National Van Lines Review: Cost, Services, Reputation
Here’s the bottom line: National Van Lines (NVL) is a Broadview, Illinois, van line that has moved households since 1929 and holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. NVL says most long-distance moves cost $2,000 – $7,500, and its agent network handles local, long-distance, and international moves. This National Van Lines review covers costs, customer reviews, services, and how NVL compares to the best interstate moving companies.
Key takeaways
- National Van Lines (USDOT #76628) is licensed as both a household goods carrier & broker, and most moves go through its network of local agents.
- NVL offers packing, specialty crating, international moves, and short- and long-term storage for homes and businesses.
- Service quality depends on the agent handling your move, and NVL has a 2.1-star Trustpilot score as of September 2026.
- Use our moving cost calculator to compare NVL’s quote against other movers on your route.
Pros & cons of moving with National Van Lines
- In business since 1929
- A+ BBB rating & accreditation
- Full-service packing & unpacking
- Licensed for international moves
- Custom crating & specialty items
- Short- & long-term storage
- Government, military & corporate moves
- Service varies by local agent
- Low basic liability coverage
- No agents listed in six states
- Online quotes are non-binding
- Shipment tracking costs extra
Why compare movers with moveBuddha?
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Jump to the National Van Lines info you’re looking for:
What do National Van Lines customer reviews say?
National Van Lines customer reviews are split between praise for careful crews and complaints about delays and claims. NVL holds an A+ rating on its BBB profile and has been BBB accredited since 2005, but it scores 2.1 out of 5 stars across 79 Trustpilot reviews as of September 2026.
Positive reviews credit coordinators who explain the quote process and crews who pad furniture and unload into the right rooms. Negative reviews describe missed delivery windows, shipments held in storage while NVL finds a driver, and slow damage claims.
“We had most of our things in boxes but they wrapped most of the furniture in plastic and added padding here and there. Everything arrived in great shape with nothing missing.”
—Customer review, Trustpilot
“We were told our belongings would go directly onto a trailer and remain there until delivery. That did not happen.”
—Customer review, Trustpilot
“They broke my $500 desk and still charged me for moving it, didn’t answer my claim emails for 4 months and didn’t pay me a penny for it!”
—Customer review, Trustpilot
Your experience with NVL depends largely on the local agent and driver assigned to your move. moveBuddha’s analysis of 1 million+ moving reviews points to the same fix: ask who will pack, load, and drive your shipment before you sign.
How much does it cost to move with National Van Lines?
National Van Lines says most long-distance moves cost $2,000 – $7,500, depending on shipment weight, distance, and services like packing, storage, and specialty items. NVL recommends booking at least 4 – 8 weeks ahead, especially for moves from May through September.
Your online quote is non-binding. You get a binding estimate only after a virtual or in-house walk-through, and customers who underestimate their inventory are the most likely to see a higher final bill.
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so you can see whether NVL’s quote fits your specific move before you commit.
Pro tip: Ask NVL for full-value protection pricing with your quote, since basic released-value coverage pays only a fraction of what most items are worth. Our guide to moving insurance explains your options.
What moving services does National Van Lines offer?
National Van Lines offers residential, commercial, and specialty moving services from its headquarters in Broadview, Illinois. Here’s what NVL and its agents handle:
| Service | What NVL offers |
|---|---|
| Local moves | Available where NVL has a local agent |
| Long-distance moves | Interstate & cross-country moves in all 50 states |
| International moves | FMC-licensed NVOCC & Registered International Mover |
| Commercial moves | Office & business relocations |
| Packing | Full & partial packing, plus unpacking |
| Specialty items | Pianos, pool tables & custom crating |
| Storage | Short- & long-term climate-controlled storage |
| Government & military | Government & military relocations |
NVL didn’t make our list of best interstate moving companies. For overseas moves, compare it with our picks for the best international moving companies, and see our best military moving companies if you’re relocating on orders.
How does National Van Lines compare to competitors?
Comparing quotes is the best way to judge NVL’s price. Here’s how National Van Lines stacks up against three other full-service movers.
National Van Lines vs. Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving is a veteran-founded moveBuddha Certified carrier that owns its trucks and employs its own crews, so no outside agent handles your move. Safeway serves the 48 contiguous states with flat-rate quotes and 24/7 support, while NVL covers all 50 states through its agent network.
