Being in the military and the armed forces can mean a lot of changing homes, including moving across the U.S. or moving to a different country. Not only is the physical act of packing, organizing, and transporting your household items a source of stress and hard work, but you should expect a myriad of other aspects to handle, especially when you have a family. Changing schools, updating residency information, applying for licenses and driving permits, dealing with spousal job changes, all the while managing your duties and any ensuing paperwork, are hassles that can have anyone at their wit’s end. While there’s little you can do about PCS orders, you can make moving with a military family easier with a good moving plan and by using a professional moving company.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
I’ve spent months researching moving companies in all their various aspects. I’ve quoted with numerous companies (often many times), spoken to representatives, scoured online reviews, and even gone so far as to read through federal regulations to better understand the moving industry and how it works. With this research in hand, I’ve assessed numerous companies according to our in-house review standards, which score companies across four major categories and several subcategories. I’ve come across many top moving companies, but specifically, I’ve found five companies that are particularly suited to the needs of military members.
In this article, I’ll give you my assessment of them, explain why I think they’re great for service members, and provide some insight into these companies and the moving industry as a whole. By the end, movers looking for a permanent change of station will be better prepared, more knowledgeable, and more confident when facing their next move.
Estimations are a key part of the moving process, so understanding them is important to having the best experience possible. Check out this video from Allied to learn more:
Top 5 Moving Companies for Military Members
- Allied Van Lines and International Van Lines are the two best options for military members who need to move internationally. They both offer useful services, and each one has unique offerings that can benefit military members, like vehicle shipping or air freight options. You can learn the details below.
- Safeway Moving is a veteran-owned company that understands the needs of service members and offers them discounts. While they don’t do local moves, they’re a solid option for interstate moves.
- Watch out for companies that don’t provide a USDOT and MC number on their website. Scammers often create fake companies and websites as part of their scams.
Read our full Moving Methodology for more details.
My Expert Recommendation
International Van Lines is my personal pick for military members and families facing a move. Of all the companies on the list, they’re the most well-rounded, with a reliable international shipping service that features things like customs clearance and add-ons such as vehicle shipping options. They can ship anything from boats to RVs, and they have numerous different options for each. IVL is the company on the list that can take care of any type of move, no matter what you need to be moved or where you need it moved.
Moving Companies for Military Members I Didn’t Include
PODS
PODS is a great moving service if you’re looking to move on the cheap or just don’t have enough stuff to warrant a full-service moving company. Professional movers can be expensive, so PODS is a great option for anyone on a budget. However, because they’re a container service, not a professional mover, they missed a spot on this list. But don’t let that discourage you. If you think PODS might better suit your needs, contact them for a quote or call them with any questions you have.
Compare The Highest Rated Moving Companies for Military Members
| Company | Rating | BBB Rating | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A |
$1,400–$9,200 |
VISIT SITE | |
|
A+ |
$1,700–$13,800 |
VISIT SITE | |
|
B |
$1,250 – $8,500 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
C |
$3,000–$11,200 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
A+ |
$1,200–$11,250 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
B |
$1,200–$11,250 |
VISIT SITE | |
 |
A+ |
$600–$5,100 |
VISIT SITE | |
 JK Moving Services |
A+ |
$3,000–$6,000 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of publication.
Our Reviews of the Best Moving Companies for Military Members
International Van Lines
4.5
Our Rating
International Van Lines is one of the two best international movers on this list (Allied Van Lines being the other) for a stress-free move. They cover 140 foreign destinations with services for packing, ocean freight, air freight, and customs clearance. The air freight option is optimal for those who need their shipment as quickly as possible (though it’s more costly than ocean freight.) They also have a convenient, single point-of-contact system to simplify the complicated process of international moves.
Of all the companies on the list, IVL has the best vehicle shipping options. Not only can they ship multiple different kinds of vehicles — cars, trucks, RVs, motorcycles, and boats — they have numerous different shipping options for each type. For example, they can ship RVs by towing, flatbed, or drive-away service. Cars and trucks have the option for open or enclosed trailers, depending on what level of protection you need. For individuals or families with multiple vehicles, recreational vehicles, or motorcycles, IVL is my recommendation. There are lots of cheap ways to ship a car cross-country, but for those willing to spend a little extra, this company has a lot of useful services.
