How Do You Schedule a Military Move?

As soon as you get your orders, make your way to your base transportation office. The name varies per branch: for the Air Force it's the Traffic Management Office, for the Army it's the Transportation Office, and for the Navy and Marine Corps, it's the Personal Property Shipping Office. There you will decide if you want to carry out a personally procured move (PPM) or let the government handle it for you, with you picking a preferred moving provider. Once you make your decision, you'll schedule your move with your base transportation office and start getting ready for it.

Does the Government Pay for Military Moves?

Yes. However, your moving allowance, or the amount of money the government is willing to spend on your move, is tied to your rank, the number of dependents in your family, and the type of move. Your moving allowance also determines your weight limit. Generally, the higher the rank, the higher the allowance. If you choose to do a PPM, you will receive a payment equal to 100 percent of the estimated cost the government would pay to move your goods. If your PPM is cheaper and falls under that number, you may pocket the difference.

Does the Military Recommend a Specific Mover?

The military works with many transportation service providers (TSP). If you are doing a PPM, you may want to make sure the moving company you select is approved by the General Services Administration before you book. The Defense Personal Property Management Office also collects data from satisfaction surveys post-move, so contact your base transportation office for counseling or more information.

What Are Considered High-Value Items During a Military Move?

Anything worth over $100 per pound is considered a high-value item. This includes electronics, collectibles, art, antiques, china, and more. If you own an antique or custom-made item but don't know its value, you may want to get an appraisal before your move to have it ready in case anything happens. It's also recommended to keep all identity documents and sentimental objects with you to ensure safe transit.

Do Military Movers Unpack for You?

Depends. If you're doing a government-procured move, the answer is always yes. A government-organized move always includes packing, transportation, and unpacking services. If you are doing a PPM or a DITY move, then it's up to you to book unpacking services (for an added cost).

7 Best Moving Companies for Military in 2023

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Another year means another move is on the way for approximately one-third of military members and their families. Rising up the ranks often comes along with a PCS or permanent change of station move, or sometimes a temporary duty assignment (TDY), where you have to change locations for a short while. Whatever the reason, relocation is a recurring event in military life. It's why the best moving companies for military members make the process as easy and hassle-free as possible.

The best military moving companies provide you with top-notch packing services, safe and reliable delivery of your goods, unpacking services if you need them, tracking options to keep an eye on where your things are at any given time, and affordable rates. In some cases, military-approved moving companies also offer military discounts.

There are two options: let the government handle your move or opt for a personally procured move (PPM). A PPM, formerly known as a do-it-yourself or DITY move, allows you to have more control over the entire process. No matter which option you choose, the best moving companies for military families aim to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Best Moving Companies for Military in 2023

Best Overall: Atlas Van Lines
Best for International Moves: United Van Lines
Best for Long-Distance Moves: Allied Van Lines
Best for Local Moves: American Van Lines
Best Vehicle Relocation: North American Van Lines
Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services
Best on a Budget: PODS

Best Overall: Atlas Van Lines

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 50 states
Packing & Loading Options: Full service, partial service, and self service
Storage Services? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

Reimbursement assistance for PPM
No deposit required
Satellite shipment tracking
GSA approved

Cons

Need to call for quote
Long-distance moves require full payment before driver can begin delivery

Why It Made the List

No matter if this is your first or 100th move in your military career, you want to work with a carrier that is going to manage the process efficiently and also take good care of your belongings. Atlas Van Lines' services span across continents, meaning the company can help you move locally, cross-country, and to more than 150 countries. The company even provides assistance to tackle the extra regulations and clear customs expeditiously.

Backed by more than 70 years of experience, Atlas offers packing and unpacking services to all its clients, military members included. Shipments are tracked using satellite technology so you can keep tabs on your belongings at any time. You can also manage your account and all the details of your move through an online customer portal for convenience and easy access.

Understanding that military moves require trustworthy people, Atlas conducts background checks on all personnel entering your residence. It also offers assistance in filling out all the reimbursement forms associated with PPM to make the entire process easier for you and your family. There's no deposit required to book a moving date, but you must call the company to get a quote. Military discounts vary per location and Atlas agent.

