Best Moving Companies for Seniors (2023)

With all the strenuous packing, heavy lifting, and tedious driving, the moving experience can be especially difficult for senior citizens. Luckily, there are various moving companies that offer senior moving services and discounts to make the moving process easier and stress-free.

With so many moving and storage companies in the country, figuring out which ones cater to seniors can be a task unto itself. The This Old House Reviews Team has researched the best moving companies in the United States to help you determine which providers can offer the best services and discounts for seniors.

9 Best Moving Companies for Senior Discounts

We find the following providers to be the best movers for seniors:

• International Van Lines: Best Overall Full-Service Mover
• Interstate Moving & Relocation Group: Most Efficient
• American Van Lines: Most Experienced Moving Labor
• Moving APT: Best Customer Service
• Safeway Moving Inc.: Most Customer-Oriented
• JK Moving: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover
• Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation
• North American Van Lines: Best for Claims
• U-Pack: Most Affordable

International Van Lines

Our Rating: Best Overall Full-Service Mover

International Van Lines (IVL) is our top pick for a moving company for senior discounts. The company offers competitive rates and a wide variety of full-service options. IVL’s services can be tailored to help older people, and the company provides various articles on its moving blog with tips for moving senior citizens abroad and during COVID. IVL states on its website that it generally offers a 15% discount to senior citizens.

International Van Lines offers its services in all 50 states, as well as to 180 countries. IVL is both a moving carrier and broker. This means that if your move falls outside of IVL’s service areas for in-house service, the company outsources your move to a partnered company.

Pros and Cons of International Van Lines

✔ Offers a 15% discount for seniors
✔ Offers specialty services for moving pianos, antiques, recreational equipment, and artwork
✔ Provides multiple coverage plans

✘ Customer reviews vary based on location
✘ No online sample prices

Cost: We obtained a quote from International Van Lines to move a three-bedroom home from Albany, New York, to Miami within three months for $4,200–$6,150. This quote includes loading services and transportation. IVL states that it generally offers a 15% discount for seniors, but this amount may change depending on the type of moving package created.

To see what your upcoming move might cost with International Van Lines, obtain an instant quote through this short form.

International Van Lines Services: Learn More

Learn more: International Van Lines Review

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group

Our Rating: Most Efficient

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group is a broker with partners across all 50 states. It offers specialized services that can be tailored to suit the needs of senior citizens. Its services include full-service packing, crating, debris removal, and more. Many of its moving partners provide short- and long-term storage services for clients who are downsizing or need extra space. 

Pros and Cons of IMRG

✔ Offers senior discounts
✔ Provides specialized packing for antiques and valuable goods
✔ Has resources and guides for moving on its website

✘ Operates only as a broker
✘ Has no weekend customer support

Cost

Your quote process with IMRG begins when you submit a contact form online. You’ll be contacted by a company representative who will assess your moving needs and see which partner carriers can best handle your move. After using the cost calculator on IMRG’s site, we were quoted a range of $3,900–$7,000 for a two-bedroom move between Albany, New York and Miami, Florida. To get a more precise estimate, contact IMRG today.

Interstate Moving & Relocation Group Services: Learn More

Learn more: IMRG Review

American Van Lines

Our Rating: Most Experienced Moving Labor

We like American Van Lines for its highly skilled moving crews. The company requires its moving crew members to undergo regular training sessions and certification programs. This means you can rest assured that qualified staff, not contracted labor, will handle your household items. 

American Van Lines will load and unload all of your items and is available for full- or partial-service packing needs, including fragile-only packing. The company specializes in long-distance relocations and in handling antique and hard-to-move pieces like pianos. 

American Van Lines is available for local, long-distance, and international moves in every U.S. state except for Alaska and Hawaii.

Pros and Cons of American Van Lines

✔ Accommodates last-minute moving requests at no extra charge

✔ Has climate-controlled storage units monitored by 24-hour surveillance cameras

✔ Offers moving crews specifically trained to handle antiques and pianos 

✘ Charges a deposit of up to half of your total moving cost

✘ Only accommodates local moves in Dallas-Fort Worth, North Carolina, and South Florida

Cost: American Van Lines does not give online moving quotes. The company does post pricing for certain moves on its website, however. For example, a three-bedroom move from Miami to Dallas—roughly the distance from Albany, New York, to Miami—would cost $7,739.  

The company will provide you with a binding estimate—a fixed rate that will not change on moving day—after a virtual walkthrough of your home. 

American Van Lines Services: Learn More

Learn more: American Van Lines Review

Moving APT

Our Rating: Best Customer Service

Moving APT is a broker, meaning it connects customers with movers in their area rather than directly handling relocations. The company is an excellent fit for those who want to take some of the legwork out of the relocation process. 

