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American Van Lines Review: Long-Distance Moving Services

American Van Lines is a licensed Pompano Beach, Florida interstate mover with its own trucks. Federal complaints jumped to 151 so far in 2026, many over pickup and delivery, final charges and held goods.

American Van Lines Long-Distance Moving Services BestGuide rating
4.5/5 BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editors from reputation, services, transparency, customer satisfaction and scale. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.

Best for: Long-distance movers who get a binding written estimate, buy full value protection and can live with some delivery-date flexibility.

On this page13 sections
  1. Ratings and complaints
  2. American Van Lines vs. competitors
  3. Pricing
  4. Step by step
  5. American Van Lines legitimacy and licensing
  6. American Van Lines complaints
  7. American Van Lines cost
  8. Deposits, cancellation and claims
  9. Federal rules that protect you
  10. Who should skip American Van Lines
  11. What customers say
  12. Alternatives
  13. FAQ
Our verdict

American Van Lines, Inc. is a real, federally licensed household goods carrier (USDOT 614506, MC-294798) running 81 trucks from Pompano Beach, Florida, in business since 1995 and not a broker. Its roadside inspection record is close to the national average and it holds an older Satisfactory safety rating. The warning sign is the trend in complaints: FMCSA's moving complaint database shows 24 in 2023, 30 in 2024, 70 in 2025 and 151 so far in 2026, led by pickup and delivery problems, disputes over final charges and 29 reports of goods held for payment. The BBB lists 358 complaints in three years and does not rate the company.

License
Household goods motor carrier, USDOT 614506, MC-294798; active authority; carrier only, not a broker1
Fleet
81 power units and 68 drivers on SAFER; FMCSA's mover page lists 35 trucks, 46 tractors and 70 trailers1
Address
1351 NW 22nd St, Pompano Beach, FL 33069; (954) 630-0316; sales (888) 759-60001
Ownership
Owner Anthony DiSorbo since 1999; the company says it reopened in South Florida in 19956
Safety record
Satisfactory rating dated 2008; vehicle out-of-service rate 21.6% (national average 22.26%), driver 5.9% (6.67%); 101 inspections and 1 injury crash in 24 months1
Federal complaints
151 in 2026 through September 25, up from 70 in 2025, 30 in 2024 and 24 in 20232
Deposit and cancellation
Deposit refundable only if you cancel in writing within 3 days after signing the bill of lading, and before any packing or loading3
Claims
File in writing within 9 months of delivery; the company requires all charges paid first and limits claims to damage noted on the inventory at delivery3

American Van Lines ratings and complaint records

  • FMCSA complaints (NCCDB) 151 in 2026 Through September 25, 2026: pickup and delivery 48, estimates and final charges 40, loss and damage 30, hostage goods 29, claim settlement 20; 70 complaints in all of 2025 View source
  • BBB Not rated American Van Lines, Inc., Pompano Beach; not accredited; business started November 8, 1995; 358 complaints in the last 3 years; 633 customer reviews View source
  • Trustpilot 3.4 out of 5 381 reviews, 62% five star and 25% one star; claimed profile on a paid plan; replies to 6% of negative reviews View source
  • FMCSA SAFER Satisfactory Rating dated July 29, 2008; reviewed July 1, 2026 as non-ratable; vehicle out-of-service rate 21.6% vs 22.26% national average View source
  • Google (as shown on the company's site) 4.1 out of 5 Review widget on americanvanlines.com shows 4.2 from 2,342 Google reviews and 4.1 overall from 5,797 across Google, BBB and ConsumerAffairs; we did not check counts on each platform directly View source

Pros

  • Licensed household goods carrier with its own trucks, not a broker
  • Roadside out-of-service rates near the national average
  • Offers binding estimates and publishes sample route prices
  • Packing, storage, military, corporate and commercial moves
  • In business since the 1990s with the same owner since 1999

Cons

  • Federal complaints rose from 24 in 2023 to 151 so far in 2026
  • 29 hostage goods complaints to FMCSA in 2026
  • Deposit is nonrefundable after the 3-day window
  • BBB does not rate it; 358 complaints in three years
  • Claims require all charges paid first and damage noted at delivery

Best for: Long-distance movers who get a binding written estimate, buy full value protection and can live with some delivery-date flexibility.

Skip it if: You need a firm delivery date, may need to cancel late, or want a mover with a clean recent complaint record.

