Founded in 2000, International Van Lines (IVL) has quickly developed a winning reputation for excellent customer service, moving options, and availability. As one of the most trusted names in the moving industry, IVL has held its own against other moving providers with more experience in the industry.
But is International Van Lines the provider for you? After all, everybody has unique needs they must meet regarding their budget, required services, and communication preferences. Keep reading for an in-depth guide and review of IVL and if this international moving company truly delivers on its promises.
After hours of research and ample time reviewing other top moving providers, let’s explore how IVL stacks up against its competitors regarding pricing, service offerings, customer reputation, and much more.
4.5
Our Rating
My Preferred Moving Companies
After dedicating hours to researching International Van Lines and other providers, IVL is a clear winner and my top pick for anyone interested in international, cross-country, long-distance, and local moves. It has an unmatched range of specialty services and a sparkling reputation that few providers come close to, making it my top recommendation.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
My Review of International Van Lines
International Van Lines is my top choice for the amazing moving experience it can provide. This company has everything — from specialty services like auto transport and packing services to top-notch customer service and unmatched availability. I love that IVL can take away nearly every stressful aspect of your moving date with its packing, unpacking, and storage services.
The company even provides a dedicated moving coordinator who arranges everything and conducts your home assessment for an accurate, free quote so you know upfront what your move will cost. Compared to other providers, IVL shines with its international and interstate moving options, relocation services, strong customer reviews, and upfront pricing, eliminating concerns about extra fees later on.
My Review Scores for International Van Lines
Reference the following quantitative scoring breakdown of International Van Lines for a snapshot of how IVL compares to other moving companies. The green line indicates IVL’s score, while the gray line indicates the average score received by other companies.
International Van Lines Pros and Cons
The tabs below provide a high-level overview of IVL’s benefits and drawbacks. Keep these points in mind as you navigate the rest of the review.
What I Liked and Didn’t Like
In this section, I’m breaking down what I like and don’t like about International Van Lines based on critical factors that should be considered before choosing a moving provider.
International Van Lines is one of the best moving providers because it offers nearly every moving option available. You can book international, long-distance, local, vehicle shipping, and corporate relocation moves with IVL, which are more options than most providers I’ve reviewed. If you book a move with IVL, you won’t be limited by its moving options in any way.
As a broker and carrier, IVL does outsource some moves to smaller local moving companies. In many cases, you’ll be working with a subcontractor for local moves, which can result in inconsistent service quality since you’re not working with IVL directly.
With its nearly unmatched diversity of add-on services, IVL can coordinate any move with highly specialized services like junk removal and packing for delicate household items like artwork, pool tables, or musical instruments. I like that IVL can customize your moving package to meet your needs with its huge variety of services, giving you a considerable amount of flexibility that isn’t available with most providers.
The only area that IVL lacks service options for is DIY moving options. Unlike certain providers — like Allied Van Lines — IVL doesn’t offer a budget-friendly moving container service option. This isn’t a big deal if you’re only interested in full-service moves — but it is something to keep in mind for homeowners interested in saving money.
International Van Lines specializes in international and long-distance moves, and this shows with its nationwide availability through all 50 states and over 180 countries. Compared to other providers, IVL’s availability is outstanding, making it so families never have to worry about their state being outside of IVL’s service area. Their excellent availability also helps the company provide some of the widest ranges of moving services, including international and military moves, which is a significant plus for homeowners making specialized moves.
The only downside to IVL’s availability is the Florida-based company has relatively few brick and mortar locations throughout the country. At times, IVL will also broker out moves to more remote areas to local movers, which results in varied service quality. I don’t love this about the company, but I still find that International Van Lines has better availability than most providers.
International Van Lines has received many customer service awards, including (but not limited to) the #1 Best Customer Service award from Newsweek and top reviews from U.S. News, Forbes, and Better Homes and Gardens.
I love that every IVL customer receives a dedicated moving coordinator to help them plan each step of their move and coordinate all of their services. This setup eliminates confusion and gives you a go-to contact for any questions, which is more convenient than moving providers with a general customer service line where you’ll speak with someone different every time.
