Mayflower is one of the biggest names in long-distance moving. Founded in 1927, it’s now 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 — where the crew handles packing, heavy lifting, and delivery — Mayflower often comes to mind.
Like competitors United or North American, Mayflower offers nationwide reach and nearly a century of experience, but your actual move can vary depending on which local agent manages it. And as with any van line, convenience usually comes at a premium (and if you’re budgeting, start with our straightforward breakdown of moving costs).
This is one reason why many families are choosing alternatives like PODS containers combined with professional loading help. Together, they create a near full-service experience for thousands less and with more flexibility.
If you’re considering Mayflower, this review takes a closer look at how Mayflower stacks up in 2025, what it costs, and whether a van line is the right choice for your long-distance move.
Overview: Mayflower
Here is a quick look at Mayflower’s biggest strengths and where it can fall short. See at a glance if it might be a good fit for your upcoming move.
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What to Know About Mayflower
Mayflower Transit has been in business since 1927, making it one of the oldest and most recognizable van lines in the country. Today, it operates under UniGroup, Inc., the same parent company that owns United Van Lines. Through that network, Mayflower works with more than 500 local agents across the U.S. and supports international relocations in more than 150 countries. Its long history and wide footprint make Mayflower a go-to option for families, corporations, and government moves alike.
Nationwide Reach and Services
Unlike smaller movers that stick to one region, Mayflower is licensed to handle just about every type of relocation:
- Local and intrastate moves (managed by independent agents)
- Interstate and cross-country moves anywhere in the U.S.
- International relocations in more than 150 countries
The advantage is that there’s usually a Mayflower agent nearby, no matter where you live. The trade-off is that service quality can vary depending on which local affiliate actually performs your move.
How Mayflower Works
Booking with Mayflower starts online or by phone. The process is fairly typical for a van line, with a few extra steps layered in:
- Request a Quote: Fill out Mayflower’s online form or call, and you’ll be routed to the local agent closest to your starting ZIP code.
- Schedule a Survey: Instead of giving ballpark numbers, Mayflower requires either an in-home walkthrough or a virtual video survey using your phone or tablet. This is how they calculate the estimated weight and volume of your shipment.
- Customize Services: During the survey, you can select add-ons like packing, storage, debris removal, car shipping, or electronics setup.
- Receive an Estimate: Final costs are based on weight, distance, and your chosen extras. A binding estimate may require an in-home survey.
- Finalize and Move: Once you book, a personal move coordinator manages the timeline, schedules the crews, and keeps communication flowing through delivery.
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:
- Book online instantly in select markets
- Have Mayflower pros handle loading day
- Pay only for the containers you actually use
- Choose day-certain delivery or save a bit with a three-day delivery window
- Add services like packing, storage, debris pickup, or car shipping
- Get Full Value Protection included right from the start
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: 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.
License and Insurance
Because interstate movers are federally regulated, Mayflower publicly publishes its registration details:
- USDOT Number: 125563
- TxDMV License: 0000036711
- FMCSA Status: Active authority, in compliance with federal requirements
For protection, Mayflower includes coverage automatically in every long-distance quote:
- Basic Liability Protection: Available at no extra cost, but limited to the federal minimum of about $0.60 per pound, per item.
- Full Value Protection (default): Included in every initial quote, covering the repair, replacement, or cash reimbursement of items up to the coverage level selected.
While these options give you a starting layer of protection, 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 coverage through Mayflower, or look at third-party moving insurance for added peace of mind.
Mayflower Services
Mayflower is first and foremost a full-service moving company, which means it 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 pick and choose add-ons to create a more customized plan.
Here are the core services Mayflower highlights:
- Packing and Unpacking: Full-service, partial, or fragile-only packing options, plus unpacking at destination.
- Storage: Short- and long-term storage that can be bundled with your move.
- Debris Removal: Crews return within 30 days of delivery to pick up empty boxes and packing materials.
- Car Shipping: Open or enclosed carrier options for transporting vehicles.
- Specialty Item Moving: Custom crating and handling for fragile or high-value belongings.
- Convenience Services: Options like home theater setup, basic TV wall-mount disassembly/reassembly, and PC network setup.
Beyond residential moves, Mayflower also supports corporate relocations, military moves, and international shipping to more than 150 countries. Its Snapmoves program provides a scaled-down version of full service for apartments, dorms, or smaller households.
Long-Distance Full-Service Moves
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.
“Mayflower’s Snapmoves program is designed for apartments, dorms, and one- to three-bedroom homes. It gives you more flexibility than a traditional van line move, with perks like instant online booking in some markets, day-certain or three-day delivery options…”
These interstate moves are also federally regulated and require proper licensing, which Mayflower maintains. Importantly, Full Value Protection is included in every initial quote, 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.
