Mayflower Transit distinguishes itself from its rivals in several ways, including its customized moving solutions and specialized moving services for military members. Operating under U.S. DOT Number:125563, the company handles everything from transporting fragile and high-value items to custom moving solutions, including full-service moves, storage car shipping, and more.
Mayflower earned a spot on the Forbes Home Best Moving Companies of 2024 list, ranking 4.4 out of five stars. Forbes Home practices strict and unbiased editorial policies and scoring methods. We base all reviews on gathered data and research. Our Forbes Home advisory board, consisting of licensed contractors and home improvement professionals, examines and fact-checks data and reviews for accuracy before publication.
While the company provides local moving services, these are only available in select areas and can be priced higher than competitors. No upfront deposits are required, but you’ll need to wait until an in-home or virtual inspection before you receive a quote. Mayflower serves 46 states, excluding Rhode Island, Delaware, West Virginia, Hawaii and Washington D.C.
Pros
- Available in 46 states and Washington, D.C.
- No deposit required
- Custom moves available
Cons
- Limited state local moves
- Does not offer quotes until home visits
- Some reviews report damaged items
Table of Contents
- About Mayflower Moving
- What Moving Services Does Mayflower Moving Offer?
- Additional Services
- Planning a Move: We Put Mayflower Moving to the Test
- What We Think Sets Mayflower Moving Apart
- What We Think Lets Mayflower Moving Down
- How Much Does Mayflower Moving Cost
- Mayflower Moving Cost Factors
- Where Is Mayflower Moving Available?
- How Mayflower Moving Stacks Up
- Alternatives to Mayflower Moving
- Mayflower Moving Reviews and Experience
- Bottom Line: Is Mayflower Moving Right For You?
- Methodology – How We Selected the Best Moving Companies
Finding the right moving company is key to making your move as seamless as possible, and Mayflower Moving offers a variety of services to suit different needs. From local moves to international relocations, Mayflower has been a long-standing player in the industry. In this in-depth look, we’ll explore Mayflower’s offerings, benefits and what sets it apart, while also briefly comparing it to other top movers like International Van Lines and North American Van Lines to give you a full picture of your options.
About Mayflower Moving
Founded in 1927 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Mayflower provides residential and commercial moving services nationwide. A GSA-approved military moving company since 1961, it handles contracts for domestic and international moves.
For nearly 30 years, the company, part of UniGroup, the owner of United Van Lines and the largest moving co-op nationwide, has offered moving services for local, long-distance and international moves. The company also offers storage solutions. Mayflower can help you customize your move with full-service options such as packing, storage and debris removal, to name a few.
Need a piano or a pool table moved? No problem. Experts in moving oversized items, Mayflower has your back.
Featured Partners
1
International Van Lines
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
2
American Van Lines
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
3
Blvd Moving
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
4
Mayzlin Relocation
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
What Moving Services Does Mayflower Moving Offer?
Whether you’re planning on moving to a new home in town or across the country, Mayflower provides various residential and commercial moving options.
From full-service moves to packing, local, long-distance, interstate and more, these moving services are available at Mayflower.
Long-Distance Moving
Mayflower scored well when reviewing the best long-distance moving companies but didn’t make the top five movers. However, the company made Forbes’ top 10 best interstate moving companies for 2024. Mayflower provides comprehensive value protection for every binding long-distance move estimate. While this added security might increase the total cost of moving, customers can bypass this coverage.
Clients without value protection receive basic liability coverage, the industry’s mandated minimum (60 cents per pound per item).
Each quote for a long-distance move starts with either a video call or an on-site meeting with a Mayflower local representative.
Local Moves
Mayflower offers local support for relocations within a 50-mile radius. Clients can book hourly moving services similar to interstate and long-distance moves. However, customers usually opt to transport their own vehicles for local moves.
International Moves
Mayflower provides global relocation services to over 150 countries. Every international moving package requires an in-home evaluation of your belongings and assigns you a dedicated move coordinator. One of the best international moving companies of 2024, Mayflower offers complete packing solutions and customs clearance procedures. Additionally, you benefit from comprehensive logistics oversight for the duration of your move.
Small Moves
Mayflower’s Snapmoves package is designed for moving one- to three-bedroom apartments and small-sized houses. This service is also suitable for transporting a single item or delivering family heirlooms to relatives in different states.
Snapmoves come with comprehensive value protection, staffing for loading and unloading, furniture assembly and disassembly, and a dedicated moving coordinator for personalized support.
Additional Services
Mayflower offers secondary services in addition to its primary service options.
- Packing and unpacking services
- Speciality item moving such as fragile items, antiques, pianos and pool tables
- Car shipping
- Full-value and extra insurance protection
- Storage options
- Identity theft protection
- Cashback on the sale of your old home or new home with its partner, CityPointe
- Custom crating
- Debris removal
Planning a Move: We Put Mayflower Moving to the Test
We put Mayflower Moving to the test by planning two moves. We looked at moving dates, the move size, distance and the customer journey for a long-distance move from Texas to Florida and a shorter city-to-city move between Phoenix and San Diego.
