American Van Lines is a licensed and insured moving company specializing in long-distance moves. Though it’s not one of our five best moving companies, it’s still a solid choice and could be a good fit if you have antiques or valuable items to move. In this review, we’ll dive into American Van Lines’ services, pricing, and customer experiences to help you decide if it’s right for your needs.

Rating:

Best Overall Moving Labor

4.3/5

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*Cost data is based on multiple long-distance moving quotes ranging from 500–800 miles for a two-bedroom home.

**A USDOT number indicates that a moving company is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation, meaning it meets federal safety and operational standards. Only companies with a valid USDOT number are legally allowed to transport goods across state lines.

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Company Overview

American Van Lines serves the 48 states in the continental U.S. It only offers local moves in North Carolina, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and South Florida. With full-service and partial-service options available, you can decide if you want the movers to handle everything or do some stuff yourself and leave them with the heavy lifting.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Has flat-rate pricing, so you won’t be hit with hidden fees
• Offers services for special items such as antiques, pianos, and expensive artwork
• Will price-match

Cons

• Requires a 10%–50% upfront deposit, which is higher than most movers
• Doesn’t provide online quotes, which some people may find inconvenient
• Some customers report communication challenges

Services Offered

• Packing and unpacking
• Loading and unloading
• Furniture assembly and disassembly
• Specialty services for antiques and artwork
• Crating
• Storage
• Moving supplies
• Additional insurance
• Piano moving
• Vehicle shipping (via third-party)
• Military moving
• Corporate and office relocation

Services Not Offered

• Appliance disconnection
• Junk removal

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Our Take on American Van Lines

We think American Van Lines is a reliable nationwide mover, especially if you need a company experienced in handling valuable or delicate belongings. It offers special packing services for items needing extra care, such as antiques, artwork, and pianos. Other companies we’ve reviewed offer similar services, but AVL puts an emphasis on it by providing annual training at a specialized facility. 

One of American Van Lines’ key advantages is its flat-rate pricing. This means it locks in your price from the start, whereas other companies might hit you with surprise fees if, for example, your move involves more stairs than expected. It also offers price matching, so you know you’re getting a competitive rate. 

In our experience, the American Van Lines staff was helpful and professional. The company prefers doing in-person or virtual surveys before providing quotes, which some customers may not like because it’s inconvenient and takes longer. However, this approach leads to more accurate estimates and fewer hidden fees, making budgeting easier.

On the other hand, American Van Lines doesn’t offer as many insurance options as some other movers, which might be a drawback if you’re looking for extensive coverage. We’ve also seen customer reviews mentioning communication issues, and that the deposit requirement is steep. AVL requires deposits of as much as 50%, whereas most companies ask for only 15%–25%. While we think American Van Lines is a solid option overall, these downsides kept us from ranking it among our top five moving companies.

We Recommend American Van Lines If You:

We Don’t Recommend American Van Lines If You:

Comparing American Van Lines to Other Top Movers

American Van Lines is a solid choice for long-distance moves, but some other companies may work better for you. JK Moving is good for those on a tight budget because it offers financing, which most companies don’t do. If you prefer a self-service move, we recommend 1-800-PACK-RAT. This company provides affordable, sturdy portable storage containers that you pack and load yourself instead of having a full-service mover handle everything. 

To get the best value, we recommend comparing quotes from at least three movers.

Company	Our Score	Average Cost	Deposit	FMCSA Licensing	Services
American Van Lines	4.3	$5,625	Up to 50%	Carrier	Full-service packing and loading, custom crating, disassembly and reassembly, antique and speciality services, piano moving
JK Moving	4.7	$7,171	$250	Carrier	Full-service packing and loading, custom crating, disassembly and reassembly, piano moving, financing options, additional insurance, storage services
IVL	4.5	$5,250	Up to 25%	Carrier/Broker	Full-service packing and loading, custom crating, disassembly and reassembly, vehicle relocation, piano moving, additional insurance, storage services
Safeway	4.3	$5,631	Up to 40%	Carrier	Full-service packing and loading, custom crating, disassembly and reassembly, HOA and condo moves
1-800-PACK-RAT	4.2	$2,547	Varies	Carrier	Self-service portable storage container moves, third-party labor for loading and packing, storage services

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How Much Does American Van Lines Cost?