Best for International Moves: United Van Lines

United Van Lines

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 50 states
Packing & Loading Options: Full service, partial service, and self service
Storage Services? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers customs clearance management services
Shipment tracking
GSA approved

Cons

Need to call for quote

Why It Made the List

If your orders are taking you overseas, United Van Lines can provide door-to-door moving assistance. The company offers relocation services in more than 150 countries and can transport your goods through land and sea, depending on your specific needs. Your moving coordinator will help you through the entire process and assist in filling out all relevant paperwork or documentation for customs clearance and for your goods to safely arrive in the new country.

Every international move quote includes packing services to streamline the customs process. Professional packers will come to your home and pack all your belongings so you don't have to lift a finger. If you own a personal vehicle, the company can also arrange for its transportation overseas. For the utmost preparation, United also has a robust Full Value Protection plan that will repair and/or replace items that are damaged or lost during the moving process, which you can keep an eye on through United's online tracking tool. Should your plans or orders change, there are a variety of storage options available for you to secure your belongings.

For a moving quote, call the company and choose either a virtual or in-person home assessment. International moves require a nonrefundable deposit to book your moving date.

Best for Long-Distance Moves: Allied Van Lines

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 50 states
Packing & Loading Options: Full service, partial service, and self service
Storage Services? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

Instant estimate available online
90 days in-transit storage
No deposit required
GSA approved
Military discounts available

Cons

Need to call for binding quote
Long-distance moves require some advance payment before driver can begin delivery

Why It Made the List

For cross-country moves, Allied Van Lines offers instant ballpark estimates to give you a better sense of how much a move will cost you. It is one of the few national moving companies that have this feature and the only one in this entire roundup that offers this service. While you still need to speak to a representative to get a binding quote, the instant estimate tool is great for initial research to determine if a company's prices fall within your budget.

A deposit is not required to book your moving date, but long-distance moves require you to make a deposit before the driver can begin delivery of your goods. Packing and unpacking services can be also requested for an added cost, with the option to tailor your request for partial- and full-service packing. Shipment tracking is available for every move, and Allied can provide up to 90 days of in-transit storage should your plans change. Anything over the initial 90 days must be moved to one of Allied's climate-controlled storage facilities.

Best for Local Moves: American Van Lines

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 48 states
Packing & Loading Options: Full service, partial service, and self service
Storage Services? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers disassembly and assembly of furniture and appliances
Special handling of antiques, pianos, and other high-value items available
Virtual home assessment for convenience factor
Military discounts available

Cons

No moving services in AK or HI
Deposit required

Why It Made the List

Sometimes, military families (or individuals) will go through a PCS move that requires changing stations within the same city. When this happens, American Van Lines can take care of your entire move with its packing services. Your quote includes the disassembly and assembly of furniture and appliances, so you don't need to waste any time with Allen wrenches and screwdrivers.

For the most convenient experience, you can also opt into a full-service move where professional packers will bring all the moving supplies to quickly and efficiently wrap all your belongings for a secure move. If you hope to save a few bucks, American Van Lines also offers partial service, or you can pack your boxes yourself. For high-value items like fine art paintings, antiques, pianos, etc., American offers special handling services—for an extra cost.

For a quote, you'll need to call the company. A representative will ask you a few basic questions about your household and where you're moving to and then schedule a virtual home assessment. The duration of the virtual assessment depends on the size of your home and the number of belongings, but after it's completed, you will receive a binding estimate covering the cost of your move and any included services. To book a date, you need to pay a deposit, but you can negotiate that percentage with your booking agent.

Best Vehicle Relocation: North American Van Lines

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 50 states
Packing & Loading Options: Full service, partial service, and self service
Storage Services? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers both open and closed car carrier transports
Customer service available 24/7
Shipment tracking available
Military discounts available
GSA approved

Cons

Deposit required
Need to call for quote

Why It Made the List

Your cars, motorcycles, and other personal vehicles are as important as your household goods, which is why they deserve to be transported with the highest level of care. North American Van Lines offers both open and closed car carrier transports to accommodate your needs. Open car carriers are more affordable and a frequent mode of transportation used by car dealerships. If you prefer some privacy or want to ensure your car exterior remains protected from the elements, closed car carriers will be the way to go. North American Van Lines can deliver your vehicle to your home in as little as three days, but it could take up to a week.

In addition to its vehicle shipping services, North American Van Lines offers full, partial, and self-service moves to meet all of your needs. You can track your shipment at any time, and customer service is also available 24/7 to answer any of your questions. You must speak to a representative for an estimated quote, and a deposit is required to secure your moving date.

