Experience matters when selecting a moving company and American Van Lines has been serving the industry since 1995. The company serves the 48 contiguous states and uses work crews that each have at least 10 years of experience. It offers professional and customizable full-service moves and offer shuttle service for expedited moves between major cities.
While AVL may be a bit pricier than its competitors, due to mainly its up to 50% deposit requirement, it is a company with high standards to consider for long-distance moves particularly for its binding estimates. We also liked its short-term notice scheduling for last minute moves.
We thoroughly researched the company using our detailed methodology to determine our verdict. We also went through the process of obtaining a quote using the company website form and email. The company was quick to provide a callback after filling out the online form.
AVL had points deducted for its limited customer service hours and upfront high deposit. AVL is on Forbes top 10 list of best moving companies and received a 4.0 out of 5 rating. As of September 2024, the company has 4.21 out of 5 and an A rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company is licensed and insured and registered with the Department of Transportation and has a USDOT number: 614506.
Pros
- Flat-rate pricing
- Binding estimates
- Price match guarantee
Cons
- Not available in Alaska and Hawaii and only local moves in select states
- No online quotes are provided
- Customers must put a deposit
Table of Contents
- About American Van Lines
- What Moving Services Does American Van Lines Offer?
- Additional Services
- Planning a Move: We Put American Van Lines to the Test
- What We Think Sets American Van Lines Apart
- What We Think Lets American Van Lines Down
- How Much Does American Van Lines Cost?
- American Van Lines Cost Factors
- Where Is American Van Lines Available?
- How American Van Lines Stacks Up
- American Van Lines Reviews and Experience
- Bottom Line: Is American Van Lines Right for You?
- Methodology – How We Selected the Best Moving Companies
About American Van Lines
American Van Lines performs local, long-distance and international moves and has experience with military, government and commercial moving. American Van Lines specializes in long distance moving and its moving services are available in 48 states but not Alaska or Hawaii. The company performs full-service, partial-service moves, moving supplies, storage services and specialty services like piano, fine arts and antique moving.
The company was founded in 1995 and is family-owned and operated. AVL is licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which denotes it moves using its own vehicles and staff. They will dismantle furniture, pack, transport and reassemble furniture at delivery. Last minute moves are available at no additional charge.
Getting a quote from American Van Lines isn’t immediate. While AVL provides free quotes with guaranteed pricing, customers must either call or wait for a representative to contact them. The company conducts a virtual walk-through of your home to offer an accurate estimate.
Storage is free for the first month only. A 10% to 50% deposit is needed and the amount depends on your credit score, services selected and moving details. There are discounts for seniors, veterans and military members.
Featured Partners
1
International Van Lines
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
2
American Van Lines
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
3
Blvd Moving
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
4
Mayzlin Relocation
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
What Moving Services Does American Van Lines Offer?
American Van Lines is best known for its long-distance moving but the company also provides other types of moving such as military, government, corporate and commercial moving. Here are the most common types of services AVL provides:
Local
For moves within a 50-mile range a local moving company is what you will need. Local moving companies are sometimes independent or affiliated with a bigger company, but in the case AVL it is independent. Moving companies that provide local moves typically know their local region well and may get you more competitive pricing to earn your business.
Long-Distance
Moves greater than 50 miles will need the services of a long-distance mover. Moving you long distance can include crossing a state line, which means following certain additional regulations like registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the USDOT.
Interstate
An interstate move involves relocating between states, which requires registration with the USDOT and FMCSA and adherence to stricter insurance requirements. Because interstate moves are considered long-distance, they tend to be more expensive than local moves.
International
International moving companies transport your belongings to countries worldwide and manage every aspect of the process, from packing to customs clearance. While AVL offers assistance with international moves, its primary focus is on long-distance relocations.
Additional Services
Some moving companies provide a list of additional services they provide for customers to meet all their moving needs. Here are some other services AVL has:
Antique and Piano Moving
AVL employs expert movers certified to handle fine arts, antiques and pianos. Not all companies provide this service and it’s typically for an additional fee.
