American Van Lines Review 2026

American Van Lines (AVL) is one of our favorite moving companies. The company’s flat rate fee makes moving simpler, and it has three decades of experience moving big-ticket items like pianos, artwork, and heirlooms. Add in that this company has been in business since 1995, and you can see why it’s one of the most popular moving companies in the country.

We’ve put together information to help you see how American Van Lines compares to competitors so you can decide if it’s right for your budget and next big move.

See where American Van Lines ranks on our list of the Best Long Distance Moving Companies.

American Van Lines is a moving carrier with 30+ years of experience in the industry. It operates as a carrier (meaning it holds its own FMCSA operating authority, primarily using its own trucks, drivers, and movers) under MC #294798 and USDOT #614506 — though it may bring in third-party movers when demand exceeds its own crew and truck availability. The company provides both local and long-distance moving services, earning high customer ratings. However, you can't track your shipment using GPS during transport, which is a perk many moving companies provide.

American Van Lines is a privately held, family-owned and operated company. It's leadership team includes Stephen Westerberg (CEO), and  Anthony Disorbo (President).

American Van Lines was opened in 1995 with 20 employees. Now, it employs  around 100 people. It has helped move over 50,000 families.

"I began my journey to revolutionize the moving industry with only two trucks and a dream," Disorbo said on social media. "We have since grown to have multiple locations in order to better serve American Van Lines customers and ensure a hassle-free, affordable move for companies, individuals and families."

The average cost of 28 sample moves posted on AVL’s website is approximately $3,820.¹ Our research suggests that average cost is likely lower than most customers will pay. Moving expenses range widely based on the size of your home, the distance of your move, and even the time of year.

American Van Lines requires an upfront deposit of 10–50% depending on the specifics of your move.

American Van Lines doesn't publish flat-rate pricing because every move is quoted individually. Costs depend on factors like shipment weight, distance, move date, and any additional services you choose. Based on our latest pricing research, a typical three-bedroom cross-country move costs about $7,746 with American Van Lines, though your final quote may be higher or lower depending on the details of your move. 

For cross-country moves, a 3-bedroom relocation is quoted at $9,732, while in-state and regional 3-bedroom moves range from $4,760 to $5,899. Local moves are more budget-friendly, with a 1-bedroom move costing $720, a 2-bedroom move priced at $1,260, and a 3-bedroom move at $1,980. These quotes highlight American Van Lines' flexibility in accommodating moves of varying distances and sizes.

Find a better price with another carrier? American Van Lines will match the price as long as the items that need to be moved and the services are the same.

American Van Lines offers a wide range of discounts, so you're likely to find one for your move. First off, they offer up to 67% off full tariff rates. Here are some more discounts that American Van Lines offers:

• Move.org reader discount (that's you!)
• Military
• Seniors
• Membership discounts (AAA, AARP, Costco, Union, etc)
• Students
• Teachers
• Law enforcement
• First responders
• Early reservation discount

AVL’s flat rates are one of the moving company’s best features. To understand why it’s important, you need to know how pricing typically works.

For example, let’s say you need to move your belongings across the country, including a grand piano. Most companies will charge you a base rate primarily based on weight but then tack on extra fees for things like bulky items, piano moving, and packing materials.

None of those things cost extra with American Van Lines. You pay a flat rate and then get access to everything the company offers. Is your new apartment on the third floor? AVL doesn’t charge an additional elevator or stairs fee. Need storage? Your first month is free.

The savings can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. Plus, your bill is simple to understand. It’s one of the moving industry’s best one-two combos.

Want a no-hassle flat rate fee?

American Van Lines has a clear policy when it comes to cancellations and rescheduling of services. Customers can cancel their estimates penalty-free and receive a full refund of their deposit if the cancellation is made in writing within three days of signing the Bill of Lading.

However, once the three-day window has passed or if the mover has begun physical services such as packing, loading, storage, or transportation, cancellations are not allowed, and deposits are non-refundable. 

American Van Lines offers a variety of features and services for local, long-distance, and military customers.

• Antiques and fine art moving
• Commercial moving
• Corporate relocations
• Crating services
• Last-minute moves
• Moving and storage
• Nationwide locations
• Packing services
• Piano moving
• Seven days/week delivery
• Shuttle service
• Maid service

Like many moving companies, American Van Lines offers storage options to its customers. The downside is that this service is only provided in the three states where American has offices: Florida, Texas, and North Carolina. And there is only one storage location in each state. On the up side, the storage facilities are fireproof and stormproof.

American Van Lines can technically move you anywhere you want to go in North America — or the world. However, the company doesn’t widely advertise its international moves (which technically include Alaska and Hawaii), so you’ll want to ask an AVL rep for more information about your specific needs.

American Van Lines has over 30 years of experience moving valuable items. AVL knows how to safely transport your valuables—from collectible art and fine china to family heirlooms and grand pianos. Its packing experts even use specialized crates and boxes for easily damaged items like odd-shaped mirrors.

American Van Lines feels like a professional outfit from the get-go. You don’t need to worry if you hired cheap labor or workers the company hasn’t properly vetted. Movers undergo prescreening and drug testing as part of the hiring process and participate in the company’s innovative training program. And these typically aren’t newbies. American Van Lines says that its average mover has a decade of experience.

We also like that the company has an online claim form and an online email form, so you can contact them without making a phone call. Not all moving companies can say the same. They also have a bunch of other ways to get in touch:

• Customer Service number: (954) 318-1246, available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
• After Hours Emergency Line: (305) 828-4443
• Email: [email protected]

Here at Move.org we go the extra mile to find out exactly how well a moving company treats their customers. We get quotes, talk to the brands, and even help with real moves.