Move Setup
The first move we planned was a March 5, 2024, move from Houston to Miami at a distance of 1,192 miles. Our sample couple was Denise and David Smith, who needed to relocate the contents of their three-bedroom house in Houston to Miami for a new employment position starting on March 25, 2024.
The starting point was the Houston zip code of 77005. The destination: the zip code of 33125 in Miami. The couple would not need to purchase a storage solution since they would move directly into their new Miami home.
Exploring the Website
When you reach the Mayflower website, you’re greeted with a cheerful green color. On the top of the page, you discover a quote button and a horizontal menu with several links, including the company phone number, customer shipment tracking and more.
Below that, you’ll find the option to receive a quote through a virtual survey and links to moving services, packing tips and moving tips and advice. On the bottom right of the screen, you’ll see a Live Chat feature to begin the quote process and ask questions about Mayflower Moving services.
Quote Process
Navigating the form to begin the quote process is easy. Each screen is clearly marked. You’re asked to fill out the “from” and “to” zip codes, the house size and the moving date. Each step is user-friendly and the calendar is simple to navigate.
Resources
Mayflower’s resources are easy to access. The links sit at the top of the homepage. The moving services tab includes a drop-down menu with a list of services, including long-distance moves, small moves, corporate moves, military moves and car transportation services. We found a packing services tab with access to packing and storage pages, moving protection and real estate rewards.
The drop-down menu for the moving tips and advice tab includes an 8-week planner, the company blog with a wealth of resources, including moving tips and tricks, a video library, shipment tracking and a link to file a claim.
Other Options Available
Scrolling down the homepage, we found content sections about several services, including custom moving options, full-value protection insurance, personal move coordination, a section about the company’s 90 years of experience and a link to locations.
In the footer section on the website, Mayflower has important links to its terms and conditions, data security policy, privacy policy and about us page and its DOT number representing its licensing information on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.
- When did they get back into contact with you
What We Think Sets Mayflower Moving Apart
Mayflower offers the following stand-out services worth mentioning.
- Top-rate insurance: Mayflower offers full-value insurance.
- No deposit required: The company doesn’t require you to put money down.
- Binding quotes: Unlike a non-binding quote, customers pay the same price as their estimates with a binding quote.
- GSA-approved company: Mayflower offers quick solutions for foreign service members, active duty members and veterans.
- Free cancellation: If you change your mind and need to cancel, you won’t be charged a fee.
- Speciality moving: The company packs and moves specialty items, including antiques, fragile contents, valuables and oversized furniture such as pianos and pool tables.
- Car shipping: Mayflower can set you up with auto transport
- Human Live Chat: You’ll never speak to a bot when you call
What We Think Lets Mayflower Moving Down
While the company provides top-rate custom services, you might think Mayflower falls short in these areas.
- No online quotes: Customers may need to be patient before getting a quote since Mayflower requires an on-site or video home visit before they provide moving estimates.
- Service depends on location: Mayflower has independent affiliates in 46 states; therefore, the quality of customer service can depend on your area.
- Not BBB accredited: Although Mayflower has an A+ grade on the Better Business Bureau, the company has no accreditation, which requires payment.
- Low BBB rating: Our data shows that Mayflower Moving has a 1.29 rating on the BBB, which is much lower than other review sites, such as a 4.3 on Google.
- No price matching: You can’t negotiate with the company for a lower price if another mover offers a cheaper deal
How Much Does Mayflower Moving Cost
The Forbes Editorial team performed a qualitative survey asking participants questions to gain insights about consumer perspectives on moving. Data collected concluded that 23% of movers state that cost is the greatest fear about moving.
So, how much does it cost to move with Mayflower?
We contacted three Mayflower locations to provide ballpark quotes for different-sized moves in different cities for different distances (500-, 1000-, and 1500-mile moves) for a 2-bedroom apartment,a 3-bedroom condo and a 3-bedroom house move.
| DISTANCE | SIZE | SERVICE | QUOTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Miles
| 2-Bed Apartment
| Full-Service Packing
| $6,000
|
| 1,000 Miles
| 3-Bed Condo | Full-Service Packing | $9,600 to $10,600 $10,100 average |
| 1,500 Miles | 3-Bed House | Full-Service Packing | $13,000 to $14,500
$13,750 average
|
500 Miles ballpark quote based on a move from Washington, D.C. to Cincinnati, OH for a 2-bed apartment (Gary)
1,000 Miles ballpark quote based on a move from Charlotte, NC to Houston, TX for a 3-bed condo (Karen)
1,500 Miles ballpark quote based on a move from San Diego, CA to Kansas City, MO for a 3-bed house (Reneé)
Mayflower Moving Cost Factors
We broke down the costs for transportation and full-service packing, which does include packing but not unpacking.
