On this page15 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Mayflower Moving vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Mayflower legitimacy and licensing
- Mayflower cost
- Full Value Protection and claims
- How Mayflower Moving Works
- How a Mayflower move works
- Mayflower complaints and how to avoid problems
- Mayflower's safety record
- Who should skip Mayflower
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Mayflower suits long-distance, full-service moves where you want Full Value Protection ($6 per pound of shipment weight) included in the first quote and a binding price after a survey. It is a legitimate national van line, licensed by FMCSA under USDOT 125563 with a Satisfactory safety rating, and part of the UniGroup cooperative with United Van Lines. It is not cheap: Mayflower's own guide puts a 2 to 3 bedroom long-distance move at about $8,000 to over $10,000. Complaints focus on damaged or missing items, late deliveries and slow claims, and your experience depends heavily on the local agent, so check that agent's reviews and get a binding quote in writing.
- Federal license
- Mayflower Transit LLC, USDOT 125563, MC-2934, active and authorized as a household goods carrier1
- Safety rating
- Satisfactory, from an FMCSA compliance review dated November 21, 20221
- Fleet
- 769 power units and 1,472 drivers listed with FMCSA1
- Cost guide
- About $8,000 to over $10,000 for a 2 to 3 bedroom long-distance move; just under $10,000 to over $17,000 for 4 to 5 bedrooms, per Mayflower3
- Default protection
- Full Value Protection at shipment weight times $6 per pound, included in every initial quote4
- Small moves
- Snapmoves containers with $10,000 of coverage per container and no deposit at booking5
- History
- Founded 1927; joined UniGroup in 1995; UniGroup became an agent-owned cooperative in 20182
Pros
- Licensed carrier with a Satisfactory FMCSA safety rating and nearly 100 years in business
- Full Value Protection at $6 per pound included in every initial quote
- Binding quotes after an in-home or video survey
- Snapmoves containers for smaller long-distance moves
Cons
- No published prices; Mayflower's own guide starts around $8,000 for a 2 to 3 bedroom long-distance move
- Service quality depends on the local agent
- Vehicle out-of-service rate slightly above the national average
- Low Trustpilot score, though from only 21 reviews
Best for: Families making a long-distance, full-service move who want a binding price and full value coverage built into the quote.
Skip it if: You are moving locally or on a tight budget and can pack and load yourself.
Mayflower Moving vs. competitors
| Company | FMCSA vehicle out-of-service rate (24 months) | Driver out-of-service rate | Trucks listed | Pricing | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayflower | 24.3% of 771 inspections | 3.1% | 769 | Binding quote after survey | |
| United Van Lines | 24.2% of 2,105 inspections | 3.4% | 4,731 | Binding quote after survey | Read review |
| Allied Van Lines | 30.3% of 955 inspections | 4.2% | Quote after survey or online form | Read review | |
| North American Van Lines | 31.4% of 849 inspections | 4.1% | Quote after survey | Read review |
Mayflower Moving pricing at a glance
Mayflower cost guide and protection, as listed October 20263
| Item | Price or terms |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 bedroom long-distance move | About $8,000 to over $10,000 |
| 4 to 5 bedroom long-distance move | Just under $10,000 to over $17,000 |
| Full Value Protection (default) | Shipment weight x $6 per pound, e.g. 6,800 lb = $40,800 of coverage, included in the first quote |
| Released value (if you opt out) | $0.60 per pound per article, the legal minimum |
| Higher declared value | Extra charge; can be raised until loading starts |
| Snapmoves container | Priced by distance and containers used; $10,000 coverage per container; no deposit at booking |
| Delay compensation | Up to $250 a day if pickup or delivery is late past the agreed date, when applicable |
Mayflower does not publish rates. Your binding quote depends on shipment weight, distance, dates and services such as packing, storage or vehicle shipping. Ranges are Mayflower's own guide figures.
Mayflower Moving, step by step
Request an estimate
Ask for a quote online or by phone. Mayflower assigns a local agent near your origin.
Home survey
An agent surveys your belongings in person or by video to estimate weight and services.
Binding quote and e-sign
You review a customized package, adjust services and e-sign a binding quote to lock your dates.
Packing, loading and transit
Agent crews pack and load; you track the move and paperwork in the MyMayflower portal.
Delivery and claims
Check items at delivery, note damage on the paperwork and file any claim online within 9 months.
Mayflower legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Mayflower Transit LLC is a federally licensed interstate household goods carrier (USDOT 125563, MC-2934) based in St. Louis, with an active operating authority and a Satisfactory FMCSA safety rating from a November 2022 compliance review. It has operated since 1927, joined UniGroup in 1995, and is a sister brand of United Van Lines under the agent-owned UniGroup cooperative.
Mayflower moves are carried out by a network of local agents. That is why reviews vary so much: two customers can get very different crews. Before you book, look up the specific agent’s own BBB and Google reviews.
The corporate BBB profile for Mayflower Transit, Inc. is not rated and shows no complaints, while parent UniGroup holds an A+ and has been accredited since 1983, with 79 complaints in three years. Older articles that cite an A+ grade with a 1 star review average are describing other or older profiles.
Mayflower cost
Mayflower does not publish rates. Its own cost guide says a long-distance move of a 2 to 3 bedroom home typically starts at about $8,000 to over $10,000, and a 4 to 5 bedroom home runs from just under $10,000 to over $17,000. The final price depends mainly on shipment weight, distance, dates and extras such as packing, storage in transit and vehicle shipping.
To get a real price, Mayflower surveys your home in person or by video and then gives a binding quote you can e-sign. With a binding estimate, the price only changes if you add items or services. Under federal rules, if you have a non-binding estimate the mover must deliver your goods when you pay 110% of the estimate at delivery, with any balance billed later.
For smaller moves, Snapmoves containers are priced by distance and the number of containers used, and you are refunded if fewer containers are used than estimated.
Full Value Protection and claims
Every initial Mayflower quote includes Full Value Protection, calculated as shipment weight times $6 per pound. A 6,800 pound shipment, for example, gets $40,800 of coverage. Mayflower will repair, replace or pay for lost or damaged items up to that amount, subject to conditions. You can declare a higher value for an extra charge until loading begins.
Two details cause many disputes. First, list any item worth more than $100 per pound, such as jewelry, art or electronics, on the High Value Inventory Form, or recovery for it may be limited. Second, if you waive Full Value Protection you drop to the legal minimum of $0.60 per pound per article, so a 10 pound TV would be worth $6.
Federal rules give you 9 months from delivery to file a written claim. The mover must acknowledge it within 30 days and pay, decline or make an offer within 120 days, and it must offer a neutral arbitration program for loss and damage disputes. Mayflower takes claims online; Texas intrastate moves use a form from your agent.
How Mayflower Moving Works
Mayflower operates as a full-service moving carrier, managing moves through its nationwide network of affiliated agents. The process is structured to provide a single point of contact and clear steps from the initial quote to final delivery.
Step 1: Get a Quote
The process begins by requesting a quote through the Mayflower Moving website or by phone. To provide an accurate estimate, Mayflower requires a home survey, which can be conducted in person or virtually. It assesses the volume and weight of your belongings, typically takes 30-60 minutes, and forms the basis of your binding or non-binding estimate.
Step 2: Plan with a Move Coordinator
Once you book your move, Mayflower assigns a personal move coordinator. This coordinator is your single point of contact throughout the move, helping schedule packing, loading, and delivery dates, answering questions, and managing any add-ons you select, such as storage-in-transit or car shipping.
Step 3: Packing, Loading, and Transit
On the scheduled day, a crew from a local Mayflower agent arrives to pack and load your belongings; with full-service packing, the team handles everything. You can track your shipment 24/7 through the MyMayflower portal, which provides real-time updates on your truck’s location.
What customers say about Mayflower Moving
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Professional, careful crews in many company-collected reviews
- Proactive communication from move coordinators
- On-time pickup and delivery when the local agent performs well
- Full Value Protection included by default
Common complaints
- Damaged or missing items
- Late deliveries and missed date windows
- Slow claims handling and low settlement offers
- Moves handed to other crews or agents without clear notice
- Hard to get responses after delivery
How a Mayflower move works
You request an estimate, a local agent surveys your home, and a Mayflower specialist builds a package with packing, storage or other services before you e-sign a binding quote. The MyMayflower portal holds your documents and payments and tracks the move.
Snapmoves is Mayflower’s option for smaller long-distance moves. Crews load your goods into wooden containers about 8 feet high, 5 feet wide and 7.5 feet deep, each roughly one large room, that are never shared with another customer. Transit usually takes 4 to 10 business days, with a single delivery day or a three-day window.
For local moves, Mayflower says its agents provide service independently under their own business names, so the terms and price come from that agent.
Mayflower complaints and how to avoid problems
Mayflower’s Trustpilot page has only 21 reviews, but 86% are one star and the company has not replied to negative ones. The common themes are damaged or missing items, late deliveries, moves handed to other crews, and slow claims with low offers. The same themes show up in complaints against parent UniGroup on the BBB.
- Get a binding quote in writing and confirm the pickup and delivery windows.
- Ask which agent and crew will load and drive your shipment.
- Photograph valuables and fill in the High Value Inventory Form before loading.
- Note every damaged or missing item on the delivery paperwork before signing.
