Mayflower vs North American Van Lines

Mayflower vs. North American Van Lines

Mayflower and North American Van Lines are both long-standing national movers known for handling full-service, long-distance relocations across the U.S. While they operate in similar spaces, the way they structure services, manage moves, and price their work can feel quite different once you dig into the details.

This comparison breaks down those differences in practical terms to help set expectations before you start requesting quotes or scheduling surveys.

Services and availability

Mayflower operates through a nationwide network of independently owned agents and focuses primarily on long-distance and interstate moves, though local moves are available depending on the agent. They also offer international relocations, corporate moves, military moves, and specialty services such as piano transport, vehicle shipping, and storage-in-transit. Mayflower does not offer portable containers and positions themselves squarely as a full-service mover. Availability is strong across all 50 states, but the exact services offered can vary by local agent.

North American Van Lines also relies on an agent-based model and provides local, long-distance, interstate, and international moving services. They are well known for handling complex moves, including high-value items, government relocations, and corporate transfers. Like Mayflower, they focus on full-service moves rather than containerized options. North American has broad U.S. coverage and international partnerships, though local service consistency depends heavily on the assigned agent.

Reliability and moving experience

Mayflower has a long operating history and emphasizes standardized processes across their agent network, including shipment tracking tools and structured claims handling. Customer experiences often reflect solid coordination for long-distance moves, though service quality can vary based on the local agent managing packing and delivery. Their centralized resources help with scheduling and documentation, but agent-to-agent handoffs can still introduce delays in complex moves.

North American Van Lines is often associated with operational scale and experience in handling large or multi-leg shipments. They provide tracking options and dedicated move coordination for many long-distance relocations. Their claims process is formalized, but feedback commonly points to variability in communication depending on the local office. Because moves may involve multiple drivers or storage points, timelines can shift if schedules change mid-move.

Pricing and value

Mayflower typically uses in-home or virtual surveys to generate estimates, offering both binding and non-binding pricing depending on move details. Costs are influenced by distance, shipment weight, packing needs, and storage. Add-on services such as full packing, debris removal, and extra valuation coverage increase the total cost. Deposits may be required by individual agents rather than the brand itself.

North American Van Lines also relies on surveyed estimates, with binding and not-to-exceed options commonly available for long-distance moves. Pricing scales similarly based on mileage, weight, and service level. They offer multiple valuation options for cargo protection, and additional fees may apply for specialty items, long carries, or storage. As with Mayflower, final pricing can differ by agent, so written estimates are essential.

Conclusion

Mayflower tends to appeal to customers who want a well-established mover with structured long-distance processes and broad national availability, especially for household and military relocations. North American Van Lines may be a better fit for moves involving high-value items, corporate coordination, or complex logistics across multiple locations. Both rely heavily on their local agents, so the quality of the assigned office matters as much as the brand name.