PCS & Military Relocation

Moving Companies for Military Families

A PCS move runs on its own rules, paperwork, and timeline. Compare movers experienced with military relocations—with military discounts, free storage, and base-access crews—and get up to 6 free quotes.

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No obligation · Military discounts · FMCSA-licensed movers

10–15%
military discounts
Up to 90
days storage reimbursed
Up to 6
quotes to compare
$0
cost & no obligation

Military families move often—and a PCS is nothing like moving a civilian across town. Orders don’t bend, report dates are fixed, and there’s paperwork, weight allowances, and base-access rules to manage. The right mover makes it routine. This guide covers the types of military moves, how the PCS process works, the best moving companies for military families, and the discounts and benefits you’ve earned—then connects you with movers so you can compare quotes.

Jump to move types, the PCS process, the best military movers, costs, or get free quotes.

Types of Military Moves

The type of move you’re assigned affects how much control you have, what’s covered, and how you’re reimbursed:

PCS
Permanent Change of Station
A long-term reassignment to a new duty station (usually a year or more)—the most common military move.
HHG
Government-Arranged Move
The military contracts and pays an approved mover to pack and ship your household goods.
DITY / PPM
Personally Procured Move
You manage your own move and get reimbursed—keep the difference if you spend less than the government’s cost.
TDY
Temporary Duty
A short-term assignment (usually under six months) with a return to your original station.

How a Military PCS Move Works

Here’s how a typical PCS unfolds, so you know what to expect at each stage:

1
Receive your PCS orders. Official orders from your command kick off the process.
2
Contact your Transportation Office. Schedule the required counseling session to get started.
3
Register in DPS/DP3. Set up your move in the Defense Personal Property System.
4
Choose your move type. Government-arranged (HHG), DITY/PPM, or a partial (hybrid) move.
5
Book your move. The Transportation Office—or you, for a PPM—books the mover, container, or truck.
6
Pack & pickup. Movers pack and load, or you do it yourself for a DITY/PPM.
7
Travel & delivery. Coordinate travel, then receive and inspect your goods at the new station.
8
File any claims. Report lost or damaged items through DPS/DP3 within the required window.
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Best Moving Companies for Military Families

These national van lines are consistently top choices for PCS moves—each offers military discounts, dedicated coordinators, and crews experienced with base access and DPS paperwork:

Company Military discount* Why military families choose them
United Van Lines ~15% 30 days free storage, dedicated military move coordinators, and deep experience with DPS and PCS paperwork.
Allied Van Lines ~15% 400+ agents, crews certified for base access, guaranteed delivery dates, and DP3-trained coordinators.
Atlas Van Lines ~12% Base-access-trained crews, strong specialty and vehicle handling, and OCONUS customs support.
North American Van Lines ~10% Dedicated coordinators who help with DD Forms, weight tickets, and fast claims handling.
Mayflower Transit ~10% Help navigating military paperwork, custom crating, and multiple valuation options.

*Discounts are typical advertised rates and can change—confirm the current offer when you request quotes. See full reviews on our best moving companies page.

Doing a DITY/PPM to pocket the savings? Moving containers like PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT, and truck rentals like Penske (which offers its own military discount), are popular budget-friendly options—you pack and load, they handle transport and storage.

Military Discounts & Benefits You’ve Earned

  • Military discounts — commonly 10–15% off for active-duty members and veterans; show your orders and ID.
  • Storage-in-transit (SIT) — the government may reimburse up to 90 days of storage when there’s a gap between homes.
  • Weight allowance — the government covers shipping up to your rank-based allowance; stay under it to avoid out-of-pocket charges.
  • Full-service packing — often included on government-arranged moves, so you don’t lift a box.
  • PPM reimbursement — manage your own move and keep the difference if you spend less than the government’s cost.
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What to Look for in a Military Mover

Not every “military-friendly” mover truly understands PCS moves. Before you sign, confirm:

  1. Licensing & insurance. Interstate movers need a valid USDOT number—verify it on the FMCSA site.
  2. Real military experience. They should know base-access rules, PCS timelines, weight tickets, and DPS/DP3 paperwork.
  3. GSA / government credentials. Look for CHAMP participation, SCAC codes (e.g. ALLV), a strong Value Index, dedicated move coordinators, certified pre-audit, and the relevant FSS schedule.
  4. Who actually performs the move. Some companies broker jobs—confirm the carrier and check its reviews.
  5. Claims handling. Read how they resolve damaged-item claims; it says more than any ad.
  6. No large deposits. Reputable movers don’t demand a big upfront cash deposit—pay most of the bill on delivery, ideally by credit card.

Note that military movers won’t transport certain items—see what movers will and won’t pack.

How Much Does a Military Move Cost?