- File claims in writing well within 9 months, and keep copies.
Mayflower's safety record
FMCSA data for the 24 months to October 10, 2026 show 771 roadside inspections. Mayflower’s vehicle out-of-service rate was 24.3%, slightly above the 22.26% national average, while its driver out-of-service rate of 3.1% was below the 6.67% national average. It was involved in 25 reportable crashes, 1 fatal, 9 with injuries and 15 tow-aways, which FMCSA lists without deciding fault. United Van Lines, its sister brand, reported 70 crashes on a fleet about six times larger.
Who should skip Mayflower
Mayflower is priced for full-service, long-distance moves. If you are moving across town, have a studio or one bedroom, or can pack and load yourself, a container service, a self-pack freight mover or a rental truck will usually cost far less. Even for a big move, get at least one more binding quote from another licensed carrier, such as United Van Lines’ local agent, before you sign.
Alternatives to Mayflower Moving
-
United Van LinesSame parent, same protection terms and a much larger fleet; worth a second binding quote from its local agent.
-
PODSCheaper if you can pack and load yourself and want a container that sits at your home.
-
U-PackA middle option where you load and the company drives, usually below full-service prices.
-
Rental truck and hired labor
The lowest-cost route for a small or local move, if you can drive and handle damage risk yourself.
Mayflower Moving reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used Mayflower Moving, yours will be the first.
Write a reviewHow do I know I can trust these reviews about Mayflower Moving?
- Every reviewer confirms an email address before a review can publish.
- Our moderators read every review before it publishes.
- Companies can respond publicly but can never edit, hide or remove a review.
- Paying BestGuide never changes the reader rating or which reviews publish.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mayflower a legit moving company?
Yes. Mayflower Transit LLC is licensed by FMCSA (USDOT 125563, MC-2934) with an active household goods authority and a Satisfactory safety rating. It has operated since 1927 and is part of UniGroup with United Van Lines.
How much does Mayflower charge for a long-distance move?
Mayflower's own guide says a 2 to 3 bedroom long-distance move typically starts around $8,000 to over $10,000, and a 4 to 5 bedroom move runs from just under $10,000 to over $17,000. Your price comes from a binding quote after a survey.
Does Mayflower give binding quotes?
Yes. After an in-home or video survey you receive a binding quote you can review, adjust and e-sign. The price changes only if you add items or services.
What does Mayflower's Full Value Protection cover?
It is included in every first quote at shipment weight times $6 per pound. Mayflower repairs, replaces or pays for lost or damaged items up to that amount, subject to conditions, and items over $100 per pound must be listed on a High Value Inventory Form.
Is Mayflower the same company as United Van Lines?
They are separate licensed carriers owned by the same parent, UniGroup, with nearly identical protection terms. The local agent who handles your move matters more than the brand name.
What is Mayflower's BBB rating?
The corporate Mayflower Transit, Inc. profile is not rated and not accredited, with no complaints listed. Parent UniGroup holds an A+, has been accredited since 1983 and has 79 complaints in three years. Local agents have separate profiles.
How do I file a claim with Mayflower?
File online on Mayflower's claims page, or use a form from your agent for moves within Texas. Federal rules give you 9 months from delivery, and the mover must respond within 120 days.
Does Mayflower do local moves?
Mayflower says local moves are handled by its agents independently under their own business names, so the terms and price come from that agent rather than Mayflower.
What is Snapmoves by Mayflower?
A container option for smaller long-distance moves. Crews load your goods into private wooden containers, each with $10,000 of coverage, and you pay only for the containers used. Transit usually takes 4 to 10 business days.
Does Mayflower pay if my delivery is late?
Mayflower says that, when applicable, you could receive up to $250 a day if pickup or delivery is delayed past the date on your paperwork. Ask for those terms in writing before you sign.
Sources (13)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- FMCSA SAFER: Mayflower Transit LLC, USDOT 125563 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Mayflower: About us (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Mayflower: How to estimate the cost of a long-distance move (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Mayflower: Full Value Protection (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Mayflower: Snapmoves (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Mayflower: Homepage (quote steps) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Mayflower: File a claim (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Mayflower Transit, Inc. profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: UniGroup profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Mayflower reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- eCFR: 49 CFR Part 375, Transportation of household goods in interstate commerce (accessed October 12, 2026)
- eCFR: 49 CFR Part 370, Principles and practices for loss and damage claims (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FMCSA SAFER: United Van Lines LLC, USDOT 77949 (accessed October 12, 2026)
BestGuide is free to use. Some companies we review pay us when you visit their site or contact them through us. Compensation may influence which companies we feature and their order. It doesn't change what our reviews say. Advertising disclosure