American Van Lines costs an average of $5,625, according to five quotes we gathered for a two-bedroom home. This is slightly lower than the average cost we found across other movers, which was $5,878. Your price will vary depending on the following factors:

• Distance: Local moves (less than 50 miles) typically cost less. Long-distance moves, especially those across state lines, include higher fees for increased mileage, fuel, and time.
• Service level: If you want the movers to do it all—packing, loading, driving, unloading—you’ll pay more. You can save money by choosing to do some of the work yourself, like packing or loading a storage container that they just pick up and drive.
• Amount of belongings: Moving from a studio is a lot simpler than moving from a three-bedroom house. More stuff usually means a larger truck, extra time, and maybe even extra crew, which increases your price.
• Duration: Expect to pay more for larger moves, long-distance relocations, or added time for packing and loading over multiple days.
• Stairs, elevators, and other obstacles: Tricky staircases, narrow hallways, or elevators can slow down the process, adding extra charges. For example, expect an additional charge if you’re moving from a fifth-floor walk-up, as it takes extra effort and time to get everything out.
• Time of year: Moving during the summer or at the end of the month (when leases often end) is more expensive because that’s peak season. If you’re flexible, a weekday during the off-season will lower your costs.

Long-Distance Moves

Unlike some movers offering online quotes, American Van Lines insists on doing a virtual or in-person walkthrough before giving a price estimate. Though inconvenient, this is a great sign that the company is serious about giving you an accurate price, not just a lowball estimate that’ll change later.

That being said, the company does list some price estimates on its website. These are the quotes AVL lists for a 1,289-mile move from New York City to Miami: 

• One-bedroom: $3,300 (4,000 pounds)
• Two-bedroom: $4,500 (6,000 pounds)
• Three-bedroom: $6,485 (10,000 pounds)
• Four-bedroom: $8,600 (14,000 pounds)

Note that these prices are significantly lower than what American Van Lines customers reported when we surveyed them in 2024. For example, customers reported an average price of $7,726 for a two-bedroom move—$3,226 higher than what AVL has on its website. This price is also slightly higher than the average cost we found across other movers in our survey, which was $7,156. 

We believe our survey results are more accurate because we’ve noticed in our moving research that initial quotes leave out things like long-carry fees, full-value coverage, and additional services, which can drastically bump up your price. For example, when we called to ask, a representative told us that adding packing services alone would increase the listed two-bedroom price by about $800. With this in mind, we recommend budgeting closer to $8,000 for a long-distance move with American Van Lines. 

Deposit

American Van Lines requires a deposit ranging from 10%–50% of the total cost of your move. The exact amount depends on factors like your credit score and chosen services. According to the company’s terms and conditions, you can receive a full refund of your deposit if you cancel in writing within three days of signing the bill of lading—the official contract outlining your moving agreement.

Extra Fees

Here are a few common fees to keep in mind when planning your move with American Van Lines or any full-service provider. Asking about these upfront can help you avoid unexpected charges:

• Bulky items: Big, heavy items like pianos, pool tables, or oversized fish tanks require extra care, special handling, and sometimes additional equipment. Expect a fee for each bulky item that needs to be moved.
• Elevator fee: Elevators may beat the stairs, but they can slow down movers. Movers might need to wait for other tenants or make multiple trips, so some companies add an elevator fee.
• Fuel surcharges: Long-distance moves require fuel costs that can add up, especially for cross-country moves. Fuel surcharges depend on gas prices and the distance, so it’s good to ask about current rates.
• Long carry fees: If movers can’t park near your door, the company might charge a long carry fee for extra time and effort. This generally comes up if the walk from the truck to your door exceeds 75–100 feet.
• Packing material costs: Boxes, bubble wrap, and tape aren’t always included. If you want to save on materials, packing your own items is an option. Otherwise, movers may charge for both supplies and labor.
• Shuttle service: If your home is on a narrow street or a location inaccessible to a large truck, movers will have to transfer your items to a smaller truck, adding to your cost.
• Stair fee: Moving items up several flights of stairs adds labor and time. Some movers include one flight for free, but beyond that, the company usually charges per flight, especially for big pieces like couches and beds.
• Storage fees: Need to store items between homes? Movers usually charge by the month, and you’ll likely have fees for putting your items into storage and for retrieving them.
• Weight adjustment fees: For long-distance moves, fees are often based on the weight of your items. If the actual weight exceeds your estimate, you’ll be charged for the difference, which can be significant for large moves.

Discounts

American Van Lines frequently runs promotions and discounts. Common offers include discounts for military members, seniors, students, and first responders. It may also have seasonal sales or specials. We recommend checking its website or speaking directly with a representative to see which discounts are currently available.

Tipping

While not required, showing appreciation for your movers is always a nice gesture if they’ve done a great job. The typical tipping range is about $4–$5 per mover per hour, or 10%–15% of your total move cost. Think of it like tipping at a restaurant, and adjust based on the quality of service.

