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Pros:
Full- and partial service options
Online shipment tracking
No deposit required
Short- and long-term storage options
Snapmoves small-move service
Cons:
Local movers aren’t available in all states
Doesn’t provide instant online quotes
No discounts available
Why Trust U.S. News
At U.S. News & World Report, we take an unbiased approach to our ratings. We adhere to strict editorial guidelines, maintain a separate business team, and provide transparency on our methodology.
United Van Lines has a long-standing history in the moving industry, having been established in 1928. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the company is a subsidiary of UniGroup and sister company to Mayflower. It maintains a network of 500 agents around the country for long-distance and interstate moves, as well as 300 affiliated agents offering local moving services.
It supports local, long distance, interstate, and international moves for both residential and commercial customers. United Van Lines also handles corporate relocations and military moves.
United Van Lines
Those wanting a convenient, one-stop moving experience with a variety of services to choose from
Apartment renters, students, or seniors who don’t have many belongings and just need a small move
Those who can benefit from custom crating for large or fragile specialty items
Those who prefer to get a quote online without scheduling an in-home or virtual survey
Those wanting to purchase DIY packing supplies directly from their moving company
Government employees, military members, or anyone else looking for a discount on moving services
United Van Lines
Those wanting a convenient, one-stop moving experience with a variety of services to choose from
Apartment renters, students, or seniors who don’t have many belongings and just need a small move
Those who can benefit from custom crating for large or fragile specialty items
Those who prefer to get a quote online without scheduling an in-home or virtual survey
Those wanting to purchase DIY packing supplies directly from their moving company
Government employees, military members, or anyone else looking for a discount on moving services
United Van Lines doesn’t have pricing available on its website. Potential customers who wish to get a moving quote will need to call and speak with an agent or submit a request form online. Estimates vary from one customer to the next depending on a variety of factors, including:
Basic full-service quotes come with a dedicated move coordinator, Full Value Protection (unless waived for the minimum liability valuation, which doesn’t have an added cost), loading and unloading services, standard appliance transport, and standard furniture placement. The company does provide prices for its full-service moving packages, which may be added on to any regular moving quote. These range from $225 to $725.
The table below shows some general pricing from the companies we reviewed.
Moving Company Prices
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Company | Initial Deposit Value | Full Insurance Coverage Available | Sample Cost 1* | Sample Cost 2** | Sample Cost 3** | Learn More | |
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Allied Van Lines » | None | Video Call for Estimate | Video Call for Estimate | Video Call for Estimate | Get A Quote » 855-936-5851 | ||
Mayflower » | None | Video Call for Estimate | Video Call for Estimate | Video Call for Estimate | Get A Quote » 877-849-7111 | ||
Colonial Van Lines » | Varies | $1,609.00 to $3,100.00 | $999.00 to $2,100.00 | $999.00 to $2,100.00 | Get A Quote » 844-971-2131 | ||
JK Moving Services » | $100.00 | $17,316.00 | $7,690.00 | Get A Quote » 844-963-0813 | |||
International Van Lines » | 25% of Quote | $7,500.00 to $8,250.00 | $4,200.00 to $5,000.00 | $1,900.00 to $2,600.00 | Get A Quote » 954-892-5920 |
*Disclaimer: Sample cost 1 is based on a move from Austin, Texas, to Denver, Colorado (1,000 miles), in mid-July for a family with a three-bedroom, single-story home. **Disclaimer: Sample cost 2 is based on a move from Atlanta, Georgia, to Nashville, Tennessee (250 miles), in mid-July for a family with a two-bedroom home. ***Disclaimer: Sample cost 3 is based on a move from Montclair, New Jersey, to New York City (20 miles) in mid-July for a family with a one-bedroom home.
The following table shows the discounts, if any, that are available from providers in our Best Moving Companies list.
Moving Company Discounts
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For more information, see our guide on How Much Does a Moving Company Cost?
Available Services:
Local, long distance, interstate, and international moving
Small moves through the Snapmoves program
Corporate and military relocations
Full-service, partial service, or customized packing options
Mobile app
Shipment tracking
Unavailable Services:
Packing supplies for purchase
Instant quotes
Pool table transport
United Van Lines offers a wide range of services that can be added on to any type of move. These include:
Moving Company Features
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Company | Commercial Moving | Storage Offered | Full Service Included? | International Moving | Auto Shipping? | Interstate Moving | Local Moving | |
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Allied Van Lines | ||||||||
Mayflower | ||||||||
Colonial Van Lines | ||||||||
JK Moving Services | ||||||||
International Van Lines |
United Van Lines has movers in more than 500 locations across the U.S. Along with the company’s network of more than 300 agents offering local moving services, it spans 46 states, excluding only Hawaii, Rhode Island, West Virginia, or Vermont. It also provides international moves to more than 150 countries.
