2025 American Van Lines Review

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.

American Van Lines is a moving carrier with 30 years of experience in the industry. It operates as a carrier (meaning it uses its own trucks, drivers, and movers) under MC #294798 and USDOT #614506. 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 owned by Anthony Disorbo. Disorbo started the company in 1995 with just 20 employees. Now, the company has more than 100 employees and 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.

We got quotes for in-state moves in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Three-bedroom home moves start at $1,980. For a long-distance move for a three-bedroom house, we were quoted $8k-$10k range. Here's how all of the quotes turned out: 

For cross-country moves, a 3-bedroom relocation is quoted at $7,746, 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.

• Antique 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 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.

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 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), complaints about American Van lines have reduced dramatically over the years. In 2022, the FMCSA received 48 complaints, but in 2023, the complaints dropped to almost half.

Online, the reviews are more positive than negative. Over on Trustpilot, 82% of the reviews give AVL a 4- or 5-star rating. Plus, the Better Business Bureau gives American Van Lines an A rating.

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 stands out for its balanced approach, offering quotes ranging from $6,214 to $9,658 for a three-bedroom cross-country move. This positions it as a mid-range option, more affordable than International Van Lines, which quotes $9,000 to $13,000, but higher than North American Van Lines, which provides the most competitive pricing at $4,500 to $7,000. Mayzlin Relocation also offers mid-range pricing, with quotes between $7,500 and $9,000, making it another viable option for budget-minded movers.

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. 

We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor. During our searches, we:

• Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
• Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
• Go mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
• Perform site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
• Set up regular reviews. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.

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. It offers competitive pricing, with quotes starting as low as $6,214 for a three-bedroom cross-country move, making it an affordable option compared to some competitors. 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?