Mayflower Costs
The first thing to know is that Mayflower doesn’t hand out flat rates. Like other van lines, 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. Before you get a number, Mayflower requires a virtual or in-home walkthrough so they can estimate the weight and volume of your belongings.
From there, the totals can get pretty high. Mayflower lists starting prices for a long-distance move at around $8,000 for a two- to three-bedroom home, with larger homes easily reaching $10,000 to $17,000 or more. HireAHelper’s 2025 research shows similar results, with most full-service van line moves falling in the $5,000 to $11,000 range, depending on distance and home size.
Competitor cost comparison
Compared with other big names, Mayflower is very competitive. Their estimates usually land lower than International Van Lines, Safeway, or Colonial, which often start closer to $9,000 and can hit $13,000–$14,000 at the high end. Smaller carriers like Mayzlin or American sometimes beat Mayflower, quoting as low as $6,200–$7,500 for a cross-country three-bedroom move.
On the other hand, container companies like PODS average much cheaper, at $3,000–$4,500, and freight trailers typically run $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.
Price breakdown
The main factors that shape your final Mayflower price are straightforward (and are typical across the board of van line moving companies):
- Distance: Longer trips cost more.
- Weight/Volume: More belongings mean higher totals.
- Timing: Summer and weekends are peak season and carry premiums.
- Services: Add-ons like packing or car shipping push costs up.
- Coverage: Higher protection levels add to the price.
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, containers or freight options can deliver a similar end result for thousands less.
Discounts
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.
Instead, where Mayflower really stands out is with deposits. Unlike many competitors that require 10–50% 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.
Insurance
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.
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:
- Option 1 ($225): $5,000 extra valuation, Gold Standard Protection, Identity Theft Protection, and Claims Assist.
- Option 2 ($425): Everything in Option 1, plus $25,000 extra valuation, debris removal, and additional delay claim payment.
- Option 3 ($725): Everything in Option 2, plus basic wall-mount disassembly/setup for two TVs and additional delay claim payment.
Other optional waivers include 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.
Together, these options make Mayflower’s protection plans more comprehensive than what many competitors offer — but they also add to the overall cost.
Are There Alternatives to Long-Distance Movers?
Full-service movers like Mayflower are designed to take (nearly) all the work off your plate. Crews handle everything — from packing boxes to unloading them in your new home. The trade-off is cost and flexibility: it’s almost always the priciest way to move, and your schedule depends on the mover’s availability.
“The good news is that Mayflower has such a wide reach that you’re likely to find an agent nearby. The bad news is that you could have a different experience depending on where you are.”
For many households, a mix-and-match approach works best. Portable storage containers, paired with professional loading help, deliver a similar level of convenience at a much lower price. You get movers to handle the heavy lifting, but you control the timing and only pay for the space you actually use. Freight trailers offer another option in a similar price tier. If you’re still deciding which route to take, our roundup of the best moving companies is a helpful comparison.
That said, full-service still makes sense in some situations. If you have a large home, tight timelines, or just want someone else to manage the entire process, hiring a van line is the simplest path. But if saving money and keeping control of your schedule matter more, containers plus labor give you a lot of the same benefits without the hefty price tag.
What It’s Like to Book With Mayflower
Getting a quote with Mayflower starts online or by phone. You’ll be connected with a local agent, then scheduled for either a virtual video walkthrough or an in-home survey. That step is required before you’ll see a real estimate, so you won’t get an instant ballpark figure. Once you book, Mayflower assigns you a move coordinator who acts as your main contact and helps manage scheduling and communication. Customers can also use the MyMayflower move portal to track shipments and organize paperwork.
The experience, however, varies widely depending on your local crews. Some customers describe helpful coordinators and on-time movers. Others report poor communication, damage claims that were hard to resolve, or frustration over hidden handoffs to third-party agents.
Customer Reviews
Much like with representatives, public reviews paint the same mixed picture. Trustpilot shows Mayflower with a 2.0 out of 5 rating (10 reviews), with nearly all rated one star. Customers frequently mention damaged belongings and unsatisfactory claims processes. On the flip side, a few note smooth moves and courteous staff. The Better Business Bureau lists Mayflower with an A+ rating but not accredited, and its customer review average sits closer to one star.
The bottom line: booking with Mayflower is simple, but your actual experience depends heavily on which local affiliate handles your move. That’s why it’s important to review both the company’s strengths and the common complaints before deciding.
