Whether you’re moving across town, across the country or across the ocean, a moving company can make or break your experience. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the highly rated moving company, Allied Van Lines. From their services to their pricing, plus how they compare to the competition, we’ll cover it all to help you decide if this compelling choice is the right match for your move.
| Highlights |
|---|
| Full-service mover that handles packing, loading, transporting, and unpacking |
| Offers full-service or customizable options |
| Specializes in employee relocation and office moves |
| Transparent pricing and 24/7 customer service |
| Boasts 95 years of experience |
About Allied Van Lines Moving Company
With nearly 100 years of experience and more than a million satisfied customers singing its praises, Allied Van Lines has long been a standout choice for people and businesses seeking a smooth and stress-free moving experience with a company they can trust.
Allied is a major van line with an expansive network of more than 400 agents, which means it typically provides service directly—using its own trucks and drivers means more accountability and fewer “bait-and-switch” pricing situations. But the company also holds broker authority, so it can arrange for other authorized carriers to facilitate moves if necessary. This makes it a versatile option capable of handling local, long distance and international moves with ease.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full service moving company offering customizable solutions tailored to you | Pricier than some competitors but cost reflects quality & extent of services |
| Equipped to handle local, long distance and international relocations | As with all large van lines, your experience depends on the crew you get |
| Packing, transportation and storage services plus vehicle shipping & more | Some moves have estimated delivery ranges instead of exact dates |
| Expansive fleet and international agent network for comprehensive coverage | |
| Experienced, background-checked crews and professional drivers | |
| Expertise in moving fragile, oversized and specialty items, plus valuables & artwork | |
| No large deposit required to lock in a moving date | |
| 24/7 online shipment tracking available | |
| 96 percent customer satisfaction rate | |
| A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau | |
| 24/7 customer service |
Services
Allied Van Lines is a full service moving company, which means they offer end-to-end relocation services. They will disassemble your items, pack and transport them, then unpack, reassemble and place them where you’d like. The Allied team will work with you to customize a moving package tailored to your unique needs and budget, and you will be assigned a dedicated moving coordinator who will help you plan and organize your move.
Their teams are highly trained in every aspect of the moving process, including handling heavy furniture, antiques, artwork, pianos and fragile valuables, and they are committed to keeping your belongings safe and intact.
Types of Moves
Here’s a look at some of the moves Allied is equipped to handle:
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Household moves
- Corporate relocations
- Military moves
- Specialized moving for older adults
- Relocation of large, fragile & specialty items (pianos, artwork, antiques, etc.)
- Vehicle relocations
They also offer storage solutions, portable storage containers and a variety of moving supplies, which can be added to your customized moving package.
Pricing
The price you’ll pay for a move with Allied Van Lines depends on a number of factors, like:
- The distance you’re moving
- The weight of your belongings
- The time of year (prices vary with seasonality)
- The setup of your space (stairs, elevators, etc.)
- The services you require (packing, storage, etc.)
While there are cheaper options out there, the prices are generally on par with other full service moving companies of the same caliber and reputation.
Compared to the Competition
Allied’s biggest differentiator is that it operates as a true van line with a nationwide agent network and large fleet footprint, as opposed to just a broker, which basically just serves as a middleman. Before we dive into our competitor comparison, here’s a quick overview of the difference between a van line and a broker:
Van Line/Carrier:
- Owns their own trucks and equipment
- Very hands-on; typically handles moves directly
- You’ll have a single contract with only one company
- All insurance claims, questions & concerns handled directly
Broker:
- Serves as a middleman—don’t own any equipment or employ any movers
- Provide an estimate & connect you with a moving company in your area
- Not involved in moving process or final quote
-
If anything breaks or goes wrong during the move, they are not accountable
Here’s a look at how the company compares to another top pick in the moving market:
| Allied Van Lines | Colonial Van Lines | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Full service global van line with its own massive fleet and international agent network | Long-distance moving broker and carrier that primarily outsources moves to third parties |
| Moving Types |
|
|
| Core Services |
|
|
| Price | $$$ | $$ |
| Up-Front Deposit Required | No | Yes, typically 20-30% of final cost |
| Discounts Available |
|
|
| Add-On Services & Other Offerings |
|
|
| 24/7 online shipment tracking | Yes | Limited, depends on agent |
| Years in Service | More than 95 | More than 50 |
| Better Business Bureau Accredited Business | Yes, A+ rating | No |
The Bottom Line: Why We Love It
There’s a reason Allied Van Lines continues to receive high customer satisfaction scores year after year: The company takes the headache out of moving with end-to-end relocation services designed to support every type of move. They operate a massive fleet of moving trucks and have an expansive network of international agents, so they’re equipped to tackle everything from small local moves to global corporate relocations, and they’ll work with you to customize a package that matches your exact needs and budget. They employ carefully vetted professional moving teams who make it their mission to handle your belongings with the utmost care, and they offer 24/7 online tracking tools so you’re never left wondering if your items have reached their destination. It may not be the cheapest option available, but it’s definitely one of the best. If you’re looking for a trustworthy and reliable moving company that offers a seamless and stress-free moving experience, Allied Van Lines is the right choice for you.
FAQs
Yes. Allied offers:
Binding estimates (fixed pricing)
Non-binding estimates (final price based on actual shipment weight/services)
A binding estimate locks pricing based on the agreed inventory and services. If you add items or require extra services later, the cost can increase.
Common add-on expenses include:
- Long carry fees
- Stair/elevator fees
- Shuttle service
- Packing materials
- Storage
- Bulky items
- Fuel surcharges
-
Appliance servicing
These are common throughout the industry, not just Allied.
Yes. All interstate movers must provide basic liability protection, typically at $0.60 per pound per item. Allied also offers upgraded valuation coverage called Extra Care Protection (ECP) for higher value protection.
Featured In
Featured In
Methodology
The Consumer Rating Difference
Behind Our Best Moving Company Ratings
We make choosing the best Moving Company easy with expert reviews and rankings.
Here’s the methodology behind our ratings:
