Best Moving Companies for Military (2023)

Nov 03, 2023

Moving is a constant for military families. Each new permanent change of station (PCS) order means a new locale to call home for a few years. It also means you may feel like you’re in a steady cycle of packing and unpacking. One way to alleviate the headache of military moves is to hire professionals to handle your relocation.

As a member of the armed forces, efficiency and precision are likely traits you look for with any service-oriented business. To help you pick the right pro mover for your next assignment, we at the Guides Home Team have created a comprehensive guide to the top moving companies for the military. Providers featured in our review have been chosen from our list of the best moving companies based on services, pricing, military discounts and customer satisfaction.

Available nationwide and in more than 180 countries, International Van Lines (IVL) is fully licensed and insured as a Government Military Relocation Mover through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). IVL made our list of the top moving companies for the military because of its comprehensive contents protection plans. If you want to ensure your belongings will be safe, IVL offers all-risk and total-loss insurance in addition to full-value protection.

Provided for free by all movers as mandated by federal law, full-value protection estimates the value of your belongings based on weight alone. This free contents protection option compensates you for any damaged or broken items at 60 cents per pound. For example, a moving company would only pay you $12 for a damaged 20-pound television worth $800.

For an additional fee, total-loss and all-risk insurance will provide payouts based on value, not weight. Total-loss insurance protects you only against damages or losses of your entire shipment, not individual items. All-risk insurance does provide individual coverage but is slightly pricier. IVL provides a helpful breakdown of the anticipated cost of all-risk insurance on its website.

Here are some of IVL's strengths and weaknesses:

+ Provides a 10%–15% discount to active and retired military+ Is transparent about industry-standard fees on its website+ Is recognized for quality customer service by Newsweek and Statista, Inc.

– Charges an up-front deposit of 25% during scheduling– Outsources some of its moves, so customer experience may vary

Services: As a full-service moving company, International Van Lines provides packing, unpacking, loading and unloading, all of which can be complemented by one or more add-on relocation services. Add-on options include vehicle shipping, short- and long-term storage, disassembly and reassembly of furniture.

If you prefer to take care of most of the packing yourself, IVL can handle only your fragile items and will construct custom crates for large or oddly shaped breakables that don't fit in standard boxes.

Cost: International Van Lines can give you a rough estimate of your moving costs through its website. However, the distance, time of year and size of your out-of-state or cross-country move will determine the total cost of your relocation with International Van Lines. Additionally, any optional services, including all-risk and total-loss insurance, will increase your moving costs. After reviewing the details of your move with a customer service representative, you will receive a ballpark moving quote. IVL will not give a binding estimate, which is the exact price you can expect to pay on moving day.

Be sure to mention your armed forces status, as IVL provides a 10%–15% discount to active and retired military. You will need to pay a 25% deposit to book your move. IVL accepts all major credit cards, as well as cash.

Get a quote: Fill out International Van Lines’ quick online form to get a free moving quote.

To learn more: International Van Lines Review

While its local moving capabilities are limited to North Carolina, South Florida and Dallas-Fort Worth, American Van Lines is our top choice for long-distance moves. This is because the company strives for expert moving staff. All moving crew members are employed full-time and are required to complete ongoing training in safety and proper handling of difficult items like pianos.

American Van Lines is well-equipped to take on last-minute moving requests and deliver seven days a week. If you have to ship your vehicle, the company offers weekly shuttle services for customers to and from every major city in the contiguous United States.

The following are some highlights and downsides to AVL:

+ Uses crews composed of full-time, annually trained movers+ Offers price matching on lower estimates from competitors+ Provides 24-hour security surveillance at its storage facilities

– Will only provide a guaranteed delivery date if you pay an additional fee– Does not provide instant moving quotes on its website or over the phone

Services: American Van Lines can handle full-service long-distance and international moves throughout the continental United States. The company supports partial-service moves by offering moving supplies and specialty services such as fragile-only packing. Other add-on options include climate-controlled storage, vehicle shipping, furniture disassembly and reassembly.

Cost: Although American Van Lines does not give online moving quotes, the company will give you a binding estimate after an in-depth assessment of the size of your home and belongings. A binding estimate, also called flat-rate pricing, is an accurate cost that will not change on moving day, provided you do not add items to your shipment after AVL completes its review of your home.