A downside of International Van Lines is it outsources some moves, which some reviews said resulted in inconsistent service quality. While this isn’t uncommon among national and international moving companies, it’s a factor I wouldn’t take lightly.
I love that International Van Lines has a reputation as a top moving company for customer service, among other things. This is continually demonstrated in its customer reviews from Google, Yelp, social media, and more, which is reassuring to many homeowners. Compared to other providers, IVL stands out for its excellent reputation and overwhelmingly positive customer reviews.
IVL’s customer reviews and reputation also experience poor reviews when the company brokers out to less reliable companies. While this isn’t the case for most of its moves, it’s something to keep in mind when working with a company like IVL that is a broker and carrier.
Availability of International Van Lines By State
International Van Lines is a long-distance moving company that offers services in every state, so you never have to worry about being outside its coverage zone.
It’s available in all 50 states.
International Van Lines vs. Its Competitors
Comparing a moving provider to its competitors is important in seeing how a company ranks in the industry based on moving costs, customer service, and much more.
Company | Best For | Our Rating | BBB Rating | Local Cost | Long-distance Cost |
 | Best Full-Service | B | $650–$1350 | $2,100–$5,400 | |
 | Most Transparent Pricing | B- | $550–$1,100 | $2,550–$5,700 | |
 | Best Cost Estimation Tools | B | $700 - $1,250 | $1,800 - $4980 | |
 | Best Flat-Rate | Not Rated | Not available for local moves | $2,200–$5,500 | |
 | Most Moving | B | Call for a quote | $2,750–$5,200 | |
 | Most Customizable | A+ | Call for a quote | $2,750–$6,000 | |
 | Best Vehicle | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 | |
 | Best Pricing | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 | |
 | Best Technology | A+ | Call for quote | $2,000–$5,000 | |
 | Best Container Service | A+ | Not available for local moves | $1,350–$2,400 | |
 | Best Valuation Coverage Options | A+ | $1,200-$2,750 | $3,100-$8,400 |
Video Overview of International Van Lines
Watch this quick overview video of International Van Lines’ long-distance moving options and how this company differs from other providers.
What Services Does International Van Lines Offer?
International Van Lines offers nearly any type of service you could want to simplify your moving day and make getting all your household goods sorted in your new home easy. Here are some of its top services:
- Auto transport: If you have a motorcycle or car that needs to be shipped, IVL can arrange different vehicle transportation options, including an enclosed trailer or open-air transport. Container shipping on ocean freights, regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission, is also available for international moves — a unique service offering among providers.
- Furniture assembly: Your IVL moving team can disassemble and reassemble your furniture. If you’re making a long-distance move, the company can create custom crates for specialty items like pianos, mirrors, or bulky furniture like couches, then handle any off-loading and junk removal at your new home.
- Packing services: While you can self-pack, IVL offers packing and unpacking services if you’re in a time crunch or concerned about adequately securing and protecting your belongings.
- Packing supplies: International Van Lines sells moving kits, moving supplies, boxes, and even the option to order your own customer moving supplies kit. You can also pay for packing supplies used by your IVL moving team if they complete the packing. The team will track what additional packing supplies they use to protect and pack your belongings, then charge you a la carte.
How Much Does International Van Lines Cost?
Moving prices are based on many factors, such as the number of movers, distance, location, company, gas, and much more. Let’s look at International Van Lines’ average prices and what you can expect for different types of moves and add-on services.
Even though International Van Lines are among the top choices for a California move, they are available in most other states as well.
Most local moving services are charged hourly, and the company will determine the number of movers needed during your virtual or in-person consultation. Remember, you could have the same size apartment as someone else and take up more moving hours if you have more personal belongings, so ask your moving coordinator how many hours they estimate it will take to move and pack your belongings.
