Best Moving Companies for Military Moves (2024)

• Our Rating: 4.9 out of 5
• Availability: 50 states
• USDOT #: 2293832

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.

IVL received our highest rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars due to its comprehensive list of basic and add-on services and its wide service area. It lost some points for not offering a rental truck option and financing. Here’s how it did in each category:

• Moving Services (59 out of 59 points): IVL scored all points in this area because it offers every moving service imaginable.
• Insurance Coverage (8 out of 8 points): The company scored perfectly in this category because it offers more than three different insurance options. You can pay for full-value protection or choose less expensive partial-value release plans.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): IVL’s scheduling and quote process is simple and easy with multiple communication options, including email and phone.
• Additional Benefits (10 out of 13 points): The company lost a few points in this category because it doesn’t provide financing or any do-it-yourself (DIY) moving methods. However, it offers comprehensive storage services and sells packing materials.
• Customer Service (12 out of 12 points): IVL has a positive reputation across online review sites. It has only had one crash report in the past two years, with most of its trucks passing federal inspection and remaining in service.

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:

• Custom crafting for high-value or fragile items
• Office relocation
• Packing
• Vehicle shipping

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.

• Sample quote: $4,200–$6,150 (three-bedroom move from Quantico, Virginia, to Beaufort, South Carolina)
• Deposit: 25%
• Payment accepted: Cash, cashier’s check, credit card (deposit only), money order

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.

• Our Rating: 4.4 out of 5
• Availability: 48 states*
• USDOT #: 614506

*American Van Lines isn’t available in Alaska or Hawaii

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.

American Van Lines earned a high rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars because of its moving services and insurance coverage. Here’s how it did across key categories:

• Moving Services (59 out of 59 points): American Van Lines scored all points in this category because it provides a full range of moving services, including full and partial packing options and antique and specialty services.
• Insurance Coverage (8 out of 8 points): The company gained all points in this area because it offers fully customizable insurance plans in addition to the released value plan.
• Scheduling (4 out of 8 points): American Van Lines has limited hours for such a large company. Its customer service hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST on Saturdays. The company is closed on Sundays.
• Additional Benefits (8 out of 13 points): It lost points in this category because it doesn’t offer financing or DIY services.
• Customer Service (9 out of 12 points): The company has a positive online reputation on the BBB, but we found some of its trucks appear to fail federal inspections regularly.

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

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.

• Sample quote: $2,900 (two-bedroom move from Beaufort, South Carolina, to Quantico, Virginia)
• Deposit: Up to 50% up-front
• Payment accepted: Cash, cashier’s check, credit card, money order, and traveler’s check

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.

• Our Rating: 4.4 out of 5
• Availability: 50 states
• USDOT #: 3034100

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.

IMRG scored 4.3 out of 5 stars. The company has an excellent service profile and flexibility regarding military moves. Here’s how it did in our key categories:

• Moving Services (59 out of 59 points): IMRG gained all points because it offers a full range of moving services like IVL and American Van Lines.
• Insurance Coverage (5 out of 8 points): The company scored lower because it only supplies two insurance plans: a partial-value protection plan and a full-value protection plan.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): It scored perfectly in this category because you can communicate with IMRG via the phone and online.
• Additional Benefits (6 out of 13 points): The company offers a decent selection of extra benefits but doesn’t provide any DIY moving options or financing for more budget-friendly military relocations. It also doesn’t offer storage services.
• Customer Service (9 out of 12 points): IMRG has a lower BBB rating when compared to our top two picks but a better FMCSA profile than most.

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

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:

• Sample quote: $4,450 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco)
• Deposit: Up to 33%
• Payment accepted: Credit card and check

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.

• Our rating: 3.5 out of 5.0
• Availability: 50 states
• USDOT #: 2946400

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.

U-Pack earned 3.5 out of 5 stars. We find it one of the best self-service movers for military relocations. Here’s how it did in each category:

• Moving Services (40 out of 59 points): U-Pack lost points in this category because it doesn’t offer local moving services, so you can’t use it for military moves less than 150 miles in total distance. However, the company is still a great option for long-distance military moves. 
• Insurance Coverage (5 out of 8 points): Unfortunately, the company limits its insurance options to one partial-value and one full-value plan.
• Scheduling (4 out of 8 points): U-Pack requires you to finalize any scheduling over the phone rather than online, but the company still provides quick turnaround times. 
• Additional Benefits (11 out of 13 points): U-Pack supplies plenty of extra benefits because of its focus on more self-service and cheaper moves. You still receive options for moving labor through third-party providers, including GPS tracking on all shipments.
• Customer Service (9 out of 12 points): U-Pack receives positive online reviews, but many of its trucks fail FMCSA inspections.

