International Van Lines (IVL) is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. Its in-house moving teams and partner carriers offer a wide range of services, including fragile-only packing, climate-controlled storage, packing supplies and more. It posts prices online for many of these add-on tasks, allowing customers to set accurate moving budgets before getting fully customized quotes.
Moving is stressful, but the verified moving teams that IVL employs can make your move more efficient and positive overall. Its national customer review pages show mostly positive feedback for local and interstate service, and it also provides robust international moving packages.
Below, learn more about this top mover’s services, quote process, customer sentiments and availability.
Our thoughts on International Van Lines
International Van Lines is our top-rated pick on our list of best moving companies and best long-distance moving companies. This carrier and broker scored 4.6 out of 5 stars on our rating scale due in large part to its breadth of service offerings and wide geographical reach. Free storage for long-distance moves and positive customer reviews boosted its score, while its large deposit requirements lowered its overall rating.
What we like
International Van Lines’ widespread availability and comprehensive service range make it a top choice for local, cross-country and international relocations. When we called IVL, we were impressed with the concise pricing estimates we received. We also like that all long-distance moves come with one month of free storage near your destination address. This makes it easier to handle complications or delays that could arise when moving into a new home.
Its pricing transparency is another area where IVL stands out. Though the price ranges listed on its website should not take the place of custom quotes, the company provides more cost visibility than most movers offer. This should help you set a preliminary move budget before you get a quote from any providers.
What we don’t like
IVL operates largely as a broker within the United States. This can lead to service quality issues in certain locations, which most negative customer reviews mention. Primary complaints include bait-and-switch tactics by broker partners and poor communication ahead of moving day.
Long-distance moves have delayed delivery in some cases, such as reported in Shaun’s review on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) from October 27, 2023. While this isn’t a typical experience, it is a possibility you should be aware of.
Due to its broker status, IVL charges high deposit fees, typically around 25% of your total move bill. Though these deposits are fully refundable up to 48 business hours before your move date, this can be an issue if you’re on a tight budget ahead of your move.
Compare top moving providers
International Van Lines is a top pick for most move types, but you should note that it has higher deposit requirements than many other providers we reviewed.
Pricing and quotes
The pricing structures IVL offers depend on your move type. Local moves are billed at hourly rates, which are as follows:
| Mover Quantity | Hourly Rate | Hourly Rate With Packing |
|---|---|---|
| 3 movers | $150 | $180 |
| 4 movers | $200 | $230 |
| 5 movers | $250 | $280 |
| 6 movers | $300 | $330 |
These are the average rates IVL posts on its website to provide ballpark cost figures. Most local movers charge minimum fees to ensure they don’t operate at a loss for smaller moves, which will be disclosed in any free quote you request.
I called and got a long-distance quote from IVL for a move of approximately 2,800 miles. The three-bedroom quote totaled $14,000 with full-service packing included. The total price was reduced to $12,500–$13,000 without packing. All told, I spent 20 minutes on the phone with the IVL representative. The representative assured me there would be no extra fees unless I opted for additional services or added inventory to the move at the last minute.
IVL provides average international moving costs on its dedicated international moving page. The total cost of moving household goods between countries will depend on total weight, cubic footage (shipment volume) and overall move distance. Depending on move size, location and overall distance, IVL lists average international moving costs as $2,500–$14,000 and up. Costs for a one-bedroom home will be lower than for a three-bedroom home, just as they would be for a domestic relocation.
IVL is also transparent about its add-on service costs. Its average rates for specialized services are as follows:
- Bulky item moves: $150 per item
- Elevator fees: $75
- Motorcycle handling: $350 average
- Piano moving: $150–$350 per piano
- Stair fees: $75 per flight of stairs
- Storage services: 65 cents per cubic foot per month
All move deposits — up to 25% of your total cost — are refundable if you cancel at least 48 business hours before your move is scheduled. IVL’s accepted payment methods include cashier’s check, money order, wire transfer and credit card.
You can start your free quote on IVL’s website.
Moving services
International Van Lines is one of the largest moving companies in the industry and offers nearly every type of moving service.
International
As its name suggests, IVL is one of the premier names in international moving. IVL coordinates international relocations to over 150 countries worldwide. It offers a few types of overseas and international moving options, including door-to-door, sea and air freight service plans. Ocean freight and door-to-door service include 20- and 40-foot container options with defined pricing for moves with different degrees of full-service assistance.
