5 Best Moving Companies for Military Moves

Bottom line: Whether you’re a fresh-faced recruit, a devoted military spouse, or you have a two-decades-long career as a military family, it’s wise to hire professional movers who understand the nuances of a personally procured move.

Finding a quality military mover can be challenging. We’ve reviewed 4,400 moving companies to identify the best moving companies for military moves. In this guide, we’ll help you compare movers and offer tips on how to find the best moving company for your specific situation.

Whether you want to go with a veteran-owned company like Safeway Moving or need the white-glove treatment for your military memorabilia from JK Moving, these military moving companies will treat you and your belongings with respect.

Our ratings of the best military movers

Based on moveBuddha’s expertise, positive reviews from moveBuddha readers, and the experiences of members of the armed forces, these are our top picks for the best military moving companies:

• Best overall value: Safeway Moving
• Best for complex moves: North American Van Lines
• Best customer service: Mayzlin Relocation
• Best industry reputation: American Van Lines
• Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services

Compare the best moving companies for military members

Here’s how each of the top moving companies stacks up in terms of pricing and discounts. Use the table to compare our top picks for military moves and get a quote from each company.

Our reviews of the best military moving companies

Best overall value: Safeway Moving

Why we chose it

Safeway Moving offers the best overall value for military families preparing for a long-distance move. Founded by a U.S. Army veteran, this full-service moving company operates on military principles.

We chose Safeway as our overall top pick because it offers 30 days of 100% free storage for every move, which some other military moving companies charge for. Military moves are often unpredictable, so short-term storage options can be crucial.

In addition to offering a 20% moving discount to military members, it also provides price matching. If you have a cheaper quote from another company (for similar military moving services), Safeway will match it.

Pros and cons of Safeway Moving

Services

• Local, interstate, long-distance, and international moving
• Packing and unpacking
• Climate-controlled storage
• Custom crating services

Cost

Safeway Moving offers flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected last-minute charges. Thanks to their 20% military discount and price matching offers, you can expect them to always be able to provide a competitive quote.

When moveBuddha reader Christian moved a two-bedroom apartment from New York to California, his total costs came out to just over $4,700—when other movers’ quotes were over $8,000.

Our takeaway

Safeway Moving is an excellent option for long-distance military moves. With 30 days of free storage, a military discount, and price matching, they’re one of the most flexible and affordable full-service moving options.

Read our full Safeway Moving Review

Best for complex moves: North American Van Lines

Why we chose it

North American Van Lines (NAVL) stood out to us for its ability to tackle complex military moves with a suite of customizable services. NAVL offers free in-home estimates to establish your needs, then makes suggestions to make your move to your new base a stress-free one.

We also like that North American Van Lines offers specialty military relocation services to help you settle into life in a new country, where a relocation specialist can help with tasks like finding childcare and gathering customs and immigration documentation.

While it’s one of the pricier options on this list, NAVL provides as much as a 50% discount for military members, which is higher than most competitors.

Pros and cons of North American Van Lines

Services

• Local, long-distance, interstate, and international moving
• Packing and unpacking (including custom crating)
• Vehicle relocation
• Storage

Cost

North American Van Lines tends to be on the pricier side compared to the competition – but its generous military discounts can help even things out.

The company’s average cost for a long-distance move is $3,758, though this can vary based on factors like distance, the size of your home, the time of year, and the scope of services you use.

Just note that some services that are included with other movers (like storage) aren’t free with NAVL. Even with a discount, they could end up being more expensive.

Our takeaway

North American Van Lines is best for complex moves requiring extra assistance like custom crating for military memorabilia, vehicle shipping, or international relocation services.

Read our full North American Van Lines Review

Best customer service: Mayzlin Relocation

Why we chose it

Mayzlin Relocation is a family-owned business that earned points in our comparison for being a carrier, which means it handles all moving requests directly. Many movers partner with third-party companies on some moves, and quality can vary depending on the provider.

