Mayflower Moving Review (Real Customer Experiences)
Here’s the bottom line: Mayflower has served the country since 1927. Its experience allows it to offer competitive moving packages that can fit even the most complex relocation needs.
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 rating
 
4.25 / 5
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Mayflower is a full-service moving company that provides everything from packing and custom crating services to storage and labor help for local, long-distance, and international moves.
The company handles moves in 46 states, but its sister company, United Van Lines, services the entire contiguous U.S., so you may need to opt for them if you live in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, or West Virginia.
If you would rather have a carrier who services all its reservations with its own employees, you should consider Mayzlin Relocation or another one of our best long-distance moving companies.
Keep reading to uncover the need-to-know facts about Mayflower’s services, costs,and reputation, so you can make an informed decision that fits your needs.
Pros & cons of moving with Mayflower Moving
- Doesn’t require an initial deposit
- Includes basic full-value protection with every move
- Offers binding estimates, so you don’t have to worry about price changes
- In-person and virtual surveys to ensure accurate moving cost estimates
- Offers competitive additional services, including vehicle shipping, cleaning, and storage
- Doesn’t provide online quotes
- Is not available in Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, or West Virginia
- Doesn’t sell moving or packing supplies
Key takeaways
- Mayflower Transit (USDOT#125563) is one of the nation’s oldest moving companies. In its more than nine decades of service, it has developed moving solutions for local, long-distance, and even international relocations.
- The company packages its moving services into customized plans and provides a free survey to confirm an accurate quote.
- Mayflower is a sister company of United Van Lines. Its far reach allows it to offer various specialty services, including packing and unpacking, debris removal, storage, car shipping, and military moving.
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Mayflower Moving pricing: How much it costs to move
Mayflower’s moving costs are often higher than its competitors (customer reviews confirm this) because it includes basic full-value protection. However, you may find the prices comparable when you look at the cost of adding the same degree of protection to a lower estimate from another moving company.
The company has an online quote form, but it’s really more of a contact form. After you submit a request, a moving coordinator will reach out to you directly to discuss your options. You can also call the company.
Mayflower charges by the hour for local moves, so larger and more complex movers are generally more expensive. You may also find they have a three-hour minimum. Long-distance moves are priced differently, usually at a flat rate based on the distance, weight, and volume of your belongings.
We reached out to the company for an average price range for its services, but they were tightlipped, adding that every move is unique and prices depend on a variety of factors including:
- Requested services
- Timeline
- Distance between origin and destination locations
- Added insurance coverage (beyond the included protection)
- Features of property (including parking and flights of stairs)
- Size of home/weight of belongings
We recommend that you request at least three quotes from similar full-service moving companies to find the best option for your budget. You can also use our moving cost calculator to conveniently estimate the industry price range for your required services.
It’s important to understand the difference between Mayflower’s “instant ballpark” quotes and formal binding estimates. Sometimes, a moving representative will provide a ballpark estimate to help you decide if moving ahead is worthwhile.
Instant ballpark quotes are rough estimations based on some basic information the customer provides. You can only get a detailed moving quote after a Mayflower representative conducts an onsite or virtual walkthrough.
Your moving quote will ultimately come down to the complexity of your move, the distance between locations, and any add-on services you select. If you live in a state that both United Van Lines and Mayflower serve, we recommend requesting quotes from both companies as their services are pretty similar, but they still compete for pricing.
Mayflower Moving: Featured reviews
Don’t just take our word about Mayflower — listen to the people who have actually hired the company for their real-life moves.
Ahead of her move, Gabriela was dreading each step of the process, as she had a nightmare moving experience in the past. She was moving long distance from California to Illinois and needed to relocate the contents of her two-bedroom apartment, plus a storage locker. Mayflower knocked it out of the park for her.
“I wouldn’t have changed anything—I had great, clear communication every step of the way. They were very careful with my items. They didn’t drop any boxes and handled everything labeled “fragile,” especially carefully. I appreciated their use of furniture blankets and other protective measures.” —Gabriela
While Gabriela had a great experience with Mayflower and their communication with her, not all moves or staff are the same. Steve’s move with the company went a bit differently regarding communication.
We also combed the internet for other details about other people’s moving experiences with Mayflower. Here’s what we found.