Rather than researching multiple moving companies, you can provide Moving APT with the details of your relocation and find a mover that fits your needs. The company will oversee each step of your relocation and is available 24/7 to handle any issues or questions.

Moving APT can provide nationwide local, long-distance, and international moves through a network of more than 2,500 moving companies. The company provides full-service relocations and offers a variety of add-on options like vehicle shipping and storage to personalize your moving package.

Pros and Cons of Moving APT

✔ Has real-time shipment tracking through DashCam technology 

✔ Offers a senior citizen discount

✔ Provides deals for moves reserved well in advance

✘ Has aggressive pop-up chat windows on each page of its website

✘ Will not cover damages caused by third-party movers

Cost: It would cost approximately $6,900 to move a three-bedroom home from Albany, New York, to Miami, based on Moving APT’s online calculator. Moving APT can give you a more detailed estimate after you call the company and will provide a binding estimate after completing a virtual review of your home and household items. 

Moving APT Services: Learn More

Learn more: Moving APT Review

Safeway Moving Inc.

Our Rating: Most Customer-Oriented

Safeway Moving Inc. is a nationally recognized moving broker specializing in long-distance moves. While it has limited availability as a carrier, Safeway primarily brokers out interstate and longer moves to its moving partners in all 50 states. 

Safeway partners with many of the best companies in the industry to offer hands-off moving experiences to clients with varying needs, including senior citizens and loved ones who are booking moves for elderly relatives. With this mover, you’ll be treated to a variety of services and have the flexibility to craft your own move package.

Pros and Cons of IMRG

✔ Offers flat-rate pricing
✔ Has partners that provide specialty services such as antique moving
✔ Provides 30 days of free storage and some packing with all moves

✘ Brokers out most moves
✘ Has limited information online

Cost

Safeway Moving Inc. offers flat-rate pricing for all moves. Customers on tighter budgets or fixed incomes will be happy to know they’ll only pay the quoted price. To get your Safeway quote, call 844-886-1118 or fill out a quote form on its website. When a moving agent contacts you, give information about your move and service requirements. Then, your Safeway representative will book your move with a qualified partner in your area.

Safeway Moving Inc. Services: Learn More

Learn more: Safeway Moving Inc. Review

JK Moving Services

Our Rating: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover

JK Moving Services is a full-service mover that provides custom moving packages tailored in accordance with your budget and moving needs. The company also provides extensive online resources for senior moves, and it is accustomed to tailoring services for seniors and senior living communities.

While JK Moving does not offer a direct senior discount, JK Moving offers a financing option through Enhancify. This uncommon offering in the moving industry allows movers to apply for a loan with financial institutions to pay for their move over time. You’ll have a few options to choose from with varying repayment terms and interest rates. Some customers can get rates as low as 0%.*

*Subject to credit approval

JK Moving helps with long-distance moves in all 50 states, but it helps with local moves only in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Pros and Cons of JK Moving

✔ Offers financing through Enhancify
✔ Provides 24/7 customer service
✔ Has a history of moving seniors

✘ Local moves are available only in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
✘ No online pricing

Cost: We worked with a JK Moving representative to obtain a ballpark quote to move a two-bedroom home (or 10,400 pounds) from Atlanta to Chicago for $7,521. Services included in this quote include furniture disassembly, wrapping and padding, loading, unloading, and full-value protection. JK Moving primarily offers customers binding estimates. This means the company provides accurate pricing that helps you avoid surprise moving costs. If we moved forward with the company, we would have to conduct either an in-home or virtual survey for a binding quote.

To start creating a custom moving package with JK Moving, fill out this brief form.

JK Moving Services: Learn More

Learn more: JK Moving Review

Allied Van Lines

Our Rating: Best for Vehicle Relocation

If your senior parents have an RV or boat they’d like to move or they have a car they no longer drive, Allied Van Lines is a great option to transport their vehicle. While many other movers outsource vehicle shipping services, Allied is a full-service mover that offers the rare perk of conducting its vehicle relocation services using its own trucks.

Allied is accustomed to moving a wide variety of vehicles, such as sedans, trucks, SUVs, RVs, motorcycles, boats, and more. For added convenience, the company also offers GPS tracking on your shipment.

Allied Van Lines is both an interstate carrier and broker, operating in all 50 states and 130 countries.

Pros and Cons of Allied Van Lines

✔ Partners with the Salvation Army to help donate unwanted items
✔ Offers vehicle shipping services with its own trucks and employees
✔ Holds more than 90 years of moving industry experience

✘ Customer reviews mention a difficult claims process
✘ Storage options vary according to location

Cost: We received a ballpark estimate from Allied Van Lines to move a three-bedroom home with an average number of items from Albany, New York, to Miami for a total of $8,266–$9,136. Allied also offers binding estimates. This is a price that does not drastically change despite unexpected events. To obtain a binding estimate, Allied must conduct an in-home or virtual survey with you.

