5 Best Military Movers (Discounts Available)

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 good to hire professional movers that understand the nuances of a personally procured move.

We know it’s tough spotting a quality military mover, which is why moveBuddha did all of the research for you! In this guide, we’ll help you find the best military moving companies 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 Services, these military moving companies will treat you and your belongings with respect.

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 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

Comparing the best moving companies for military members

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

Our reviews of the best military moving companies

Best overall value: Safeway Moving

Need to get more bang for your buck? 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. Its team knows firsthand what military families are going through, and it works hard to offer military-precision relocations.

Pros/Cons of Safeway Moving

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

Wechose Safeway as our overall top pick because it offers 30 days of free storage 100% free for every move. That’s an incredibly good deal; other military moving companies might charge you for this. Military moves are often unpredictable, so flexible storage options can really save your bacon.

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

Services include:

• Long-distance moving
• Packing
• Storage
• Crating

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.

For example, when 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. Fill out the form on their website, safewaymovinginc.com, or call them via phone at (844) 728-6899 to get started.

Our takeaways

Safeway Moving is an excellent option for long-distance military moves. With 30 days of free storage, they are especially worth considering if you’re not sure you’ll be able to move into your new place right away. Their military discount and price matching also make them one of the more affordable options.

However, Safeway Moving does not offer local moving services. While most military moves require going longer distances, this is something to keep in mind if you are planning a move that’s not directly related to a military transfer.

Read our full Safeway Moving Review

Best for complex moves: North American Van Lines

Look, military moves aren’t always simple. Fortunately, North American Van Lines is equipped to help with complex military moves thanks to their customizable services, so you can select exactly which services you need to get to your new home.

Pros/Cons of North American Van Lines

To simplify your move, North American Van Lines 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 an stress-free move to your new base, which is a win.

Better yet, for international deployments, North American Van Lines offers specialty 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 customs and immigration documentation

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

Services include:

• Packing and unpacking (including custom crating)
• Vehicle relocation
• Relocation services
• Long-distance moves
• International moves
• 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.

Our takeaways

North American Van Lines is an excellent option for complex moves where you need extra assistance like custom crating for military memorabilia or help shipping your vehicle. Their international relocation services can also ease the stress of an international deployment.

However, depending on the scope of the services you need, costs can add up quickly. Some services that are included with other movers (like storage) aren’t free with North American. Even with a discount, they could end up being more expensive.

Read our full North American Van Lines Review

Best customer service: Mayzlin Relocation

Mayzlin Relocation is a family-owned business that prides itself on a customer-centered approach to moves, which can be a big help as military members and their families prepare to navigate a new deployment.

Mayzlin is a carrier, which means it handles all moving requests directly. Many moving companies partner with other companies on some moves, which means quality can vary depending on the provider. With Mayzlin, you get consistent quality, no matter where you are moving. The company can handle full-services moves — including packing and unpacking — in every state except Alaska and Hawaii. Mayzlin also provides 30 days of free storage with long-distance moves and can coordinate long-term storage, if needed.

Pros/Cons of Mayzlin

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

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.

Services include:

• Long-distance moves
• Local moves
• Professional packing
• Storage services

Cost

Mayzlin’s pricing tends to be in line with other long-distance movers. For example, Irena paid $5,417 to move a six-room home from Ohio to South Carolina. 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 to will directly influence your costs.

Our takeaways

As a family-owned carrier, Mayzlin Relocation offers consistently reliable service, with personal moving coordinators who can help take the stress out of relocating to a new base. Thirty days of free storage is also a definite plus in case you need to transfer before you can find a new home.

However, the lack of a definite military discount means you should get quotes elsewhere before calling to try to take advantage of their price matching.

Read our full Mayzlin Relocation Review

Best industry reputation: American Van Lines

All the moving companies on this list have great reputations, but American Van Lines (AVL) will move heaven and Earth to do right by its military customers. With more than 20 years in business, they provide a wide array of comprehensive military relocation services, such as packing, packing materials, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and storage.