I found the following information about IVL’s mover’s hourly rates during my research.
| Movers | Hourly Rate |
| 3 | $150 |
| 4 | $200 |
| 5 | $250 |
| 6 | $300 |
The following table gives an overview of the average cost of different types of long-distance moves without any extra services.
| Service | Average Cost |
| 500-mile move (2 bedroom home) | $2,000 – $4,900 |
| 500-mile move (4 bedroom home) | $5,000 – $8,300 |
| 1,000-mile move (2 bedroom home) | $2,300 – $5,500 |
| 1,000-mile move (4 bedroom home) | $5,800 – $8,900 |
So, what is included in a standard long-distance move with IVL? It includes the following in its basic moving fee:
- Basic liability coverage up to $10,000
- Blankets, protective pads, belts, straps, and ties (added protection for mattresses, mirrors, electronics, glass, etc., are not included)
- Disassembly and reassembly of basic furniture (no Ikea furniture or complicated pieces)
- Loading and unloading
- Mileage, tolls, fuel, and taxes (unless otherwise said)
- Stairs (first flight)
Extra fees are also to be expected, as they are common with nearly every moving company. Additional packing materials like mattress covers, glass crating, TV crates, shrink wrap, and more will be charged specifically on what is used for your move per the packing material order form. The following chart outlines the estimated costs for some of International Van Lines’ extra services.
| Service | Average Cost |
| Elevator fee | $75 |
| Extra flight of stairs (after the first flight or seven steps) | $75 |
| Extended carry to load (past 75 feet) | $75 |
| Bulky item | $150 |
| Piano (upright) | $150 |
| Piano (baby grand) | $350 |
| Piano (grand and oversized) | Speak with your representative about a custom estimate |
| Shuttle service (varies by location) | $400 minimum |
| Motorcycle | $350 (not including weight or packing of item) |
| Air freight | Varies widely based on item and weight. Speak with your IVL representative |
| Storage services | Monthly rate of $0.65 per cubic foot |
These fees will be discussed during your in-person or virtual home consultation with your dedicated moving coordinator, so there shouldn’t be any surprises as long as you’re upfront about your home inventory.
Compared to other providers, these extra fees are competitive and nothing outlandish. I like that International Van Lines has a transparent breakdown of these fees so you know exactly what to expect for your overall moving quote.
How Can You Save Your Money With International Van Lines?
Money is tight for many of us, with 35% of middle-income families worrying about paying their bills. With a high cost like moving, it’s essential to take any opportunity to save money on your move to chip away at the average cost of moving, which often starts at $1,200 for a smaller move.
Here are some of the best ways to save on moving costs with International Van Lines:
- AAA discount: While IVL doesn’t specifically advertise an AAA discount, its website does state that asking about this discount, even to a company like itself that doesn’t advertise one, may result in the company matching its competitors’ discount. In other words, it doesn’t hurt to ask if you can get a discount if you belong to AAA.
- Ask about moving packages: Many companies, including IVL, will give you a discount if you bundle services together for a partial-pack or full-service move. This can save you money or score you additional services for no extra cost, so definitely ask your IVL representative about this option.
- Ask for a discount: International Van Lines says a great way to receive moving discounts is simply by asking. Most companies leave a slight cushion in pricing so the client can negotiate the price down a bit. One of the best ways to negotiate your price down is by bringing up better quotes you received from other companies for comparable services.
- Early booking: Booking early gives you access to the most options and, frequently, the best prices. Book at least two months in advance for long-distance moves and three to four months in advance for international moves for the best prices with IVL.
- Free storage: Some of IVL’s full-service moving packages include a month of free storage, which can help you cut back on extra fees. However, you must stop storage fees ten days before your current billing period to cancel the storage services. Otherwise, you’ll be charged for the following month. Few providers offer free storage, so this is a significant benefit and savings for anyone that needs storage between their old and new home.
- Military discount: IVL customers report receiving a 10% to 15% discount; this is because IVL is one of the moving companies offering military/veteran discounts. If you are in either of these categories, bring this up with your dedicated moving coordinator, as this can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your move.
- Senior discount: International Van Lines’ website states that it typically offers a 15% discount for seniors on certain services. Take a moment to ask your representative about this, as this can equal huge savings.
How Do You Schedule a Move With International Van Lines?
