The 7 Best Senior Moving Services of 2023

Planning a move for an elderly loved one can be just as stressful for you as it will be for those who are actually relocating. You’ll want to be sure to hire a reputable company that will treat all involved with the utmost care while providing a wide range of basic and add-on services. Here, we’ve outlined our top picks for the best senior moving companies, along with average pricing and what you can reasonably expect from each.

The 7 Best Senior Movers

Our top recommended senior movers for 2023:

• Best Full-Service Mover: International Van Lines
• Most Transparent Pricing: American Van Lines
• Most Moving Partners: Moving APT
• Most Customizable Moving Experience: JK Moving Services
• Most Vehicle Shipping Options: Allied Van Lines
• Most Widely-Available Container Service: U-Pack
• Best Pricing Options: North American Van Lines

Compare The Best Senior Moving Service Providers

Company	Website	Our Take	Our Rating	BBB Rating	Local Cost	Long-Distance Cost
International Van Lines	Site	Best Full-Service Mover	9.8	B	$600 – $1,200	$1,900 – $4,900
American Van Lines	Site	Most Transparent Pricing	9.7	N/A	$500 – $1,000	$2,300 – $5,300
Moving APT	Site	Most Moving Partners	9.6	B	N/A	$2,500 – $4,800
JK Moving Services	Site	Most Customizable Moving Experience	9.5	A+	Call for a quote	$2,500 – $5,500
Allied Van Lines	Site	Most Vehicle Shipping Options	9.4	A+	$750 – $1,350	$1,800 – $4,500
U-Pack	Site	Most Widely-Available Container Service	9.3	A+	N/A	$1,200 – $2,200
North American Van Lines	Site	Best Pricing Options	9.2	A+	$750 – $1,350	$1,800 – $4,500

International Van Lines: Best Full-Service Mover

International Van Lines has been a constant presence in the moving industry for the better part of two decades. They provide a full suite of local, long-distance, and international moving services and have excellent customer service pros primed to help during every step of the moving process. Whether you or your loved one is downsizing prior to moving to a new home or is planning a smaller move to a retirement community, IVL can help.

Why We Recommend IVL

Though International brokers many of its moves out to third-party carriers, their partners gain high marks for customer service and the quality of labor provided. Across the board, IVL typically offers a 15% discount for all senior citizens, along with consistently low rates for most services. If you or an older family member are planning on moving, the range of relocation services International can provide should make the process fairly stress-free.

 Services Offered

International Van Lines offers a wide range of services, making any move far easier. These include:

• Local, long-distance, and international moving
• Packing services
• Unpacking
• Storage services (short-term and long-term)
• Custom crating for fragile items
• Debris removal
• Auto Transport
• Piano moving
• Air and ocean freight
• And more

 How Much Does International Van Lines Cost

IVL’s costs consistently beat market rates and begin at as little as $1,400 for a short two-bedroom move. Here are some sample ranges for moves of varying sizes.

	<250 mi	500 mi	1,000 mi	2,000 mi
2 BR	$1,400 – $4,400	$1,900 – $4,900	$2,100 – $5,100	$2,400 – $5,400
4 BR	$3,200 – $6,200	$5,100 – $8,100	$5,700 – $8,700	$6,200 – $9,200

State Availability: All 50 states

Learn More: Read our full review of International Van Lines here.

American Van Lines: Most Transparent Pricing

American Van Lines has been a power player in the moving business since the mid-1990s and, from its home base in Florida, now services move across all lower 48 states. This mover is somewhat unique in that they work solely as a carrier. This means that when you book with American, your move will be handled by an AVL-employed crew and not by a third party.

Why We Recommend AVL

American doesn’t provide many senior discounts. At least they aren’t prominently advertised. This could change depending on your location, as this mover has hubs in North Carolina and Texas, aside from its Southern Florida home office. However, American provides transparent flat-rate pricing for all moves and moving services. This eliminates sticker shock and makes budgeting for any move far easier.