Best Mobile App: JK Moving Services

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 50 states
Packing & Loading Options: Full service, partial service, and self service
Storage Services? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

Mobile app to manage every aspect of your move
Customer service available 24/7
Virtual self-survey to complete at your convenience
Military discounts available for long-distance moves
GSA approved

Cons

Deposit required
Doesn't accomodate local moves outside MD, VA, and Washington, D.C.
Need to call for quote

Why It Made the List

Depending on your orders, you may have very little time to organize a PCS move. JK Moving Services offers convenience at your fingertips, with a mobile app that allows you to schedule and manage your entire move anytime. It shows your pack, load, and delivery dates clearly for easy access and specifies the type of coverage you have purchased and the total valuation amount of your belongings as well. Working odd hours won't be an issue in managing your move, since customer service is available 24/7.

Although you still have to speak to an agent to get a quote, the process has been streamlined with a virtual self-survey of your belongings; you can skip the hassle of scheduling a video call and having a company estimator come to your home. Shipment tracking is also available to provide peace of mind and let you know where your things are at any given point. Every move requires a $250 deposit to secure your moving date, and local moves are limited to Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Best on a Budget: PODS

Pods Moving

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 44 states
Packing & Loading Options: Self service
Storage Services? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

10 percent discount for military members
GSA approved
No deposit required
Full refund for cancellations up to 24 hours before moving date

Cons

Not available in AK, MT, ND, VT, WV, and WY
You can't track your shipment as precisely.
Need to call for quote

Why It Made the List

It's not uncommon for service members to choose PPM for its profit incentive, and if that's your case, you may want to consider a moving container company like PODS. The company doesn't include packing or loading and unloading services, but that is how costs stay competitively low. It also doesn't charge you by weight, rather, it charges you based on how many containers you use and the distance you're traveling. If needed, the company can and will provide you the necessary weight tickets for your reimbursement forms, but PODS itself won't factor in the weight when giving you a moving estimate. You choose from three different container sizes: 8 feet, 12 feet, and 16 feet. The smallest one comfortably fits a room or studio apartment, and the largest one can accommodate up to a two-bedroom home.

While deposits are not required, you do need to provide a credit card during the booking process. A week before your long-distance move, your credit card will be charged. However, if your plans change at the last minute, you can get a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the container shows up at your home. Local moves are billed the day before the container is scheduled to arrive.

PODS does not provide live tracking information, so we recommend you use a tracking device like a Tile Mate or Air Tag to keep an eye on your container's movements. You may also be able to get information by calling the company directly.

Final Verdict

There are many military moving companies that offer similar perks, but Atlas Van Lines' attention to detail makes it stand out as the best. It streamlines the moving process through its online customer portal because it knows that your time is valuable and that you need efficiency. There are a variety of options, from full-packing services to car relocation assistance, so you can choose the services that fit your needs and tailor your estimate accordingly. Most importantly, it helps you fill out all the necessary reimbursement forms and assists you throughout the process to ensure a successful personally procured move.

Compare the Best Moving Companies for Military Personnel

Company	Nationwide Availability	Moving Options	Storage Services?	Type of Quote	Vehicle Relocation?
Atlas Van Lines Best Overall	50 states	Full service, partial service, and self service	Yes	Both (binding and non-binding)	Yes
United Van Lines Best for International Moves	50 states	Full service, partial service, and self service	Yes	Binding	Yes
Allied Van Lines Best for Long-Distance Moves	50 states	Full service, partial service, and self service	Yes	Both (binding and non-binding)	Yes
American Van Lines Best for Local Moves	48 contiguous states	Full service, partial service, and self service	Yes	Binding	Yes
North American Van Lines Best Vehicle Relocation	50 states	Full service, partial service, and self service	Yes	Both (binding and non-binding)	Yes
JK Moving Services Best Mobile App	50 states	Full service, partial service, and self service	Yes	Non-binding	Yes
PODS Best on a Budget	44 states	Self service	Yes	Non-binding	Yes

Guide to Choosing a Military Moving Company

It's easy to get overwhelmed by the legions of military moving companies across the nation. A good strategy to cut through the noise is to divide and conquer. Pick out the companies with the best features and then choose the one that meets your overall needs best. Here are a few elements to consider:

Services Available

Every military move is different, which is why it's important to seek out full-service companies that can accommodate multiple requests. For example, you may prefer a provider that operates both domestically and abroad but can also offer packing and unpacking services, international relocation assistance, and vehicle transportation services.