Storage Solutions
American Van Lines has private storage facilities that are fireproof and storm-proof and operate under climate control, 24-hour security surveillance cameras. It also has personal vaults and customers can opt long or short term storage.
Full-Service Packing
The company provides customers with full-service packing, loading, unloading and unpacking and it individually wraps each and every item.
Furniture Disassembly and Reassembly
AVL disassembles and reassembles furniture and the company can construct customized crates for bigger or unusually shaped items and electronics.
Moving Supplies
Customers can buy moving boxes of different shapes and sizes, mirror or picture frame cases, China barrels for fragile dishes and glassware and wardrobe boxes among other items.
Planning a Move: We Put American Van Lines to the Test
The American Van Lines website is easy to use. On its “move cost” page, the company lists several special offers and price quotes of moves between various cities. Prices vary based on distance, weight of household goods, special requests and specific moving services needed.
A long distance move from Miami to Los Angeles (2,732 miles) will cost, per the AVL website:
One-bedroom apartment = 4000 pounds – $5,227
Two-bedroom apartment = 6000 pounds – $7,297
Three-bedroom house = 10,000 pounds – $11,327
Four-bedroom house = 14,000 pounds – $15,202
A shorter distance move from Dallas to Denver (approximately 795 miles) will cost:
One bedroom apartment = 4000 pounds – $3,022
Two-bedroom apartment = 6000 pounds – $4,089
Three-bedroom house = 10,000 pounds – $6,191
Four-bedroom house = 14,000 pounds – $8,178
Customers can also fill out AVL’s online form to get an instant price quote, though it is not immediate. The form asks for moving date, size of your move, moving from and to, and your name, phone number and email. The webpage also has a chat feature, where customers can provide their phone number and a live sales or customer service agent will call you to provide an estimate in 24 seconds during weekdays, per a countdown clock, or a chosen time if filled out on a weekend.
Report on the Customer Journey Process
American Van Lines has a user-friendly website with plenty of information for visitors. However, getting a quote isn’t instant; once you complete its online form or chat feature supplied form, a representative will call you to provide one. While there is an email option for customer service, responses via email have been reported as inconsistent.
Exploring the Website
American Van Lines’ website is pretty straight forward. The company’s front page takes you immediately to its form to fill out for a free quote. The company has clickable tabs on: the company, moving services, move cost, blog, help and contact us. Typically the first thing customers want to know is cost, and AVL has a page that details the costs of certain move routes between cities of varying distance. Absent from the page, or at least not readily accessible, is if or how much the company charges for a deposit.
The “company” tab has detailed information on the company’s owner, corporate history, community work, environment and sustainability and more. Customers can learn about the company and its services through the user-friendly website.
Resources
American Van Lines has pages on local, long distance and military moves. It has pages on moving and storage, commercial moving, corporate relocation and antique and piano. When you click on each page it provides some brief information about the services provided. For example, for local moves it mentions low hourly rates but does not state what those rates are. But, the local move page does mention information about its flexible service options.
In terms of customer reviews, the company has a whole page that shows quotes from customers praising the company’s services, with 1,480 five star ratings and testimonials. The website also has a dedicated blog with topics like “6 Packing Mistakes to Avoid” and other helpful information on moving.
Getting a Quote
Any page that you visit on American Van Lines has the “free quote” form available to fill out or you can call its number at: 888-296-5458. There’s also what looks like a chat feature but it is actually just another form to input your phone number, then select either a sales or customer service agent to call you in exactly 24 seconds—if you fill out the form during the week. On weekends, if you fill out that chat form, it allows you to choose from a drop down menu what day of the week and time to be called.
American Van Lines will call you back pretty quickly. However, the company will require more information. The company does a virtual walk-through of your home to give you a quote. Quotes are binding if you provide exactly the correct inventory to be moved.