Services Offered

American’s well-trained crews directly provide the following:

• Local, long-distance, and international moving
• Residential and commercial moving
• Full-service or partial packing
• Car shipping
• Storage
• Furniture assembly and disassembly
• Antique Moving
• And more

How Much Does American Van Lines Cost

American’s flat rates are a bit higher than industry averages but are still reasonable. Here are some sample costs from recent AVL moves:

	<250 mi	500 mi	1,000 mi	2,000 mi
2 BR	$1,700 – $4,700	$2,300 – $5,300	$2,600 – $5,600	$4,200 – $7,200
4 BR	$4,800 – $7,800	$5,600 – $8,600	$7,400 – $10,400	$10,800 – $13,800

State Availability: 48 States

Learn More: Read our review to learn more about this carrier.

Moving APT: Most Moving Partners

For convenience, you can’t get much better than Moving APT. Though founded in 1999, it now partners with more than 500 local agents across the U.S. to broker moving services to clients in almost any location. They provide price matching guarantees and pricing breakdowns on their website. When working through any moving broker, we recommend researching company partners in your area before you book.

Why We Recommend Moving APT

Moving APT does an excellent job of ensuring its partners’ registration status and general good standing. It includes breakdowns and writeups of many of its larger partners on its company website, which greatly reduces stress on moving day.

Many of Moving APT’s partners can provide senior discounts, which makes the budgeting portion of your moving plan easier to get through.

Services Offered

Moving APT’s partners are able to provide the following services to clients in most locations. Whether moving to a new house or an assisted living facility, this provider can offer quality assistance.

• Local and interstate moving
• Residential and corporate relocation
• Commercial and residential moving
• Storage (one free month included with all moves)
• Piano moving
• Car shipping
• Packing services
• Packing supplies (included for some moves)
• Appliance connection services
• Some furniture disassembly and reassembly
• And more

How Much Does Moving APT Cost

This company offers a price-matching program for all clients. When you get a quote from another competing moving company and bring them a copy of a written estimate, Moving APT will match or beat your current price.

The actual moving prices it offers are in-line with industry rates, as a recent 1,000-mile move to Florida was quoted at $8,200. Whether you’re hiring movers for an in-home labor-only job or a full-service cross-country move to a senior living community, this provider offers excellent service.

State Availability: All 50 States

Learn More: Read our review to learn more about Moving APT.

JK Moving Services: Most Customizable Moving Experience

JK Moving Services has been in business for four decades, and while it mainly services the greater Washington DC region as a carrier, JK brokers moving services out to partners across the U.S. With this broker and carrier, you’ll be afforded the ability to craft your own moving package, with any add-on you may need. You’ll also be given access to some of the best valuation coverage options available. The more than half a million moves this provider has carried out have given it the experience needed to give you maximum peace of mind on your move date.

Why We Recommend JK

JK’s customization options allow you to only pay for the exact services you need for your move. This makes them a great fit for older adults who may be working with a fixed income. Their moving specialists provide GPS tracking for all moves, as well as financing options for any move bill, which works well for first-time movers or those on a fixed budget.

Services Offered

JK’s service profile includes the following. When you get your quote from a JK customer service representative, you’ll be afforded excellent

• Local moving in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
• Long-distance and international moving
• Residential and commercial services
• Packing (full-service or fragile-only)
• Climate-controlled storage options
• Furniture wrapping
• GPS shipment tracking
• Financing assistance
• And more

How Much Does JK Moving Services Cost

JK doesn’t provide much in the way of cost information on its website. However, cost data has shown that a two-bedroom, 500-mile move should cost somewhere between $2,750 and $5,750 from this provider. This is well within industry norms and is well beyond the scope of most senior relocations. Your rate should be far more manageable.

State Availability: All lower-48 states.

Learn More: Our JK Moving Services review will give you more insight into this provider’s services and costs.

Allied Van Lines: Most Vehicle Shipping Options

Allied Van Lines has been in operation for nearly 90 years and is now one of the most widely-available providers of moving services within the U.S. today. Its distinctive orange and black moving trucks operate in all 50 states, and Allied’s moving partners stretch to more than 150 countries around the world. As residential movers, this provider is more than able to handle any senior moving request or need.

