Best Moving Companies for Military Members (2025)
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You may feel anxious about your relocation and list of to-dos if you’re one of the many military members called for a permanent change of station (PCS). You can alleviate most of your stress by hiring a professional moving company such as International Van Lines (IVL) or American Van Lines to handle some or all of the move.
We looked at the top professional moving companies’ costs, service offerings, customer service, reviews, military discounts, and more to find the best for military moves. We also spoke with industry experts and surveyed thousands of moving customers to provide you with reliable information and recommendations. IVL is our top pick for military moves because of the company’s long history in the industry and extensive service selection. American Van Lines is our second pick because of its in-house, certified moving crews that have experience handling military moves. Learn more about our seven picks for military moves below.
Best Moving Companies for Military Moves in 2025
We created a 100-point rating system and methodology that analyzes each provider’s service packages, insurance coverage, military benefits, inspection rate reports with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and more. Here’s our list of the best moving companies for military moves in 2024:
- International Van Lines: Best Full-Service Mover
- American Van Lines: Best Overall Moving Labor
- Interstate Moving & Relocation Group: Most Efficient
- U-Pack: Most Affordable
- Safeway Moving: Most Reliable Pricing
- Moving APT: Best Customer Service
- JK Moving Services: Best Specialized Packing
What Should I Know About Military Movers?
You should know how much your move might cost, the insurance available, and the services you can choose.
How Much Does a Military Move Cost?
The cost of a military move varies widely depending on the service member’s rank, whether they’re married or have dependents, where they’re moving from and to, and whether it’s a domestic or international move. The military provides allowances to cover many PCS costs, but there are often out-of-pocket expenses.
Some of the standard allowances provided include the following:
- Transportation of household goods (handled by the military or through a privately contracted moving company)
- Temporary lodging and food per diem during the move
- Mileage reimbursement if driving to the new duty station
- Dislocation allowance to help cover miscellaneous costs
The service member is responsible for costs exceeding the standard allowances. These extra costs include what moving companies charge based on estimated weight and additional services such as packing, unpacking, and storage.
What Is Moving Insurance?
Moving insurance provides financial protection against loss or damage to household goods during a move. Companies are required by law to offer released value protection. This protection provides replacement value coverage for lost or damaged items, but only at a depreciated rate. Therefore, reimbursement for damages may not be enough to fully replace more expensive items such as electronics or antiques.
Service members can purchase third-party moving insurance to get full replacement coverage. This private insurance covers the difference between the depreciated value reimbursed by the military and the replacement cost. Rates and coverage levels vary between insurers.
What Military Moving Services Are Available?
The government provides several moving services for military members and their families during a PCS. The military helps arrange packing, transportation, and unpacking of household items through contracted moving companies. Weight allowances vary by rank and whether it’s a domestic or international move. Additionally, the government pays for the storage of household goods for up to 90 days if the new home is not ready upon arrival. Longer storage is the service member’s responsibility. The government also provides lodging per diem for 10 days, with potential extensions approved in some situations.
You also have the option to personally arrange your moving service at your own expense, providing more flexibility and customization. There are three main service models for moving. The most comprehensive and expensive option is a full-service move. It involves hiring a moving company to pack, load, transport, unload, and unpack your belongings. Your next option is a partial-move service, where you pack some of your belongings, and the movers handle the difficult items.
Lastly, you can opt for a self-move, which involves renting a moving truck or having a mover deliver a storage container to your current home and then drive it to the new one.
Compare Top Moving Companies for Military Moves
See which moving companies offer military discounts, can help with vehicle moving, are GSA-approved, or provide other services that are valuable for military members.
*BBB ratings are accurate as of February 2024.
International Van Lines
Best Full-Service Mover IVL is our top pick for full-service military moves. The company offers help for local, long-distance, and international armed forces. Full-service options include packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, specialty services for pianos and antiques, and storage solutions. The company provides a military discount of 10%–15% off for most military moves. You simply need to ask about the discount when getting a quote.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers specialty services for fragile items such as artwork, antiques, and pianos
- Provides both full-service and partial-service moving options
- Provides multiple insurance plans
Cons
- Doesn’t provide sample pricing online
- Has higher pricing than many competitors
- Requires an up-front deposit
Military Moving Services
IVL creates a full- or partial-service moving package based on your budget and needs. The company offers a full-value protection plan if you want comprehensive insurance for high-value items, and you can even get short- or long-term storage through one of IVL’s third-party providers.
Its services include the following and more for military members:
- Vehicle shipping
- Custom crafting for high-value or fragile items
- Office relocation
- Packing
Cost
IVL quoted us a general price range to move from the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, to the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina. This quote includes loading services and all transportation. You need to go through a more in-depth consultation process with the company to get a more accurate estimate.