During our hands-on experience, we got a call right away through their online quote form. Unfortunately, unlike other companies, the form only gathers limited information, so the company can't give you a general quote through email. That's a bummer if you just want a ballpark estimate and don't want to waste time talking to a customer service rep. But it makes sense if you want the most accurate quote you can get.

When we helped a real American Van Lines customer with her move, AVL was on time and items were delivered damage-free. The company was also very transparent and wasn't pushy with up-selling. They did hit her with an unexpected price increase (2.6% more than quoted), without any explanation. 

According to FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database, American Van Lines' complaint volume has fluctuated over the past several years: 30 in 2024, rising to 70 in 2025. As of mid-2026, the company has 64 complaints on record for the year. The large majority of complaints across all years fall under the "Moving Company" category. We reached out to American Van Lines about the recent increase and will update this section with their response.

Online, the reviews are more positive than negative. Over on Trustpilot, 72% of the reviewers give AVL a 4- or 5-star rating.

American Van Lines is not accredited by The Better Business Bureau, where they have a 4.09 out of five star rating. On the BBB's website, this information has recently been posted: "It has come to BBB’s attention that the business is
allegedly requesting that customers withdraw the text of complaints
or customer reviews posted on the BBB
website as a condition of resolving the issues. Consent to post the text of a
complaint or a customer review is solely at the discretion of the customer. The business may only
choose whether to have its response to the complaint posted or not."

 

The biggest thing that stands out when you pit American Van Lines against other movers is the flat-rate approach. Instead of nickeling and diming you with a host of add-on services like packing and storage, those basics are included in American's flat-rate estimates. From our perspective, this gives you a lot more value for the money.

When comparing American Van Lines to other top long-distance moving companies, it becomes clear that each company has strengths tailored to different customer needs. American Van Lines is competitively priced among full-service interstate movers. Based on our latest pricing research, a typical three-bedroom cross-country move costs over $9,000, which is in line with other national carriers. As with any moving company, your final quote will vary based on your route, shipment size, move date, and any additional services.

Deposit requirements further differentiate these companies. American Van Lines asks for a deposit ranging from 10% to 50%, which is relatively moderate compared to International Van Lines' standard 30% or Mayzlin Relocation's 25%. On the other hand, North American Van Lines and Mayflower shine by not requiring any deposit at all, making them attractive to budget-conscious customers who prefer greater flexibility.

Discounts can make a significant difference in the final cost of a move. American Van Lines and International Van Lines both offer discounts for our readers, giving customers another opportunity to save on their relocation expenses. In contrast, companies like Mayzlin Relocation and North American Van Lines don't provide Move.org discounts but make up for it in other areas, such as competitive pricing or zero deposit requirements.

American Van Lines is one of our best long-distance moving companies because it stands out as a reliable and well-rounded moving company with about 30 years of experience in the industry. If you're looking for a premium full-service interstate mover, American Van Lines offers competitive pricing and binding estimates.

Based on our latest pricing research, a typical three-bedroom cross-country move costs about $7,700, although your quote will depend on the specifics of your move. Its deposit requirement, ranging from 10% to 50%, is reasonable and more flexible than many other moving companies, providing customers with manageable upfront costs. Additionally, the company partners with us to offer discounts, allowing our readers to save on their moves.

American Van Lines' transparent cancellation policy also adds to its appeal, ensuring that customers can cancel penalty-free within three days of signing the Bill of Lading. With a focus on reliability, affordability, and customer satisfaction, American Van Lines is a strong choice for anyone planning a domestic move.

Want simple flat-rate pricing?

For our American Van Lines review, we used a comprehensive and hands-on approach to evaluate the company for long-distance and local moves. We began by gathering quotes from the company, assessing whether they provide binding estimates, and reviewing customer feedback about their pricing. 

Next, we verified the company's legitimacy by checking its records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database. This ensures that the company is authorized to transport household goods.

We go beyond just researching by assisting with real moves to experience the process firsthand. For American Van Lines, we observed their punctuality, care in handling items, and transparency in service, though we also noted areas for improvement, such as unexpected price changes. 

In late 2024, Move.org adopted an updated, more rigorous editorial strategy. This change included new editorial leadership and in-depth data collection and analysis from a dedicated data analyst. Our new approach is rooted in cutting through the noise to provide readers with honest, unfiltered information and reviews they can rely on. We are committed to bringing expert-backed insights that go beyond surface-level research.

We aim to clarify misleading marketing, uncover real customer experiences, and highlight the best each company offers. We know that moving is a deeply personal experience, and that’s why we’re on a mission to identify the good, the bad, and the ugly so you can find the cross-country mover that meets your unique needs—while avoiding the common pitfalls that can be both financially and emotionally costly. Here’s how we do it:

1. In-depth research and mystery shopping.
2. Industry verification and regulatory compliance.
3. Real-world moving experiences.
4. Collaboration with moving companies and cross-verification.
5. Ongoing monitoring and updates.
6. A 5-point rating systems that looks at pricing and value, customer service and experience, services and extras, availability and scheduling, and reputation.

To learn more about how we evaluate and review cross-country moving companies, read our full methodology.

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1. American Van Lines, “How Much Does Moving Cost?” Accessed December 18, 2024.
2. American Van Lines, “Owner of American Van Lines.” Accessed December 18, 2024.