Licenses and Regulations
If you scroll to the very bottom of the page, along with its phone number and address, you will find:
MC 294798 · U.S. DOT No.614506 · Fla. Mover Reg. No. IM-105 · NCUC# – C-1588 TXDMV 005036019C · Texas DMV Phone No. 1-888-368-4689
If you click on the “company” tab at the top, it will take you to “about us” and detailed information about the company. It also states that American Van Lines is licensed and insured and registered with the Department of Transportation.
File a Claim
It’s always important to find more information about how to file a claim. Some companies place that in an easy to find location at the top. At AVL, the “file a claim” link is written very small and appears at the very bottom of the company’s website. Customers can click on that link should they experience any damage or loss during their move. When you click on that link it takes you to a page to fill out a form and provides a direct number to the company’s claims department.
What We Think Sets American Van Lines Apart
American Van Lines stands out for its customized full-services moves, discounts for military and seniors as well as military relocation. AVL can be a good choice for local, interstate and long distance moves. Military get free in-home estimates, packing and materials and storage. The company is also certified to handle specialty items like antiques, pianos and fine art.
The company also provides binding quotes after its home assessment, which is a detailed inventory of your belongings and may or may not include a virtual walkthrough. That flat rate will stay the same assuming the customer does not add any additional items beyond that to be moved.
What We Think Lets American Van Lines Down
American Van Lines does also have some negatives. If you’re planning to move to Alaska or Hawaii, American Van Lines isn’t for you. The company performs interstate moves only within the contiguous U.S. The company also requires a deposit, is not entirely transparent with pricing and it offers no container moving service.
American Van Lines does not offer an instant online quote like some other companies do. AVL can also be more expensive than its competitors. While customers may have to pay up to 50% up-front deposit, the company does have a price-matching option.
How Much Does American Van Lines Cost?
At American Van Lines, quotes can range from $2,880 for a 660-mile, one-bedroom move to $15,202 for a 2,700-mile four-bedroom move.
A recent Forbes Home survey found that 23% of respondents said that cost was the greatest fear about moving. American Van Lines provides numerous quotes for moves between various states, based on distance and size of home being moved. Here’s a sampling below:
| DISTANCE | SIZE | SERVICE | QUOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Miles | 2-Bed Apartment | Full-Service Packing | $3,910 |
| 1,000 Miles | 3-Bed Condo | Full-Service Packing | $6,970 |
| 1,500 Miles | 3-Bed House | Full-Service Packing | $7,050 |
500 Miles Quote based on a move from Portland to San Francisco for a 2-bed apartment (per AVL website)
1,000 Miles Quote based on a move from Dallas to Phoenix for a 3-bed condo (per AVL website)
1,500 Miles Quote based on a move from Houston to Los Angeles for a 3-bed house (per AVL website)
American Van Lines Cost Factors
American Van Lines looks at a variety of factors such as the weight of household goods, the amount of labor needed to move your things, the size of truck, gas and the distance of your move. Additional moving services can also add up in terms of cost. These can include choosing full-services like packing, unpacking and full cleaning services among others. Lastly, whether you have an elevator or stairs near your home can also be a factor in costs.
Where Is American Van Lines Available?
American Van Lines can assist with moves in the 48 contiguous U.S. states. That means everywhere except Hawaii and Alaska.
How American Van Lines Stacks Up
Prices quoted are for a two-bedroom move
American Van Lines vs International Van Lines
American Van Lines is only available in the 48 contiguous United States, which excludes Alaska and Hawaii. However International Van Lines is available in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and more than 180 countries worldwide.
Both AVL and IVL require an upfront deposit. AVL requires a 10% to 50% deposit while IVL requires a 25% deposit. However, no cancellation fees apply if you cancel your move at least 48 hours before workers arrive. AVL allows you to get a full refund if you cancel within seven days of your move date.
