving company is important to you, then American Van Lines is the way to go. But if you’re making an international move — or one to Hawaii or Alaska — then International Van Lines is the better option.
| COMPANY | BBB SCORE | STATE AVAILABILITY | COST |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Van Lines | A+ | 48 (not in AK or HI) | $$ |
| JK Moving | A+ | All 50 states; limited local moves | $$$$ |
| Allied Van Lines | A+ | 50 | $$$ |
| Mayzlin Relocation | A- | 48 (not in AK or HI) | $$ |
| International Van Lines | A+ | 50 | $$ |
How moving with American Van Lines works
American Van Lines is one of the best moving companies in North America for a reason. Customers rave about their excellent customer service at every stage of the moving process.
As well-liked as American Van Lines is, it’s still helpful to have an idea of what it’s like to work with a moving company before hiring them. Before you book American Van Lines, let’s take a look at their moving process.
Request a quote
American Van Lines has an online quote system that will give you a bare-bones estimate of your moving costs. You’ll fill out a short form, and a representative will contact you with your quote.
Don’t get too attached to this quote, though. Online estimates are rarely spot-on, so for the best possible quote, we recommend asking for an American Van Lines rep to visit your home and generate a binding quote.
Sure, you can book with the initial quote over the phone, but that’s just an estimate. Many customers state that the amount they paid is much different from the original quote, which could hurt your moving budget.
Book the move
If the quote works for you, the next step is to sign the binding estimate and pick your move date.
Whether you’re planning a large or small move across state lines or across the country, American Van Lines has a massive network of trucks and drivers to get the job done. They can usually accommodate any date or time and sometimes accommodate last-minute moves. Unlike other companies, there are no extra fees for choosing weekend dates for your move.
You’ll work directly with American Van Lines customer service during the booking process. They’re there for your convenience, so lean on their expertise. There’s no such thing as a stupid question, so ask them about anything that comes to mind. Don’t be shy — they’re there to help!
Once customer service books your move date, they’ll assign you to a moving coordinator, who will be your point of contact during the move.
Pack and move
If you hired American Van Lines to pack for you, they will arrive at your home on the specified day and pack all of your belongings with care.
If you only booked moving services, a moving truck or van will arrive at your property on the day of your move, and the crew will help load your items into the truck. You’re expected to have everything packed and ready for loading, so give yourself plenty of time leading up to the moving day to pack. Most Better Moves Project participants wish they’d given themselves more time to pack, so give yourself more time than you think you’ll need.
After American Van Lines packs the truck, the crew will drive to your new home. If you’re storing items in the meantime, AVL will take them to one of their top-rated storage facilities until you’re ready for delivery.
While they don’t offer online shipment tracking, you can contact your move coordinator with questions at any point during your move. Many happy customers report that communication during the move was amazing — despite not having a tracker — and they could check up on their items leading up to their delivery date.
Should you use American Van Lines to move?
American Van Lines is a reputable full-service moving company that’s perfect for anyone planning a move in the Lower 48. They’re especially helpful for anyone moving on a budget who still wants someone else to do all the heavy lifting.
Use American Van Lines if:
- You are making a cross-country move in the contiguous U.S.
- You may need storage solutions during your move
- You want help with every part of your move, from planning to packing
- You have large fragile items, like a piano or fine art, that need custom crating
Don’t use American Van Lines if:
- You’d like more of a DIY move experience
- You’re moving internationally
- You want to be able to track your items online
American Van Lines offers fantastic customer service, so if you encounter any problems or issues, you can speak with a move specialist who can help you solve them right away. This is one of the many reasons we’ve included AVL on several of our best mover lists:
- Best interstate moving companies
- Best long-distance moving companies
- Best military moving companies
- Best luxury moving companies
- Cheapest moving companies
But it’s always a good idea to shop around when you’re looking for a mover. We recommend requesting quotes from at least three full-service movers before making a decision. Multiple quotes will tell you whether you’re getting a fair price for your move.
If you’re just getting started, use our moving cost calculator to quickly compare moving companies in a few clicks.
FAQ
Is American Van Lines legit?
Yes, American Van Lines is a legitimate moving company. The company is licensed with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT#614506) and has been in business since 1967.
Is American Van Lines an insured moving company?
American Van Lines is an insured moving company. However, they may not offer full-value protection on all moves, so ask your coordinator if you should purchase extra coverage.
Is American Van Lines expensive?
American Van Lines isn’t expensive compared to white-glove moving services like JK Moving, but they aren’t necessarily the cheapest in the industry, either. American is known for their excellent service at a reasonable price, making them an overall value for full-service relocations.
Will American Van Lines disassemble furniture?
Yes, American Van Lines will disassemble furniture at your current home and reassemble it at your new home. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for full packing services in order to get furniture disassembly and reassembly.
Is American Van Lines a broker?
No, American Van Lines is not a broker. AVL is a direct moving company. Unlike brokers, which act as intermediaries connecting customers with various moving companies, American Van Lines operates their own fleet of trucks and employs moving staff to provide comprehensive moving services directly to customers. This allows AVL to have more control over the quality and consistency of their services.
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