International’s top-rated customer service makes booking a move seamless. If you want to schedule a move with International Van Lines or receive a free quote, take the following steps.
- Call International Van Lines’ phone number toll-free at (877) 647-1336 or fill out its online quote form. If you need international relocation services, use IVL’s international quote form.
- After filling out your moving locations, moving date, and number of bedrooms, the quote form will prompt you to provide your contact information so that a representative can contact you.
- A representative will contact you and ask additional questions about your move, home inventory, service needs, and much more. Then, you will schedule a virtual consultation or in-person consultation with your dedicated move coordinator, who will become your contact from here on out.
- After the consultation, you’ll receive a moving estimate from IVL to keep for your records. Keep this safe so that you can easily reference it while your services are carried out.
- If you’re satisfied with the moving estimate, you’ll sign a contract. International Van Lines requires a 25% deposit upfront, which will be applied to your final total.
- Prepare for your move.
If you need to cancel at any time, cancel at least 48 hours before your move date to have your credit card refunded the entire deposit.
So, Should You Choose International Van Lines for Your Move?
International Van Lines is a fantastic provider — especially when it comes to long-distance moves and services for international moves — due to its impressive availability. I highly recommend this company for its competitive pricing, unmatched service offerings, and excellent reputation, as its team can quickly minimize your stress levels with your upcoming move.
If you’re interested in cheaper moving options, I recommend looking into a moving container company like U-Pack. Alternatively, American Van Lines is my top choice for anyone interested in working with a dedicated carrier that doesn’t outsource any of its services, as this can cause service quality to vary.
Ready to start the moving process? Get free quotes from our top-recommended movers:
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
FAQs About International Van Lines
Who is the CEO of International Van Lines?
The CEO of International Van Lines is Joshua Morales. He is the current president and founder and started the company at age 21.
Is International Van Lines a mover or broker?
International Van Lines is a mover and broker, meaning it will complete services with its team and partner with other third-party companies to service areas where it isn’t licensed to be a carrier or is unavailable.
What is the difference between moving companies and freight forwarders?
Depending on the company, a moving company that arranges international moves typically coordinates ocean freight directly or outsources it to a freight forwarder. In contrast, freight forwarders handle ocean freight shipping, but many are not licensed to handle household goods for residential moves. The freight forward will also handle documentation like shipping details and the Bill of Laden.
Does International Van Lines protect my belongings with insurance?
Yes, IVL moving services automatically come with limited liability coverage, which equals $0.60 per pound. If this isn’t enough — or you want additional protection on high-cost items — you can buy additional coverage through IVL. Speak with your IVL moving coordinator about insurance coverage as they build your quote.
Methodology: How We Rank The Best Moving Companies
At Today’s Homeowner, we strive to bring you the most transparent, accurate information for your home improvement projects. Our moving company ratings emphasize what matters most to you — reputable, affordable companies able to tackle a wide range of packing and moving tasks.
Our ratings are based on publicly available information about each company, secret shopping online and over the phone, customer-review analysis, and interviews with former and current professional movers.
A company can earn a maximum of 100 points across four categories converted to a five-star scale. We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and developed the following formula:
- Transparency (30 Points): We awarded top points to companies that supplied quotes quickly and provided easy-to-read moving contracts. We used the availability of sample pricing and quick quote features, GPS tracking, and clear customer service hours to determine this metric. Points were also awarded for up-front communication regarding policies, licensing, insurance, and the clear listing of added fees.
- Basic Service Options (20 Points): While this may seem like a given for most movers, a strong basic service profile is not guaranteed when you book your move. Movers that offer local, long-distance, and international moving, while providing packing and loading with their basic service packages rate highly here.
- Customization Options (30 Points): Aside from basic services, a comprehensive list of added services indicates a mover’s quality. Assembly and disassembly, valuation coverage, piano moving, car shipping, and similar add-ons indicate a mover that puts customer service first.
- Reputation (20 Points): We assessed each mover’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. We weighed BBB ratings and the company’s complaint response rate to calculate this metric.
We monitor company data on an ongoing basis to keep rankings and information up to date.