Washington, D.C. to Cincinnati, OH
Transportation:
Full-service packing:
Total: $6,000
Charlotte, NC to Houston, TX
Transportation: $6,737
Full-service packing: $2,647
Total: $9,384
San Diego, CA to Kansas, MO
Total: $13,750
Where Is Mayflower Moving Available?
Mayflower partners with 500 affiliated agencies nationwide and offers assistance in 46 states, excluding Rhode Island, Delaware, West Virginia and Hawaii. The company provides international relocations to over 150 countries.
How Mayflower Moving Stacks Up
Alternatives to Mayflower Moving
If you’re exploring alternatives to Mayflower Moving, Forbes’ list of the Best Moving Companies is a valuable resource. Our team reviewed top moving providers to find the best options for various needs. While Mayflower earned a strong rating, competitors like International Van Lines and North American Van Lines also stand out, offering unique features and services. Let’s take a closer look at how these movers compare.
Mayflower Moving vs. International Van Lines
Mayflower earned a 4.4 rating from our list, but International Van Lines is the number one best overall mover on our Forbes Home of Best Moving Companies for 2024. Let’s see how the companies compare.
IVL requires a deposit but allows customers to cancel 48 hours before a move without paying a cancellation fee.
IVL provides four insurance options: full-value protection, limited liability, third-party, and all-risk insurance. Mayflower offers Basic Full-Value protection ($6 per pound x the weight, so a weight of $70,000 is insured for $42,000, although customers may purchase additional insurance.
IVL is not BBB-accredited and holds an A+ grade and a 2.98 rating, similar to Mayflower’s A+ grade but a much lower rating from customers on the BBB.
International Van Lines offers military personnel a 13% discount and a discount for seniors. While Mayflower specializes in serving the military, it doesn’t provide a military or senior discount, according to our research.
On the other hand, Mayflower Transit does not require a deposit for its moving services, unlike IVL. It has a flexible cancellation policy, allowing customers to cancel up to 24 hours before their move without incurring any fees. However, it’s worth noting that Mayflower only serves 46 states and Washington, D.C., compared to IVL, serving 50 states.
Learn more: International Van Lines review
Mayflower Moving vs North American Van Lines
Mayflower Transit and North American Van Lines both specialize in various moving services, including long-distance, local, international and corporate relocations.
North American Van Lines stands out by not requiring a deposit for its services, providing discounts for seniors, and allowing customers to tailor their moving experience. Additionally, it offers 24/7 customer service and the feature of GPS tracking for monitoring the move.
While North American Van Lines doesn’t require a deposit, it imposes a fee for canceling more than three days after signing the service agreement. Similarly, Mayflower Transit offers a range of customizable moving services without a deposit.
It allows you to cancel with a minimum 24-hour notice before the move, unlike North American Van Lines, which requires a more extended notice period for cancellation without having to pay a fee. However, Mayflower does not provide any discounts but offers GPS tracking services so you can stay updated on your relocation.
Learn more: North American review
Mayflower Moving Reviews and Experience
Some positive reviews praised the company for being quick, polite and careful with belongings. Negative customer reviews criticized some Mayflower locations for being late, expensive and difficult to reach coordinators by phone. Some mixed reviews said the company provided excellent service but charged high prices.
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Bottom Line: Is Mayflower Moving Right For You?
The answer to this question is, “it depends.” Mayflower offers valuation insurance and services for military members, and you can customize your move tailored to fit your needs. However, Mayflower branches act independently. While some locations get high marks, other branches lack promise. The best idea is to research your local Mayflower company by its name when hiring movers.
Moving Companies By State
Methodology – How We Selected the Best Moving Companies
We developed our list of the best moving companies by first identifying competitors that met basic criteria such as licensing, insurance and legal registration. We reviewed the 52 most widely available companies from that list and scored them all based on 78 different attributes. Each company’s rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics including years in business, pricing and insurance, move types, services and options, customer reviews and support and nationwide availability.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates moving companies on our detailed methodology page.
All figures and facts were accurate at the time of first publication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are you supposed to tip Mayflower movers?
If the movers do a great job, it’s customary to tip a moving crew $20 to $30 per person for local moves and $50 for a long-distance move.
Are United Moving and Mayflower the same company?
Mayflower and United Moving are sister companies under Unigroup Inc. However, the companies are competitors.
How do I know if a moving company is reputable?
Reputable moving companies are registered and licensed with the Department of Transportation for interstate and long-distance moves and the state agency for intrastate and local moves. You can also check that the company is in good standing on the Better Business Bureau website and has favorable customer review ratings. Many reputable companies are not accredited with the BBB since it requires payment.
Who is Mayflower owned by?
In 1995, Mayflower Transit was acquired by UniGroup, Inc., positioning it under the umbrella of the largest moving cooperative in the United States, which also includes United Van Lines among its owned entities.