Choose Safeway if you want one company accountable from pickup to delivery and a signed quote that Safeway says matches your final invoice.
rating
4.9 / 5
National Van Lines vs. American Van Lines
American Van Lines is licensed only as a carrier, so it doesn’t broker any part of your move. NVL holds broker authority too and relies on local agents, which gives it wider reach but less consistency from crew to crew.
Choose American Van Lines if you’d rather skip brokered moves entirely.
rating
4.9 / 5
National Van Lines vs. International Van Lines
International Van Lines includes one month of free storage with its moves and offers full-value protection plans. Both companies handle international relocations, so IVL is a strong alternative if you need storage between homes.
Pick IVL if free storage would save you money, and NVL if you want a van line with nearly a century in business.
rating
4.6 / 5
How does moving with National Van Lines work?
Getting a quote
Fill out the quote form on the National Van Lines website, and an NVL agent follows up to discuss your move. You then complete a walk-through, either by video or in person if a local agent serves your area.
The walk-through lets NVL estimate the weight of your shipment and assign your agent and driver. Once you sign a binding estimate, your price stays locked unless something changes, like needing a shuttle truck at delivery.
Preparing for moving day
Your NVL coordinator confirms the details as your move date nears. If you booked packing, the crew usually arrives a day or more early to prepare your belongings.
On moving day, the crew loads your home, disassembles furniture, and crates fragile or oversized items. Your packing crew and driver may come from different agents on longer routes, but your coordinator stays your point of contact.
Delivery & tracking
NVL’s Movement Tracker shows your shipment’s location and conditions in transit, but only if you buy tracking as an add-on. Otherwise, your coordinator provides updates.
Your driver typically calls before arrival. The crew unloads your belongings and, if you booked unpacking, reassembles furniture and places items in your new home.
Should you use National Van Lines?
National Van Lines fits long-distance and international movers who want full-service help from an established van line. Use these scenarios to decide.
National Van Lines is a strong choice if you:
- Are making a long-distance, cross-country, or international move and want full-service help.
- Have specialty items like a piano, pool table, or fine art that need custom crating.
- Need storage between homes, whether for a few weeks or several months.
- Are planning a government, military, or corporate relocation.
National Van Lines may not be the best fit if you:
- Need local service in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Mississippi, where NVL lists no agents.
- Want your whole move handled by one company’s own employees.
- Need real-time tracking without paying extra for it.
Compare at least three quotes before you book. Our pricing tools draw on 1,000+ live price points collected every month, so your moving cost calculator range reflects what movers charge now. For added protection, a moveBuddha Certified mover comes with $1,000 in added coverage and dispute mediation.
National Van Lines FAQ
Is National Van Lines a broker or a carrier?
National Van Lines is both: the FMCSA authorizes it as a household goods carrier and broker under USDOT #76628. NVL handles most moves through its network of local agents. Ask which agent and driver will handle your shipment before you sign.
How much does National Van Lines cost?
National Van Lines says most long-distance moves cost $2,000 – $7,500. Your price depends on shipment weight, distance, and services like packing and storage. Get a walk-through quote for a binding price, and compare it with our moving cost calculator.
Does National Van Lines require a deposit?
National Van Lines doesn’t list a deposit requirement on its website. Third-party reviewers report paying no upfront deposit. Confirm the payment terms in writing before you book.
Is National Van Lines insured?
National Van Lines includes basic released-value coverage, which pays only a small amount per pound for damaged items. Ask for full-value protection pricing if you’re moving high-value belongings. File any damage claim in writing as soon as you spot a problem.
Does National Van Lines offer local moves?
National Van Lines offers local moves wherever it has a local agent. NVL lists no agents in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Mississippi. Check NVL’s agent directory for your city before you request a quote.
Does National Van Lines offer long-term storage?
Yes, National Van Lines offers both short- and long-term storage, including climate-controlled units. Storage costs extra, so ask for the monthly rate with your quote. It’s a good option if your move-in date falls after your move-out date.
Is National Van Lines legit?
Yes, National Van Lines is a legitimate mover that has operated since 1929 and holds active FMCSA authority. NVL has an A+ BBB rating and has been BBB accredited since 2005. Its Trustpilot score is low, so read recent reviews for your route.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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