Midland Van Lines Review (2026)
Here’s the bottom line: We don’t recommend Midland Van Lines. As of September 2026, the Miami-based long-distance mover holds an F rating from the Better Business Bureau with 147 complaints and a 1.3/5 TrustScore on Trustpilot, where 94% of reviewers leave one star. This Midland Van Lines review covers what customers report about bait-and-switch pricing and subcontracted crews, how to check the company’s licensing, and which of the best interstate moving companies make safer alternatives.
Pros & cons of Midland Van Lines
- Full-service long-distance moves
- Family owned & operated
- Advertises 25+ years in business
- Full deposit refund with 10 business days’ notice
- Price hikes after booking
- Moves subcontracted without notice
- Delays, damage & poor communication
- BBB F rating & 1.3/5 on Trustpilot
- Website USDOT not authorized for interstate moves
- Cash, Zelle & money order payments
Why moveBuddha?
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
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What do customers say about Midland Van Lines?
Midland Van Lines has an F rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is not BBB accredited, with 147 complaints filed as of September 2026. Reviewers cite 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 the same pattern. Midland has a 1.3/5 TrustScore from 83 reviews as of September 2026, and 94% of reviewers give it one star. Complaints include massive cost hikes, broken items, and long delivery delays. Several reviewers accuse Midland of acting as a moving broker while presenting itself as a direct carrier, and customers describe feeling held hostage by last-minute price changes. Some moves went smoothly, but the overwhelming sentiment across both 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
“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
“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
Is Midland Van Lines licensed?
Midland Van Lines’ licensing depends on which company you’re actually dealing with. At least three businesses use the Midland Van Lines name in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) records, and only one holds active authority to move household goods across state lines, according to FMCSA SAFER data current as of September 23, 2026.
Here’s how the three federal records compare:
| USDOT & MC number | Registered company | Where the number appears | Interstate household goods authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3443886 / MC-1119255 | Deluxe Express Inc, doing business as Midland Van Lines (Miami, FL) | Midland’s BBB profile | Authorized |
| 1248332 / MC-490898 | Always 1 Moving & Storage Inc, doing business as Midland Vanlines (Columbus, OH) | midlandvanlines.com | Not authorized |
| 4434888 / MC-1745521 | Midland Van Lines LLC (Lithonia, GA) | FMCSA registry | Not authorized |
The authorized Miami entity, Deluxe Express, reports 12 trucks and 26 drivers to the FMCSA. Its BBB profile lists a business start date of January 21, 2022, which conflicts with Midland’s website claim of serving customers since 1997.
moveBuddha’s 72-point rating system checks every mover’s licensing alongside its reputation and pricing transparency, and conflicting federal records like these are a serious red flag. An interstate mover without active FMCSA authority isn’t legally allowed to haul your belongings across state lines.
Pro tip: Before you pay any deposit, look up the USDOT number printed on your estimate in FMCSA SAFER and confirm it reads “Authorized for Household Goods,” or skip the guesswork by booking a moveBuddha Certified mover whose licensing we’ve already vetted.
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
How much does Midland Van Lines cost?
Midland Van Lines doesn’t publish its rates, and many customers say the final price ends up far higher than the original quote. 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 quotes that more than doubled after Midland claimed the inventory was larger than estimated.
That’s why it pays to know what your move should cost before anyone revises your inventory. moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator factors in distance, home size, services, and access together, so your estimated range reflects your actual move rather than a flat industry average.
Midland also enforces strict deposit terms. The company refunds your deposit only if you cancel at least 10 business days before pickup. Customers also report that Midland requires final payment in cash, money order, or Zelle rather than by credit card, which leaves little recourse if something goes wrong. Additional charges for extra volume, packing materials, and long carries are common too, even when customers say they disclosed those details upfront.
Key Midland Van Lines pricing concerns include:
- Customer-reported price jumps: BBB and Trustpilot reviewers describe final bills that more than doubled the original quote, sometimes demanded mid-move before loading could finish.
- Quality assurance call increases: Many customers say the price rose during Midland’s pre-move “quality assurance” inventory review, after they had already paid a deposit.
- Strict deposit terms: Midland forfeits your entire deposit if you cancel with less than 10 business days’ notice or miss your pickup.
- Limited payment protection: Customers report being asked for cash, money order, or Zelle payments, which don’t offer the dispute rights of a credit card.