IVL brokers out much of its domestic moves, unlike American Van Lines for long-distance moves. American Van Lines operates only as a moving carrier, which means you will work directly with AVL.
Learn more: International Van Lines review
American Van Lines vs Colonial Van Lines
Both companies are family-owned and operated and both do not serve Hawaii or Alaska. Colonial Van Lines has a unique moving app that helps customers figure out their moving needs and get a cost estimate before placing a required deposit. American Van Lines does not have an app.
Colonial charges by weight which means you will get a different final price than your initial quote. American Van Lines does binding quotes. Colonial also has three different packing services: single item, kitchen and full packing. American Van Lines offers customizable, full-serving packing.
Colonial does not offer local moving services but American Van Lines does. Colonial has an actual chat feature, but American Van Lines has what looks like a chat feature but is actually a form to fill out for a callback.
Learn more: Colonial Van Lines review
American Van Lines Reviews and Experience
Customer experience and reviews are really important when selecting a moving company. American Van Lines has been around since 1995 so it has a large number of reviews for customers to read.
American Van Lines gets a 4.2 out of 5 rating from Consumer Affairs, has 4.21 out of 5 and an A rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and decent ratings on Trustpilot and Yelp. Positive customer reviews noted a polite, professional and efficient service. Newsweek has repeatedly ranked American Van Lines as a top moving company for its customer service. Customers complained of failure of communication on moving days, hard to reach customer service, no shipment tracking and limited customer service hours.
As with any moving company, you will find lots of mixed reviews. Some customers were completely satisfied with their moving experience while others blasted the company for communication issues or not being on time. Some customers stated that AVL sometimes used third-party movers at some locations, despite the company being a moving carrier. Overall, customers like American Van Lines for its flat rate shipping and professionalism.
Bottom Line: Is American Van Lines Right for You?
American Van Lines is on our list of top 10 moving companies for 2024. While it is not the highest rated on our list the company is worth considering for long distance moves. Customers can also take advantage of storage options and will like its binding estimates, which can keep customers on budget. AVL also has speciality services to move your piano and artwork and use background-checked experts.
The company also has a strong reputation for its military moves and military members receive additional benefits for going with AVL. American Van Lines does not service Alaska or Hawaii and can be a pricier choice than competitors. The company also requires an upfront deposit of 10% to 50%, which can be a drawback for some. American Van Lines is not reachable on Sundays, as it is closed, which can be an issue for some customers.
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Methodology – How We Selected the Best Moving Companies
We developed our list of the best moving companies by first identifying competitors that met basic criteria such as licensing, insurance and legal registration. We reviewed the 52 most widely available companies from that list and scored them all based on 78 different attributes. Each company’s rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics including years in business, pricing and insurance, move types, services and options, customer reviews and support and nationwide availability.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates moving companies on our detailed methodology page.
All figures and facts were accurate at the time of first publication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to get an American Van Lines moving quote?
The online quote tool can get you started on getting a moving quote. Customers are advised by AVL to plan for a moving date at least a month in advance, though the company does offer last-minute moves at no additional fee. Customers can fill out the chat feature and have someone return your call in 24 seconds or directly call the company at 888-296-5458.
Who owns American Van Lines?
Anthony Disorbo is the owner of American Van Lines, which started in 1995, and has been in the moving industry since he was 15-years-old.
Does American Van Lines offer insurance?
American Van Lines provides every customer with limited liability coverage with the maximum liability limited to 60 cents per pound per article. This means missing or damaged items need to be reported at delivery. Customers can purchase third-party full-replacement value insurance, which holds American Van Lines responsible for lost or damaged items to the total declared shipment value.
Does American Van Lines offer long distance moving?
American Van Lines are experts in long-distance moves and are available in 48 contiguous U.S. states. Alaska and Hawaii are excluded.
Is American Van Lines a broker or carrier?
American Van Lines operates only as a moving carrier, which means you will work directly with AVL.