I don’t have many criticisms of IVL. I think some other companies on the list have advantages in certain areas (like Allied’s GlobeCom tracking system), but I can’t find any notable shortcomings. The only thing I can nitpick is a lack of home staging options, but that’s not uncommon in the industry. IVL is a solid company with a lot of attractive vehicle shipping options and international services.
IVL is the perfect moving company to use when you’re moving internationally or within the country. They’re the best vehicle shipper on the list, offering numerous options and services to move any type of vehicle or recreational vehicle you have. If you have a yacht, IVL can move it. I recommend the company to anyone moving with multiple vehicles or recreational vehicles.
It also excels in international shipping with numerous options, like port-to-port, port-to-door, and door-to-door. They operate in 140 different foreign destinations and have the option for air freight to expedite your move, earning them a 9.3/10 overall.
IVL gets a perfect 10/10 score in this category for checking all the boxes on our review standard. Their international moving is robust with air freight and customs clearance services. Whether you’re moving local, interstate, or international, IVL has something for everyone.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
I’ve shopped with IVL numerous times, and I’ve always had a consistently positive experience. Their sales reps are polite and efficient, often getting me a moving costs estimate in a few hours. They were also less predatory than other companies. I didn’t receive many marketing or spam-like emails or texts from them, which was refreshing.
Here’s a breakdown of the quote I got for a two-bedroom, single-family move from Salt Lake City to Chicago:
- Basic Estimate Price: $4295.10
- Origin/Destination Charges: $561.00
- Full Packing (including material and labor): $0.01
- Basic Valuation Protection: $0.00
- Total Estimate: $4856.11
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Salt Lake City, UT, to Chicago, IL, for a single-family home and a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
IVL doesn’t offer any standard discounts, and while I’d like to see them offer a military discount for this list, their services are so good that I feel they earned a spot on the list anyway. To get the best price from them, book two weeks in advance (or three if you want to play it safe) and provide a three-day window for delivery. Both should net you a couple of hundred dollars in savings.
IVL stands out from their competitors with their vehicle shipping options. They can ship anything from motorcycles to yachts to cars and trucks. I strongly recommend them to anyone needing to ship a vehicle or multiple vehicles. The only thing they lose a point for is lacking a home staging option (bumping them down to a 9/10 score), but that isn’t uncommon for the industry.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
Though IVL isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau, they still have an A rating with a lot of positive customer reviews on the BBB website, so we gave them a 10/10 for reputation. Reviews from other websites are a bit mixed, but they’re not too bad compared to most companies in the moving industry.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A/3.4/5 | 175 |
| Trustpilot | 4.3 | 53 |
| 2.7 | 106 | |
| Yelp | 1.5 | 36 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for International Van Lines
Reviewers are happy with the care that IVL took with their belongings. Heather on Google reviews sang their praises: “Absolutely wonderful experience with this moving company. Not only did they ensure my belongings were properly secured, but they went above and beyond with any questions and concerns I had. Professional service at a reasonable price, would definitely recommend for all of your moving needs.”
Most Common Criticism for International Van Lines
The common complaints I read often mentioned poor customer service when customers had issues with their move. They reported that the representatives either didn’t have answers or didn’t promptly communicate with them. Another common theme in complaints was late deliveries.
There’s not much to complain about with IVL’s level of transparency. They’re one of the highest-rated on the list. The only minor nitpick (that also lost them a point or so) is they lack a clear listing of additional fees, which is why they scored an 8.7/10. It’s a minor issue, as the estimate will clearly detail any add-ons and fees, but it would be better to see them published up-front.
Safeway Moving
4.1
Our Rating
Safeway Moving is a veteran-owned company, so it understands the needs and challenges military members face when having to relocate. They had the best customer service of any company I researched. The representative I talked to was very informative and provided me with resources for vetting moving companies (like the SAFER system). I was impressed because providing that information didn’t directly benefit Safeway, but it benefited me as a prospective customer. The experience felt like they were very much trying to earn my business, which was a refreshing change.
If you have a piano or antiques, Safeway Moving is my top choice on the list. They’re one of our top five moving companies for antiques. For pianos, they use climate-controlled trucks for an added layer of protection. Rapid changes in humidity and temperature can adversely affect sensitive musical instruments, causing stress and even cracking that can require costly repairs. Safeway circumvents this by ensuring that your instrument never experiences those rapid changes to begin with. For anyone with a personal or family piano, Safeway Moving is my recommendation.
