Allied Van Lines vs North American Van Lines
Allied and North American are sister brands under SIRVA Worldwide. The real differences are at the local agent level. Here's a side-by-side that tells you what's actually the same and what to check before booking.
- Compare up to 3 estimates from licensed providers
- Route-based matching — only providers serving your lane
- Limited, controlled outreach — no auction-style lead blast
- Pricing based on your route, timing, and inventory
Check Your Moving Cost
Limited outreach · Route-based matching · Compare up to 3 estimates from licensed moving providers.
- Compare up to 3 estimates from licensed providers
- Route-based matching — only providers serving your lane
- Limited outreach — no auction-style lead blast
- Route availability checked before matching
What they share
- Same parent (SIRVA Worldwide)
- Full-service interstate carriers, not brokers
- Agent-carrier networks across the U.S.
- Full-value and 60¢/lb release valuation options
- Corporate relocation programs and SIRVA-managed accounts
- Long-distance, packing, storage, and auto-transport services
What differs between them
- Local agent quality — biggest variable on either brand
- Promotions and discounting (run independently)
- Branding and customer portals
- Agent specialty mix (high-value, fine-art, military)
Pricing: what actually moves the number
Neither brand publishes a flat rate. Both quote from tariff pricing applied to shipment weight, mileage, packing labor and materials, and accessorial charges. The discount off tariff is set by the quoting agent, not by Allied or North American corporate — which is why two estimates on the same inventory can differ by thousands within the same van line.
| Cost driver | Who controls it | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Weight and mileage | Tariff (brand level) | Is the weight from a survey or a guess? |
| Discount off tariff | Local origin agent | What discount percentage is applied? |
| Packing and materials | Local origin agent crew | Full pack, partial pack, or self-pack? |
| Accessorials (shuttle, long carry, stairs) | Conditions at both addresses | Which are already in the estimate? |
| Valuation coverage | You, at booking | Full value or 60¢/lb release? |
| Storage-in-transit | Agent warehouse | Daily or monthly, and handling in and out? |
Side-by-side service comparison
Both brands offer full-service interstate moving, but their service packaging and agent specializations can differ. Use this comparison as a starting point, then confirm the details with the local agent quoting your move.
| Service area | Allied Van Lines | North American Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate household moves | Yes — agent-carrier network | Yes — agent-carrier network |
| Packing and unpacking | Full, partial, and self-pack options | Full, partial, and self-pack options |
| Storage-in-transit | Available through origin agent warehouse | Available through origin agent warehouse |
| Vehicle transport | Auto and boat shipping available | Auto and boat shipping available |
| Valuation coverage | Full-value and 60¢/lb release | Full-value and 60¢/lb release |
| Corporate relocation | Strong SIRVA global mobility integration | Available; often tied to SIRVA accounts |
| High-value / fine-art handling | Specialty agents in select metros | Specialty agents in select metros |
| Small-move / expedited options | Express-style options vary by agent | Express-style options vary by agent |
| Tracking / customer portal | Agent-dependent portal access | Agent-dependent portal access |
Agent network density matters more than network size
Both van lines run nationwide agent networks of several hundred locations, so raw coverage is rarely the tiebreaker. What changes your experience is whether the brand has a strong, directly staffed agent in your origin metro, or whether the work gets subcontracted to a hauler you never spoke to. Ask each rep for the legal name and USDOT number of the company loading your shipment, then look that company up yourself on the FMCSA SAFER site before signing anything.
Claim handling and timelines
Interstate carriers work under federal claim rules: written acknowledgement within 30 days, and a payment, declination, or settlement offer within 120 days, with status updates every 60 days if a claim runs longer. Allied and North American both route claims through shared SIRVA infrastructure, so the mechanics are close to identical. The difference in outcomes is usually documentation — photograph high-value pieces before loading, note damage on the delivery paperwork before the crew leaves, and file in writing rather than by phone.
When to lean toward Allied
Allied tends to win corporate relocation and executive-move contracts because of SIRVA's global mobility infrastructure. If your move is tied to an employer relocation package, includes international coordination, or needs a single point of contact for household goods plus auto transport, Allied's agent may have more experience with that workflow. The brand itself does not guarantee this — confirm with the local agent handling your origin.