I used Mayflower’s container service (like PODS) to move from Houston to Boulder, Colorado. Every step of the process was handled impeccably. From the setup via their national customer service number to the coordination with truckers and warehouse, these folks are well organized, confirm commitments, and execute on time. It really was a very pleasant surprise, and they even made up for some lapses on my part. — Erik M. on Yelp
I recently used Mayflower for my move in San Francisco and I have to say that they exceeded my expectations in every way possible. From the initial consultation to the final delivery of my belongings, every member of their team was professional, courteous, and efficient. The moving process can be stressful, but Mayflower made it easy and hassle-free. They took great care in packing and transporting my belongings, ensuring that everything arrived at my new home in perfect condition.” — Marina on Consumer Affairs
100% recommend using their services. The price is reasonable. Team members are very professional and efficient.” — Raymond M. on Better Business Bureau
While looking for customer reviews, we found more negative experiences than positive ones. That said, Gabriela was incredibly pleased. In the moving industry, it’s very common for dissatisfied customers to be the loudest.
Mayflower Moving offers a wide variety of services
Mayflower’s experience in the moving industry has allowed it to develop a comprehensive suite of services:
- Long-distance moving: Mayflower handles interstate, long-distance, and cross-country moves nationwide. The full-service moving package includes a designated move coordinator, bed frame assembly, and basic furniture placement.
- Small moves: Mayflower offers a SnapMoves program for those moving from one- or two-bedroom apartments or small homes. Add-on services such as packing, unpacking, and car transport are extra. The SnapMoves option offers a quick and easy quote process.
- Local moves: If you are moving 50 or fewer miles, Mayflower can connect you with a moving carrier in your area. Customers can get a quote by clicking Mayflower’s “Get a Quote” button in the upper right-hand corner of the company’s website.
- International moving: Residential and corporate customers can use Mayflower for international moving projects. The organization has years of experience in customs clearance, and shipments can be tracked online throughout the transport process.
- Corporate moves: Relocating companies can customize the process to include full or partial packing, crating of large items, and trash removal. Storage-In-Transport (SIT) services involve loading a trailer or storage unit and holding it for later delivery, which is ideal for companies awaiting furniture or carpet installation at the destination.
- Auto transportation: Vehicle shipping is available door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, and dock-to-dock. The most economical option involves transporting the vehicle in an open trailer. If you have a high-end or collectible car, you may want to opt for a fully enclosed trailer for maximum protection. The vehicle shipping process may take eight to 10 business days, depending on the distance.
- Military moves: Mayflower has assisted military members with temporary and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moving projects for decades making them a great choice for a military move. They have obtained approval from the U.S. General Services Administration to assist with PCS relocations.
- Packing and unpacking: You can choose partial or full packing services. Custom crating services are available for large, fragile items. Mayflower will also handle electronics, including wall mount disassembly and installation at your new home.
- Storage: Mayflower offers short- and long-term storage options for residential and commercial customers.
- Cleaning services: If you opt for this add-on, Mayflower crews will clean your house after loading up all your items.
How Mayflower Moving stacks up against the competition
Mayflower Moving may be one of the nation’s largest moving companies, but it still has its fair share of competitors. See how Mayflower compares to two of our picks for the best moving companies: JK Moving Services and Safeway Moving.
Mayflower Moving vs. Safeway Moving
While Safeway Moving may pale in experience compared to industry titans like Mayflower, its affordable prices and stellar reputation make it a worthwhile competition.
The company is veteran-owned and donates a portion of all its profits to charity, making it a less guilty investment if you get sticker shock at full-service moving costs.
Real-life customers Isabel and Christian experienced minor delays throughout the moving process but ultimately lauded the company for its excellent pricing accuracy and professionalism.
Safeway Moving can be a particularly advantageous moving provider if you require storage services because the company offers 30 days free with all moves.
rating
4.85 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Mayflower Moving vs. JK Moving Services
JK Moving Services is the upper echelon of the moving industry. Its movers are fully trained and employed by the company, so you don’t have to deal with the same service quality inconsistency as a broker. Its movers provide a white-glove experience, including furniture assembly and disassembly.
Mayflower Moving will provide similar services at a lower price point, but you may see slightly lesser quality because sometimes Mayflower uses outside carriers instead of its own employees. For this reason, JK Moving Services would be our recommendation if you have many expensive or irreplaceable items.
And while it can be pricier, JK Moving Services offers financing — sometimes at 0% interest — which can make its price point more accessible for Americans of different backgrounds.
