Midland Van Lines Review (2025)
Here’s the bottom line: Midland Van Lines presents itself as a full-service, long-distance moving carrier. However, based on extensive customer feedback and industry data, there are some serious concerns. Widespread complaints about bait-and-switch pricing, subcontracted movers, and delivery issues raise major concerns. If reliability and transparency are priorities, we recommend considering other top-rated movers instead. Be sure to check out our list of the best interstate moving companies for more vetted options.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Pros & cons of Midland Van Lines
- Offers comprehensive service packages for long-distance moves
- Markets itself as a family-run company
- Has 20+ years of experience
- Provides a 100% deposit refund if you cancel 10 business days before your scheduled pickup
- Customers report major price increases after booking
- Sometimes subcontracts moves to third parties without notice
- Customers report poor communication, delayed delivery, lost items, and unprofessional behavior.
- Low ratings across review sites
- Requires deposits via Zelle or check, and final payments in cash or money order, which makes disputes harder if something goes wrong
Jump to the Midland Van Lines info you’re looking for:
What customers had to say about Midland Van Lines
On the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Midland Van Lines is not rated or accredited. Based on nearly 100 reviews, many customers cite issues such as surprise price increases, lost deposits, delivery delays, and poor communication. One customer reported being quoted $4,800, only to be charged an additional $2,600 for an updated inventory, and then lost their deposit when they canceled.
Trustpilot shows a similar pattern. Midland has a 1.6/5 TrustScore, with about 77% of reviewers giving just one star. Complaints include massive cost hikes, broken items, and long delivery delays. Several reviewers accused Midland of being a moving broker that misrepresents itself as a direct carrier. Customers frequently describe being “held hostage” by last-minute price changes. Even when some moves went smoothly, the overwhelming sentiment across platforms is negative.
“Our law firm recently relocated its operations from one office to the other and Midland Van Lines handled every aspect of our move seamlessly. They carefully packed and installed our IT equipment without a glitch or delay, guaranteeing zero downtime.”
– Virginia W, BBB
Learn More“Midland increased the price of my move twice, ultimately asking for $14,730.00 mid-move, which had to clear before they would finish loading the moving truck. Even after I paid the full amount, Midland left half of my furniture and belongings behind at my old house. They said they did not have space on the truck after all. They also could not disassemble furniture and could not fit larger items on the truck in one piece. I had to rent a Penske moving truck and move half of the furniture and household items myself.”
– Hector V, BBB
Learn More“The day they loaded the truck I needed to pay $350 for tape to secure protective blankets. Regardless of the fact I was told by “sales” that I would only pay for volume shipped there were no provisions or means to collect for the smaller shipment. My original driver agreed to a volume of 85 cuft ($550) less than the estimate but despite my repeated efforts there was no credit. I had reviewed my address and location on google earth with “sales” and was told that delivery should be no problem. 2 days before delivery I was told it would cost an additional $500 for a shuttle because they could not access with their 80′ tractor and trailer.”
– Brian, Trustpilot
Learn MoreMidland Van Lines pricing: What to expect
While Midland advertises competitive long-distance rates, many customers report a different reality. Initial quotes are often based on a phone inventory, but costs frequently jump during the pre-move “quality assurance” call or even on moving day. Customers describe situations where their quotes more than doubled, often due to claims that the inventory was larger than initially estimated. These practices make it difficult to budget accurately or feel confident in the final price.
Another area of concern is Midland’s strict deposit and payment policies. Deposits become non-refundable within 10 business days of your scheduled move, and final payments must typically be made via cash, money order, or Zelle — not by credit card. This leaves customers with limited recourse in the event of an issue, but 10 days is more than you get with many other movers. Additional charges for extra volume, packing materials, or long carry services are also common, even when customers say they disclosed details upfront.
