MiniMoves 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. MiniMoves is described as best for small shipments, studio and one-bedroom apartment moves and single-item long-distance jobs that are too large to ship and too small for a full van-line trailer, 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 | MiniMoves | United Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 526036 | 077949 |
| MC # | 268180 | 67234 |
| Carrier or broker | carrier | both |
| Founded | 1991 | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Hillside, IL | Fenton, MO |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Services | Long-distance, Local, Packing, Storage | Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Auto transport, Corporate |
| Legal name on the federal filing | MINIMOVES 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 | 5 | 4,731 |
| Drivers on the census file | 6 | 3,424 |
| Safety rating | S | S |
| Federal record as of | 2026-08-15 | 2026-08-13 |
| 2BR interstate estimate (BestMovers.info estimate) | $900–$3,400 | $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.
MiniMoves
MiniMoves Inc files from Roosevelt Road in Hillside, Illinois, active on the federal census as a carrier and freight forwarder with five power units, six drivers, an MCS-150 filed 25 April 2025 and two dockets on the registration: MC-268180 and FF-1562. The licensing record shows four authority roles and they are reported separately rather than merged: motor carrier of household goods, motor carrier of property, freight forwarder of household goods and freight forwarder of property. Freight forwarder authority is a distinct federal role from carrier authority and is stated as such rather than folded into the carrier line. The company publishes the same USDOT number and both dockets on its own site. The Illinois Commerce Commission number it also publishes is a state identifier, and the FMC licence number is a Federal Maritime Commission credential rather than an FMCSA registration; neither is recorded as a federal motor carrier registration. FMCSA safety rating on file: Satisfactory, dated 31 July 2001, following a later compliance review dated 18 August 2016 that the file records as non-ratable; that is a dated federal snapshot and not a current safety score. The company states that MiniMoves was created in 1991 and has specialised in small moves since.
- Best for small shipments, studio and one-bedroom apartment moves and single-item long-distance jobs that are too large to ship and too small for a full van-line trailer.
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1991.
- Five power units and six drivers is a very small fleet, so most long-distance capacity depends on consolidation scheduling rather than on a dedicated truck, and the safety rating on file dates from 2001.
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.
Small shipments, studio and one-bedroom apartment moves and single-item long-distance jobs that are too large to ship and too small for a full van-line trailer
Five power units and six drivers is a very small fleet, so most long-distance capacity depends on consolidation scheduling rather than on a dedicated truck, and the safety rating on file dates from 2001.
Long-distance moves with full packing
Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.
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