While Safeway does interstate and international moves, it doesn’t do local moves. If you’re moving within the state or across town, you’d be better off with one of the other companies on the list. The lack of a local moving service puts Safeway at a noticeable disadvantage compared to their competitors, as all the other companies on the list (and most companies in the industry) offer it.
Safeway also falls short on GPS tracking. I spoke with a representative, and he informed me that while some Safeway trucks do have GPS, others don’t. It’s a shortcoming that they’re working to address. He said that even if a truck doesn’t have GPS tracking, the customer could still track it. However, the process wasn’t quite as immediate. It would require the customer to call Safeway, and then they would contact the driver for a location update.
While Safeway does have some shortcomings, they’re one of my favorite companies on the list. They’re veteran-owned, and I had an agreeable experience talking to and working with their representatives, earning them an 8.2/10. Safeway has competitive pricing and does respectably well in online reviews, with feedback that puts them above average for the industry. The reviews I read were largely flattering and complementary, with few criticisms.
However, their shortcomings may be a deal breaker for some. The lack of a local moving service isn’t something a customer can compromise on if they need to move locally, so it completely excludes an important part of the moving services market. GPS tracking, on the other hand, isn’t a necessity, but it makes many customers feel more comfortable and secure knowing they can keep an eye on where their precious belongings are.
So, while I do think that Safeway is a reputable company, it only works for the right person, and that won’t be everyone. If you’re interested in them, I suggest calling up one of their reps and asking them any questions you have. Safeway had the most helpful reps I dealt with throughout all my research on the moving industry, so I have no doubt you’ll end up with the answers you need.
Safeway does well in services and cost but loses points by not offering a local moving service, earning them an 8.0/10 score . While a PCS doesn’t usually mean a move across town or to the next town over, if you’re moving to off-base housing or buying a new house in the area, you’ll have to look for a different company. This is probably a minority case for service members, but I feel it’s a disadvantage either way.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | No |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
I had a fantastic shopping experience with Safeway Moving. Their reps are friendly and helpful, over and over and beyond the norm for the moving industry. They provided me with a lot of valuable, actionable information to help me with the moving process. The only small criticism I have is one of the reps (after a long and helpful conversation) pushed me a bit to close the deal. It wasn’t unprofessional or inappropriate from my perspective, but it might be worth keeping it in mind if you’re easily caught off guard.
- Basic Estimate Price: $3500.00
- Fuel Surcharge: $175.00
- Packing Materials: $100.00
- Total Moving Estimate: $3775.00
- Total Moving Estimate w/ Full Packing Service: $4275.00
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Salt Lake City, UT, to Chicago, IL, for a single-family home and a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
Safeway Moving has the most discounts out of all companies on the list. They give discounts not only to military members but also to seniors, students, teachers, and first responders. So, there are a lot of options for individuals and families there. Though it’s not necessarily a discount, I felt it’s worth mentioning here that Safeway also donates a proportion of each move to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Safeway is right in line with the rest of the moving industry here. They only lack a home staging option, but this isn’t uncommon, which led to them losing a point for a 9/10 customization score. I’ve found only a few companies in the industry that offer home staging.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
Safeway’s Better Business Bureau rating is slightly lower than average at a B-, but they make up for it with strong online reviews, so we gave them a 9/10 for reputation. While many companies on this list have a great BBB rating, a lot of them struggle with customer reviews, so good online reviews help Safeway stand out here.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B-/4.0/5 | 158 |
| Trustpilot | 4.3 | 43 |
| 3.7 | 168 | |
| Yelp | 1.4 | 68 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Safeway Moving
Praise centers around timeliness, a seamless process, and friendly service. After my experiences with Safeway, I didn’t find this surprising. Reviewers’ descriptions align 100% with my experience. While I didn’t experience the physical move as a secret shopper, the timeliness praised by reviewers is in keeping with the culture I experienced throughout the quoting and estimation process.
Most Common Criticism for Safeway Moving
Damaged items were the only common thread I found in criticisms. After researching a lot of the moving industry and reading hundreds of reviews, I realized that this is a pretty common complaint across the industry. It’s also my assessment that it’s less of a failing of companies like Safeway and more of an unavoidable risk of moving goods by truck. Roads are bumpy, and drivers do unexpected things, so the occasional jostled item is almost impossible to avoid. Even with expert packing, an item or two can catch a scrape or a ding along the way.