Payment accepted: Cash, cashier’s check, credit card (deposit only), money order
Sample quote: $4,200–$6,150 (three-bedroom move from Quantico, Virginia, to Beaufort, South Carolina)
Deposit: 25%
Reputation and Reviews
Your customer service experience with IVL varies depending on your location. This difference is because the local agents operating in your area greatly determine the level of helpfulness and attentiveness. The company holds an A rating on the BBB but lacks accreditation. Previous customers mentioned prompt service, but others cited subpar quality when IVL had to outsource a move to a third-party provider in its network.
American Van Lines
Best Overall Moving Labor American Van Lines is a company that stands out for its well-trained moving crews and three decades of moving experience. All members of the company’s moving crews are full-time employees, not contractors. Crew members must complete ongoing certification courses in various areas, including handling fragile items such as antiques and bulky items such as gym equipment. It also provides military moving packages for an efficient and streamlined relocation experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Delivers moving shipments seven days a week
- Offers the Extraordinary Value Plan to provide more comprehensive coverage of high-value items
- Provides private storage and personal storage vaults
Cons
- Charges an additional fee to guarantee a delivery window
- Doesn’t include pricing information on its website
- Requires an up-front deposit of up to 50%
Military Moving Services
American Van Lines provides add-on options to help you create the military moving plan that fits your needs. Optional services include the following:
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- GPS shipment tracking
- Packing
- Storage that’s climate-controlled and monitored by 24/7 surveillance cameras
Cost
American Van Lines provides binding estimates—the exact amount you can plan to pay for your move—only after conducting a virtual home assessment. Therefore, you can’t get general pricing information online or over the phone. However, a company representative did give us a rough estimate to move a two-bedroom home from Beaufort, South Carolina, to Quantico, Virginia.
Payment accepted: Cash, cashier’s check, credit card, money order, and traveler’s check
Sample quote: $2,900 (two-bedroom move from Beaufort, South Carolina, to Quantico, Virginia)
Deposit: Up to 50% up-front
Reputation and Reviews
American Van Lines has an A+ rating and accreditation on the BBB and a high customer review score. Previous customers praised its pricing structure, which helped make preparing and budgeting for their moves easier. Some negative reviews mentioned sudden price hikes when nearing the end of the quote process and difficulty communicating with moving crews during transit.
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Most Efficient
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group (IMRG) is one of the largest moving brokers in the United States. It provides various military moving options through a network of independent local, long-distance, and international movers, unlike other providers on this list, including Safeway.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers a price-match program
- Provides military discounts
- Provides resources and guides for packing and moving
Cons
- No responsibility for damages due to broker status
- Has a 4% fee for move cancellations
- Has no weekend customer support
Military Moving Services
IMRG offers various PCS services. Its partner companies handle all sizes of military equipment relocations, as IMRG has GSA approval that carries over to its entire network. Your IMRG move can include packing, crating, vehicle shipping, special item moving, and the following:
- Cleaning
- Junk removal
- Piano moving
- Vehicle shipping
Cost
Your IMRG moving experience will begin when you fill out a contact form online. Then, a move coordinator will contact you to set up a virtual consultation or in-home estimate. This estimate will yield a rate based on your service needs, inventory, move date, and the available moving partners in your area.
We spoke to an IMRG move coordinator who provided us with a written estimate and the following information:
Payment accepted: Credit card and check
Sample quote: $4,450 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
Deposit: Up to 33%
Reputation and Reviews
IMRG doesn’t feature an accreditation with the BBB and holds a B rating. Like Safeway, IMRG’s service quality depends on its partner companies. The company should strive to connect you with movers accustomed to military moves but double-check that IMRG prioritizes this during your quote process. Positive reviews mentioned its crews’ professionalism and safe packing skills. Also, like Safeway, negative reviews mentioned bait-and-switch pricing tactics.
U-Pack
Most Affordable
U-Pack is a reputable option if you prefer a more self-service move. DIY moving is a great way to reduce relocation costs while still enjoying some of the conveniences of working with a professional. The company focuses primarily on moving container moves. U-Pack doesn’t offer help with packing or loading, but it can pair you with a partner in your area that provides moving labor. Container options include a ReloCube or moving trailer.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Each of its moves comes with liability coverage
- Is cheaper than other companies
- Is available nationwide and transports to Canada and Puerto Rico
Cons
- Doesn’t have an app to track your shipment
- Doesn’t handle moves under 150 miles
- Some customer reviews reference leaky containers
Military Moving Services
U-Pack doesn’t provide as many services as a full-service mover because it focuses on its portable storage container moves. U-Pack will drop off a moving container on your scheduled date. You’ll have three days to load the container at your own pace before the company returns to pick it up and drive it to your new residence.