Mayzlin can handle full-service moves in every state except Alaska and Hawaii and provides 30 days of free storage for long-distance moves, with the option to coordinate long-term storage.

Mayzlin stands out from larger moving companies because of its focus on customer service. Every military service member works with a personal moving consultant who assists with every step of the process. The company also has a 24/7 customer support line.

Pros and cons of Mayzlin

Services 

• Local, long-distance moves, interstate, and international moving
• Professional packing and unpacking
• Storage services
• Corporate and military relocations

Cost

Mayzlin’s pricing tends to be in line with other long-distance movers. For example, our reader, Irena, paid $5,417 to move a six-room home from Ohio to South Carolina with Mayzlin. Sally, on the other hand, paid $3,663 to move a one-bedroom apartment from Chicago to Brighton, Massachusetts.

Your move size and where you’re getting deployed will directly influence your costs. While Mayzlin doesn’t advertise a military discount, it’s worth asking a representative when getting your quote.

Mayzlin will honor lower quotes from competitors, so make sure you shop around before calling them.

Our takeaway

Mayzlin Relocation offers consistently reliable service, with personal moving coordinators who can help take the stress out of relocating to a new base and thirty days of flexible free storage. However, the lack of a definite military discount means you should also compare quotes from other movers.

Read our full Mayzlin Relocation Review

Best industry reputation: American Van Lines

Why we chose it

With more than 20 years in business, American Van Lines provides a wide array of comprehensive military relocation services.

It also does weekly shuttles between major U.S. cities in the Lower 48, which can keep your timeline on track, even for last-minute moves. Though you’ll have to pay extra for it, you can get guaranteed delivery to ensure you make your new assignment by a certain date.

While you’ll need to contact American to ask about potential military discounts, we chose this military mover for its positive customer reviews across online platforms. We found that American Van Lines is a trusted option for military members and their families.

Pros and cons of American Van Lines

Services

• Local, long-distance moves, and international moves
• Corporate, military, and commercial moving
• Antique and piano moving
• Storage and packing

Cost

While American Van Lines doesn’t advertise any military discounts, its wide network results in some of the best pricing in the industry. When we interviewed our reader Kathy, who moved from Washington, D.C. to St. Louis, she told us that her total cost for moving a one-bedroom apartment with American Van Lines was $4,074.

However, keep in mind that American Van Lines’ high deposit requirements could put some temporary strain on your budget when relocating to a new home.

Our takeaway

American Van Lines’ solid reputation makes it a worthwhile pick for military service members. A comprehensive military relocation package that includes packing, furniture disassembly, and storage—all backed by stellar customer service—can streamline your move.

Read our full American Van Lines Review

Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services

Why we chose it

JK Moving Services offers high-end white-glove moving for corporations, celebrities, and even the U.S. government.

Founded in 1982, JK Moving has decades of moving experience to the table. It background-checks and regularly trains all its moving crews and offers 24/7 customer support, which is a big plus for international moves. You can even use the mobile app to request quotes and manage your move.

Based in the Washington, D.C. area, JK Moving has significant experience with military moves and government relocation. The company has served the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other agencies, so you can have confidence in their abilities to navigate the complexities of a military move.

Pros and cons of JK Moving Services

Services include:

• Long-distance and international moves
• Limited local moves
• Climate-controlled storage facilities
• White-glove moving services

Cost

JK Moving offers high-end service, but it comes at a price. The company doesn’t advertise any military discounts, and estimates tend to be higher than competitors.

When customer Jose moved over 20,000 pounds of items from Herriman, Utah, to Lake Mary, Florida, his actual cost came in at $27,453, which was a few thousand dollars more than what others offered. Despite the higher prices, Jose’s desire for white-glove service—as well as JK Moving’s impressive reputation and reviews — made them the right pick for his move.

Our takeaway

JK Moving’s experience with government and military moves is hard to beat. Having been used for official government departments, you can trust their team to deliver the highest quality service throughout your move.

That being said, the high cost of their services is a potential drawback, but if you have valuables that need to be treated with extra care, this company offers a truly unparalleled level of service.