Like many moving companies, American Van Lines requires a deposit to reserve a moving date. However, AVL's deposits can be anywhere from 10% to 50% of your total cost. Accepted forms of payment are cash and credit cards.

Get a quote: Complete American Van Lines’ quick questionnaire for your free personalized moving quote.

To learn more: American Van Lines Review

Moving APT operates strictly as a moving broker, meaning the company does not provide services directly. Instead, Moving APT can coordinate your relocation through one of the 2,500 independent professional movers within its network. The company's extensive network also means it can often leverage lower prices than you could negotiate on your own.

Another advantage of Moving APT is that it provides financing for those who need assistance paying for their relocation. The company also accepts multiple forms of payment.

We found the following positive and negative aspects of Moving APT:

+ Offers multiple discounts, including one for military members+ Provides customer support 24/7+ Monitors moving crews from pickup to delivery

– Has numerous complaints registered with the USDOT– Does not include discount rates on its website

We reached out to Moving APT for comment regarding the complaints on USDOT but have not received a response.

Services: Moving APT's network of providers can handle full- and partial-service relocations nationwide and internationally. The company provides most of the same specialty services as standard carriers, including storage, car and boat transport and handling bulky and expensive items like fitness equipment. Moving APT can also accommodate requests for assistance with appliance and furniture disassembly and reassembly.

Cost: Although you can get a general price through Moving APT's online moving calculator, you will need to create an itemized list of belongings and complete a virtual or an in-home assessment to get a binding estimate.

In addition to a military discount, Moving APT provides reduced rates for senior citizens and differently abled individuals. The company will also lower your bill if you book your move well in advance. However, it's important to note that an up-front deposit will be due at scheduling. Cash, credit cards and certified checks are accepted.

Get a quote: Visit the Moving APT website to get your free moving quote.

We recommend Allied Van Lines overall for its experience in the industry and impressive menu of optional add-on services. In business for nearly a century, Allied Van Lines is one of the longest-running moving companies in the industry.

Included in its a la carte menu of add-on options is vehicle transport using Allied's fleet of open and enclosed trucks. The company also has its own line of portable moving containers that, unlike PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT, provides loading and unloading support standard with every rental.

Take a look at a few upsides and downsides of Allied:

+ Provides each customer with a personal moving consultant+ Will deliver items in short-term storage (90 days or less) for free+ Covers vehicles against damages of up to $100,000 while in transport

– Requires long-distance moves to be booked at least one month in advance– Charges your payment in full before your actual moving date

Services: Allied Van Lines provides standard full-service moves that include packing, unpacking, loading and unloading. The company will also accommodate partial moves with fragile-only packing. In addition to vehicle shipping and mobile moving containers, Allied can disconnect and reconnect your appliances at your new home. Other optional services include furniture disassembly and reassembly, a mobile app and GPS shipment tracking.

Cost: Allied Van Lines has an online moving calculator that will give you a general pricing estimate. The company will review your home's layout and moving shipment before providing you with a binding estimate. Other factors Allied will use to calculate your cost include when and where you are moving and the size of your move, measured by the estimated weight of your items.

You can reserve a moving date with Allied Van Lines without paying a deposit. Allied accepts credit cards, certified checks and cash.

Get a quote: Take this quick online survey to find out how much it would cost to move with Allied Van Lines.

To learn more: Allied Van Lines Review

North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a long-standing full-service moving company that stands out for its streamlined system that removes the headache of filing claims. You can easily file a domestic or international claim online if any of your items are damaged, broken, lost or stolen during your move. If you have questions or would rather speak to a live representative, NAVL has a dedicated line for claims. This means you won't likely be stuck on hold or have to navigate an automated menu before getting assistance through a general customer service phone number.

Here is a quick look at some of NAVL's pros and cons:

+ Has special discount programs for American Legion and Veterans Advantage members+ Trains drivers through a simulator tool to handle adverse weather and road conditions+ Offers a mobile app specifically for tracking international moving shipments

– Has mixed customer reviews due to the outsourcing of some moves– Is limited in its onsite storage availability

Services: North American Van Lines provides full-service, fragile-only packing and self-packing moves of all sizes locally, long-distance and internationally. Regardless of the moving plan, customers can personalize their experience by selecting extra services like storage options, house cleaning, debris removal, vehicle transport and custom crating of electronics and oversized items.