American Van Lines vs. competitors

American Van Lines compared with competitors
CompanyFMCSA safety ratingTrucks (power units)BBBTrustpilotNext step
American Van Lines Satisfactory (2008)81Not rated, 358 complaints in 3 years3.4 out of 5 (381 reviews)
International Van Lines Not rated24A+, 129 complaints in 3 years3.8 out of 5 (499 reviews) Visit site
Colonial Van Lines Satisfactory (2021)25A+, 139 complaints in 3 years4.0 out of 5 (3,041 reviews) Visit site
United Van Lines Satisfactory (2023)4,731A+, 79 complaints in 3 years1.8 out of 5 (18 reviews) Read review

American Van Lines pricing at a glance

Sample long-distance prices advertised by American Van Lines, October 20264

Route Advertised price
Miami, FL to Atlanta, GA $2,880
Miami, FL to New York City, NY $3,930
Miami, FL to Los Angeles, CA $5,227
Chicago, IL to New York City, NY $3,447
Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA $4,560
Washington, D.C. to Seattle, WA $5,352
Austin, TX to Denver, CO $3,141

These are listed as special offers on the company's cost page and do not state the home size or weight they assume, so your quote may differ. Estimates include loading, unloading and basic 60 cents per pound coverage; packing materials and labor, stairs, elevators, long carries, shuttles and extra stops cost more. On a non-binding estimate you can be required to pay up to 110% of the estimate at delivery.

American Van Lines, step by step

  1. Get a quote

    Call (888) 759-6000 or use the online form. Ask whether the estimate is binding and get it in writing, based on an in-home or video survey of everything you are moving.

  2. Sign the bill of lading and pay the deposit

    Your deposit is refundable only if you cancel in writing within 3 days after signing and before any work starts.

  3. Choose valuation

    Basic coverage is 60 cents per pound per item at no charge. Full value protection costs extra and covers repair, replacement or market value.

  4. Packing, loading and transport

    Crews pack (if you paid for it), load and inventory your items. Long-distance shipments may move on shared trucks or be reloaded or stored on the way.

  5. Delivery and payment

    On a binding estimate you must pay the full amount before the truck is unloaded. Note every damaged or missing item on the inventory before you sign.

  6. File any claim

    Submit a written claim within 9 months of delivery through the company's claim page; the company requires charges to be paid in full first.

American Van Lines legitimacy and licensing

Yes. American Van Lines, Inc. is an active, federally licensed household goods carrier (USDOT 614506, MC-294798) at 1351 NW 22nd Street in Pompano Beach, Florida. It operates its own trucks, 81 power units on FMCSA’s SAFER system, and is registered as a carrier, not a broker. It holds a Satisfactory federal safety rating from 2008, and its trucks fail roadside inspections at about the national average rate. The company says it reopened in South Florida in 1995, and owner Anthony DiSorbo has run it since 1999.

Legitimate does not mean trouble free. Complaints to FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database more than doubled in 2025 and doubled again in 2026, and the BBB lists 358 complaints in three years without giving the company a letter grade. Watch for similar names: American Van Lines East (Tampa), United American Van Lines and National American Van Lines are separate companies. Check that your contract shows USDOT 614506.

American Van Lines complaints

FMCSA’s mover search shows 151 complaints against American Van Lines in 2026 through September 25, compared with 70 in all of 2025, 30 in 2024 and 24 in 2023. In 2026 the largest categories are pickup and delivery (48), estimates and final charges (40), loss and damage (30), hostage goods (29), meaning a mover refusing to deliver until more money is paid, and claim settlement (20). FMCSA notes that bigger movers handle more moves, so compare counts with fleet size, but the year over year rise is steep.

Trustpilot reviews follow the same lines: praise for crews, and complaints about price increases, delivery delays, poor tracking updates, damage claims and use of other crews. The company replies to 6% of negative Trustpilot reviews. Its own website shows a 4.1 average from a review widget pulling Google, BBB and ConsumerAffairs reviews.

American Van Lines cost

American Van Lines lists sample prices such as $2,880 from Miami to Atlanta, $3,447 from Chicago to New York and $5,227 from Miami to Los Angeles, but does not say what size move they assume. Your price depends on weight or volume, distance and services. Estimates include loading, unloading and basic coverage; packing materials and labor, stairs, elevators, long carries, shuttles for streets a truck can’t reach, and extra stops cost more.

Get a binding estimate if you can. Under its terms, a binding estimate is based on the items you list and must be paid in full before the truck is unloaded; anything added later is billed after delivery. With a non-binding estimate, federal rules let the mover collect up to 110% of the estimate at delivery, with the rest billed later. List every item, including the garage, attic and storage unit, so the estimate isn’t revised on moving day.

Alternative: Colonial Van LinesVisit site

What customers say about American Van Lines

Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.

Common praise

  • Hardworking, careful crews on moving day
  • Binding or flat-rate quotes that held at delivery
  • Friendly sales and coordination staff
  • Smooth local and cross-country moves when timelines held

Common complaints

  • Price increases or extra charges at pickup or delivery
  • Long delivery delays and poor updates on where a shipment is
  • Damaged or missing items and slow claim payouts
  • Shipments held until extra charges are paid
  • Use of other carriers or crews on some moves

Deposits, cancellation and claims

American Van Lines’ terms say estimates can be canceled without penalty and deposits refunded only if you cancel in writing within 3 days after signing the bill of lading. After that, or once packing, loading or storage begins, the deposit is not refundable. Read the bill of lading before you sign and before you pay.