Key pricing concerns include:
- Price hikes of 50% to 150% from the original quotes
- Cost increases triggered by “quality assurance” inventory reviews
- Non-refundable deposits unless canceled more than 10 business days out
- Final payment required in cash, Zelle, or money order
- Charges for bulky items, stairs, shuttle service, and packing supplies
Midland’s pricing is often inconsistent and unpredictable. If you choose to move with them, insist on a binding written estimate and clarify all potential fees before signing a contract.
For a free personalized quote, use our moving cost calculator to compare quotes from Midland Van Lines and other top-rated movers.
Midland Van Lines services
Midland Van Lines advertises itself as a full-service moving carrier with a wide range of options to help customers handle complex long-distance relocations. While the company promotes flexibility and comprehensive service, customer feedback suggests that execution can vary, especially when third-party subcontractors are involved. Here’s a breakdown of the core services Midland claims to offer:
- Long-distance residential moves: Midland handles interstate moves for homes and apartments across the U.S.
- Corporate/office relocations: The company advertises services for businesses, including packing and secure transport of equipment, office furniture, and sensitive documents.
- Professional packing and unpacking: Full and partial packing services are available using Midland’s own materials. They also offer unpacking at the destination.
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly: Crews will break down and reassemble common household furniture items as part of the move.
- Storage services: Short-term storage is available if your new home isn’t ready or you have a delivery gap. Terms and facility ownership are unclear, so ask for details.
- Specialty item moves: Midland promotes the ability to move items like pianos, vehicles, golf carts, and oversized furniture.
- Auto transport: Though not a core service, Midland may arrange vehicle shipping through a partner carrier.
While Midland presents itself as a luxury mover with in-house crews, many services may be subcontracted. Be sure to confirm who will be completing your move and obtain all services in writing.
How Midland Van Lines Compares to Other Movers
See how Midland Van Lines compares to some of the top-rated moving companies below.
Midland Van Lines vs. Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving stands out for its reliability and consistency. Unlike Midland, Safeway offers binding flat-rate quotes that customers say are actually honored. It also includes 30 days of free storage with long-distance moves and provides 24/7 customer support. While Midland often acts like a broker despite claiming to be a carrier, Safeway is transparent about its hybrid model and maintains responsibility for the move. For peace of mind, Safeway is a far stronger choice.
rating
4.9 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Midland Van Lines vs. American Van Lines
American Van Lines is a true carrier with decades of experience and professionally trained, in-house crews. While both companies offer flat-rate pricing and specialty moving services, AVL is known for high-quality service and consistent follow-through. Midland’s frequent use of subcontractors and negative feedback around accountability places it a tier below. If you’re moving valuable or delicate items, AVL is the safer bet.
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Midland Van Lines vs. Mayzlin Relocation
Mayzlin Relocation is another competitor with a family-owned model, but it has built a vastly better reputation. Mayzlin earns high marks for clear communication, transparent pricing, and excellent customer service. They also offer a more forgiving 7-day cancellation policy (compared to Midland’s 10 business days) and regularly update customers during the moving process. If you’re seeking a mover that combines competitive rates with hands-on support, Mayzlin is a much more reliable choice.
rating
4.9 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Final Verdict: Is Midland Van Lines Worth It?
We do not recommend Midland Van Lines at this time. While they are licensed and provide full-service moves nationwide, the high volume of negative reviews, unexpected charges, and inconsistent service should raise concerns for potential customers. Unless significant improvements are made, we suggest considering more reputable alternatives such as Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, or Mayzlin Relocation.
FAQ
Is Midland Van Lines a broker or a carrier?
Technically, Midland is a licensed carrier. But in practice, they often act like a broker, handing off moves to third-party carriers without notice. This creates confusion around responsibility if something goes wrong.
Does Midland Van Lines provide binding estimates?
They may say yes, but customer experience suggests otherwise. Prices frequently rise after the QA call or during loading. Always demand a written, binding quote.
What’s Midland Van Lines’ cancellation policy?
You must cancel at least 10 business days before pickup to get a full refund. If you cancel after that, your deposit is forfeited.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