Cost: Add-on services will increase your total moving cost with North American Van Lines, as will the time of year you plan to move and the total weight of your belongings. You can get a price range for your move based on your moving date, home size and destination using NAVL's online calculator tool. To get a binding estimate, the company will need to complete a virtual or in-person assessment of your home.

NAVL provides several discounts and benefits for military veterans. American Legion members can get up to 50% off the total cost of their move. The company also offers a program to Legion members and Veterans Advantage VetRewards cardholders that provides ongoing rebates and perks, such as up to $100,000 in replacement coverage protection on household items while in transit. The program has exclusive offers on storage and entitles members to nonpeak rates year-round.

You can book a move with NAVL without putting down a deposit. The company will accept payments in the form of credit card, cash and certified check.

Get a quote: Complete this quick form for a free online moving quote from North American Van Lines.

To learn more: North American Van Lines review

If your move is small — or you prefer a more DIY approach to relocation — PODS is our top pick for self-service providers because it allows for a flexible moving schedule supported by various add-on options. Through PODS, you can rent mobile moving-and-storage containers for domestic relocations for up to 30 days at a time. The company will drop off your containers at your current home for you to load at your own pace.

If you need assistance, PODS can connect you with a local third-party crew at an additional charge. Once you have filled your containers, PODS will pick them up and deliver them to your new home or a storage facility in or near your new ZIP code.

While PODS promotes availability in nearly every U.S. state, it's important to note that the company does not have any physical locations in Vermont or West Virginia and, therefore, has limited availability in those states.

Here are some highlights of what we like and don't like about PODS:

+ Has multiple container sizes+ Handles paperwork for government-reimbursed military moves+ Offers vehicle shipping

– Will not prorate rentals that take fewer than 30 days– Is not available nationwide

Services: PODS has 8-foot containers ideal for studio apartments and 12- and 16-foot options for larger moving shipments. In addition to driveway-to-driveway container service, PODS partners with several contract labor companies for optional assistance with packing, unpacking, loading and unloading. PODS also offers short- and long-term storage and contents protection plans.

If you are active-duty military, PODS will handle your personally procured move (PPM) weight tickets for you at the time of container pickup to help reduce weigh-station delays and cut down on paperwork. The company sells packing supplies, including kits for each container size, with everything you will need for your move. Shipping for online orders is free and expedited. The website also includes helpful tips for loading your container efficiently and safely.

Cost: PODS only rents containers monthly, so you will be charged for a full 30 days regardless of how long your move takes. The company offers a 10% discount to active and retired military.

PODS will only give you an instant online quote for moves fewer than 50 miles. You must speak with a customer service representative for pricing on long-distance moves. Over-the-phone quotes are valid for seven days and include initial delivery of containers and pickup and delivery to your new home or a designated storage location.

You can schedule container delivery and make payments through the PODS website using a major credit card. Cash and check payments may be accepted at PODS offices, although that varies by location.

To learn more: PODS Review

Similar to PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT is a self-service moving company that delivers portable steel containers to your door for you to load on your own. Once filled, the company will pick up your container and transport it to your location. Containers are rented monthly, giving you time to move your belongings out of your home ahead of relocation.

We recommend 1-800-PACK-RAT if you need to store your belongings as part of your military relocation since the company offers the convenience of short-term onsite storage and long-term storage facilities. The company operates climate-controlled storage facilities in each of the states it serves. However, it's important to check 1-800-PACK-RAT's website to see how close a storage facility is to your new post.

The following are some pros and cons of 1-800-PACK-RAT:

+ Offers three sizes of containers, most of which are equipped with barn-style doors for easier loading and unloading+ Will match lower estimates from PODS+ Will advance your PPM government reimbursement for moving, so you don't have any up-front costs

– Is not available in 20 states– Does not offer online scheduling for container deliveries

Services: 1-800-PACK-RAT has 8-, 12- and 16-foot containers that are waterproof and designed to be used without a loading ramp. According to the company's website, its patented lift system provides stability while loading containers onto moving trucks, helping reduce damage to household goods due to shifting.

In addition to contracted hourly labor, you can complement your self-service move with 1-800-PACK-RAT through various add-on services and resources, including vehicle shipping and contents protection plans. 1-800-PACK-RAT sells moving supplies, including container kits, directly through its website, which also contains helpful blog posts, moving tips and instructional videos. You can also use the company's online space calculator to help you determine the size and number of containers you will need for your move.