When to lean toward North American
North American has historically marketed more directly to private household moves and local agent quality can be stronger in certain metros. If you are moving a large home on a specific lane and the North American agent in your city has deep experience on that route, that matters more than the logo on the truck. Again, verify the actual origin agent, not just the brand name.
The real decision: compare the local agents, not just the brands
Because both van lines share a parent and use similar tariffs, the brand choice is usually less important than the specific agent-carrier that loads and delivers your shipment. The best move is to get binding written estimates from both, ask for the origin and destination agent names, and verify each on the FMCSA SAFER site. Then add a third independent quote so you know whether the SIRVA estimates are competitive for your route and inventory.
Get a binding estimate for your route
Moving Ranger connects you with screened long-distance moving providers serving your specific lane. Compare up to 3 estimates — no obligation, no spam blast.
How it works
How MovingRanger Works
A controlled long-distance moving quote marketplace — route-based matching, limited outreach, and up to 3 estimates so you can compare before choosing.
- Step 1Share your route & move size
Pickup and delivery ZIPs, approximate home size, and target dates. Takes under a minute.
- Step 2We check route availability
We match against licensed providers that actually run your lane and have capacity in your window.
- Step 3Compare up to 3 estimates
Up to 3 screened providers send written estimates. Limited outreach — no auction-style lead blast.
- Step 4Choose & book on your terms
Review pricing, services, and reviews side-by-side. You decide who books your move.
Why MovingRanger
Why Compare With MovingRanger?
Most quote sites auction your information. We don't. MovingRanger keeps outreach controlled so you can actually compare estimates instead of fielding 30 phone calls.
- Limited outreach, not a lead blast
Your request is shared with at most 3 screened providers — not dozens of brokers.
- Route-based matching
We only pair you with providers that run your lane and have availability in your window.
- Licensed moving providers
Providers must hold active operating authority where required for the route and service.
- Compare before choosing
Side-by-side estimates make it easier to spot lowball quotes, missing services, and red flags.
Comparison engine
Compare Moving Providers Smarter
The cheapest estimate is rarely the real price. MovingRanger surfaces the comparison factors that actually predict your move-day outcome — so you can choose with eyes open.
Active operating authority for the route and service type.
Who actually loads the truck — broker, carrier, or van-line agent.
Whether the provider is currently running your lane in your window.
Studio, 2-bed, large home — providers specialize in different sizes.
Flexible spread vs. guaranteed window changes the price.
Self-pack, partial, full-service, and storage-in-transit options.
Binding-not-to-exceed estimates protect against re-weigh surprises.
Big deposits and stiff cancellation terms are a real red flag.
FMCSA complaint counts, BBB, Google — context matters more than star count.
Provider fit
MovingRanger Provider Fit Types
Not every move needs the same provider. Tell us your priorities and we surface up to 3 estimates from providers that actually fit.
- Best Price Fit
Partial-load or consolidated long-distance providers — lowest cost when your dates and delivery window are flexible.
- Best Service Fit
Full-service van-line agents with white-glove packing, dedicated coordinators, and binding-not-to-exceed estimates.
- Large Move Fit
Carriers specialized in 3-bed-plus households with cubic-foot capacity, packing crews, and storage-in-transit.
- Fast Pickup Fit
Providers with current capacity on your lane — best when you need pickup inside the next 7–14 days.
Why quotes differ
Why Quotes Can Differ
Two estimates on the same move can come in hundreds of dollars apart. Here's what's usually driving the spread.
- Different inventory assumptions
One provider weighs by visual survey, another estimates from your description. Same load, different cubic feet.
- Route density & backhaul
A provider running your lane this week prices very differently than one that has to deadhead a truck.
- Date flexibility
Flexible windows let providers consolidate loads — guaranteed dates cost more across the board.
- Service scope creep
Full packing, long carry, shuttle service, stairs, and storage-in-transit all add line items.
