American Van Lines vs. International Van Lines (2024 Comparison)

Quick answer: In our American Van Lines vs. International Van Lines comparison, American Van Lines emerges as the overall winner for their expertise in specialty moves and dependable customer service.

While International Van Lines offers excellent international and long-distance moving services, AVL’s cost-effectiveness and reliability give them the edge.

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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 15% discounts

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Compare customer experiences

At moveBuddha, the Better Moves Project provides detailed customer feedback, offering a clear picture of what it’s like to work with leading moving companies. Here’s how American Van Lines and International Van Lines compare:

American Van Lines

Several customers who worked with American Van Lines told us they appreciated their budget-friendly services, clear communication, and careful attention to handling their belongings.

However, like any moving company, AVL has its drawbacks. Some customers noted issues with timeliness, inefficiency, and pricing discrepancies.

Customer praises

  • Affordable rates: After exploring her options using our moving cost calculator, Allison chose American Van Lines for their competitive pricing.
  • Good communication: Jen appreciated AVL’s consistent updates via phone calls and text messages as her moving day approached.
  • Careful handling: Phoenix was impressed that her art, guitars, and other valuables were delivered without damage, crediting AVL’s careful handling.

Customer complaints

  • Delayed deliveries: Allison faced a frustrating delay, with her belongings arriving nearly a month late due to unexpected staffing issues.
  • Scheduling concerns: While their communication was generally reliable, Jen wished she’d been notified sooner about her moving crew’s arrival time.
  • Inaccurate estimates: Phoenix experienced a last-minute price hike when AVL underestimated the weight of her belongings during the initial quote process.
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5

89% of users select this mover

International Van Lines

According to Better Moves participants, International Van Lines is a pro at providing moving tips, offering competitive rates, and handling delicate items carefully. Even so, there were a few complaints about pricing discrepancies and communication issues.

Customer praises

  • Expert pointers: Suresh said IVL gave him helpful tips leading up to the move that made packing and loading a breeze.
  • Competitive prices: Fabiana reported that IVL offered the most bang for her buck after gettting quotes from several movers.
  • Minimal damage: Suresh thanked IVL for moving and delivering his fragile dishes without damaging them.

Customer complaints

  • Inaccurate quotes: Mary couldn’t believe her bill was 30% higher than her quote and wished IVL had been more transparent about their fees.
  • Lackluster customer support: Fabiana would’ve appreciated a designated moving coordinator and more one-on-one conversations about her move.
  • Moving day communication: Mary was disappointed in IVL’s lack of communication regarding the pickup and delivery of her belongings.
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5

89% of users select this mover

Compare company reputation

American Van Lines

  • BBB rating: A
  • moveBuddha rating: 4.5/5
  • Average Better Moves rating: 3.3/5

American Van Lines is known for their expertise in handling specialty items and competitive flat-rate pricing. The company’s strong BBB rating reflects their dedication to resolving customer complaints and delivering dependable service.

While their Better Moves ratings aren’t the greatest, AVL performed well in our evaluation, suggesting they’re a reliable choice for your move.

mover
moveBuddha icon
Allison's Move with AVL
“I got quotes from PODS, U-Pack, and Safeway, but chose American Van Lines because of their amazing reviews and affordability. While my items arrived past the delivery date, the company was communicative and offered me a partial refund due to the delay, and I would recommend AVL to family and friends. Plus, all of my belongings arrive in pristine condition.”
From
NJ
To
TX
Cost
$4,050
Size
2 bdrms
Read The Full Story

International Van Lines

  • BBB rating: A+
  • moveBuddha rating: 4.45/5
  • Average Better Moves rating: 4.17/5

International Van Lines has built a solid reputation for their international and long-distance moving services, getting positive feedback for their expertise and pricing.

Their A+ BBB rating is a good indicator of how well they address customer complaints, and their solid moveBuddha ratings solidify them as a dependable mover.

mover
moveBuddha icon
Suresh's Move with International Van Lines
“My items were delivered perfectly on time and I received communication daily about the transit. I could clearly see their professionalism in packing, unpacking, and delivery.”
From
OH
To
TX
Cost
$4,500
Size
2 bdrms
Read The Full Story

Round winner: International Van Lines has a slight edge here, but both companies have built solid reputations in the moving industry.


Compare services

American Van Lines

American Van Lines offers reliable long-distance moving services in 48 states. They specialize in handling high-value items such as pianos and antiques, making them an excellent choice if you have specialty needs.

AVL also provides packing, unpacking, storage, and custom crating services. Their flat-rate pricing adds predictability to their services.

International Van Lines

International Van Lines excels at international and long-distance moves. Their service offerings include packing and unpacking, storage, and auto transport. IVL also provides specialty handling for fragile items and offers binding estimates.


Round winner: While both companies offer a stellar lineup of full-service moving options, we gave this round to American Van Lines for their specialty antique and piano services.


Compare state availability

American Van Lines

American Van Lines operates in 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Their extensive coverage makes them a reliable choice for most long-distance moves within the U.S.​

If you live in North Carolina, Florida, or Dallas-Fort Worth, you can also hire AVL for your local move.

International Van Lines

International Van Lines provides services across all 50 states and internationally in over 140 countries. Their extensive network also covers local moves nationwide, making them a more accessible pick regardless of where you’re moving.


Round winner: International Van Lines dominates this round with their broader state coverage and international network.


Compare cost structure

American Van Lines

American Van Lines uses flat-rate pricing, offering customers clear and predictable costs with no hidden fees. They also provide discounts for seniors and military families, making their services an affordable option for budget-conscious moving customers​.

International Van Lines

International Van Lines provides binding estimates, which aim to ensure customers won’t pay more than the price they’re quoted. However, IVL’s pricing tends to be higher than AVL’s, particularly for domestic moves. You may also be able to lower your moving costs with promotions like a senior and military discount.


Round winner: American Van Lines wins this round for their overall affordability.


Compare quote process

American Van Lines

American Van Lines offers virtual and in-home walkthroughs to provide binding estimates. AVL’s flat-rate pricing is designed to ensure costs remain consistent, but some readers have reported occasional pricing discrepancies​.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5

89% of users select this mover

International Van Lines

Similar to AVL, IVL offers binding estimates through virtual and in-home consultations. However, some customers have noted inconsistencies when subcontracted local movers are involved, leading to unexpected costs​.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5

89% of users select this mover


Round winner: American Van Lines takes the final round for having a more reliable and straightforward quoting process, while both companies have gotten mixed reviews about the accuracy of their quotes.


American Van Lines vs. International Van Lines: Final score

While International Van Lines excels in international and long-distance moving services, American Van Lines wins overall. AVL’s affordability and expertise in specialty moves make them the better choice for most customers.

If you’re looking for a dependable mover for domestic relocations with predictable costs, American Van Lines is the smarter pick. For international or local relocations, International Van Lines is a strong alternative.

Comparison category Round winner
Company reputation International Van Lines
Services American Van Lines
State availability International Van Lines
Cost structure American Van Lines
Quote process American Van Lines

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