The biggest shortcoming here is spotty GPS tracking, so they earned a 7/10 score for transparency. Safeway’s fleet is partially GPS-tracking enabled, but not entirely. The representative informed me this was an issue they were working on fixing, but as of the writing of this article, only some trucks have GPS tracking. However, the rep informed me that they can still track trucks without GPS. It just requires the customer to call them directly and wait for them to contact the driver for a location update.
Moving APT
3.9
Our Rating
Moving APT offers home staging, which isn’t common on this list or in the industry. Home staging is where the moving crew helps the customer unpack and place furniture and items around the house. In normal circumstances, the crew just puts boxes and furniture wherever there’s room and leaves the rest up to the customer. So, home staging is just a white-glove service that makes life a little easier by helping you get settled in your new home, especially for military moves.
Moving APT is a broker with a good reputation among customers. Brokers can be a tough sell for some people, but I think Moving APT warrants consideration, even for the most ardent anti-broker. Brokers, when they’re quality professionals, can give customers options that aren’t available to carriers, like the ability to find the right carrier for any job. Moving APT is a quality, professional company with a lot of happy customers that can give you the advantage of a broker without all the common shortcomings of brokers, like pushiness and poor service.
Moving APT has spotty GPS-tracking services. Because it’s a broker, it doesn’t own trucks. Instead, it contracts carriers that do, and they move the goods. That means whether or not GPS tracking will be available to you depends on the carrier. This doesn’t make Moving APT different from other brokers who face the same situation, but it does put it at a disadvantage compared to carriers, most of whom offer tracking.
Moving APT is the only broker I’ve researched that I’d recommend. They have a well-rounded company that offers all the major services customers expect and as many customization options as carriers, earning an 8.2/10 score. As brokers, they have the flexibility to find good prices and the right company for the job. That means if you’re moving across town or across the ocean, Moving APT can find the carrier for the job.
While they do lack robust tracking, it’s their only major shortcoming. This may (rightfully) be a dealbreaker if you’re looking to do a complex move, like an international move, where you want the assurance that everything is running smoothly. However, for local or interstate moves, Moving APT is a solid option, even if they lack robust tracking services.
Moving APT scores a perfect 10/10 in this category, offering all the services you might need for a military move (and more). They’re right in line with all the other companies on the list, so you shouldn’t find yourself wanting in any type of move.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
Moving APT has competitive prices. The quoting experience was good, even if it wasn’t remarkable. Their representatives were professional, answered all my questions, and got me an estimate within twenty-four hours. No complaints. The itemized quote that you see below was a little gimmicky with things like a coupon discount (which I didn’t apply for and did know nothing about until I got the estimate). The 3-day flexibility discount seemed inflated, as $6,100 would’ve put the cost well over their competitors’ cost. However, the total moving estimate came out very similar to the other companies I quoted with, so no harm, no foul.
For a single-family move from Salt Lake City to Chicago, Moving APT provided me with this quote:
- Basic Estimate Price: $4125.28
- Fuel Surcharge (15%): $618.79
- Bulky Handling x 1: $75.00
- Coupon Discount (5%): -$240.95
- Platinum package material and labor included: $896.00
- 3 Day flexibility discount: -$1815.07
- Carrier Total: $3659.05
- Booking Fee: $728.00
- Total Moving Estimate: $4,387.05
Editor’s Note: The cost data provided is based on Today’s Homeowner’s standardized sample moving scenario from Salt Lake City, UT, to Chicago, IL, for a single-family home and a move date set eight weeks away. Please be aware that these estimates may vary depending on factors such as additional services required and market fluctuations. The cost data presented was accurate at the time of writing.
Available Discounts
Moving APT offers military, senior, early booking, and three-day flexibility discounts. To get the early booking discount, book at least two weeks in advance of your move (I personally suggest three to be on the safe side.) For the three-day flexibility discount, provide them a three-day delivery window, as opposed to a specific delivery date.