- Estimate type
Non-binding lowball quotes get re-weighed. Binding-not-to-exceed caps the upside.
- Red flags
Unusually low quotes, large up-front deposits, and missing USDOT numbers are signals — not bargains.
See your real moving cost
Get a free, no-obligation quote based on your route, home size, and timing.
How to pick between them (the honest version)
- 1Get binding written estimates from both — same inventory list
- 2Ask who specifically performs origin and destination services
- 3Verify the local agent's FMCSA authority on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
- 4Compare valuation coverage and historical claim timelines in writing
- 5Get one independent long-distance carrier quote as a price benchmark
Frequently asked questions
Are Allied and North American the same company?
They share a parent — SIRVA Worldwide owns both brands. Each operates as a separate van line with its own agent-carrier network, but both use shared corporate infrastructure for claims, tariffs, and corporate relocation contracts.
Which one is better for a long-distance household move?
Neither is universally better. Quality depends on the local origin agent assigned to your move. Two Allied agents in different states can deliver very different service. Always get binding estimates from both and ask who specifically performs pickup and delivery.
Are they carriers or brokers?
Both are interstate motor carriers operating through independent agent-carriers under each van line's FMCSA authority.
Is one cheaper?
Not consistently. Long-distance pricing is driven by published tariffs and the specific agent's quote, so price varies more by route and agent than by brand. Get binding written estimates from both — and at least one outside benchmark.
What should I ask each agent?
Who is the actual origin agent? Who handles destination delivery? Is this a binding or non-binding estimate? What's the deposit and cancellation policy? What valuation coverage is included? How are claims handled and what's the typical timeline?
How do their pricing structures differ?
Both price interstate moves off published tariffs applied to weight (or cubic feet on some agent quotes), mileage, packing labor, materials, and accessorials such as long carries, shuttles, stairs, and storage-in-transit. The brand does not set your price — the quoting agent does, using their own discount off tariff. That's why two quotes on the same inventory can differ by thousands even within the same van line.
Which has the bigger agent network?
Both operate nationwide agent networks of several hundred locations, so coverage is rarely the deciding factor. Density matters more than headcount: in some metros one brand has a large, well-staffed origin agent and the other subcontracts. Ask each rep for the name and USDOT number of the agent that would actually load your shipment, then check that agent's own safety record.
How long does a damage claim take?
Under federal rules an interstate carrier must acknowledge a written claim within 30 days and pay, decline, or make a settlement offer within 120 days, with status updates every 60 days after that. Both brands run centralized SIRVA claims handling, so the process is similar; real-world speed depends on documentation. Photograph your high-value items before loading and file in writing as soon as you find damage.
Do I need a third quote?
Yes. Because both brands quote through independent agents, two SIRVA quotes can move together. A third estimate from an unaffiliated interstate carrier gives you a real benchmark on the same inventory list.
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What Moving Ranger is — and what it is not
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Owned & Operated
Moving Ranger is an independent online moving marketplace run by a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and industry professionals with 20+ years of experience working inside moving brokers and moving carriers.
- Not a moving broker. We do not arrange or sell interstate household-goods transportation.
- Not a motor carrier. We do not own trucks or transport household goods.
- Not licensed, bonded, or insured as a mover. Moving Ranger does not hold FMCSA broker or carrier authority.
We only share your request with moving brokers and carriers that are licensed, bonded, and insured, hold active FMCSA US DOT / MC authority where applicable, and have passed our screening — so only qualified companies get a chance to earn your business. Final pricing and service terms are set by the provider you choose. Verify any US broker or carrier at FMCSA SAFER.
Moving Ranger is an independent online marketplace run by industry professionals with 20+ years of experience working with moving brokers and carriers. Moving Ranger is not a moving broker, not a motor carrier, and is not licensed, bonded, or insured as a mover — we do not arrange, sell, or transport household goods moves ourselves. We only share your request with moving brokers and carriers that are licensed, bonded, and insured, hold active FMCSA US DOT / MC authority where applicable, and have passed our screening. Final pricing, availability, and service terms are set by the moving provider you choose.