A PCS move averages around $5,000, with most long-distance moves running $1,950–$9,500 depending on weight, distance, and season. Government-arranged (HHG) moves are covered by the military; PPM moves are reimbursed up to the government’s cost. Estimate your move below, then compare quotes:

Moving Cost Calculator

Estimate your move in seconds, then compare real quotes to lock in your price.

Move type
Home size
Estimated moving cost
$300 – $700Local move · 2 movers · 3–5 hrs
$400 – $850Local move · 2 movers · 3–6 hrs
$600 – $1,200Local move · 2–3 movers · 5–7 hrs
$900 – $2,000Local move · 3–4 movers · 6–9 hrs
$1,400 – $2,900Local move · 4 movers · 8–12 hrs
$2,000 – $4,500Local move · 4–5 movers · 10–16 hrs
$1,650 – $3,500Long-distance · ~2,000–2,500 lbs
$2,000 – $3,700Long-distance · ~2,500–3,500 lbs
$3,100 – $5,200Long-distance · ~5,000 lbs
$4,900 – $8,200Long-distance · ~7,500–10,000 lbs
$6,300 – $10,300Long-distance · ~10,000–12,000 lbs
$7,800 – $13,000+Long-distance · ~12,000+ lbs

Get Exact Quotes for My Move →

Add packing (+$280–$2,200), specialty items (+$150–$450 each), or stairs to your estimate. 2026 planning averages—request quotes for a firm number.

For a full breakdown, see our guides to moving company costs and long-distance moving costs.

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Military Moving Tips

  • Book early. Peak PCS season (May–September) fills fast—schedule as soon as you have orders.
  • Know your weight allowance and declutter to stay under it.
  • Use storage-in-transit if your report and move-in dates don’t line up.
  • Claim your military discount — always ask and show your ID and orders.
  • Pack a first-day box with essentials, medications, and important documents (keep orders with you).
  • Start in DPS/DP3 early and keep copies of your inventory and weight tickets.

More advice in our moving tips & checklist.

Helpful Military Moving Resources

Moving Companies for Military Families: FAQ

What is the best moving company for military families?
There’s no single best mover—it depends on your orders, destination, and budget. For full-service PCS moves, United, Allied, Atlas, North American, and Mayflower are consistently top choices thanks to military discounts, dedicated PCS coordinators, base-access-trained crews, and DPS experience. For DITY/PPM moves, containers (PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT) and truck rentals (Penske) are popular. Compare at least three quotes for your move.
Do moving companies offer military discounts?
Yes. Many national movers offer discounts of around 10-15% for active-duty service members and veterans, and truck-rental companies like Penske offer their own military discounts. Always mention your service and have your orders and military ID ready to confirm the current rate.
What is a PCS move?
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is a long-term reassignment to a new duty station, usually for a year or more. You can move through a government-arranged household goods (HHG) shipment, a personally procured move (DITY/PPM), or a hybrid of the two.
What is a DITY or PPM move?
A DITY (do-it-yourself), now called a Personally Procured Move (PPM), is when you manage your own move instead of using a government-arranged mover. The government reimburses you up to what it would have paid, so if you spend less—by using a container or rental truck—you keep the difference.
Does the military choose my moving company or pay for the move?
For a government-arranged (HHG) move, the military coordinates and pays an approved mover through the Defense Personal Property System. You’re not required to use a specific company, and you can instead choose a PPM and be reimbursed. Either way, comparing movers helps you understand your options and costs.
What is my military weight allowance?
Your weight allowance is set by your rank and dependent status. If your shipment exceeds it, you pay out of pocket for the overage, so it pays to know your limit and declutter before the move. Check your branch’s current weight allowance table or ask your Transportation Office.
Do military movers offer free storage?
Many do. Storage-in-transit (SIT) is common, and the government may reimburse up to 90 days of storage when there’s a gap between your homes—valuable when report dates and housing don’t line up. Ask each mover about SIT and free-storage periods.
How much does a military move cost?
A PCS move averages around $5,000, and long-distance moves generally run $1,950-$9,500 depending on weight, distance, and season. Government-arranged HHG moves are covered by the military, while PPM moves are reimbursed up to the government’s cost. Use the calculator on this page for an estimate, then compare quotes.
How far in advance should I book my military move?
As soon as you have orders. Peak PCS season (May through September) books up fast, so early scheduling gives you the best availability and rates—and more time to compare movers and use your discounts.
How do I start my military move?
Contact your installation’s Transportation Office to schedule counseling, then register and initiate your move in DPS/DP3. From there you’ll choose your move type (HHG, PPM, or hybrid) and book your mover, container, or truck. Military OneSource also offers 24/7 relocation support.

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Find Movers Now is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense or any military branch. Discounts and benefits vary by company—confirm current details when you request quotes.