North American Van Lines Review 2026: Real Customer Experiences
Here’s the bottom line: North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a full-service van line with guaranteed-price quotes, no booking deposit, and satellite shipment tracking, which earns it a spot on our list of the best moving companies. None of the four NAVL customers we interviewed for our Better Moves Project paid more than $64 over their quote. This North American Van Lines review covers what those customers said, what NAVL costs, its services, and how it compares to Safeway, Mayzlin, and JK Moving.
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
Pros & cons of North American Van Lines
- Customizable moves, so you only pay for what you need
- No deposit to book
- Guaranteed-price & not-to-exceed quotes
- Satellite shipment tracking
- Custom crating for fragile & specialty items
- Corporate relocation services
- No instant online quotes
- Frequent complaints about the claims process
- Binding quotes require an in-home or video survey
Why 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 NAVL info you’re looking for:
What do customers say about North American Van Lines?
North American Van Lines customers we interviewed praise its guaranteed pricing and careful crews, while their main complaint is spotty communication before moving day. Marcie moved a three-bedroom home 1,089 miles from Los Angeles to Colorado Springs, Colorado, with NAVL after her first choice, JK Moving Services, didn’t have a truck available on her move date.
“I would use North American Van Lines again. The weight of my belongings was about 500 lbs. more than the original estimate, but I didn’t have to pay more because of their binding estimate price guarantee. I know it could have been thousands more with another company.”
—Marcie, Better Moves Project
Marcie packed her own boxes to save money and hired NAVL to disassemble, wrap, load, and transport her furniture. On delivery day, the crew protected her new home’s floors, doorways, and walls before unloading.
Her belongings made it from California to Colorado on time, 12 days after loading. Marcie’s binding quote of $11,439 included labor, furniture wrapping, transport, and full-value protection, and her final bill came to $11,503, just $64 more.
Every move is different, so read several reviews before you hire a mover. Here’s what three more NAVL customers told us:
“I felt that overall the moving staff handled my items with care and more delicate items weren’t just tossed around and placed conscientiously in the truck. There were a few items that I think could’ve been packed a bit more securely, but most furniture was wrapped and taped well in moving blankets with extra protection. Despite offering additional services, NAVL stayed true to the initial bound quote they gave me. Besides this, the move was pretty standard compared to other local moves I have done.”
—Alexander D., Better Moves Project
“My stuff arrived when they said it would and was in great shape. I thought it would be significantly more stressful to move over 2,000 miles, and the movers made it stress-free with my belongings. The only complaint is the lack of updates on when the packers would arrive. They were supposed to pack on Oct. 31 and load the truck the next day. I called my contact, and he contacted the driver, who confirmed everything would be done on Nov. 1. The crate guy contacted me at 8 p.m. the night before.”
—Michele R., Better Moves Project
“I felt truly appreciative of the hard work NAVL’s team provided and the excellent service they offered throughout, even though I felt the price tag was a bit steep. In the future, I’ll try to pack more boxes on my own to reduce overall expenses.”
—Kyle, Better Moves Project
How much does North American Van Lines cost?
North American Van Lines charged the customers we interviewed $5,330 – $11,503 for NAVL-only moves of 270 – 1,089 miles. NAVL prices interstate moves by shipment weight and mileage, plus any packing, crating, or other add-on services you choose.
After an in-home or video survey, NAVL offers Bottom Line Pricing, a guaranteed price based on your quote. You can also choose not-to-exceed pricing, which means your cost could come in lower than your quote (but never higher) if your shipment weighs less than estimated.
Alexander collected six quotes for his 980-mile, one-bedroom move from Louisville, Kentucky, to Boston. NAVL’s $5,789 quote landed in the middle of a $3,664 – $14,676 spread:
| Company | Quote |
|---|---|
| North American Van Lines | $5,789 |
| United Van Lines | $7,031 |
| Safeway Moving | $3,664 |
| Mayzlin Relocation | $4,446 |
| International Van Lines | $5,200 |
| Two Men & a Truck | $14,676 |
A $11,012 gap between the lowest and highest quote for the same move is why comparing movers matters. Your NAVL cost will also depend on your home size, distance, how far ahead you book, and the time of year you move.