Moving APT gets a perfect score in customizations. They offer home staging, which gives them an edge over most of their competitors, as it’s an uncommon customization. For that, they’re in the top three on this customization list.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | Yes |
Moving APT does well with customers, but I did find both compliments and criticisms, which led to their 7.8/10 score. They have a B+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which is a tad weak compared to the other companies on the list, but it’s still a respectable rating.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | B+/3.3/5 | 16 |
| Trustpilot | n/a | n/a |
| 3.7 | 243 | |
| Yelp | 1.3 | 172 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Moving APT
Reviewers most commonly praised the professionalism of company reps and the ground crews. The ground crews stand out to me. Since Moving APT isn’t a carrier, the moving crews are all employees of the carriers contracted to do the move. It shows that Moving APT has a good vetting process for partners and works with reputable companies that hold themselves to a professional standard.
Most Common Criticism for Moving APT
The most common complaint I read was inflated prices and hidden fees. I’ve read many reviews over the course of researching the moving industry, and this is a common complaint across the industry. While I sympathize with customers, I often find these complaints to be grounded in a misunderstanding of the moving process and regulations that govern it. That’s why it’s important to read Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, which Moving APT (and all movers) are federally required to provide to you when you hire them.
The lack of guaranteed GPS tracking hurts Moving APT’s score, taking it down to 5.3/10, but it’s worth noting that it isn’t their fault. As a broker, they don’t have control over the trucks the carrier uses to move your goods. While those contractors sometimes have GPS-tracking in their trucks, it’s not a guarantee. So, you should be sure you manage your expectations if you decide to hire Moving APT.
Allied Van Lines
4.2
Our Rating
Allied Van Lines is one of my two top choices for international moving (International Van Lines being the other). If your PCS sends you overseas or back to the States, Allied has a fantastic GlobeCom tracking system that allows you to track your shipment over land and sea. Generally, Allied is a capable international mover with over 1,000 company representatives in more than 130 countries and 40 offices across Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Their international moves are handled by two agents, one at the origin and one at the destination. The origin agent helps get your move started smoothly, while the destination agent ensures that everything operates seamlessly from the port to your front door. Allied also offers international storage options like storage facilities, so if your move-out and move-in dates don’t quite align, they can set you up with storage on either side of your trip to accommodate you and ensure your goods will be near at hand and arrive on time.
Allied struggles a bit with transparency. It doesn’t disclose their broker/carrier status. Given that they’re a carrier, that’s probably not an issue for most people. Most people who want to know that information are trying to avoid brokers because brokers are middleman service providers that some prefer to avoid.
Allied makes a strong argument for service members and military personnel moving internationally. Their GlobeCom tracking system is one of the best tracking systems in the industry, especially for international shipping. It allows you to track your shipment online, wherever it may be in the world. For most people, it adds a degree of confidence and security when moving their valuable possessions across the globe. Coupled with their robust network of international agents and international storage options, they’re a great option for international moves, which is why they got an 8.5/10 score overall.
Allied has excellent services and customizations, too. Whatever your move, interstate or international, Allied can cover all your bases. Their reviews are strong and rank above average for this list, which is another reason to consider them. I found their representatives to be efficient and to the point. Although I wasn’t able to secret shop with them because of their requirement for a visual survey to give a quote, I found my limited interaction with them positive.
Allied gets a perfect 10/10 score in this category for having all the services you need to move anywhere, local to international. They have an especially efficient international moving service with a helpful GlobeCom tracking system that allows you to track your shipment online, wherever it is on land or sea. Their 1,000-person network of international agents, coupled with international storage options, makes them one of my top recommended international movers.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
Allied requires a visual survey to provide a quote, so I wasn’t able to secret shop with them. I approve of this requirement, though, as it helps to avoid any sudden cost changes associated with items that were either incorrectly declared or omitted from the inventory. It’s a benefit to potential customers to have an accurate quote that won’t suddenly change.
Available Discounts
The only discount offered by Allied is a seniors discount. I’d like to see a military discount, but considering how good their international moving service is, I made an exception. However, you can get the best price possible by booking two weeks ahead (I prefer three to be safe) and providing at least three-day flexibility on delivery.
This is another category that Allied knocks out of the park. They have every customization option on our review standard, including home staging, which isn’t common, so they earned a 10/10. With such a wide variety of customizations, you can tailor your move to exactly/ what you need (and exactly what you don’t).