Why We Recommend Allied

Allied’s A+ rating with Better Business Bureau is indicative of its workability from the customer’s point of view. It provides fairly straightforward pricing and offers a wide range of special services, which can make even the most complicated move easy.

 Services Offered

Allied is able to provide the following throughout the U.S.:

• Local and long-distance moving
• International Moving
• Packing (full-service or partial)
• Unpacking
• Furniture assembly and disassembly
• Auto shipping
• Boat and specialty vehicle shipping
• Storage
• Debris removal
• GPS shipment tracking
• Packing supplies
• And more

How Much Does Allied Cost

Allied’s local average cost of $750 to $1,350 is about typical for most movers. We’ve listed some long-distance averages below. However, you can expect to pay closer to the local average rates for most senior moves.

	<250 mi	500 mi	1,000 mi	2,000 mi
2 BR	$1,800 – $4,500	$2,400 – $5,400	$2,700 – $5,700	$4,400 – $7,400
4 BR	$3,300 – $6,000	$5,700 – $8,700	$7,500 – $10,500	$10,900 – $13,900

State Availability: All 50 states

Learn More: Our Allied review provides a full service and cost breakdown for your convenience.

U-Pack: Best Overall Container Mover

U-Pack may not be ideal for most senior moves, but if you can provide assistance with labor, it can be a great option for a smaller move. This provider is our pick for the best container mover due to its wide availability — 240 service centers across 50 states. You’ll have your pick between an 8-foot ReloCube and a 27-foot trailer. With the trailer option, you’ll only pay for the space you need. With three-day loading and unloading periods, there is no rush to get settled in a new floorplan once you arrive at your destination.

Why We Recommend U-Pack

U-Pack’s pricing structure makes them ideal for those with smaller moves that are working within a tighter budget. While it costs slightly more than renting a moving truck would, you’ll be able to avoid assuming the liability for the truck if you go with a container company such as U-Pack.

Services Offered

U-Pack provides for delivery, pickup, and shipping of all containers and trailers but doesn’t directly offer labor services.

• Your choice of an 8-foot ReloCube or 27-foot trailer
• Short-term and long-term storage solutions at U-Pack shipping hubs
• Moving help can be hired if needed through the U-Pack site

How Much Does U-Pack Cost

U-Pack’s rates are among the lowest available for container moves. Though you won’t be able to move locally with this provider, their long-distance options (more than 150 miles) are very cheap.

	<250 mi	500 mi	1,000 mi	2,000 mi
2 BR	$600 – $1,600	$1,200 – $2,200	$1,600 – $2,600	$2,100 – $3,100
4 BR	$800 – $1,800	$1,800 – $2,800	$2,800 – $3,800	$4,100 – $5,100

State Availability: All 50 States

Learn More: Read our full review to learn more about this container provider.

North American Van Lines: Best Pricing Options

North American Van Lines has been in business for the last 80-plus years and now works with more than 500 local agents throughout all 50 states. This expansive moving network provides NAVL customers with access to nearly any possible moving service or location.

Why We Recommend NAVL

North American’s carrier network is among the largest in the industry, with more than 2,700 trucks spread across all 50 states. They also provide one of the most flexible pricing schedules in the business, which effectively allows clients to dictate how they will pay. With “not to exceed” and flat rate options, you’ll be able to set a maximum cost that will not shift unless your needs or inventory do.

Services Offered

NAVL can provide its clients with the following services:

• Local and long-distance moving
• International Moving
• Packing and unpacking (full-service or partial)
• Furniture assembly and disassembly
• Debris removal
• 24/7 shipment tracking
• Appliance installation
• Storage
• Excellent insurance options
• And more

How Much Does NAVL Cost

Here, we’ve put together several sample rates for moves of different sizes and durations. With local rates hovering between $750 and $1,500, NAVL is one of the more cost-effective options. Their pricing flexibility makes them an excellent option for any clients who have their budget earmarked as a chief concern.