IVL is fully licensed with the Federal Maritime Commission, offering security to your move. International moving service includes assistance with customs clearance and paperwork, plus shipment tracking for all moves. IVL offers all such services with the caveat that individual shippers can make changes to proposed delivery dates at any time, which could affect your moving experience.
Domestic
IVL’s domestic services reach the entire United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Aside from carrier locations in Florida, Illinois, California, New York and Texas, IVL can broker out moves in all areas.
All basic moving packages for both local and long-distance moves include loading and unloading, transportation, and released or limited liability coverage. Fully licensed crews carry out all moves.
Optional services
IVL offers one of the most comprehensive service ranges in the industry. Whether you’re booking cross-country relocation assistance or local moving help to make it to your new home, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Packing services are the most commonly chosen add-on. These can range from basic assistance to fragile-only packing for valuables and antiques, along with unpacking services when needed.
Aside from packing, IVL’s crews and partner companies offer antique crating services for artwork and fragile items, auto transport for domestic and international moves, and ample long-term storage options in secure facilities. If need be, IVL also offers assembly and disassembly options for most furniture it moves.
International Van Lines availability
IVL maintains licensing through the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and has a Motor Carrier (MC) number. This enables it to offer moving services to all 50 states. It also partners with companies in over 150 countries to provide premium door-to-door services.
Guarantees and insurance
As a premium option for local, long-distance and international moves, IVL features reliable delivery windows. As is the case with nearly all international and interstate moving companies, delivery dates cannot be guaranteed with full certainty. In all its international moving contracts, IVL includes the disclaimer that delivery dates are contingent on individual shippers having unrestricted shipping routes. You should ask about this upfront when booking your move.
IVL, like many movers, offers full-value protection to those who book with them. This covers goods at a rate of $6 per pound per item rather than the 60 cents per pound per item that released liability coverage provides. The exact terms of this valuation coverage could vary depending on which IVL partner handles your move.
Customer thoughts
International Van Lines currently maintains a 3.41 out of 5 customer review score on the BBB. This BBB rating is unusually high for a moving company, as customers tend to use this platform to lodge complaints of poor service when dealing with movers.
While there are negative reviews for IVL, most of the positive reviews note the efficiency this mover provides for long-distance moves. This holds true for moves that it brokers out to third-party carriers. Due to IVL’s dual status as a broker and carrier, this good quality among broker partners is important to note.
IVL’s status as a broker gives it nationwide availability. I took a more in-depth look at reviews for two of its main carrier branches in New York and Texas and found largely positive customer impressions. Its New York branch currently has a 4.7 out of 5 Google Review score, and its Houston location has a 4.6 out of 5. Both scores are solid indicators of quality service.
As is the case with any nationwide provider, there will be negative feedback. Common pain points in bad reviews included poor communication between the booking agents and the broker partners that ultimately handled the moves. This miscommunication would most commonly lead to price-switching and generally inadequate service. However, IVL’s reviews show this to be rare relative to other large brokers we’ve reviewed.
Final take: IVL is the best international mover
International Van Lines’ wide reach and diverse licensing make it one of the best options for international relocations. Its licenses with the Federal Maritime Commission and expedited air shipping options to over 150 countries make it an easy first choice when booking moves to other countries or continents.
IVL’s range of services and availability in all 50 states also make it a great choice for domestic relocations of all sizes.
Our rating methodology for movers
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB and Google Reviews ratings are accurate as of December 2023.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
Go Back to Top
American Van Lines (AVL) is among our highest-rated providers due to its straightforward pricing and extensive services. AVL offers flat-rate pricing that provides transparency ahead of moving day. If you’re on a fixed budget and worried about price fluctuations, AVL can be a great choice. AVL is a carrier, meaning it services all moves it…
International Van Lines (IVL) is our top choice for most interstate moving needs. IVL offers domestic service to all 50 states and demonstrates transparent pricing practices. Additionally, the company provides one month of free storage for qualifying moves. Allied Van Lines is the next best choice for interstate moves due to its extensive in-house vehicle…
As a former mover myself, I know how difficult it can be to uproot your life and move to a new home — but getting quotes from licensed and well-reviewed moving companies can make the process easier. Using our proprietary rating methodology, we ranked International Van Lines (IVL) as the best moving company overall for…