Labor certification

As a member of the military, you may often handle highly classified materials or perform other types of restricted work. It's important that the people coming into your home who have access to your belongings are trustworthy. Choose a company that performs background checks on all its employees so you can rest assured your property is safe and in good hands.

Convenience Factor

Personally procured moves require a lot more effort on your part than government-procured moves. It's important to choose a company that will make the process as effortless as possible. Some moving providers have mobile apps or online portals where you can see all the details of your move and make changes or payments at your convenience. Other companies have customer service available 24/7. Pick what matters most to you and go with that.

Credibility

It's important to assess the company's credibility and reputation from the lens of a third party. Working with GSA-approved companies makes it easier as they have already been vetted to properly provide moving services like providing government estimates, packing equipment and files, coordinating IT transfers, and installing equipment and furniture. An added layer is to research customer reviews and incident reports on sites like the Better Business Bureau. Your base transportation office may additionally be able to supply you with more information and statistics on their preferred choice of movers.

Pricing

Since moving allowances depend on your rank, number of dependents, and type of move, it's important to work with a provider that is going to offer a reasonable and affordable price so you can avoid going over budget. Look for companies that offer military discounts or run special promotions. Many moving companies do not advertise their discounts online but will tell you about them when you call them.

How Much Do Military Moves Cost?

Every military move is different. The cost depends on several factors, including load size and weight, additional services procured, number of movers required, trip distance, moving date, and the type of quote (binding or non-binding). Moves performed during the summer months tend to be pricier than fall or winter moves because it's the busiest season. If you book a company with a non-binding quote, you may end up paying less if your load weight is lower than the amount you were quoted. However, the risk of a non-binding quote is the opposite scenario, where you end up paying a higher amount than you expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Schedule a Military Move?

As soon as you get your orders, make your way to your base transportation office. The name varies per branch: for the Air Force it's the Traffic Management Office, for the Army it's the Transportation Office, and for the Navy and Marine Corps, it's the Personal Property Shipping Office. There you will decide if you want to carry out a personally procured move (PPM) or let the government handle it for you, with you picking a preferred moving provider. Once you make your decision, you'll schedule your move with your base transportation office and start getting ready for it.
Does the Government Pay for Military Moves?

Yes. However, your moving allowance, or the amount of money the government is willing to spend on your move, is tied to your rank, the number of dependents in your family, and the type of move. Your moving allowance also determines your weight limit. Generally, the higher the rank, the higher the allowance. If you choose to do a PPM, you will receive a payment equal to 100 percent of the estimated cost the government would pay to move your goods. If your PPM is cheaper and falls under that number, you may pocket the difference.
Does the Military Recommend a Specific Mover?

The military works with many transportation service providers (TSP). If you are doing a PPM, you may want to make sure the moving company you select is approved by the General Services Administration before you book. The Defense Personal Property Management Office also collects data from satisfaction surveys post-move, so contact your base transportation office for counseling or more information.
What Are Considered High-Value Items During a Military Move?

Anything worth over $100 per pound is considered a high-value item. This includes electronics, collectibles, art, antiques, china, and more. If you own an antique or custom-made item but don't know its value, you may want to get an appraisal before your move to have it ready in case anything happens. It's also recommended to keep all identity documents and sentimental objects with you to ensure safe transit.
Do Military Movers Unpack for You?

Depends. If you're doing a government-procured move, the answer is always yes. A government-organized move always includes packing, transportation, and unpacking services. If you are doing a PPM or a DITY move, then it's up to you to book unpacking services (for an added cost).

Methodology

In order to compile a list of the best moving companies for military members, our research team made dozens of customer service calls and enlisted the help of data collectors to fill in the blanks for more than 30 criteria points. These included nationwide availability, storage options, valuation coverage offerings, and customer support channels.

Each criteria point was assigned a weight, then grouped into one of six categories:

Customer experience (23 percent)
Coverage and types of moves offered (20 percent)
Moving services (20 percent)
Pricing/price transparency (20 percent)
Insurance/protection (10 percent)
Reputation (7 percent)

Scores were calculated based on these weights, and companies were ultimately given a rating out of five stars. To ensure that the information presented is accurate, two or more data collectors verified the research. This page will be updated with any changes to the featured companies' service offerings.

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Sources

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