- Add-on fees: Reviewers cite surprise charges for bulky items, stairs, shuttle service, and packing supplies. Industrywide, bulky-item handling runs $150–$400 per item and shuttle service adds $0.08–$0.12 per pound, according to moveBuddha pricing data.
Midland’s pricing is inconsistent and hard to predict. If you choose to move with Midland, insist on a binding written estimate and clarify every potential fee before you sign a contract.
To check a Midland quote against the market, run your move through the moveBuddha moving cost calculator. It draws on 1,000+ live price points collected every month, so you have a real benchmark if your price suddenly climbs after booking.
What services does Midland Van Lines offer?
Midland Van Lines offers full-service long-distance moving with packing, storage, and office relocation options. The company says it owns and operates its own trucks and semi-trailers, but customer feedback suggests execution varies, especially when third-party subcontractors handle the move.
Here’s a breakdown of the core services Midland says it offers:
- Long-distance residential moves: Midland handles interstate moves for homes and apartments across the U.S.
- Office relocations: The company advertises business moves designed to minimize downtime, including packing and transporting office equipment and furniture.
- Professional packing and unpacking: Midland offers packing with its own materials, plus unpacking and organizing at your new home. Professional packing typically adds $0.15–$0.21 per pound to a move, according to moveBuddha pricing data.
- Storage services: Midland advertises short-term and long-term storage if your new home isn’t ready. Facility ownership and terms aren’t published, so ask for details in writing.
- Specialty item moves: Midland promotes careful handling for delicate antiques and bulky furniture.
Midland markets itself as a premium mover with its own fleet, yet many customers say their moves were subcontracted. Confirm which company will actually perform your move, and get every service in writing.
How does Midland Van Lines compare to other movers?
Midland Van Lines falls well short of the top-rated moving companies we recommend. Here’s how it stacks up against three of them.
Midland Van Lines vs. Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving offers guaranteed flat-rate quotes, locked in upfront based on your documented inventory. That’s the opposite of the post-booking price hikes Midland customers describe. Safeway is also upfront about how it works: it coordinates full-service moves and uses only vetted, licensed carriers. For price certainty, Safeway is a far stronger choice.
rating
4.9 / 5
Midland Van Lines vs. American Van Lines
American Van Lines has 30 years in the moving business and operates as a long-distance carrier under FMCSA rules. Long-distance customers can choose a binding estimate, and AVL offers specialty services like custom crating, antique handling, and piano moving. Midland’s reported use of subcontractors and poor accountability place it a tier below. If you’re moving valuable or delicate items, AVL is the safer bet.
rating
4.9 / 5
Midland Van Lines vs. Mayzlin Relocation
Mayzlin Relocation has built a far better reputation than Midland, with customers praising its clear communication, transparent pricing, and regular updates during the move. Mayzlin’s cancellation window is also shorter: you can cancel in writing up to seven business days before your move, compared to Midland’s 10 business days. If you want competitive rates with hands-on support, Mayzlin is a much more reliable choice.
rating
4.79 / 5
Is Midland Van Lines worth it?
No, we don’t recommend Midland Van Lines at this time. Midland offers full-service moves nationwide, but its F rating from the BBB, 147 complaints, surprise charges, and conflicting licensing records should concern anyone planning a long-distance move. Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, and Mayzlin Relocation are all safer alternatives.
If you’d rather have movers compete for your business, the moveBuddha Mover Marketplace collects up to five no-obligation quotes from one request, matched to movers’ real-time availability.
FAQ
Is Midland Van Lines a broker or a carrier?
Midland says it’s a carrier with its own trucks, but many customers report their moves were handed off to other companies. The USDOT number on its website isn’t authorized for interstate moves. Confirm which company is named on your contract before you book.
Does Midland Van Lines provide binding estimates?
Midland may offer one, but customers often report price increases after booking. Get a written binding estimate before you pay a deposit. Don’t sign until every fee is listed.
What’s Midland Van Lines’ cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 10 business days before pickup to get your full deposit back. Cancel later or miss your pickup, and you lose the deposit. Approved refunds take up to 14 business days.
How do I file a complaint or claim against Midland Van Lines?
Send Midland a written claim before the deadline in your bill of lading. The carrier must acknowledge it within 30 days and pay, deny, or offer a settlement within 120 days. If it doesn’t, file a complaint with the FMCSA and the BBB.
How can I check if Midland Van Lines is licensed?
Look up the USDOT number on your estimate in the FMCSA SAFER system. It should say “Authorized for Household Goods.” If it doesn’t, don’t book or pay a deposit.
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.
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