American Van Lines (AVL) is a seasoned full-service mover with nationwide reach and deep expertise in handling specialty items. The company is a strong choice if you're looking for careful, experienced crews and predictable flat-rate pricing for your long-distance move.
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Key Takeaways
- Specializes in moving antiques, pianos, and fine art
- Offers flat-rate, all-inclusive pricing
- Climate-controlled storage available for short- and long-term needs
- Accommodates last-minute moves in the continental U.S.
- No online tracking available for shipments
In Our Review
American Van Lines: Pros & Cons
AVL has built a reputation for dependable service and professional handling of moves, though some limitations and costs are worth noting.
Pros
- Professionally trained crews with certification in antique and specialty item handling
- Optional customized crating for oversized, high-value, or fragile items
- Consistently strong customer reviews for care and professionalism during moves
- Dedicated coordination for military and corporate relocations
Cons
- Doesn’t have an online calculator
- No shipment tracking available online
How Much Does American Van Lines Cost?
The average cost to move with American Van Lines is around $3,948, based on recent customer data. Your specific price will depend on factors such as:
- The distance and size of the move
- Extra services like packing or crating
- Time of year and availability
Binding estimates are available through virtual or in-person consultations, which help prevent unexpected charges. That said, if your inventory changes significantly, your final price could increase.
American Van Lines Services
American Van Lines offers a comprehensive set of full-service solutions for customers planning long-distance, corporate, military, or specialty moves. Here’s what you can expect:
- Local and long-distance moves: The company supports both small local relocations and large cross-country moves, using hourly or flat-rate pricing depending on the distance and complexity.
- Partial or full packing and unpacking services: Customers can choose to have AVL pack all or some of their belongings using professional-grade supplies and careful labeling for added peace of mind.
- Handling of high-value items: AVL is known for safely transporting antiques, fine art, pianos, and other delicate or oversized possessions using custom crating and trained movers.
- Climate-controlled storage facilities: Whether you need short- or long-term storage, AVL offers secure, temperature- and humidity-controlled options monitored 24/7.
- Military relocations: The company assists with Personally Procured Moves (PPMs) and offers special discounts and a dedicated move coordinator for military families.
- Corporate and commercial relocations: AVL helps businesses relocate offices and staff efficiently with tailored planning, office furniture disassembly, and secure IT transport.
- Basic furniture disassembly and reassembly: Large or complex furniture pieces are taken apart and reassembled as part of your full-service move, helping reduce stress on moving day.
- Moving supplies: For DIY packers, AVL offers boxes, packing tape, cushioning materials, and specialty containers designed to protect fragile or awkwardly shaped items.
American Van Lines vs. the Competition
American Van Lines positions themselves as a dependable, full-service mover with a strong emphasis on experienced crews and the careful handling of delicate or high-value items. While AVL excels in certain areas, it’s important to understand how it stacks up against some of the top competitors in the industry.
American Van Lines vs. Colonial Van Lines
Both AVL and Colonial Van Lines specialize in long-distance and cross-country moves, but they differ in how services are delivered. Take a quick look:
- Quote process: Colonial offers virtual or phone estimates but does not have an online quote calculator. AVL also requires phone or virtual walkthroughs but tends to deliver more detailed binding estimates based on inventory accuracy.
- Specialty services: AVL focuses heavily on fragile, high-value item handling. Colonial is better known for corporate and military move management.
- Pricing: AVL requires a 10%–50% deposit. Colonial typically requests 10%–40%. Both are within a normal range for the moving industry.
- Best for: Choose AVL if you prioritize highly trained in-house crews and specialty item handling. Go with Colonial if you're coordinating a corporate or military move and want more extensive service bundling.
American Van Lines vs. Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving and AVL are top-rated long-distance movers with some notable differences:
- Value: Safeway offers flat-rate pricing and free short-term storage (long-distance moves only). AVL charges for storage separately but provides more white-glove support.
- Flexibility: Safeway typically only handles long-distance moves, while AVL can support some smaller, local relocations.
- Military support: Both offer military discounts, but Safeway is veteran-owned and designed with service members in mind.
- Best for: If you’re looking for affordable flat-rate pricing and military discounts, Safeway is a great fit. If you need careful handling of valuables and don't mind paying a premium, AVL is the better choice.
FAQs
How much does American Van Lines charge for long-distance moves?
Costs typically range from $3,000 to $5,000 for one- to two-bedroom moves over 1,000 miles, depending on services and specifics.
Is American Van Lines a broker or a carrier?
American Van Lines operates primarily as a carrier, using their own in-house crews for many moves. However, like most large van lines, they also rely on a vetted network of local moving partners to handle certain relocations, especially in areas where they don’t have direct coverage. This allows them to offer broader service while maintaining quality through trusted affiliates.
Does AVL offer binding estimates?
Yes, but only through in-home or virtual assessments, which ensures pricing is as accurate as possible.
Can American Van Lines move antiques or pianos?
Yes. The company is highly rated for handling fragile, high-value items like fine art, antiques, and musical instruments.
