American Van Lines Review (With Customer Feedback)

American Van Lines is our top choice for the best moving company due to its dependable long-distance service and specialized care for valuable items. Fully licensed and insured, the company excels at transporting antiques, artwork, and other delicate belongings. In this review, we’ll highlight American Van Lines’ services, pricing, and customer feedback to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your move.

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American Van Lines

5

Overall Score

We used extensive first-party research, sample quote gathering, and customer review analysis to evaluate companies on key factors. We then developed a numeric score for each factor to determine an overall score.

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Avg. Price Range $1,700–$13,800

BBB Rating A-

FMCSA Licensing Carrier

States Covered 48 states (ex. AK & HI)

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Offers specialized moving services for items such as antiques and artwork
• Uses flat-rate pricing, which can help customers avoid hidden fees
• Offers a price-matching policy

Cons

• Requires a 10%–50% upfront deposit
• Some customer reviews mention a lack of communication
• Doesn’t provide online quotes, which some customers may find inconvenient

Moving Services Offered

American Van Lines offers specialty services in addition to many standard full-service moving options:

• Packing and unpacking
• Loading and unloading
• Fragile packing
• Custom crating

*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.

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

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

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

While American Van Lines stands out for long-distance moves, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. JK Moving can be a good choice for those on a tight budget, as it offers financing, an uncommon perk among moving companies. If you’re more of a DIY type, consider 1-800-PACK-RAT. This company provides sturdy, cost-effective portable storage containers, making it a good choice if you prefer to pack and load your things yourself.

We recommend comparing quotes from at least three movers to get the best value.

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: The best time to move is during the off-season or on a weekday, as summer and month-end moves are pricier due to high demand when leases typically end.

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 packing 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 downsize 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.

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 in 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, such as antiques, 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 pianos with care.
• Storage services: If you need to store your belongings 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.

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 April 2025. 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.

How American Van Lines Protects Your Belongings

When you’re trusting a moving company with your personal belongings, it’s important to understand how your items are protected. American Van Lines offers multiple coverage plans, so you can choose the option that fits your budget and the value of your possessions.

• Released value protection: This is the minimum level of liability required by federal law and comes included with your move at no extra cost. However, it only reimburses up to 60 cents per pound for lost or damaged items, which may not fully cover high-value or fragile belongings.
• Full value protection: This option reimburses the full value of lost or damaged items for more comprehensive coverage. It comes at an added cost and is recommended for moves involving expensive items like electronics, artwork, or custom furniture.
• Extraordinary value protection: This plan is designed for items individually valued at $100 or more, such as collectibles or high-end furnishings. You’ll need to provide a detailed inventory. If anything is lost or damaged, the company will repair it, replace it with a similar item, or reimburse you for its current market value. This plan also comes with an additional fee.

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. 

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.

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. 

FAQs About American Van Lines

Our Rating Methodology

To fairly and thoroughly evaluate moving companies, we developed a 100-point rating system grounded in real customer feedback, regulatory data, and hands-on testing. We gathered quotes, verified licensing and safety records, analyzed thousands of customer reviews, and conducted secret shopping to get a full picture of the customer experience. Each company was scored across six essential categories and then given a final rating out of 5 stars.

Here’s how we broke down our review:

• Customer service (18%): We read more than 7,500 reviews on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Trustpilot, surveyed more than 3,000 recent customers, and tested each company’s website and support team ourselves. Companies earned higher marks for having clear communication, responsiveness, and a helpful, user-friendly online experience.
• Reputation (14%): We verified that each mover has proper licensing through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and checked Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety records, specifically truck maintenance data. We also gave extra credit to companies that publicly commit to background-checking their crews, showing they prioritize customer safety.
• Value (18%): Using real quotes for 3-bedroom moves ranging from 500–800 miles, we compared average prices across providers. We also considered whether companies offer flat-rate or binding estimates and if they have a clear and simple billing process.
• Service offerings (19%): We evaluated the range of services available, from packing and unpacking to piano moving and junk removal. Movers that offer more options, including do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions like portable storage, scored higher for flexibility and convenience.
• Item protection (20%): We reviewed each company’s insurance offerings and how well they prevent damage during the move. Higher scores went to movers that offer full-value protection and use best practices like shrink wrap, padding, and floor guards.
• Scheduling (11%): We assessed how easy it is to request a quote, speak to a representative, and manage a move from start to finish. Companies with multiple contact options, digital tools like apps or customer portals, and streamlined booking processes stood out from the rest.