Colonial Van Lines vs United Van Lines
Researched and written by Daniel Harper · Reviewed by Amanda Brooks · Last reviewed August 2026
We publish no numeric score for moving companies, so this page names no winner. Colonial Van Lines is described as best for long-distance household moves booked with a florida-based carrier that holds its own active household goods authority, while United Van Lines is described as best for long-distance moves with full packing. Compare the registration and authority records below, verify each USDOT number on FMCSA SAFER, and get a binding estimate from both before booking.
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Side-by-side
| Category | Colonial Van Lines | United Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 1434373 | 077949 |
| MC # | 681534 | 67234 |
| Carrier or broker | carrier | both |
| Founded | 2003 | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Pompano Beach, FL | Fenton, MO |
| Coverage | Interstate (48) | All 50 states |
| Services | Long-distance, Packing, Storage | Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Auto transport, Corporate |
| Legal name on the federal filing | COLONIAL VAN LINES INC | UNITED VAN LINES LLC |
| Entity status | A | |
| Operating authority held | Household goods, Property | Household goods, Property, Carrier and broker |
| Power units on the census file | 25 | 4,731 |
| Drivers on the census file | 25 | 3,424 |
| Safety rating | Satisfactory | S |
| Federal record as of | 2026-08-16 | 2026-08-13 |
| 2BR interstate estimate (BestMovers.info estimate) | $2,200–$6,500 | $3,100–$7,400 |
Legal name, entity status, operating authority, fleet counts and safety rating come from the FMCSA motor carrier census and licensing files, and appear only where the identifier on the federal record matched the company record on this page. Where a row is absent for one company, this site holds no verified federal value for it.
Colonial Van Lines
Colonial Van Lines Inc files from 1441 SW 29th Avenue in Pompano Beach, Florida, active on the federal census with 25 power units, 25 drivers and an MCS-150 filed 21 March 2025. The licensing record carries motor carrier of household goods authority granted 31 March 2010 and motor carrier of property authority recorded as reinstated on 27 June 2025, both active at the time of reading; no broker authority is carried on this registration. The federal file records a Satisfactory safety rating dated 28 June 2021 alongside a compliance review dated 3 October 2012. A safety rating is a dated federal snapshot of the review that produced it, not a current assessment of the company. The company publishes this USDOT number and MC docket in its own website footer, which is how the registration and the brand were joined. Two further registrations filing from the same address, one under the identical legal name and one under a Texas corporate name, are disclosed separately as related registrations rather than merged into this record. The company states it was founded in 2003.
- Best for long-distance household moves booked with a florida-based carrier that holds its own active household goods authority.
- Interstate (48) coverage; founded 2003.
- Two further federal registrations file from the same Pompano Beach address under closely related names, so the entity a customer actually contracts with should be confirmed on the paperwork before signing.
United Van Lines
United Van Lines is the largest brand under UniGroup and publishes the annual National Movers Study. It offers shipment tracking and a published claims process; we hold no dataset that compares its claims outcomes with other carriers.
- Best for long-distance moves with full packing.
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1928.
- Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.
Long-distance household moves booked with a Florida-based carrier that holds its own active household goods authority
Two further federal registrations file from the same Pompano Beach address under closely related names, so the entity a customer actually contracts with should be confirmed on the paperwork before signing.
Long-distance moves with full packing
Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.
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Frequently asked questions
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