Safeway Moving is a veteran-owned company that specializes in cross-country moves. It also handles intrastate and international moves on a smaller scale. Most importantly, Safeway is a moving broker, which means it arranges for the transportation of household goods but isn’t the transportation provider.
This is different from United Van Lines, which is a full-service moving company that provides local, long distance, interstate, and international moves across the U.S. and in more than 150 countries.
Safeway Moving also offers packing and unpacking services as well as free short-term storage solutions for up to 30 days. In addition, it provides crating for fragile items.
Similar to United Van Lines, Safeway Moving only offers a moving quote after speaking to a company representative. Safeway’s pricing also differs, as it charges a flat rate based on the distance you move and the weight of the move, with no extra fees. It’s important to note the company doesn’t have shipment tracking or full valuation coverage available because it’s not the mover, so you would have to ensure this was available and arranged.
While Safeway Moving may be a fine option for long-distance moves, customers who don’t want to use a moving broker or who need local or international services may prefer United Van Lines’ vast network.
Learn more in our Safeway Moving review.
Learn more in our Safeway Moving review.
United Van Lines and North American Van Lines are comparable in the services they offer. Both provide full-service residential and commercial moves in the U.S. and internationally. Each company also handles auto shipping, packing, debris removal, cleaning, and custom crating.
Unlike United Van Lines, North American Van Lines has a wide range of moving and packing supplies available for purchase. It also offers tracking for domestic and international shipments and 24-hour customer service as well.
Both companies offer small-move solutions for long-distance moves: United with Snapmoves and North American with its Blue Express portable container service.
Either company is a good choice for a move, but customers may appreciate the one-stop-shop convenience of being able to get all of their packing supplies from North American Van Lines. In addition, North American offers some pricing that may appeal to some customers on a tight budget, offering bottom-line pricing, not-to-exceed pricing, and customized pricing.
Learn more in our North American Van Lines review.
Learn more in our North American Van Lines review.
The first step to booking a move with United Van Lines is filling out the quote request form online or calling a company agent. You’ll be contacted to schedule an in-person or virtual survey to determine how many items you’re moving and what kind of services you need. This also allows the representative to provide you with an accurate quote.
Scheduling a moving service with United Van Lines won’t lock you into a contract, since an order for service isn’t considered a contract. If you need to cancel your order, you may do so by notifying your personal move coordinator as soon as possible and before your move begins.
Every move through United Van Lines comes with Full Value Protection coverage, as federal law requires for interstate movers. The cost of this is reflected in all initial quotes, and it will cover the total shipment weight at $6 per pound. Any belongings that are worth more than $100 per pound must be recorded on a High Value Inventory form.
Customers may choose to waive FVP and just receive minimum liability valuation, called Released Value Protection, for free. This covers 60 cents per pound per item. For an additional charge, there’s also the option to increase valuation beyond the standard FVP amount as well as secure protection for pairs and sets, mechanical malfunctions, and “acts of God.”
Yes, United Van Lines handles long-distance moves within the same state and those that span across the country. The company also provides relocation services around the world.
For more information, see our guide on the Best Long-Distance Moving Companies.
United Van Lines offers interstate moves throughout the U.S. It’s registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), has been issued a U.S. Department of Transportation number, and carries adequate moving protection.
For more details, check out our guide on the Best Interstate Moving Companies.
United Van Lines recommends booking at least four to six weeks before your intended move date. If you have specific pickup and delivery dates you need to abide by, you may upgrade your service to accommodate this timeline for a fee.
Yes, United Van Lines offers this service, so your possessions can have a truck dedicated to your move.
United Van Lines doesn’t have packing supplies available for purchase. However, the company will supply all the materials needed if you choose its full or partial packing services. It also does custom crating for specialty items.
Yes, United Van Lines offers a DIY packing option. You can pack up your own belongings, and the moving crew will still wrap your furniture and load everything into the truck.
United Van Lines offers temporary storage solutions for both residential and commercial customers. It has facilities across the U.S. where items can be stored in transit while you organize and finalize your moving plans.
Yes, United Van Lines has a mobile app, the MyUnited Move Portal. It allows you to plan and organize your move, book service, take advantage of moving resources, and keep track of your moving company contacts.
Yes, shipment tracking is available on the company’s website.
United Van Lines is capable of moving many large or specialty items. Some of these include smart beds, oversized TVs, hot tubs, pianos, lawn mowers, foam mattresses, and oversized sofas. The company can also transport boats and golf carts.
United Van Lines is an agent-owned cooperative company. This means it’s represented by independent agents that work on its behalf, but it may also provide services under its own brands and businesses.
Yes, United Van Lines movers are licensed and bonded as interstate movers with FMCSA in accordance with federal regulations. The company also carries moving protection as required by law.
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