First National Van Lines Company Review

Here’s the bottom line: First National Van Lines (FNVL) is a moving broker that coordinates interstate moves. As a moving broker, the company partners with other moving companies to help facilitate long distance moves. There isn’t a lot of information out there on FNVL, but the company was founded in 2020 in New Jersey.

Pros & cons of moving with First National Van Lines

Key takeaways

• First National Van Lines (USDOT#3091420) provides full-service moving services for local, long-distance, and international moves, backed by a price-match guarantee.
• They offer 30 days of storage for free on interstate moves, and can even provide packing materials.
• As a moving broker, they partner with other moving companies to provide nationwide coverage.

Jump to the First National Van Lines info you’re looking for:

• First National Van Lines pricing: How much it costs to move
• First National Van Lines offers a wide variety of services
• How First National Van Lines stacks up against the competition
• How moving with First National Van Lines works
• First National Van Lines is perfect for people who…
• FAQ

First National Van Lines pricing: How much it costs to move

While its prices are generally comparable to other full-service movers, one of the downsides of working with First National Van Lines is figuring out your total move cost.

As is typical for the industry, customers seeking a moving quote must complete the online request form by submitting contact information — including a phone number and email address— as well as basic move information like your current location, your moving destination, and the size of your home. You can also call First National Van Lines directly.

However, you can’t get an instant quote online. According to company representatives, they need an inventory list to provide an estimate. You’ll need to submit the inventory list online and then speak with a representative over the phone to get a quote.

While this can ensure you get an accurate quote (so you won’t get hit with surprise fees on moving day), it can be more time-consuming to do this yourself compared to working with movers that offer in-home or virtual walkthroughs to generate estimates.

That said, our moving cost calculator can give you a general idea of how much you can expect to pay.

Like other movers, factors like the size of your move and distance traveled will impact your estimate. Any optional add-on services you select, like packing and unpacking or customized electronics crates, will also increase your price.

In some cases, professional movers may be unable to directly access your location using a full-size 18-wheel vehicle based on space limitations or local ordinances prohibiting the entrance of these commercial vehicles.

In these situations, the movers will use a smaller shuttle bus as an intermediary means of transportation, which requires additional time, labor, and fuel. FNVL typically applies a $250–$500 charge to these situations.

Customers have the option of paying with cash, credit cards, and cashier’s or certified checks. A personal check might be acceptable with restrictions.

First National Van Lines has a price-match guarantee for any written estimates provided by a “reputable” competitor. The company promises to meet or beat quotes from its competitors, so it’s well worth getting multiple quotes to get the best price. Just keep in mind that the terms may limit which competitors First National will price match.

First National Van Lines offers a wide variety of services

First National Van Lines brands themselves as a full-service moving company offering the following services, according to their website:

• Local moves: First National Van Lines offers hourly rates on local moves —perfect for when you’re just moving across town.
• Long-distance moves: The company facilitates long-distance (more than 400 miles) and cross-country moves for residential and commercial customers.
• International moves: FNVL offers international relocation services to 150 countries using their network of agents. A global moving specialist conducts an initial consultation to determine which specific accommodations will be needed for the move. They also assist in obtaining a property protection plan and preparing your property to clear customs.
• Commercial moves: FNVL offers moving services to large and small companies. They offer expert logistical services and seek to minimize costly downtime. They move company assets like office furniture, equipment, and electronics.
• Packing services: First National Van Lines provides boxes, packing materials, tape, and other materials for an additional charge. You can also add on services like professional partial or full packing and unpacking services, which can be especially helpful for fragile items.
• Storage: FNVL offers a variety of storage options, including climate-controlled units for household goods that are sensitive to extreme temperatures or humidity. They provide storage-it-transit service to allow customers time to prepare their new home before the move date. Notably, all interstate moves include 30 days of storage at no extra charge.
• Contents protection: The company offers contents coverage packages to provide financial coverage for damage that occurs during transport. All moves come with basic coverage, and additional protection plans are available at an added cost.

How First National Van Lines stacks up against the competition

First National Van Lines is not as well known as some of its larger competitors like American Van Lines or International Van Lines (two of our best long-distance moving companies). FNVL is smaller with less history and operates only as a broker.

Customer reviews for First National Van Lines with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Consumer Affairs and other sites are mixed.

First National Van Lines vs. American Van Lines

American Van Lines is another popular full-service mover with a very impressive customer service score and some of the best pricing in the industry. American Van Lines offers a very efficient quoting process backed by AI tech, allowing them to quickly deliver accurate quotes, even for last-minute moves.

That being said, the company’s automated phone system is a source of complaints, with confusing menus and dropped calls being common issues, according to some customer reviews. The company also requires large deposits — up to 50% of your total move cost. Still, American Van Lines is also a good option for local and long-distance moves.

First National Van Lines vs. International Van Lines

International Van Lines is also frequently cited for having strong customer service for local, long-distance, and international moves. IVL operates as both a broker and carrier, so experiences may vary depending on which of the companies’ partners is actually performing the move.

However, thanks to its national coverage, IVL is able to provide competitive rates and can even service most domestic moves within 48 hours. They also offer an array of extra services, such as junk removal, storage, and auto transport.

First National Van Lines is perfect for people who can plan ahead and want high-quality help

If you need help with a full-service move (particularly for a large home with four or more bedrooms), First National Van Lines is well worth considering. Their reputation for friendly service and careful packing and loading means you’re likely to get quality help throughout the moving process and your items will arrive safely at your destination.

First National Van Lines probably isn’t the best option for last-minute moves, as the quote process with any full-service mover can be rather time-consuming. Similar to other full-service movers, budget-constrained households may also be able to find better prices by renting a moving truck or shipping container.

FAQ

Is First National Van Lines legit?

Yes, First National Van Lines is legitimate. The company is an authorized broker registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation. While it is not BBB accredited, the company has been in business since 2020 and has a strong reputation for customer service.

What services does First National Van Lines provide?

First National Van Lines provides full-service local, long-distance, and international moves for both residential and commercial customers. As a broker, it has a wide coverage area to service these moves.

Is First National Van Lines a good option?

First National Van Lines is strictly a moving broker and has a short history of being in business. The lack of information available about the company makes it hard to recommend.