Pros
Mayflower Transit is an industry veteran
This company has been in the moving industry for a long time, and as a result, it has garnered years of experience transporting people’s stuff from state to state and even country to country. They also have a massive infrastructure that local moving companies could never compete with. Mayflower’s history gives customers confidence. After all, in an industry rife with fly-by-night organizations, Mayflower is a standout for its nearly century-long endurance.
You can take advantage of add-ons
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.
No matter where you live, you’re likely to find Mayflower near you
Customers can receive service from one of more than 500 locations. As a result, you can get help from Mayflower from almost anywhere. In addition, Mayflower even conducts international moves, so its reach is clearly far and wide.
Mayflower now offers “Snapmoves”
Mayflower’s Snapmoves program is designed for apartments, dorms, and one- to three-bedroom homes. It gives you more flexibility than a traditional van line move, with perks like instant online booking in some markets, day-certain or three-day delivery options, and Full Value Protection included in every quote.
You can also add services such as packing, storage, debris pickup, and even car shipping. With Snapmoves, you only pay for the containers you use, and a coordinator keeps the process on track. For customers who don’t need a full truck and crew, it’s a simpler, lower-cost way to get Mayflower’s support.
Cons
You will need a higher budget
Full-service moves for long distances are notoriously expensive, and Mayflower Transit is no different. The cost may be worth it to you if you cannot physically participate in your move or if you value the convenience and can afford it. Most people, however, will find it hard to justify the costs when there are other options.
Getting an estimate takes extra steps
To get an estimate, you must have some sort of walkthrough, either with a live representative or virtually. It’s rather inconvenient because most people would much rather get an idea of the price before calling for an estimate. After all, you can easily rule out other options as you determine they are way out of your price range.
But customization allows you some control over the final price, but it all depends on the weight of your stuff and the distance you’re moving. So, the only way to know for sure is to go through the entire estimate process, which can be inconvenient for some.
Reviews of regional agents vary from place to place
Truly, you cannot make generalizations about Mayflower agents. The good news is that Mayflower has such a wide reach that you’re likely to find an agent nearby. The bad news is that you could have a different experience depending on where you are. The quality of service and some of the details of your move could change from place to place. This means you’ll have to research reviews and learn about the differences among local Mayflower agents.
Mayflower vs. Other Long-Distance Full-Service Providers
Mayflower sits in the same category as other van line giants — companies like United Van Lines, North American, Colonial Van Lines, and Bekins. All of these providers operate through networks of local agents, which means your experience depends heavily on which office handles your move. However, the general process is similar across the board: you’ll need an in-home or virtual walkthrough before you get a binding estimate, and costs are based on shipment size, distance, and service level.
“These interstate moves are also federally regulated and require proper licensing, which Mayflower maintains. Importantly, Full Value Protection is included in every initial quote, giving customers more peace of mind…”
Where Mayflower stands out is in pricing and options. Its cross-country quotes for a medium-size home often start around $8,000–$10,000, which is slightly lower than estimates from International Van Lines, Safeway, or Colonial that can climb into the $13,000–$14,000 range. United and North American are typically priced in the same band as Mayflower, while smaller carriers like Mayzlin or American sometimes undercut all of them with starting rates closer to $6,200–$7,500 for similar moves.
In short, Mayflower is middle-of-the-pack among van lines: not the cheapest, not the most expensive. 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.
Why You Can Trust HireAHelper
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Mayflower?
Mayflower Transit is owned by UniGroup, Inc., a cooperative that also owns United Van Lines. UniGroup is one of the largest moving and storage organizations in the U.S., made up of hundreds of local agents that handle the actual moves.
Is Mayflower legit?
Yes! Mayflower has been operating since 1927 and is federally licensed for interstate moving (USDOT 125563, MC 2934). It’s one of the oldest and largest van lines in the country.
Is Mayflower a broker?
Mayflower is considered a hybrid. It’s both a carrier (with its own trucks and drivers) and a broker, since it contracts local agents to perform moves under the Mayflower brand.
How does Mayflower work?
You request a quote online or by phone, then schedule a virtual or in-home survey. Mayflower builds an estimate based on weight, distance, and services. Once booked, a coordinator manages logistics, and local crews handle the move. If you’re getting ready, here are some other ways to prepare for a long-distance move.
Are United Van Lines and Mayflower the same?
They’re sister companies. Both are owned by UniGroup, Inc., but operate under different brand names and agent networks.
What happened to the Mayflower Moving Company?
Mayflower is still active. The company merged with UniGroup in 1995 and continues to operate through more than 500 locations nationwide.