Bottom line: We’ve evaluated dozens of moving companies, and American Van Lines consistently stands out for their experienced crews, flat-rate pricing, and ability to handle specialty items like antiques and pianos.
AVL is one of the best options available if you’re planning a long-distance move and want highly trained professionals managing your belongings.
We recommend American Van Lines for anyone who needs full-service, long-distance moving services with transparent pricing. We’ve broken down AVL’s pricing, services, and customer reviews, and compared them to other top movers.
American Van Lines at a Glance
| MC# | DOT# | Year Established | Type | State Availability | Online Quote Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MC-294798 | USDOT 614506 | 1995 | Carrier | 48 states (not in AK or HI) | No |
Pros and Cons of American Van Lines
Pros
- Flat-rate pricing with no surprise fees
- Climate-controlled storage available
- Specializes in antiques, fine art, and piano moving
- Can accommodate last-minute moves
Cons
- Up to 50% deposit upfront
- No online quotes
- Not available in Alaska or Hawaii
Services American Van Lines Offers
American Van Lines offers a flexible range of moving services that you can tailor to meet your needs. Take a look at some of their specialties:
- Long-distance moving: AVL provides full-service moves across 48 states, handling everything from packing to unloading.
- Local moves: AVL also offers local moving services if you live near their offices in North Carolina, Florida, and Texas.
- Corporate relocation: Businesses can rely on AVL for office moves, including disassembling and reassembling office furniture.
- Military moves: AVL offers military discounts, helps customers prepare their list of goods for entry in the DPS, and provides free quotes to submit for a PPM.
- Antique and piano moving: AVL specializes in transporting fragile, high-value items like pianos, artwork, and heirlooms.
- Packing and unpacking: AVL’s professional packers can carefully wrap, pack, and unpack your belongings.
- Climate-controlled storage: You can store your belongings in AVL’s secure, temperature-controlled storage units, with short- and long-term storage options.
Cost of Moving With American Van Lines
American Van Lines offers flat rate pricing, so your quoted price won’t unexpectedly increase on moving day—as long as your inventory and services stay the same.
Based on our research, AVL’s pricing is on par with other full-service moving companies, particularly for customers who need specialty services.
While AVL isn’t always the absolute cheapest option, their combination of flat-rate pricing, experienced movers, and specialty expertise add great value for long-distance relocations.
Here’s a look at some real customer moving costs:
| Move Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (cross-country) | $4,000 – $5,000 |
| 2-bedroom home (cross-country) | $4,500 – $6,500 |
| 3-bedroom home (cross-country) | $7,000 – $9,500 |
American Van Lines Discounts
If you’re looking to save on your move with AVL, here are a few discounts the company offers:
- Military discounts: American Van Lines offers discounts to active-duty military members and veterans to help ease the cost of relocation, whether it’s a PCS move or a personal transition. If you’re in the military, be sure to mention it when requesting a quote.
- Senior discounts: AVL provides discounts for senior citizens to make moving more affordable for retirees and older adults.
- Seasonal promotions: While AVL primarily promotes military and senior discounts, they may offer limited-time deals or region-specific promotions. It’s always a good idea to ask about current discounts when you’re getting a quote.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Moving With AVL
While our quotes can give you a general idea of AVL’s rates, no move is the same. Here are the biggest factors that will impact your moving costs:
- Distance of the move: Longer moves require more fuel, labor, and time, which increases costs.
- Weight and volume of belongings: More items or heavier loads require larger trucks and more movers, which adds up.
- Additional services: Packing, storage, and specialty moving services can add to the total cost of your move.
- Time of year: Moves during peak seasons like summer usually cost more due to higher demand.
Learn more about moving costs by state
Getting Moving Quotes From American Van Lines
AVL’s quote process is straightforward. While the lack of online quotes might be inconvenient, their binding estimates are based on an inventory of your belongings to make them as accurate as possible.
You can get a quote from AVL by:
- Filling out their online form or calling for an initial estimate
- Talking to a customer service representative
- Recording a video of your home and all belongings or schedule an in-home assessment
Based on the details and video you provide, American Van Lines will provide you with a custom quote for your move.
AVL Customer Reviews
We’ve gathered real customer experiences to give you a clear picture of what it’s like to move with AVL.
“I really appreciated the personal moving coordinator. I had an email and cell phone number for a dedicated person who kept me updated, which was convenient and reassuring.”
“I got quotes from PODS, U-Pack, and Safeway, but chose American Van Lines because of their amazing reviews and affordability. While my items arrived past the delivery date, the company was communicative and offered me a partial refund due to the delay.”
“There were a few issues during my move, mostly due to an AVL partner delivering my items rather than AVL itself, but I’m satisfied with how AVL resolved everything.”
“I hired American Van Lines for my move recently. I was most satisfied with the knowledge and care shown by the team. My rep kept me informed when she said she would. I was very impressed with both pickup and delivery being on time. I recommend American Van Lines.”
“Francisco, the driver, and his team were amazing moving our belongings across Colorado to Georgia. However, as we had little stuff to move across, there was a lot of delay in receiving our stuff. The company has no way to track how soon the stuff will be delivered to your place.”
Compare American Van Lines to Other Top Movers
American Van Lines vs. Mayzlin Relocation
AVL and Mayzlin are two of our top picks for long-distance moves. With flat-rate pricing and a full suite of moving services, Mayzlin shines for their hands-on customer service and 24/7 support. AVL’s advantage lies in their highly trained moving crews, who are pros at handling specialty items like antiques and pianos. If you need white-glove handling, AVL is the better pick.
American Van Lines vs. Allied Van Lines
Allied Van Lines is another legitimate full-service moving company worth considering. It has broader availability for both local and long-distance moves, covering all 50 states. Allied also provides shipment tracking, which AVL lacks. However, AVL’s flat-rate pricing and experienced crews make them a strong competitor, especially for high-value moves.
FAQs
Does American Van Lines require a deposit?
Yes, AVL requires up to a 50% deposit to secure your move date. Most companies require deposits upfront, but AVL’s is higher than average.
Does American Van Lines offer storage?
Yes, AVL provides short- and long-term storage, offering the first 30 days free. If you live in parts of Florida, Texas, or North Carolina, American Van Lines will store your belongings in their facilities. They can arrange storage for customers moving to different locations with one of the storage providers in their network.
Does AVL handle small moves?
AVL primarily focuses on larger, long-distance moves, but they’re also equipped to handle small moves, with local moving services available in some areas. However, a container company like PODS or a specialized mover like MiniMoves might offer a cheaper solution.
Key Takeaways
American Van Lines is a great choice for long-distance and specialty moves, with flat-rate pricing and experienced crews.
Keep the following in mind if you’re considering American Van Lines:
- Strengths: Certified movers, flat-rate pricing, and specialized handling for antiques and pianos
- Pricing: AVL offers competitive rates with clear, upfront pricing, though a 50% deposit may be required.
- Customer feedback: Positive reviews highlight professionalism and care, while some complaints mention delivery delays.
- State availability: AVL operates in 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
If you need a reliable, full-service mover with transparent pricing and highly trained crews, American Van Lines is a solid choice.