5 Best Military Movers of 2023 (Discounts Available)

In military life, home isn’t where the heart is—“home” is wherever the military sends you. It isn’t unusual for military families to move every two years (or less), so you’re probably no stranger to moving.

Whether you’re a fresh-faced recruit, a devoted military spouse, or you have a two-decades-long career in the military and a family, it’s good to hire professional movers that understand the nuances of military moves.

We know it’s tough spotting a quality military mover, which is why moveBuddha did all of the research for you! Check out this guide to find the best military movers. We’ll even throw in some helpful professional tips on how to find the best mover.

Our ratings of the best military movers

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

• Best overall value: Safeway Moving
• Best for complex moves: Air Van northAmerican Van Lines
• Best customer service: International Van Lines
• Best industry reputation: American Van Lines
• Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services

Comparing the best moving companies for military members

Here’s how each moving company stacks up in terms of pricing and military discounts:

Our reviews of the best military moving companies

Best overall value: Safeway Moving

Need to get more bang for your buck? Go with Safeway Moving.

Founded by a U.S. Army veteran, this company operates on military principles. Its team knows firsthand what you and your family are going through, and it works hard to offer military-precision relocations.

Safeway uses technology to create super-accurate quotes. It also follows flat-rate pricing and explains every line item in its quotes.

moveBuddha chose Safeway because it offers 30 days of free storage 100% free for every move. That’s an incredibly good deal; other moving companies would charge you for this. Military moves are unpredictable, so flexible storage options can really save your bacon.

While Safeway offers a 20% military discount, it also offers price matching. If you have a cheaper quote from another company (for similar services) at a lower price, Safeway will match it.

Services include:

• Long-distance moving
• Packing
• Storage
• Crating

Our Full Review: Safeway Moving Review

Best for complex moves: AirVan northAmerican Van Lines

Look, military moves aren’t always simple. If you’re juggling shipping a car, finding new schools for your kids, and learning about the culture of your new home, your hands are already pretty full.

moveBuddha recommends AirVan northAmerican Van Lines for complex military moves like this. It offers free in-home estimates to chat with you and get to know your needs. Your moving team will make suggestions to save you some hassle and plan a stress-free move, which is a win.

AirVan northAmerican Van Lines offers military relocation services to help you settle into life in a new country. A relocation specialist can help you:

• Find childcare
• Locate the best schools
• Get help with customers and immigration documentation

Sure, it’s one of the pricier options on this list, but it does offer as much as a 50% discount for military moves, so this is a solid option for relocations with a lot of moving parts.

Services include:

• Packing and unpacking
• Vehicle relocation
• Relocation services
• Moving services
• Storage

Our Full Review: AirVan northAmerican Van Lines Review

Best customer service: International Van Lines

International Van Lines (IVL) is available in all 50 states, as well as 180 countries around the globe. This military moving service specializes in long-distance and international moves, so if you’re assigned to a base on the other side of the world, IVL will get you there, no problem.

We chose IVL because of its amazing customer experience. Move your household goods and even your car with IVL’s auto transport service.

This company specializes in relocations for the U.S. government and even handles equipment shipping for the military, so your furniture is definitely in good hands.

It offers 15% military discounts, too, which adds up to a lot of savings for an international move.

Services include:

• Long-distance moving
• International moving
• Professional packing
• Storage services

Our Full Review: International Van Lines Review

Best industry reputation: American Van Lines

All of the military movers on this list have great reputations, but American Van Lines (AVL) will move heaven and Earth to do right by its military customers.

American Van Lines does weekly shuttles between major U.S. cities in the Lower 48 (sorry, Alaska and Hawaii), which keeps your timeline on track. It knows that you absolutely need to be at your new assignment by a certain date, so American Van Lines does its best to work with your schedule and budget.

While you’ll need to contact AVL to ask about military discounts, we chose this military mover for its solid customer reviews. With 4.5/5 stars, American Van Lines is a solid option for military servicemembers and their families.

