Mayflower is an ideal option for those who are moving long-distance, don’t mind a higher cost, and want their crew to handle everything from packing and hauling to delivery and unloading.
It’s also part of the largest moving and storage network in the U.S., with agents spread across the country. When people think of a classic full-service move, it’s a company that often comes to mind.
Like competitors United or North American, Mayflower offers a nationwide reach and nearly a century of experience — but its convenience usually comes at a premium. When planning a move, it’s important to decide if these moving costs fit your budget or if DIY or hybrid moving solutions are better alternatives.
This review takes a closer look at how Mayflower stacks up in 2026, what it costs, and whether it’s the right choice for your long-distance move.
Thomas O'Sullivan is the Senior Manager of Service Operations at Porch Moving Group, where he oversees the post-booking customer experience for HireAHelper. His expertise is the part of a move most people never see — the logistics, coordination, and accountability that turn a booking into a finished move.
Thomas has spent six years in the moving and relocation industry, starting in corporate relocation and long-distance logistics before stepping into his current role. He's supported more than 130,000 moves across local labor, full-service, commercial, and long-distance work — experience he draws on to make sure HireAHelper content reflects how moves actually go.
While Mayflower reports that it has served “millions of happy customers,” its services may not be suited for everyone. Here’s a look at several scenarios where Mayflower may be best, and where you might want to look into another provider or service:
Best for:
Not ideal for:
Booking with Mayflower starts online or by phone. The process is fairly typical for a van line, with a few extra steps layered in. Here’s what to expect when booking and moving with the company:
For smaller moves, Mayflower offers Snapmoves, a program built for apartments, dorm rooms, and one- to three-bedroom homes. It’s meant to take some of the stress out of moving when you don’t have a full house to relocate.
With Snapmoves, you can:
In other words, Snapmoves brings some of the flexibility you’d expect from a container company — but with Mayflower’s crews, equipment, and protections behind it.
The website makes it easy to get started. With it, you can request a quote, locate your nearest agent, or explore moving checklists and resources. Just remember that Mayflower won’t give you an instant, binding number. A virtual or in-home survey is required to get a real estimate, so it’s best to be ready with your moving details when you reach out.
Because interstate movers are federally regulated, Mayflower publicly publishes its registration details:
For continued protection, Mayflower includes coverage automatically in every long-distance quote:
While these options give you a starting layer of coverage, it’s worth asking yourself if they’re enough for what you own. For some people, the included coverage works fine. For others — especially if you’re moving high-value or fragile items — it may not feel like enough. In that case, you can buy extra protection through Mayflower or look at third-party moving insurance for added peace of mind.
As a full-service moving company, Mayflower can handle every part of a long-distance move: packing, loading, transportation, delivery, and unpacking. Customers can choose an option where crews manage the entire process or choose add-ons to create a more customized plan.
Here are the core services Mayflower highlights:
Beyond residential moves, Mayflower also supports corporate relocations, military moves, and international shipping to more than 150 countries.
Long-distance moving is where Mayflower specializes. Every long-distance move comes with a dedicated coordinator, professional drivers, and crews trained to handle packing, heavy lifting, and delivery. Its Full Value Protection is included in every initial quote as well, giving customers more peace of mind than the basic liability coverage most movers start with.
In short, Mayflower is built for customers who want professionals to take on the hardest parts of moving. While that convenience usually comes at a higher price, the range of services means you can tailor your plan to fit both your needs and your budget.
The first thing to know is that Mayflower moving company doesn’t hand out flat rates. The price you pay depends on your move details: how far you’re going, how much stuff you have, and whether you add extras like packing or storage.
“Unlike many competitors that require 10–40% down to reserve your move, Mayflower has a no-deposit policy.”
Before you get an estimate, Mayflower requires a virtual or in-home walkthrough so they can estimate the weight and volume of your belongings.
The good news is that Mayflower offers binding quotes. This means that unless you make changes to your service plan or suddenly add on more items, the price quoted is the price you pay. Be leery of companies offering non-binding quotes, since you might get a surprise bill on moving day.
While Mayflower’s moving costs vary significantly, here’s a look at its average prices:
Beyond the basics of loading, hauling, and unloading, Mayflower lets you layer on extras if you want more help. Customers can add packing and unpacking, storage, debris removal, car shipping, or specialty services like crating fragile items and basic TV wall-mount setup. The more services you choose, the less you’ll have to manage yourself, but the higher the costs.
The main factors that shape your final Mayflower price are straightforward and are typical across the board of van line moving companies:
Mayflower charges a typical premium for convenience. If you want the heavy lifting, the packing, and the transport taken care of, you’ll have to pay for it. If you’re comfortable mixing in some DIY, then containers or freight options can deliver a similar end result for thousands less.