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | Yes |
Compared to other companies on this list, Allied does well with reviews, getting an 8/10 score. They have decent Yelp reviews — this is where most other companies suffer. They’ve been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2007 and currently maintain an A+ rating. This is actually an improvement over the B rating they had a couple of months ago, which goes to show they’re actively working to maintain a good reputation.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+/1.4/5 | 58 |
| Trustpilot | 2.3 | 12 |
| 4.9 | 651 | |
| Yelp | 3.2 | 19 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for Allied Van Lines
Allied is commonly praised for professionalism by reviewers. They report polite, helpful representatives and an efficient process. My experience echoes these sentiments. Mat on Google reviews raved: “The salesman Phillip showed up on time, provided very detailed information about the move process, and gave us documentation about our rights/laws during the move.”
Most Common Criticism for Allied Van Lines
I didn’t find many critical reviews that shared a common theme. Most of them were mistakes or failures that could be chalked up to honest mistakes or the occasional poor service. They appeared to me to be the exception and not the rule. I didn’t find any patterns of complaints or failures that would indicate a company-wide issue or culture problem.
Allied struggles a bit on transparency. Their website lacks sample pricing, so we scored them a 6.3/10. It also fails to disclose broker/carrier status. But I don’t see that as an egregious problem, considering that Allied is a carrier and most people who want to know that information are looking to avoid brokers. Either way, it is a transparency failure, which led to a lower rating.
North American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
North American Van Lines (NAVL) is one of the most storied, long-standing companies on the list. Established in 1933, NAVL has generations of accumulated industry knowledge, experience, and expertise. With that much experience comes refined processes and procedures, from the basic aspects of moving to dispute resolution and customer satisfaction. A near century in business means that decade after decade, the brand has done right by their customers and earned their position in the industry.
In line with their theme of professionalism, NAVL offers some services that other companies don’t, like Fragile-Only Packing and Self-Packing Assistance. While they may seem minor, you really can’t underestimate their value. They’re worthwhile services that can alleviate the burdens and stress of moving. The fact that the company even bothers to offer them when their competitors don’t is a testament to what their years in business have taught them and how that sets them apart from their competition.
NAVL is a broker and a carrier, but they don’t disclose that to potential customers. While I don’t think it’s necessarily a dealbreaker because they’re both a broker and a carrier, it would be beneficial to the customer to know who they’re dealing with. Brokers are intermediaries matching customers to carriers and charging a fee for their service. Carriers, on the other hand, own trucks and physically move goods, and you can normally hire them outright. Each has its pros and cons, but some customers prefer carriers and even avoid brokers altogether. So, not disclosing their status seems a little shortsighted.
What NAVL lacks in flashing market or sales pitches, they make up for in experience. Moving isn’t exactly a glamorous business, so a no-nonsense company that focuses on handling the key points of moving is refreshing and advantageous to the customer. They offer a few great services, like Fragile-Only Packing and Self-Packing Assistance, that really set them apart from their competition. When you’re busy with life, duties, kids, and ballgames, knowing that you have genuine professionals to help you through the mess of moving and who you can entrust with all your worldly possessions is hard to put a price on.
NAVL’s services are industry standard and in line with their competitors. They offer all the things we want to see in our review standard and cover all the various basic services that customers need and want.
| Service | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Local Moving | Yes |
| Long Distance/Interstate Moving | Yes |
| International Moving | Yes |
| Packing and Unpacking | Yes |
| Loading and Unloading | Yes |
| Storage Services | Yes |
Cost
NAVL requires a visual inspection of goods to provide an estimate, so I was unable to obtain one during my secret shopping. With companies across the industry, it may vary on whether or not a visual inspection is required for an estimate. However, visual inspections are to the benefit of the customer, even if they’re a bit more onerous. They ensure that all goods are declared properly so that there’s no surprise adjustment to the cost if goods are incorrectly declared or omitted.
Available Discounts
NAVL offers standard discounts for veterans and seniors. Outside that, you can get the best price by booking two weeks in advance during fall or winter or three weeks in advance, especially during the peak seasons of spring and summer.