How To Save Money When Moving

Here’s how to keep more money in your pocket when moving with American Van Lines:

• Be flexible: If you can be flexible with your dates, American Van Lines is cheaper on weekdays and in the off-season (not summer).
• Book early: Book your move as early as you can. Prices tend to increase the closer you get to your date.
• Declutter and downsize: American Van Lines offers binding estimates, which means you can’t lower your price later just because you get rid of some of your stuff. Before the company comes to give you a quote, take time to sift through and pare down your belongings. You might even make some cash selling things you don’t need. 
• Shop around: Get quotes from at least three companies. American Van Lines will price match if you bring them a cheaper quote.
• Understand the deposit: Like most movers, American Van Lines requires a deposit to lock in your date. Make sure you’re clear on the terms. For example, you can get a refund for canceling, but it must be in writing and within three days of you signing the contract.

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What Services Does American Van Lines Offer?

American Van Lines offers a range of services to handle various moving needs. Here are the most popular:

• Local moves: Local moving services are available if you’re moving within North Carolina, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, or South Florida.
• Long-distance moves: American Van Lines specializes in long-distance moves over 50 miles.
• Corporate moves: American Van Lines can also help you plan a relocation for your small business or large corporation.

Other Services

Here’s a breakdown of American Van Lines’ other, more niche service offerings: 

• Antique and artwork handling: If you’ve got valuable or delicate pieces, American Van Lines handles them with extra care. The company trains its movers annually to pack and transport these items safely.
• Crating: American Van Lines will build custom crates for your belongings if you need to protect something especially delicate or unusually shaped.
• Moving supplies: If you’re planning to do some (or all) of the packing yourself, American Van Lines sells moving supplies. This includes a range of box sizes, mirror cases, wardrobe boxes, and boxes made for dishes.
• Military moving: American Van Lines is experienced with military moves and their unique requirements. It works within military guidelines to make the process as smooth as possible.
• Packing: If you’re too busy or you’d simply rather not deal with the hassle, American Van Lines will pack for you. Partial packing is also available if you just want help with certain items.
• Piano moving: American Van Lines has trained movers who specialize in safely moving these heavy, delicate instruments.
• Storage services: If you need to keep your belongings somewhere between your move-out and move-in dates, American Van Lines offers short- and long-term storage.
• Vehicle shipping: American Van Lines doesn’t offer vehicle relocation in-house, but its reps told us it can connect customers to a third-party vehicle shipper. This means that the specifics of the service and provider will change based on your location and other move details.

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American Van Lines Customer Reviews: Reddit, BBB, Yelp, and More

American Van Lines has a strong A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), though the BBB does not accredit it.* The company currently has a 4.23-star rating on the site. However, we noticed that the BBB has flagged them for asking some customers to withdraw complaints or reviews. While the BBB emphasizes that it’s the customer’s choice whether to keep a review up or not, this practice might have influenced the company’s overall rating. For example, its headquarters page on Yelp has a lower 2.4-star rating and more mixed feedback. Reddit discussions about American Van Lines are sparse, but those we found mention occasional delays and changes in delivery dates.

As far as common themes, customers often praise American Van Lines for its straightforward, efficient moving process and professionalism. On the downside, several people have complained about unwelcome follow-up calls after requesting quotes, as well as lapses in communication—particularly on moving day.

*BBB ratings are accurate as of November 2024. Not being accredited can mean a few things—either the company did not meet the BBB’s accreditation standards, did not apply, or chose not to be accredited.

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How American Van Lines Protects Your Belongings

When you’re trusting a moving company with everything you own, it’s important to know how it’ll keep your stuff safe. American Van Lines has several insurance plans, so you can choose the level of coverage that best fits your budget and the value of your belongings. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Released value protection: This is the minimum coverage required by federal law. Though included with your move at no extra cost, this option likely won’t cover the value of your pricier or fragile items. It only reimburses your lost or damaged items at a partial value of 60 cents per pound.
• Full value protection: This plan covers the full value of lost or damaged items. We recommend this if you’re moving valuable or high-cost items (things like artwork or electronics). However, it is an additional cost.
• Extraordinary value protection: American Van Lines offers this plan for items valued at $100 or more, like high-end furniture or collectibles. If something happens, the company will repair the item, replace it with a similar one, or pay you the current market value. This coverage comes with an additional fee based on the value of your items. 