JK Moving Services operates in more states than Mayflower Moving, so if you live in one of the states where Mayflower doesn’t operate, consider JK Moving in its place.
rating
4.6 / 5
89% of users select this mover
| Company | BBB score | State availability | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayflower Moving | A+ | 46 | $$ |
| JK Moving Services | A+ | 50 | $$$$ |
| Safeway Moving | A+ | 48 | $$ |
Check out our best long-distance moving companies to compare Mayflower to other providers.
How moving with Mayflower works
While you can’t receive a quote online, you can begin the process through Mayflower’s quote form or live chat. Interestingly, the company doesn’t publish a phone number for customers to reach out with initial questions.
The quote form will need your origin and destination zip codes. If you don’t know your new zip code yet, don’t worry. The quote form includes a convenient zip code lookup tool. From there, you’ll need to select your move date, but you can decide it’s flexible if your schedule allows. You can choose your earliest and latest availability if you have a flexible move date.
Next, you’ll select your home type (apartment or single-family), the number of bedrooms, and who plans to pay for your move. Sometimes, companies offer relocation packages where they’ll pay Mayflower Transit directly.
After that, you can select additional services, including packing, unpacking, car shipping, debris removal, and storage.
Finally, you’ll fill out your contact information and select the best method for reaching you from email, text, or phone call options. You can also choose the best time for them to contact you. Once you click“Get a Quote,” you’ll be added to the system for a future callback.
During the callback, you’ll work with your representative to schedule an in-person or virtual survey. Either way, you’ll complete a thorough inventory of your items so the company can provide an accurate estimate.
If you’re satisfied, you can move forward with booking your move and finalizing your move date. On moving day, your movers will give you a heads-up before arrival, and then they’ll proceed with your desired services.
You won’t have to lift a finger — unless you want to.
Should you use Mayflower to move?
Mayflower’s more than 90 years in the moving industry should be proof of its quality in and of itself, but that doesn’t mean it will be right for every situation. Consider the scenarios below if you’re on the fence about whether or not you should use Mayflower for your move.
Use Mayflower Moving if:
- Working with an experienced professional mover is important to you
- You have specialty items that require custom crating services
- You’re moving on a tight timeline
- You want full-value protection included in your moving estimate
Don’t use Mayflower Moving if:
- You’re moving to or from Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, or West Virginia
- You want to get a quote quickly online
FAQ
Is Mayflower a legitimate company?
Yes, Mayflower is a legitimate company. It has nearly 100 years of experience serving local and long-distance moves. Through its many years of experience, it’s earned positive customer reviews and an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, though it’s not accredited. The company has also created a suite of relocation services to address various moving needs.
Is Mayflower reputable?
Yes, Mayflower is reputable. It has nearly 100 years of experience serving local and long-distance moves. Through its many years of experience, it’s earned positive customer reviews and an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, though it’s not accredited. The company has also created a suite of relocation services to address various moving needs.
Can I cancel a move with Mayflower Moving?
Mayflower doesn’t advertise a cancellation policy. You’ll need to contact your moving coordinator to adjust or cancel your reservation before your move date.
Does Mayflower offer insurance?
Yes, Mayflower offers insurance. Whenever you request a quote, your price includes basic full-value protection.
What is the difference between Mayflower and United?
Mayflower Transit and United Van Lines are sister companies owned and operated by UniGroup. Since Mayflower’s 1995 incorporation, the two companies have remained separate, so it’s entirely possible you can receive a different quote from one provider than you would the other. Evaluate both companies’ moving services to find the best option for your needs and budget.
Does Mayflower require a deposit?
No, Mayflower doesn’t require a deposit when you book a move. If you plan to pay by credit card, the company will confirm your credit limit a few days before your moving date, but it won’t charge you until after services are rendered.
Does Mayflower offer storage?
Yes, Mayflower offers storage for commercial and residential customers. You can request a storage quote with your moving reservation. The company offers 30 days of free storage with all moves.
Does United Van Lines own Mayflower?
No, United Van Lines doesn’t own Mayflower. UniGroup owns both companies, but they operate as separate sister companies. Since Mayflower’s 1995 incorporation, the two companies have remained separate, so it’s entirely possible you can receive a different quote from one provider than you would the other. Evaluate both companies’ moving services to find the best option for your needs and budget.
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