	<250 mi	500 mi	1,000 mi	2,000 mi
2 BR	$1,800 – $4,500	$2,400 – $5,400	$2,700 – $5,700	$4,400 – $7,400
4 BR	$3,300 – $6,000	$5,700 – $8,700	$7,500 – $10,500	$10,900 – $13,900

State Availability: All 50 States

Learn More: Our NAVL review provides a full breakdown of this provider’s services and cost.

What To Look For In Senior Movers

When you get quotes from moving companies, you should have a defined list of criteria in mind to govern your choices throughout the booking process. Here is a comprehensive list of all you should look for in senior movers.

Full Registration

All movers have to carry a certain number of registrations. These include state and federal licensing, which movers should have.

• State: Movers must comply with whatever state regulations are in their home state. This could include registration with a statewide governing body or basic business licensing.
• Federal: Movers conducting business in multiple states have to be registered with the FMCSA. This involves having active USDOT and MC numbers. You can confirm mover registration status and look up the complaint history through this link.

Fully Insured

Movers have to carry multiple insurance policies, which include the following:

• Released liability: This provides for some reimbursement in the event of loss or damage to your goods. At $0.60 per pound per item, it won’t cover the full value of your goods, but it is a nice safety measure to have included in your base cost. Movers will also offer valuation options for higher-value goods.
• Workers’ compensation: All movers have to have workers’ compensation coverage. This protects you if a worker is injured during your move and will pay for damages and lost wages.

Well-Reviewed

Look into customer reviews for any moving company you consider. Reviews will be a far more accurate gauge of mover conduct than stated policies will. Reviews from social media, Google, Yelp, BBB, and Trustpilot, are all legitimate means of evaluating movers.

Solid Service Profile

For most seniors on the move, minimal work or hassle is preferred. A mover that provides a full range of services can mitigate the amount of work that falls on the client’s shoulders. Add-ons like packing, access to storage facilities, crating, home cleanup and debris removal, and floorplan management can be a huge help to elderly clients. Ask about these when you get quotes from movers.

Discounts

A key offering of any senior mover is a senior discount. Most movers offer discounts for the elderly, military veterans, first responders, and more. You’ll have to ask about these during the booking process to be sure.

Final Thoughts

When planning a move with any provider, you should get quotes prior to booking. Planning a move when you or the person moving is at a more advanced age can come with a number of complications and should be made as smooth as possible for the sake of all involved. Getting an in-person estimate for all services while observing the criteria listed should make for a seamless transition to a new home.

House Method Rating Methodology

At House Method, our primary goals are to be a reliable source of information and to be totally transparent to our readers. With that in mind, we’ve developed the following formula to render objective ratings – on a scale of 10 points – for the moving companies we review.

• Transparency (3.0): Communication and being fully straightforward regarding company policies and licensing are incredibly important. A given mover’s willingness to display these, to supply quick quotes, and to provide clearly-worded moving contracts all factor into the three points within this single rating criteria.
• Cost (2.5): A mover’s cost relative to industry averages, as well as accessibility to cost data play a role in the customer experience as much as anything else. We know that being sure of what you’re paying – and being confident that you’re not overpaying – will ultimately make for a positive move. We’ve weighted cost factors accordingly in our ratings.
• Customer Service (2.0): Establishing an easy line of contact with your movers during the booking process or during the move itself is a huge asset for any moving client. The stress of moving, in general, can be greatly eased by knowing you can talk to a licensed professional whenever you need to, which is why we’ve listed this as a key rating category. This is where customer reviews come into play; since the majority of complaints stem from poor customer service, feedback from BBB, Yelp, Google, and other review platforms factor into this criteria.

• Services Offered (1.5): This rates lower on our priority list than many would think, simply due to the fact that many movers provide a similar line of services. However, breadth of service offerings does still vary to a degree.
• Customization Options (1.0): Having the autonomy to fully customize your move should rate highly on any moving checklist. Here, we’ve taken moving package customization ability, as well as pricing for more involved add-ons. Steep pricing for such services can provide something of a soft barrier for clients looking to add to their move, and we’ve taken this into consideration.

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