You can also opt for storage at one of U-Pack’s secure service centers, and the company says its shipping containers can transport motorcycles and ATVs. Some of its other services include the following:
- Climate-controlled storage
- Loading and unloading (via third-party)
- Packing and unpacking (via third-party)
Cost
We used U-Pack’s online cost estimator to get a ballpark quote for a two-bedroom move from Quantico, Virginia, to Beaufort, South Carolina. This is an all-inclusive quote for a 13-foot trailer. The company claims its estimates include no hidden fees. U-Pack limited us to only using its moving trailer option for this move, so we received no option to use its portable storage containers.
Payment Accepted: Credit card, debit card, or PayPal
Sample quote: $2,380 (two-bedroom move from Quantico, Virginia, to Beaufort, South Carolina)
Deposit: None
Reputation and Reviews
U-Pack has an A+ rating and accreditation with the BBB. The company also appears to maintain a positive customer review score on the site with a high response rate. Former customers mentioned the friendliness and professionalism of the drivers and the sturdy, easy-to-use quality of the ReloCubes. Some negative reviews mentioned billing disputes and frequent delays in delivery dates.
Safeway Moving Inc.
Most Reliable Pricing Safeway Moving Inc. is a moving broker and carrier, so it operates differently than IVL and American Van Lines. It mainly operates as a broker, connecting you with other movers who fulfill military moving needs. We still consider it a reliable military moving company because it prioritizes customer satisfaction and informs you throughout the moving process. You can expect timely responses to any concerns, which helps make the military relocation process easier for you and your family.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers flat-rate pricing for all moves
- Provides 30 days of free storage with all moves
- Requires moving partners to hold $1 million insurance policies
Cons
- Has reviews that mention difficulty reaching customer service representatives
- Is a broker, so some parts of your move will be outsourced
- Requires phone calls or virtual consultations for quotes
Military Moving Services
Safeway’s services depend on the moving partners that operate in your area. These companies can offer full-service packing, crating, vehicle shipping, and other specialized moving services. Certain movers provide extra insurance protection for antiques, vehicles, and special items if your move requires it.
Other services you can choose for a military move can include the following:
- 24/7 customer service
- Custom crating for fragile items
- Moving assistance for senior citizens
- Temporary and permanent storage
Cost
Safeway provides flat-rate pricing for all moves, regardless of scope or service requirements. You’ll have to call or fill out a form on its website to contact a moving company representative who will handle your quote and move. You’ll be quoted a flat rate and billed a 40% deposit to book your move after you’ve submitted your inventory list.
We requested a Safeway quote online and submitted an inventory sheet to the company representative who responded. Here’s what we received:
Payment accepted: Cash, credit card, certified check, and money order
Sample quote: $5,695 (three-bedroom move from Austin, Texas, to Nashville, Tennessee)
Deposit: Up to 40%
Reputation and Reviews
We found that Safeway’s third-party brokers reportedly engage in some bait-and-switch pricing. We recommend you ensure you receive a binding estimate before signing any moving contract because of this issue. Most reviews are positive and mentioned the helpfulness and quality of its packing service and Safeway’s comprehensive insurance plans. Safeway has a B- rating with the BBB because of these conflicting reviews.
Moving APT
Best Customer Service
Moving APT is a broker that maintains one of the country’s largest networks of independent moving companies. The company can match you with movers equipped to handle your military move at your preferred price. Moving APT provides customer support even after connecting you to a mover, serving as a touchpoint for any questions or concerns. The company will also check in with your selected mover to ensure the process goes smoothly.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Has 24/7 customer service
- Utilizes a network of 2,500 independent moving companies across the country
- Provides more discounts when you book further in advance
Cons
- Has frequent pop-up chat boxes on its website, which can make navigation tedious
- May give a lower estimate than what the third party actually charges
- Won’t refund deposits on cancellations with fewer than seven days’ notice
Military Moving Services
Moving APT operates a large network of movers, so it can provide traditional full-service moving packages and a long list of add-on options. You can choose to customize your PCS with optional services such as:
- Appliance disconnection and reconnection
- Heavy machinery relocation
- Packing
- Storage
- Vehicle relocation
Cost
Moving APT provides moving discounts to members of the armed forces and military veterans and has special pricing offers for moves booked well in advance.
The company also has a moving cost tool on its website to generate an approximate price range for your move. We used the calculator to create an estimate for a two-bedroom move from Quantico, Virginia, to Beaufort, South Carolina.
Payment accepted: Cash, check, and money order
Sample quote: $2,772–$5,472 (two-bedroom move from Quantico, Virginia, to Beaufort, South Carolina)
Deposit: Varies between partners
Reputation and Reviews
Moving APT’s BBB page features a B rating with no accreditation. However, the company features a positive customer review score, meaning that most were satisfied with their service. Many previous customers have said that the company’s resources and quick quotes helped speed their process. Other reviews mentioned some poor customer service after booking compared to how helpful the staff is before signing a contract.
JK Moving Services
Best Specialized Packing
JK Moving Services is a full-service mover that focuses on tailoring your moving package according to your budget and moving needs. The company has been a choice moving partner for the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Defense. It’s also committed to providing career opportunities to veterans, active military members, and those with the National Guard and Reserve.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Has a user-friendly mobile app for GPS tracking and virtual surveys
- Offers financing through Enhancify
- Provides 24/7 customer service
Cons
- Doesn’t have online sample pricing
- Has a longer quote process than many competitors
- Only provides local moves in Maryland and Virginia
Military Moving Services
JK Moving provides comprehensive packing services for military moves, including partial packing for fragile items and full packing for a premium experience. Here’s a list of some of its other services:
- International moves
- Office moves and IT removal
- Shipment tracking
- Temporary and permanent storage
Cost
JK Moving offers customized moving packages tailored to meet the needs of each customer. As a result, the company doesn’t provide much pricing information on its website. The company supplies a smartphone app that uses AI technology to generate swift mobile estimates without requiring an in-person consultation. The app also offers 24/7 customer service, making obtaining pricing and general information easier.
We contacted a JK Moving sales representative to obtain a quote. The process was longer than that of other military movers, providing a more accurate and detailed quote.
Payment accepted: Cash and credit card
Sample quote: $6,622 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon to San Francisco)
Deposit: $250 up-front
Reputation and Reviews
JK Moving holds an A+ BBB rating with accreditation. The company also features a higher-than-average customer review score and appears responsive to reviews. Many reviews mentioned the skills and professionalism of JK Moving’s crews and how helpful the financing options are when moving on a certain budget. Other reviews highlighted spam calls during the quote process and frustration with the claims department if a filing occurs.
How Do You Prepare for a Military Move?
Moving companies often provide materials and tools to help you remember important steps to accomplish during a move. For example, some moving companies offer personal moving coaches, and others provide moving checklists. Even with these resources, there are some important steps that you might miss when you are preparing for your move.
- Create an inventory: An important step is making an inventory to take note of the condition of your items. You should also take photos of the items if possible. These notes and photos will be useful if you file a loss or damage claim for reimbursement.
- Condense your belongings: We recommend you make two piles as moving day draws near. Place items you can donate in one pile, and place items you want to throw away in the other pile. You can spend some time taking each pile to its respective drop-off location a few days before your movers arrive.
- Gather necessary documents: Collect all essential paperwork, including orders, identification, medical records, and any other pertinent documents required for the move. Ensure these documents are readily accessible throughout the relocation process.
- Notify important people: Be sure to notify your internet provider, electricity and water companies, insurance companies, tax agencies, utility companies, the post office, and the Social Security Administration that you’re moving and will have a new address.
Expert Tips and Insights
We asked six experts to share their insights on the stressors associated with military moves and how loved ones can offer support. Read their tips below.
Our Conclusion
Each provider in our review has advantages, but we recommend International Van Lines as our top military mover. The company can be more expensive than some competitors, but we believe the value you get is worth it. You get a full-service moving partner, so you don’t have to lift a finger, as well as insurance coverage, outstanding customer service, GPS shipment tracking, and years of experience handling military moves.
American Van Lines is another excellent option for military members and families with its highly experienced moving labor that makes relocating priceless antiques and artwork easier. Lastly, we recommend Interstate Moving & Relocation Group if you’re juggling many responsibilities during your PCS and would rather have someone simplify the quote-gathering process.
We recommend reading customer reviews before deciding on a moving partner and getting quotes from at least three companies to compare pricing.
FAQ About Military Moves
Does the military pay for movers?
What is a military move called?
A military move is referred to as a PCS. When using a moving company, they’re referred to as either a personally procured move (PPM) or a DIY move.
What moving company does the military use?
There is no set company that the military uses for PCS relocations. We recommend IVL as our top choice for military moves.
How much will you get for a PPM?
Opting for a PPM will allow you to receive a payment equal to what it would cost the government to move you. Additionally, you’ll also receive standard travel allowances for you and your family. You get to keep the balance if you spend less than the government’s payment.
Other Moving Resources
We’ve done extensive research on the best moving companies across the country and have compiled easy to digest comparisons:
- Best Interstate Moving Companies
- Best Moving Container Companies
- Best Cheap Moving Companies
- Best Moving Companies for Small Moves
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling options, additional benefits and custom service options, and reputation among customers to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