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)

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. 

• Sample quote: $2,380 (two-bedroom move from Quantico, Virginia, to Beaufort, South Carolina)
• Deposit: None
• Payment Accepted: Credit card, debit card, or PayPal

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.

• Our Rating: 4.1 out of 5
• Availability: 50 states
• USDOT #: 3756000

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.

Safeway earned 4.1 out of 5 stars and scored perfectly in the moving services and scheduling categories. Here’s how it did in each:

• Moving Services (59 out of 59 points): Safeway is mainly a broker, but it connects you with any required service, including partial packing, full packing, and specialty services.
• Insurance Coverage (5 out of 8 points): Its insurance options are more limited than IVL and American Van lines because it provides a single released value protection plan and one full-value protection plan.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): Safeway offers multiple communication methods, including phone, email, and chat options, making it an excellent choice if your military move needs to happen fast. 
• Additional Benefits (4 out of 13 points): Safeway scored the lowest in this category because it doesn’t guarantee certain extra perks such as GPS tracking, financing, and online resources. This all depends on the partner company you get.
• Customer Service (6 out of 12 points): Safeway suffers from a poor reputation due to some companies it brokers. We found that customers have mixed experiences once connected with certain movers, which may employ bait-and-switch pricing tactics.

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

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:

• Sample quote: $5,695 (three-bedroom move from Austin, Texas, to Nashville, Tennessee)
• Deposit: Up to 40%
• Payment accepted: Cash, credit card, certified check, and money order

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.

• Our Rating: 4.4 out of 5
• Availability: 50 states
• USDOT #: 2247863

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.

Moving APT scored 4.4 out of 5 stars, and here’s how it did in our key categories:

• Moving Services (59 out of 59 points): The company scored perfectly for its moving services because it connects you with movers who fulfill all standard military moving services. You can even get vehicle relocation services. 
• Insurance Coverage (5 out of 8 points): The company offers a released value protection plan and full-value options. Unfortunately, we noticed that specific options will vary according to what carrier you receive.
• Scheduling (4 out of 8 points): Moving APT only offers scheduling over the phone.
• Additional Benefits (8 out of 13 points): Moving APT offers moving truck rentals, which is rare for a full-service moving company. However, it falls short in this category because it doesn’t offer financing.
• Customer Service (12 out of 12 points): Moving APT has a B rating and lacks accreditation but boasts a higher customer review score and response rate on its BBB page than many other providers.

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

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. 

• Sample quote: $2,772–$5,472 (two-bedroom move from Quantico, Virginia, to Beaufort, South Carolina)
• Deposit: Varies between partners
• Payment accepted: Cash, check, and money order

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.

• Our Rating: 4.7 out of 5
• Availability: 50 states
• USDOT #: 1065394

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.

JK Moving scored 4.7 out of 5 stars. Its financing options and long-distance and international military moving services help it stand out. The company is better suited for you if you have a higher budget and don’t care about DIY options. 

• Moving Services (59 out of 59 points): JK Moving supplies comprehensive service options for military members, and you customize your moving package to fit your specific needs and wants.
• Insurance Coverage (5 out of 8 points): The company limits its insurance coverage to only two options, partial and full protection, despite providing more robust financing.
• Scheduling (8 out of 8 points): JK Moving offers phone and online options to schedule a more in-depth estimate for accurate pricing. These options remain available throughout the moving process, making your PSC convenient.
• Additional Benefits (10 out of 13 points): JK Moving offers financing programs, storage services, GPS tracking, and more. Unfortunately, JK Moving doesn’t provide online tools to help you learn about its pricing up-front, so you’ll have to undergo a more rigorous process than other providers.
• Customer Service (12 out of 12 points): The company maintains high customer review scores online, and its FMCSA profile features one injury and two tows.

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

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.

• Sample quote: $6,622 (two-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon to San Francisco)
• Deposit: $250 up-front
• Payment accepted: Cash and credit card

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.