Claims must be in writing within 9 months of delivery, with proof of ownership and value. The terms require all money owed to the mover to be paid before you can file, and limit claims to damage written on the inventory at delivery, so check every box and piece of furniture before the crew leaves. The terms also say fragile items are only covered if the crew packed and unpacked them. If the company denies or lowballs a claim, you can use the arbitration program movers must offer for interstate claims.

Federal rules that protect you

Interstate movers must give you FMCSA’s booklet, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, and offer two levels of liability. Released value, at no extra cost, pays only 60 cents per pound per item, so a 50-pound TV worth $1,000 would bring $30. Full value protection costs more and requires the mover to repair, replace or pay current value. Items worth more than $100 per pound must be listed on the shipping documents or coverage can be limited.

On a non-binding estimate the mover can require only 110% of the estimate at delivery and must release your goods when you pay it; the rest is billed later. If a mover holds your goods for more money, file a complaint with FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database and your state attorney general.

Who should skip American Van Lines

Skip it if you have a fixed move-in date you can’t miss, since late delivery is the top complaint category in 2026, or if your plans may change after you sign, since the deposit is lost after 3 days. If your budget is tight, a container or trailer service such as U-Pack or PODS lets you see the full price online and keeps your belongings out of a shared truck.

Alternative: Colonial Van LinesVisit site

Alternatives to American Van Lines

  • United Van Lines BestGuide rating: 4.1 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.

    A large agent network with a long federal record and fewer BBB complaints, priced from a home or video survey.

  • Colonial Van Lines BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.Read review

    Another licensed carrier with a more recent Satisfactory safety rating and higher Trustpilot score.

  • U-Pack BestGuide rating: 4.0 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.

    You pack and load a trailer or container and U-Pack drives it, with an instant online price and no crew handling your items.

  • PODS BestGuide rating: 4.0 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.

    A portable container you load at your own pace, useful when you need storage between homes.

American Van Lines reviews

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Frequently asked questions

Is American Van Lines a legitimate company?

Yes. It is a licensed interstate household goods carrier (USDOT 614506, MC-294798) in Pompano Beach, Florida, with its own trucks. Federal complaints have risen sharply since 2024, so read the contract carefully.

Is American Van Lines a broker?

No. FMCSA lists it as a household goods carrier only, with no broker authority. Some customers report other crews being used, so ask who will do your move.

Is American Van Lines the same as North American Van Lines?

No. North American Van Lines is a separate Fort Wayne, Indiana company owned by Sirva. American Van Lines is an independent Florida mover.

How much does American Van Lines cost?

It advertises sample routes from about $2,880 (Miami to Atlanta) to $5,352 (Washington, D.C. to Seattle) without stating the move size. Your price depends on weight, distance and extra services.

What is American Van Lines' BBB rating?

The BBB lists it as not rated and not accredited, with 358 complaints in the last three years as of October 2026.

How many complaints does American Van Lines have?

FMCSA's database shows 151 complaints in 2026 through September 25, up from 70 in 2025. The top issues are pickup and delivery, final charges, loss and damage, and goods held for payment.

Can I get my deposit back from American Van Lines?

Only if you cancel in writing within 3 days after signing the bill of lading and before packing or loading starts, according to its terms.

Does American Van Lines give binding estimates?

Yes, its terms describe binding estimates based on the items you list, paid in full before unloading. Additional services are billed within 30 days after delivery.

How do I file a claim with American Van Lines?

Use the File a Claim page within 9 months of delivery, with proof of ownership and value. The company requires all charges to be paid first and limits claims to damage noted at delivery.

What insurance does American Van Lines include?

Basic released value coverage of 60 cents per pound per item at no charge. Full value protection costs extra and is worth considering for furniture and electronics.

Sources (10)

Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards

  1. FMCSA SAFER: American Van Lines Inc (USDOT 614506) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  2. FMCSA Protect Your Move: American Van Lines, Inc. complaint history (accessed October 12, 2026)
  3. American Van Lines: Terms and conditions (accessed October 12, 2026)
  4. American Van Lines: Moving cost (accessed October 12, 2026)
  5. BBB: American Van Lines, Inc. (accessed October 12, 2026)
  6. American Van Lines: Corporate history (accessed October 12, 2026)
  7. Trustpilot: American Van Lines (accessed October 12, 2026)
  8. American Van Lines: Homepage (accessed October 12, 2026)
  9. eCFR: 49 CFR 375.407, release of shipments under non-binding estimates (110% rule) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  10. eCFR: 49 CFR 375.213, information movers must give before the move (accessed October 12, 2026)
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