In a phone call with an Allied Van Lines customer service representative, we were told that its senior discounts vary on a case-by-case basis. The discount will most likely range between 10% and 15% and may be lower or higher depending on the service you purchase. Check with your Allied moving agent once you obtain a quote to see what discounts they can offer.

To schedule a virtual survey with Allied Van Lines, complete this online questionnaire.

Allied Van Lines Services: Learn More

Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

North American Van Lines

Our Rating: Best for Claims

If your elderly relative has expensive items to move, North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a great choice. In addition to offering one of the best senior moving discounts we have seen, the company offers custom full-value release plans.

This approach provides coverage and compensation for the actual value of certain items rather than a predetermined amount. If something goes wrong, NAVL also provides direct, easy-to-reach communication through separate customer support lines for filing claims and a detailed claims process. NAVL acts as both a moving carrier and broker in all 50 states and internationally in 130 countries.

Pros and Cons of North American Van Lines

✔ Provides a personal moving agent from a network of more than 500 agent locations
✔ Offers a detailed and transparent claims process
✔ Offers a 40%–65% discount for seniors through the Senior Citizens League

✘ Storage options may be limited based on your location
✘ Available agents may be limited based on your location

Cost: We obtained a quote from North American Van Lines to move a three-bedroom home from Albany, New York, to Miami for a total of $8,236–$9,100. This quote considers the average number of belongings for this move. Similar to Allied, NAVL provides binding estimates through in-home visits and virtual surveys for more accurate pricing that does not drastically change.

North American Van Lines also offers a significant senior discount through the Senior Citizens League. Discounts range from 40%–65% off local and long-distance moves.

To see what North American Van Lines might cost your senior move, complete this simple survey.

North American Van Lines Services: Learn More

Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

U-Pack

Our Rating: Most Affordable

U-Pack is another self-service mover, similar to 1-800-PACK-RAT, that provides a senior discount adjusted according to your move. The company also provides transparent pricing online with a quick quote process. Additionally, U-Pack helps tailor its moves to seniors through additional third-party support and online resources.

U-Pack does have a 150-mileage minimum, so your move will have to be a long-distance move to receive U-Pack’s services. The company also only allows three days to load and three days to unload, so be sure you have enlisted some extra help for your senior parents.

U-Pack helps with long-distance moves in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico. Your move needs to have an overall distance of 150 miles or more to use U-Pack’s services.

Pros and Cons of U-Pack

✔ Offers multiple discounts and coupons, including senior discounts
✔ Provides a pay-for-what-you-use policy with its moving trailer option
✔ Includes a no-hidden-fee guarantee with its pricing

✘ Offers only three days to load and three days to unload
✘ Features a 150-mileage minimum

Cost: We created a quote with U-Pack to move three ReloCubes from Albany, New York, to Miami for a total of $6,174. This quote is all-inclusive and includes no hidden fees. The same move using 15 feet in a moving trailer costs $3,602. U-Pack states on its website that it does offer senior discounts, and it calculates the discount based on each move.

To see what discounts you can receive from U-Pack, complete this short form.

U-Pack Services: Learn More

Learn more: U-Pack Review

Factors To Consider for Senior Citizen Moves

Many challenges occur when a senior citizen has to uproot from a family home they have occupied for a lifetime, whether it is to downsize to a smaller home, move in with family, or adjust to life in a senior living community. Here are some important factors to keep in mind as you plan this difficult move:

Research Assisted-Living Communities

When it is time for your senior parent, relative, or friend to move, think about where they should go. Have a conversation with them about where they want to live: in a new home, with relatives, or in a senior living community. There are various factors to consider when deciding where a senior should live next, such as medical conditions, accessibility, social interaction, and distance to family and friends.

What Support Is Needed

Once you have determined where your senior parent is going, determine what kind of move should happen. If you have plenty of help from friends and family, want to save money, and want on-site storage options, you may want to consider a self-service mover like U-Pack for your parent’s move. If you want as much assistance and support as possible, then a full-service mover, such as International Van Lines or Allied, might be a better choice.

Downsize Where Possible

Moving is a great time to downsize unwanted or underused belongings. As you help pack and prepare your parent’s items, create two piles of items. You should dedicate one pile for items going to donation centers and the other pile for items going to the dump. A couple of days before moving day, take these piles to their designated locations.

Be Patient

Most importantly, keep in mind that moving for a senior citizen can be even more stressful and difficult than typical moves. It will take time for them to adjust to their new surroundings and to properly settle in. Be patient during this time, and set aside time in your schedule to visit them, spend time with them, and check to see how they are doing.

Other Moving Resources

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Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score out of 100.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.