Continental 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. Continental Van Lines is described as best for pacific northwest households moving to or from alaska, where sailing schedules and staging matter more than truck mileage, 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 | Continental Van Lines | United Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 11997 | 077949 |
| MC # | 67234 | |
| Carrier or broker | both | |
| Founded | 1952 | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, WA | Fenton, MO |
| Coverage | Interstate (48) | All 50 states |
| Services | Local, Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Corporate | Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Auto transport, Corporate |
| Legal name on the federal filing | CONTINENTAL VAN LINES INC | UNITED VAN LINES LLC |
| Entity status | A | |
| Operating authority held | Household goods, Property, Carrier and broker | |
| Power units on the census file | 4,731 | |
| Drivers on the census file | 3,424 | |
| Safety rating | S | |
| Federal record as of | 2026-08-16 | 2026-08-13 |
| 2BR interstate estimate (BestMovers.info estimate) | $1,500–$5,200 | $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.
Continental Van Lines
Continental Van Lines files from Seattle, Washington as a single federal registrant. The company publishes Alaska and international service, and that service description is not read as evidence of federal authority: no freight forwarder authority was located on the record reviewed, so none is stated, and the character of the business is not used to infer a role the federal file does not show. Nothing here is a finding that the company lacks authority it needs; it is a statement about the records read. No federal safety rating is on file, which is neither a positive nor a negative signal. The company states first-party that it was founded in 1952.
- Best for pacific northwest households moving to or from alaska, where sailing schedules and staging matter more than truck mileage.
- Interstate (48) coverage; founded 1952.
- Freight forwarder authority was not located on the federal record reviewed, so the international and Alaska legs of a shipment may be arranged through third parties whose identity should be confirmed before booking.
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.
Pacific Northwest households moving to or from Alaska, where sailing schedules and staging matter more than truck mileage
Freight forwarder authority was not located on the federal record reviewed, so the international and Alaska legs of a shipment may be arranged through third parties whose identity should be confirmed before booking.
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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