Cost: 1-800-PACK-RAT has an instant quote tool for general cost estimates, but a customer service representative can provide you with a more accurate quote. The company discounts all long-distance relocations by 10% and provides an additional 10% off moving and storage services for active and retired military.

Payments to 1-800-PACK-RAT can be made by credit card.

Get a quote: Take this quick online questionnaire for a free moving estimate from 1-800-PACK-RAT.

Full-service movers typically provide loading and unloading assistance, transport and delivery as part of their basic packages. Full-service companies can pack some or all of your belongings for an additional fee. Many will disassemble and reassemble large pieces of furniture, such as bed frames, and disconnect and reconnect your major appliances.

While full-service moves are typically more expensive than the DIY approach, they provide some peace of mind that skilled crews are carefully handling your items. It's important to note that full-service moves often require a home assessment, whereas self-service moving requests take less time to coordinate.

Self-service movers offer a more cost-effective alternative to traditional professional moving companies. However, the savings comes at the cost of having to do most of the planning, packing and heavy lifting without the assistance of a crew. And you can often end up spending more on a self-service mover than anticipated.

For example, in our 2021 survey of 1,000 consumers who had recently moved, 181 (of 823) consumers who used a rental truck service like U-Haul or Penske said they ended up paying more than $500 for the rental. Another 75 of them reported paying more than $1,500.

Many self-service providers can connect you with companies such as HireAHelper if you need help packing or loading up boxes and furniture. Additional perks and optional services, such as vehicle shipping will increase the total cost of your self-service move. But if your move is relatively small or you prefer to complete your move over time, you might find a self-service company more appealing than a full-service mover.

Before choosing between full-service support and a DIY approach, the first step in planning your PCS should be to determine which services will be necessary to accommodate your relocation. The distance and size of your move will affect the overall cost, so be sure to get quotes from at least three companies to compare pricing.

It will also likely be helpful to find moving companies that are experienced with PPMs. A company like International Van Lines might be worth considering since the USDOT recognizes it as a licensed and insured government and military relocation company. Self-service companies like PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT can take care of your PPM paperwork for you and in most instances, PACK-RAT will not charge you for your move and instead accept your government reimbursement directly as payment.

Many companies — including those mentioned above, as well as Moving APT and North American Van Lines — actively promote discounts for active armed forces members and veterans. However, you should check with any moving company you are considering to see what deals and perks they may be able to provide for your military relocation.

See how the best moving companies compare on key metrics.

Provider

International Van Lines

American Van Lines

Moving APT

Allied Van Lines

North American Van Lines

PODS

1-800-PACK-RAT

Get a Quote

Visit IVl

Visit AVL

Visit Moving APT

Visit Allied

Visit NAVL

Visit PODS

Visit PACK-RAT

Availability

50

48

50

50

50

46

30

Type of Mover

Full-service

Full-service

Full-service

Full-service

Full-service

Self-service

Self-service

Binding Estimate?

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

N/A

N/A

The government will pay for your move with certain applicable restrictions. If you have been approved by your installation's transportation office for a PPM move and submitted all necessary paperwork and receipts, you will receive a reimbursement for most or all of your moving expenses, including temporary lodging and meals while en route.

According to Military.com, Pentagon policy discourages military personnel from tipping or providing snacks and refreshments to moving crews. Move.mil, a widely utilized resource for military families planning PCS relocations, similarly notes a perceived expectation to tip or feed movers may put an undue financial strain on service members.

While tipping is not recommended — and certainly not required — you do have the option to do so if you so choose.

The best moving company for your military relocation depends on your specific circumstances. For example, a military family of four in a three-bedroom home has different needs than a single service member in a studio apartment.

Many pro movers offer military discounts, but it's important to inquire about companies’ expertise as military movers and any specific military moving services they offer. Those with experience with PPM paperwork and reimbursements and other unique military relocation requirements may provide you with a more efficient and stress-free move. If you are unsure which military mover to choose, your installation's transportation office can provide advice and recommendations.

Our team created a comprehensive ratings system to rank moving companies based on industry standards and customer experience. We called each moving company to speak with representatives, simulated the quote process online and over the phone as applicable, reviewed each company's contents protection (insurance) plans, and examined customer reviews for each provider.

After gathering this information and communicating with customer service representatives, we scored each company in the following categories: moving and additional services, mover type, trailers/containers, insurance coverage, payment process, scheduling and geographical availability, additional benefits and reputation.