NAVL is competitive with others on the list, and they lack a home staging customization. However, the company does have a couple of unique services that no other company on the list offers, like Self-Packing Assistance and Fragile-Only Packing. These additional services give them a competitive edge in the field that helps them stand out.
| Customization Options | Availability (Yes or No) |
| Assembly/ Disassembly | Yes |
| Sells Packing Materials | Yes |
| Offers Valuation Coverage | Yes |
| Piano Moving | Yes |
| Car Shipping | Yes |
| Special Item/ Antique Moving | Yes |
| Custom Crating | Yes |
| Junk Removal | Yes |
| Home Staging | No |
NAVL has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 1984 and currently has an A+ rating. Those two things together make it one of the strongest companies on the list for reputation with the BBB, earning them an 8/10 score. Customer reviews are average in comparison to other companies on the list, but it has comparatively fewer overall reviews than other companies.
| Rating Site | Rating | Number of Reviews |
| BBB | A+/1.1/5 | 35 |
| Trustpilot | 2.3 | 7 |
| 4.3 | 22 | |
| Yelp | 1.1 | 17 |
Editor’s Note: The ratings provided were accurate at the time of writing.
Most Common Praise for North American Van Lines
NAVL’s move coordination and drivers are the most commonly praised characteristics of the company in reviews. Reviewers report that NAVL does a great job ensuring that everything is scheduled, on time, and runs seamlessly. They also praise the courtesy and professionalism of the drivers, who are polite and punctual.
Most Common Criticism for North American Van Lines
While there are some critical reviews of NAVL, they don’t have a common theme. As such, I consider these complaints to be the exception to the rule of good service. No company is perfect, and mistakes happen. However, I found no concerning pattern of failures that threw up any red flags.
This is NAVL’s worst category, where they lose points for failing to disclose broker/carrier status, posting customer service hours, and providing sample quotes. The last two are relatively minor for most customers, but failure to disclose broker/carrier status can be frustrating for customers who have a preference. These failures led to a 5.3/10 transparency score.
What To Look for in a Reputable Company for Military Members
The best indicator of a reputable moving company is years in business. This is the first thing I look for when assessing the reputation of a mover. It shows that a moving company has been earning new and repeat customers through quality service and competitive prices. Businesses that leave customers unhappy or charge too much inevitably fail.
After that, you want to make sure that they have all the marks of a reputable business: a professional website, polite customer service staff that answers all your questions, public comments and reviews on places like Google or Yelp, and professional reviews from articles like this one.
Here are a few things to look out for that indicate you’re dealing with a reputable and professional moving company:
- They have a USDOT number and an MC number, and they provide them at the bottom of their website and on any official business documents from the company, like estimates and bills of lading.
- They have professional communication, including an email address that includes the company name, business documents that have the company name and contact information, and sales representatives that introduce themselves with their name and the company’s name.
- They offer multiple forms of payment options, whether for a deposit or final bill.
- They appear in the SAFER system (a public records system maintained by the US Department of Transportation) when you look up their USDOT or MC number.
How Military Movers Can Avoid Moving Scams
Scams often involve “hostage loads” where the scammers will take possession of the victim’s goods (usually after charging them large up-front fees) and then disappear. The scam most often starts with a fake company that has a fake website, fake contact information, and bought reviews or non-existent ones.
The best way to avoid this scam is by thoroughly vetting the moving company. Look at how many years they have in business. Cross-check the company name and information, making sure it can be verified by multiple independent sources, like Google, Yelp, the SAFER system, and professional reviews.
Here are some individual red flags to look out for when vetting a moving company:
- They have a generic email address, like movingcompany@gmail.com.
- Company representatives don’t introduce themselves or the company by name when they answer the phone, or they answer with a generic name, like “Moving Company.”
- They don’t clearly publish their USDOT and MC number on their website (usually at the bottom), nor does it appear on official business documents, like estimates and bills of lading.
- They demand large up-front deposits. While some companies charge deposits, they should be token amounts of a couple hundred dollars or 5 to 10% of the total estimate.
- They demand cash and don’t offer alternative payment methods, like credit cards or cashier’s checks.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
FAQs
How Much Does a Moving Company Cost for Military Members?
The cost of moving depends greatly on how much you’re moving and how far you’re moving. But, no matter the cost, there are some tips and tricks for negotiating with moving companies to get the best deal possible.
Do You Need a Moving Company for Military Members?
You don’t need a moving company, but hiring military moving services can save you time and effort by letting professionals handle all the labor and organization of transporting your goods from your old home to your new home.
Are Moving Companies for Military Members Worth It?
Yes, they spare you a lot of aggravation and labor. While professional moving and self-moving both have their pros and cons, professional moving companies will take care of all the transportation, packing, loading, and unloading so you can concentrate on more important things.
Other Resources for Prospective Movers
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