Here’s what the other NAVL customers we talked to paid:
| Customer | Route & distance | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Marcie | Los Angeles to Colorado Springs, CO (1,089 mi) | $11,503 |
| Kyle | Washington, DC, to Chapel Hill, NC (270 mi) | $5,330 |
| Michele | San Jose, CA, to Loveland, CO (1,242 mi) | $13,462 (NAVL & PODS) |
Michele split her move between an NAVL truck and a PODS container, and her combined bill came in $2,744 under her combined quotes.
Before you accept a NAVL quote, run your move through our moving cost calculator. It weighs your distance, home size, move date, and services together, so you get a price range for your actual move to measure NAVL’s number against.
What services does North American Van Lines offer?
North American Van Lines offers full-service local, long-distance, and international moves, and you can add or skip individual services to fit your budget. NAVL’s services include:
- Household moving: NAVL crews load, transport, and unload your belongings and handle basic furniture disassembly and reassembly. You choose which services to include on both local and long-distance moves.
- Interstate moves: NAVL is on our list of the best interstate moving companies for its customizable cross-country moves and guaranteed pricing options.
- International moving: NAVL helps with customs, visa requirements, and overseas shipping. Not every service is available on international moves, so confirm your options with a move coordinator.
- Packing: Choose full-service packing, fragile-only packing for breakables, or pack yourself with NAVL-supplied packing materials.
- Crating: NAVL builds custom wooden crates for antiques, chandeliers, wine collections, and other delicate items.
- Storage: NAVL offers short-term and long-term storage in temperature-controlled facilities in hundreds of U.S. and Canadian cities.
- Vehicle transportation: NAVL ships cars, SUVs, motorcycles, and boats door to door, typically within 3 – 7 business days.
- Corporate relocation: NAVL runs dedicated relocation services for employers moving staff to new locations.
rating
4.83 / 5
How does North American Van Lines compare to competitors?
North American Van Lines is a solid choice, but it isn’t the right fit for every move. Here’s how NAVL compares to three movers that score well in our 72-point rating system.
rating
4.26 / 5
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Same-day estimates
NAVL vs. Safeway Moving
NAVL and Safeway Moving both handle local and long-distance moves with add-on services like packing and unpacking. The biggest difference is structure: Safeway is a single carrier that quotes and performs every move, while NAVL moves run through local agents.
Safeway includes 30 days of free storage-in-transit with every interstate move, while NAVL charges for storage. Safeway is also a moveBuddha Certified mover, which adds $1,000 in move coverage and dispute mediation if something goes wrong. If you need short-term storage on a long-distance move, Safeway is likely the better deal.
“I would recommend Safeway only if you can get an in-person moving quote. The price was very affordable, and my moving consultant was great. My items were delivered safely and the team did a good job keeping fragile items on top, and took care handling my large furniture upstairs. I was pleased with the timeliness of the delivery.”
—Laurel, Better Moves Project
rating
4.9 / 5
NAVL vs. Mayzlin Relocation
Like NAVL, Mayzlin Relocation requires you to speak with a representative for a quote. Mayzlin runs its own fleet of trucks, so one company handles your move from pickup to delivery.
Mayzlin refunds your deposit if you cancel in writing more than 10 business days before your move, while NAVL doesn’t require a deposit at all. Mayzlin is smaller than national van lines like NAVL, so its availability can be more limited. For more flexible scheduling, NAVL is likely the better option.
“Mayzlin made my interstate move easy and stress-free. From day one, they were communicative, transparent, and careful with all my belongings, including my fragile painting. Despite a small fee increase for extra supplies I needed, their professionalism and quick, safe delivery were worth every penny. I’d highly recommend Mayzlin!”
—Jana B., Better Moves Project
rating
4.79 / 5
NAVL vs. JK Moving
JK Moving and NAVL both offer transparent pricing and plenty of add-on services. JK Moving usually costs more than NAVL but earns a higher customer service rating, and customers say its representatives are easy to reach.
JK Moving runs its own trucks and crews, so its availability is limited, and some customers find their move dates are already booked. When that happens, NAVL is an excellent alternative, just as it was for Marcie.
“JK’s sales rep responded to my estimate request quickly and took the time to do a thorough virtual in-home walkthrough. We even talked through things like condo parking and insurance regulations and how the moving crew would protect the building’s floors, walls, and elevators while moving everything.”
—Chloe D., Better Moves Project
How does moving with North American Van Lines work?
Moving with North American Van Lines starts with a free home survey, and your local NAVL agent turns that survey into a quote. Here’s what to expect from quote to delivery.
How do you get a quote from NAVL?
You can request a free quote from North American Van Lines through its website or by phone, but you won’t get a price until you speak with an agent. NAVL then schedules an in-home or video survey, where an estimator reviews everything you plan to move, including closets, attics, and crawl spaces.
Walk the estimator through every piece of furniture and every add-on service you need so your quote is as accurate as possible. NAVL offers three pricing options:
- Bottom Line Pricing: Your total charge is a guaranteed price based on your quote.
- Not-to-exceed pricing: Your cost could drop if your belongings weigh less than expected, but it won’t rise if they weigh more.
- Customized pricing: You combine a guaranteed price with separate charges for extra services.
Every NAVL move includes Released Value Protection, which covers just $0.60 per pound per article. That’s carrier liability, not moving insurance. For better protection, upgrade to Full Maximum Value Protection, which repairs, replaces, or pays out damaged items at current replacement value.
What happens after you book with NAVL?
North American Van Lines doesn’t require a deposit to book your move. NAVL may assess charges up to two days before loading, and you must pay in full before your shipment is unloaded.
If you add packing, the crew packs your home first. Movers then inventory your belongings before loading them onto the truck.
Your belongings may share a truck with other customers’ shipments, so you’ll choose a range of pickup and delivery days rather than a set date. NAVL recommends 3 – 5 days of flexibility during peak season, and the driver calls 24 hours before pickup and delivery.
You can check on your shipment anytime with NAVL’s satellite tracking. Alexander got two updates from NAVL during his move, and his belongings arrived on time.
Many online complaints about NAVL involve items broken in transit. Choosing fragile-only packing puts your breakables in the hands of NAVL’s crew, and adding Full Maximum Value Protection gets damaged items repaired or replaced.
Pro tip: Photograph fragile items before loading and note any damage on the inventory at delivery, since you have nine months to file a written claim. Our guide explains how to file a damage claim after a move.
FAQ
Is North American Van Lines the same as American Van Lines?
No, North American Van Lines and American Van Lines are separate companies despite their similar names. Both handle full-service long-distance moves. If you’re comparing movers, get a quote from each.
Who owns North American Van Lines?
North American Van Lines is owned by SIRVA, a global relocation company that also owns Allied Van Lines. NAVL and Allied came under the same owner in 1999, but they still operate as separate brands. Compare quotes from both, since pricing and local agents differ.
Does North American Van Lines require a deposit?
No, North American Van Lines doesn’t require a deposit to book your move. NAVL may assess charges up to two days before loading, and you must pay in full before unloading. Ask your agent about cancellation terms before you sign.
Is North American Van Lines licensed?
Yes, North American Van Lines is licensed for interstate household goods moves under USDOT 70851 and MC-107012. The FMCSA lists its operating status as active as of September 2026. Check this record before you book any interstate mover.
How is North American Van Lines rated?
North American Van Lines holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has been BBB accredited since March 2025. Its Trustpilot score is much lower, at 1.8 stars from 16 reviews as of September 2026. Read reviews for your local agent, since crew quality varies by location.
Does North American Van Lines use local agents?
Yes, North American Van Lines runs its moves through hundreds of local agents across the U.S. and Canada. Your local agent typically handles your survey, packing, and loading. Ask which agent will handle your move and read reviews for that location.
How do you file a damage claim with North American Van Lines?
You can file a damage claim with North American Van Lines through its online domestic claims form or by calling 1-800-348-3746. Federal rules give you nine months from delivery to file in writing. Keep damaged items until an adjuster inspects them.
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.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