Pros/Cons of American Van Lines

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  – even for last-minute moves. Their team 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 – though you’ll have to pay extra for guaranteed delivery.

While you’ll need to contact American to ask about potential military discounts, we chose this military mover for its positive customer reviews. With 4.5 out of 5 stars, American Van Lines is a trusted option for military members and their families.

Services include:

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

Cost

While American Van Lines doesn’t advertise any military discounts, their wide network results in some of the best pricing in the industry. When Kathy moved from Washington, D.C. to St. Louis, her total cost for moving a one-bedroom apartment came out to $4,074.

Our takeaways

American Van Lines’ strong industry reputation makes them 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 certainly streamline your move. However, their high deposit requirements could put some temporary strain on your budget when relocating to a new base.

Read our full 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 if you have valuables that need to be treated with extra care, this company offers provides an insane a truly unparalleled level of service.

Pros/Cons of JK Moving Services

Founded in 1982, JK Moving has decades of moving experience to the table. It background-checks and regularly trains all 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.

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.

While their pricing can be significantly higher than the competition, their ability to provide white-glove service and ensure that all your belongings will arrive at your new location in one piece can offer much-needed peace of mind.

Services include:

• Long-distance moves
• Local moves in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
• International moves
• Climate-controlled storage facilities

Cost

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

When Jose moved from Herriman, Utah, to Lake Mary, Florida, his actual cost came in at $27,453. His move did entail moving over 20,000 pounds of items, but his quote from JK Moving was still 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 takeaways

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. You won’t have to worry about whether your household goods will reach your base in one piece.

That being said, the high cost of their services is a potential drawback. With quotes that tend to be much higher than their competitors, you may find your military reimbursement won’t go as far if you use JK Moving.

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 to cover your moving costs 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 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 to get you to your new base, the more expensive the move will be. Moving within the same state is cheaper than long-distance moves, and moving 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.

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 from the best moving companies to find the service provider that’s best for your situation.

Availability

First of all, is the mover 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 location. You don’t want any last-minute scheduling hiccups!

Type of move

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

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. Not only is this a sign that you’re working with a quality company, but it also gives you a few extra protections.

These moving companies 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.

For military personnel, this means you’ll also need to find a moving 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. 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

Cost and discounts

Let’s talk about money. 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 so you 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. If you want more control over your moving experience, opt for a personally procured move (PPM). Make this decision early on to guide the rest of your planning — especially for a PPM, where you’ll need to get quotes and select and schedule movers yourself.
• Be mindful of your per diem. Military service members are generally provided a per diem to cover food, lodging, and transportation costs for the move. Be aware of how much you have so you don’t have to put extra spending on your own credit card.
• Declutter. Even when you haven’t been stationed in an area for long, you’d be surprised how quickly clutter can pile up. Get rid of items you no longer want or need to lower moving costs and help packing and unpacking go easier.
• Inventory your items. Take a photo inventory of everything 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.

FAQs about military moves

How much does a military move cost?

Military service members can generally expect to pay $5,000 on average for a Permanent Change of Station move. However, exact costs will vary based on factors like distance, time of year, and how much stuff you need to transport.

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 moving during the off-season or even on off-peak days of the week or times of month.

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

How much does the military give you to move?

The military’s Personally Procured Move Program allows you to potentially get reimbursed for up to 100% of your moving costs. You are responsible for renting a moving truck or hiring professional movers yourself, and after the move is complete, the government will reimburse you. Moves for Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Temporary Duty (TDY), and Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) qualify for this program.

Most service members are also provided a per diem to cover the cost of food, lodging, and transportation associated with the move.

What will military moving companies not pack?

Military moving companies 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 prohibited items, get in touch with your mover to ask about their policies.

Can I use a moving container for military moves?

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 everything yourself 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) has a network of moving companies vetted by the military to speed up your search. You can also check for approved movers with the General Services Administration (GSA).