Mayflower doesn’t advertise broad discounts the way some moving companies do. You won’t find AAA, student, or military price cuts listed on its site. Instead, pricing depends on your move details and any seasonal promotions an individual agent might offer.
Where Mayflower really stands out is with deposits. Unlike many competitors that require 10–40% down to reserve your move, Mayflower has a no-deposit policy. That means you don’t have to put money on the line until your move is underway, which can give you more peace of mind.
So, while Mayflower won’t give you a discount code, its no-deposit policy and mid-range pricing compared with other van lines are unique advantages.
Compared with other big names, Mayflower movers are very competitive.
| Moving Option | Average cost range |
|---|---|
| Mayflower | $5,000 - $17,000 |
| Similar large moving companies (International Van Line, Safeway, Colonial) | $9,000 - $14,000 |
| Smaller moving companies (Mayzlin, American) | $6,200 - $7,500 |
| Container companies (PODS) | $3,000 - $4,500 |
| Freight train | $3,100 - $4,800 |
The reason for the difference is simple: with Mayflower, a crew handles nearly everything, and you pay for that service. With containers or trailers, you’re either doing more of the work yourself or hiring labor separately. If you’re considering those options, this first-person guide to moving across the country by yourself is a helpful read.
Every initial Mayflower quote includes Full Value Protection by default. This is not insurance in the traditional sense, but a valuation coverage that makes Mayflower responsible for repairing, replacing, or reimbursing you for lost or damaged items, up to a minimum valuation you declare. The standard calculation is $6 per pound, multiplied by the estimated shipment weight. For example, a 6,800-lb move would carry $40,800 in coverage.
“A common complaint among Mayflower customers is the inconsistent quality of services provided by local agents. It’s recommended to read Mayflower reviews from customers in your specific area before making your final decision.”
Customers must also complete a High Value Inventory Form to declare items worth $100 or more per pound (jewelry, antiques, artwork, etc.) in order to receive full coverage for those pieces.
If you don’t want Full Value Protection, you can opt out and fall back on the federal minimum — Released Value Protection — which only covers $0.60 per pound, per item.
For those who want extra peace of mind, Mayflower offers three optional protection packages you can purchase on top of your base quote:
For additional fees, you can include optional waivers, such as coverage for Pairs & Sets, Mechanical Malfunction, and even certain Acts of God (like weather damage), along with programs like Claim Assist and Identity Theft Protection.
Like many other moving companies, there are benefits and drawbacks to using Mayflower. Here are the major ways the company shines, and what to look out for.
While Mayflower offers a nationwide reach, it relies on independently owned agents to provide some of its services. This company structure can lead to service inconsistencies. When checking online reviews, you’ll notice some local areas receive rave reviews while others have numerous complaints.
To ensure the quality of your moving services, it’s imperative that you do your due diligence when booking with Mayflower. Here are some steps you can take to make sure you receive the high-level services you deserve:
Public reviews paint a mixed picture of Mayflower services. Trustpilot shows Mayflower with a 2.0 out of 5 rating (only 10 reviews), with nearly all rated one star. On the flip side, the Better Business Bureau lists Mayflower with an A+ rating.
Customers appreciate Mayflower’s:
On the other hand, some of the most common complaints include:
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your service before booking with Mayflower. Also, take some time to read online reviews for local agents in your specific area and the area you’re moving to — this can give you a better glimpse into the services you’re requesting.
Mayflower is one of the best moving companies in the country and sits in the same category as companies like Safeway Moving, JK Moving, and United Van Lines.
The key difference is brand recognition and reach. With nearly a century of history and more than 500 locations, Mayflower is a trusted name, but, as with its competitors, the local agent you’re assigned will largely determine your experience.
If full-service moving costs are not in your budget, consider cost-friendly alternatives, such as labor-only or hybrid moves.
Mayflower’s long-standing reputation and vast experience make it a top pick for long-distance moves — especially when you have a large number of items to transport. These services come at a premium cost, but they also offer peace of mind and added convenience. This allows you to focus on other aspects of your move.
“...Mayflower offers binding quotes. This means that unless you make changes to your service plan or suddenly add on more items, the price quoted is the price you pay.”
However, if you're moving on a budget, just moving across town, or have a small apartment, it may be difficult to justify these high costs. In these cases, working with a smaller moving company or planning a DIY move may be a more cost-effective solution.
Back in 2007, HireAHelper began as a scrappy startup with a simple mission: make moving easier. Eighteen years later, we’ve grown into a trusted platform that’s helped hundreds of thousands of people compare options, book movers, and save money along the way.
Our reviews come from real data — actual prices, customer feedback, and hands-on testing of moving services. We don’t take payment from van lines to write these guides. That independence is why you can trust our take on Mayflower to be clear, fair, and focused on what matters most: your move.
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