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Booking Process and Timeline

Here’s a look at every step of American Van Lines’ booking process:

1. Request a quote: To start, contact American Van Lines via its website or call a moving coordinator directly. The customer service rep will work with you to schedule an in-person or virtual visit before providing a price estimate. This only takes a few minutes. 
2. Choose your services: Next, decide on the level of help you’d like. Are you packing everything yourself, or would you rather leave it to the pros? You’ll also need to go over any add-ons that may affect your final price. This means explaining any challenging parts of the move (like stairs or elevator access), noting if you’re moving something large (like a piano) or have a vehicle to ship, and asking about custom crating for any high-value items. We recommend setting aside about 10–15 minutes to go over this, as the American Van Lines rep will run through various questions to get the best idea of what you require and want. 
3. Survey your inventory: When an AVL rep visits your home, they’ll take a detailed inventory of your belongings. You can also request to do this virtually, which involves providing photos and videos of your belongings, home, and its surrounding area. Expect this process to take roughly an hour or so—or longer for the virtual survey if the representative needs further clarity. 
4. Book your move: Once you’re ready to go, you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure your move date. This will range from 10%–50% of the total cost, depending on factors like your credit score and the specifics of your move. Depending on how in-depth you want to comb through your moving contract, this step should take around 5–10 minutes. 

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Our Experience With American Van Lines

Our interactions with American Van Lines’ customer service staff were professional and efficient. The staff was more formal and less personable than with other movers we’ve spoken with, but still friendly.

American Van Lines’ website is not as user-friendly as others, and multiple pages are just walls of text and explanations. That said, we appreciate that the company gives a lot of information about its service and average costs online.

We struggled to get specific cost information from AVL. When we contacted them for a ballpark quote, AVL’s representatives pushed to set up an in-person visit for a binding estimate. When we asked again for ballpark figures, they referred us to the general cost page on the company’s website. As noted above, we think these prices are significantly lower than what you’ll actually pay. More detailed and accurate cost information requires a walk-through. 

This could be frustrating if you’re trying to compare multiple quotes and don’t want to have a bunch of people come to your home, but we actually find this to be a unique benefit of American Van Lines. Detailed inventories lead to much more accurate pricing, whereas other companies may give you a quote online that doesn’t account for every aspect of your move, leading to surprise costs later.

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Advice From a Moving Customer

We conducted a focus group to learn more about moving customers’ experiences and spoke to four panelists who had used a professional moving service within the last year. One panelist said he found it was much easier to speak to a rep in person than over the phone to decide if a company was a good fit or not. So, you may prefer to get an in-person estimate from AVL rather than a virtual one.

He also suggested trying to find referrals rather than solely relying on online reviews. Thanks to the recommendation he got, he found that the moving day itself wasn’t as stressful as the build-up to it and unpacking. If you’re also experiencing this stress, it might be worth it to pay for packing and unpacking services with your mover. 

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FAQ About American Van Lines

Where is American Van Lines based?

American Van Lines is headquartered in Pompano Beach, Florida, but it offers its long-distance moving services across the continental U.S. Local moving services are only available to its customers in North Carolina, South Florida, or the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Can American Van Lines handle last-minute or short-notice moves?

No. Though you can ask, American Van Lines requires advanced notice and may not have the capacity to handle last-minute or short-notice moves.

Is American Van Lines the same as North American Van Lines?

No, American Van Lines and North American Van Lines are two separate companies. They both offer nationwide moving services, but they operate independently with different histories and services. In fact, North American Van Lines scored higher in our review than American Van Lines.

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How We Evaluated Moving Providers

To review moving companies, our team analyzed websites, spoke to customer service representatives, requested numerous quotes, and surveyed 1,000 moving customers. 

Our Rating System

To rank moving providers, we created a rating system based on six factors that reflect the overall quality and reliability of each company. Here’s what we looked at:

• Item protection (20%): All movers are required to offer two insurance options, but many offer additional options to maximize the protection of your belongings. We scored companies offering three or more options the highest. We also awarded more points to movers offering additional protections such as antique and specialty services, custom crating, and GPS tracking.
• Service offerings (19%): Top providers offer comprehensive moving services, including local and long-distance moves, packing/unpacking, and custom options tailored to specific needs. Poor providers offer limited or restrictive services. The more services a company offered, the higher we scored it.
• Customer service (18%): Companies with high BBB ratings and customer response rates received more points. We also awarded more points to movers who offered easy access to moving calculators, checklists, and contact information on their website.
• Value (18%): We gathered five quotes from each mover to create an average price for a two-bedroom move between 500 and 800 miles. The lower the price, the higher we rated the company. We also awarded more points to providers that offered binding estimates rather than ballpark quotes, as well as those that offered more financial flexibility through portable storage container moves. 
• Reputation (14%): We analyzed a company’s overall industry reputation. We checked each provider’s licensing status and awarded more points to those who operated as carriers—meaning they performed the work themselves—since that yields a more streamlined user experience. We also rewarded providers with transparent background-checking processes, and we compared their inspection rate to the average Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) fail rate.
• Scheduling (11%): The best movers are easy to work with, flexible, and accommodate tight schedules, while less reliable companies may overpromise and underdeliver. We gave more points to companies that offered at least two contact options, had a mobile app for tracking, and offered virtual surveys for quotes for added convenience.