Read our full JK Moving Review

Summary of the best military movers

How much do military moves cost?

According to Military.com, a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs an average of $5,000. While you’ll generally receive some type of reimbursement for your moving expenses, you’ll likely have some out-of-pocket costs for your move.

Several factors affect the cost of your military move, including:

• Military moving allowances: The amount you receive from the military might cover everything, but more often than not, you’ll likely still have some out-of-pocket expenses. The good news is that this allowance can offset most of the big expenses associated with moving.
• Military discounts: Many moving companies offer military discounts to active duty military and veterans. Even a 10% discount can have a big effect on the final bill.
• Amount moved: The amount of stuff you need to move has a direct impact on pricing. The less you move, the cheaper it is, and vice versa. Decluttering before moving can streamline your move and save you money.
• Distance traveled: Moving within a state is cheaper than a long-distance move, and moving cross-country is cheaper than an international relocation. The good news is that long-distance moves are sometimes eligible for higher PCS allowances.
• Type of move: Personally procured moves (PPM) allow you to hire a full-service mover or rent a moving truck to do it yourself. If you’re on a tighter budget but want some help moving, try a partial DIY move where you pack most of your household belongings, and the moving company transports them.
• Additional services: If you choose to pay for extra services such as packing, post-move cleanup, or packing materials, it will impact the cost of your move.

Factors to consider when hiring a military moving company

Moving is a necessary part of military life, but it’s much easier with the right mover. Weigh these factors to choose the best moving company for your situation.

Availability

First of all, determine if a mover is available in your area and on your timeline. Verify that the company operates in your current state or country and in the place you’re moving.

Check their booking calendar to see if the company’s moving dates match your timeline for transferring to your new address to avoid any last-minute scheduling hiccups.

Type of move

Be sure to choose the right type of moving company. Moving locally, long-distance, across state lines, or internationally comes with different requirements.

For example, interstate movers need proper licensing to cross state lines, and the best interstate moving companies will meet those requirements.  This is not only a sign that you’re working with a quality company, but it also gives you a few extra protections.

These movers must offer moving insurance plans like full-value protection to comply with federal regulations, which is a big perk for military movers.

Specialty items

We all have prized possessions, like art or pianos, that need extra TLC. As military personnel, you may also need a company that will pick up and handle firearms and other specialized household goods with care.

Mention your specialty items during the quoting process. This way, the moving company can provide a more accurate price for the move.

Reputation

Reputation matters in the moving industry. When you’re entrusting your belongings to a company, you need to know they’re reliable and legitimate.

Check the moving company’s reputation by reading customer reviews and ratings, checking their Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, and looking for industry awards.

Cost and discounts

Moving costs can add up, so it’s important to consider discounts and the final cost of your move.

Fortunately, many moving companies offer discounts for active military, while others are willing to price match their top competitors. Request free quotes from at least three military moving companies to get a fair idea of your moving costs.

How to prepare for a military move

Preparing for a military move can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following a few key moving tips, you can make this process more manageable for you and your family:

• Decide how you want to move. If you want to outsource everything, you can do a traditional military move, where the government chooses your moving company.  For more control over your moving experience, opt for a personally procured move (PPM).
• Be mindful of your per diem. Military members are generally provided a per diem to cover food, lodging, and transportation costs for the move. Be aware of the amount so you don’t have to put extra spending on your own credit card.
• Declutter. Even if you haven’t been stationed in an area for long, you’d be surprised how quickly clutter can pile up. Declutter items you no longer want or need to lower moving costs and help packing and unpacking go more smoothly.
• Inventory your items. Take a photo inventory and make a complete list of everything you’re moving in case you need to file a claim for lost or damaged items with the moving company.
• Block off items you’re taking with you. Whether you’re traveling by car or plane to your new base, you don’t want the movers to pack up your traveling essentials. Put your essentials in a single room or closet that you can mark with a “do not pack” sign so the movers know what to leave behind.

FAQ