Services include:

• Local moving
• Long-distance moving
• Corporate relocation
• Military moving
• Commercial moving
• Antique and piano moving
• Storage

Our Full Review: American Van Lines Review

Best for high-end moves: JK Moving Services

Do you need white-glove service for your military move? JK Moving Services offers high-end moving for corporations, celebrities, and even the U.S. government. It might cost more, but this company offers an insane level of service.

JK Moving brings 40 years of moving experience to the table. It background-checks and regularly trains all of its moving crews.

It also 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.

Every move is different, so you’ll need to contact JK Moving for information on pricing and military discounts.

Services include:

• Moving services
• Commercial relocation
• Climate-controlled storage facilities

Our Full Review: JK Moving Review

Summary of the best military movers

Factors to consider when hiring a military moving company

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

Availability

First of all, is the mover available in your area? And on your timeline?

Verify that the company operates not only in your current state or country, but also in the place you’re moving.

Check their booking calendar to see if the company’s moving dates match your timeline. You don’t want any last-minute scheduling hiccups!

Type of move

Be sure to choose reputable movers for the type of move you’re planning.

Moving locally, long-distance, across state lines, or internationally comes with different requirements.

For example, interstate moving companies need proper licensing. Not only is this a sign that you’re working with a quality company, but it also gives you a few extra protections.

These movers must offer protection 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’ll also need to find a moving company that will pick up and handle firearms and other specialized equipment with care.

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

Reputation

Reputation matters in the moving industry. You’re entrusting your belongings to a company, so 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
• Looking for industry awards

Any military moving company worth its salt will have all three of these things.

Cost and discounts

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

Fortunately, most moving companies offer military discounts, which can have a pleasant effect on your moving budget. Request free estimates from at least three military movers so you get a fair idea of your moving costs.

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 likely receive some type of reimbursement for your moving expenses, you’ll likely have some out-of-pocket costs for your move.

A lot of factors affect the costs of your military move, including:

• Military moving allowances: The amount you receive from the military to cover your moving expenses might cover everything, but more often than not, you’ll likely have some out-of-pocket expenses. The good news is that this allowance can offset most of the big expenses associated with moving. Yay!
• Military discounts: Many moving companies offer military discounts to active duty military and veterans. Even if it’s a 10% discount, that 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. Declutter your belongings before moving to streamline your move and save a little money
• Distance traveled: The further the moving company has to go, the more expensive the move will be. Moving within the same state is cheaper than going cross-country, and cross-country is cheaper than international relocations. The good news is that long-distance moves are sometimes eligible for higher PCS allowances
• Type of move: A full-service move will cost more than a DIY 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 still want some help with the moving process, try a partial do-it-yourself move where you pack most of your items and the moving company handles the transportation

Military move FAQs

Is a military discount the best discount for moving?

Military discounts are often more substantial than other discounts, but they aren’t the only discounts available to you. Some moving companies offer bigger discounts for:

• Off-peak season
• Off-peak days of the week or times of the month
• Additional services at no extra charge

Chat with your mover about all potential discounts and compare moving quotes to find the best deal.

What will military movers not pack?

Military movers won’t pack certain items for safety reasons. This usually includes:

• Gasoline or propane
• Perishables
• Sentimental items like jewelry or important documents
• Cash
• Plants

If you have a question about any items, get in touch with your mover to ask about their policies.

Can I use a moving container for a military move?

Yes, moving container companies like PODS are great for self-service moves. Moving container companies give you more flexibility because you can pack at your own pace and you have the option to store your belongings before delivery.

If you’re okay with packing, loading, and unloading and just need help with transportation, this is a flexible and cost-efficient option.

Does the military have a preferred moving company to use?

No, the military doesn’t have a preferred company.

You’re free to hire whoever you want, but the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3) gives you a network of movers vetted by the military to speed up your search.