United Van Lines Review: Pricing and Services
Here’s the bottom line: United Van Lines is a highly rated, national full-service mover that offers 24/7 tracking and extensive add-on services, with a network of licensed agents. While it receives a lot of praise for efficiency, some reviews cite damage, missed deadlines, and weak communication with UVL’s third-party agents. The company doesn’t quite make the cut for our list of the best interstate moving companies in the country but it could be worthwhile for movers with the right budget.
We’ve read hundreds of customer reviews, gathered cost data, evaluated United Van Lines’ moving services, and compared it to competitors to help you decide if it’s the right moving company for your upcoming move.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 4,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Pros & cons of moving with United Van Lines
United Van Lines is a popular long-distance mover because they provide a wide range of service options, including uncommon services like home cleaning. Full-value protection on every move quote can also provide much-needed peace of mind as you ship your stuff.
- Provides full-service packing, storage, and custom crating
- Offers unique add-ons such as debris removal, TV setup and disassembly, and door-to-door auto transport
- No deposit required
- Convenient online shipment tracking
- Free cancellation up until the moving date
- Assigns a dedicated move coordinator to each reservation
- Longer quote process isn’t ideal for tight time frames
- Often more expensive than other full-service movers
- Doesn’t operate in all states (not available in Rhode Island, Hawaii, Vermont, or West Virginia)
Key Takeaways
- United Van Lines (USDOT#77949) is a full-service moving company that offers more additional services, such as cleaning, technology support, and custom crating than most competitors to streamline the moving process.
- The company offers in-person estimates to ensure your moving quote is accurate and includes all the services you need.
- United Van Lines isn’t the lowest-cost moving solution, but it’s a worthwhile option for people who want a mover with an overall good reputation for customer service.
- We recommend comparing quotes from United Van Lines and other reputable moving companies to get the best rates on the moving services you need.
Jump to the United Van Lines info you’re looking for:
What customers had to say about United Van Lines
We analyzed hundreds of UVL reviews. Positive reviews praised the company’s thorough estimates and support from a move coordinator. Negative reviews tended to focus on damaged items, usually tied to the local moving services that United brokers for some of its moves.
At moveBuddha, we like to get direct insights and moving experiences from people who have used companies like United through our Better Moves Project. Here are a few details of our reader Amy’s experience with UVL.
- The move: After ruling out DIY and hybrid moving companies, our reader Amy reached out to United Van Lines for her move from New York to Texas.
- Moving day: In Amy’s case, her driver’s moving help arrived within 30 minutes of their scheduled arrival time. The crew loaded the entirety of Amy’s three-bedroom home in seven hours. This time frame even included wrapping, custom crating, and loading her arcade machine into the truck.
- Transport: Amy got her driver’s phone number and received updates throughout the drive. Her items arrived in Texas nine days later and well within her estimated delivery window. The driver called the day before delivery, which Amy appreciated.
- Delivery: Amy checked things off as the crew unloaded them and everything was accounted for, but a few items had damage. She quickly submitted a claim, and within a couple days, it was approved with a check in the mail.
- Amy’s review of United Van Lines: “I cannot say enough about how good the communication with United and its partners was. They were very professional and courteous. I cannot think of anything I would change. They were great to work with. I had a five-star experience and would recommend United Van Lines to anyone.”
How much it costs to move with United Van Lines
The following table gives a general idea of how much United Van Lines costs based on the type of move. Keep in mind that exact moving costs can vary based on the time of year, your starting and ending locations, and the type of add-on services you choose.
| Move Size | Local move (<50 miles) | Medium-distance move (250–1,000 miles) | Cross-country move (1,000+ miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $500–$1,000 | $1,500–$5,000 | $2,000–$6,000 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $1,250–$2,500 | $3,000–$6,000 | $5,500–$9,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,500–$3,000 | $4,500–$7,500 | $7,600–$14,000 |
United Van Lines offers the option to fill out an online form to set up a phone call, email, or text to begin the quoting process. In many cases, the company will send out a representative from one of its partner carriers to survey your belongings.
After you get a quote from United Van Lines, compare it to our moving cost calculator to confirm you’re getting the best deal and compare it to more reputable moving companies.
United Van Lines offers a wide variety of services
United Van Lines offers its customers a long list of services, including many you won’t find with other full-service movers. In addition to its own fleet of over 4,000 trucks and trailers, United brokers moving services with partner carriers in its vast network when it can’t directly accommodate your moving needs.
You can hire United Van Lines for any of the following services:
- Local moves: United Van Lines works with trusted local moving services to schedule residential moves within the same city or 50 miles of their origin location.
- Long-distance moves: United Van Lines moving coordinators can walk customers through federally required paperwork and documentation, ensuring you have a thorough moving checklist to follow so everything goes smoothly.
- International moves: United Van Lines’ international moving specialists can create a custom plan for moving out of the United States. With experience transporting goods to more than 150 countries, the company knows how to personalize every move and offers global property protection.
- Corporate moves: United Van Lines offers a full-service corporate package, handling everything from packing and storage to realtor acquisition.
- Government and military moves: United Van Lines is a GSA-approved company trusted to transport goods for the government or military. This includes moving military families for temporary duty or a Permanent Change of Station.
- Packing and unpacking: UVL offers full-service packing and unpacking, including custom crating for specialty and bulk items. They also sell packing materials if you prefer to do the boxing up yourself. A standard moving quote includes basic furniture placement and appliances. Basic furniture assembly and disassembly is also included in some moving packages.
- Long- and short-term storage services: United Van Lines offers a variety of storage solutions for every customer. For residential and long-distance moves, customers have access to short-term storage options. United can store items for as long as necessary for those moving out of the country.
- Auto transportation: United’s car shipping services can transport customers’ vehicles door-to-door. In case their trailer isn’t able to meet at your house, the company will work to establish a drop-off point in the local area.
- Cleaning and debris pickup: United Van Lines offers additional services within 30 days of your move to tie up any loose ends at your former property. They can also pick up and dispose of moving materials once you’re done unpacking at your new home.
- Full-value protection: United includes full-value protection in every moving quote at a rate of $6 per pound. You can also opt for cheaper basic protection coverage.
- Electronics installation: United Van Lines movers can provide basic wall mount disassembly and mount setup for up to two TVs for your home theater or bedrooms.
How United Van Lines stacks up against the competition
Below, we’ve compared United Van Lines’ services, reputation, and reach to other reliable moving companies. It’s a good idea to get quotes from each of these best moving companies when planning your move.
United Van Lines vs. Mayzlin Relocation
Mayzlin Relocation is a full-service mover that offers most of the same services as United Van Lines, so it’s a pretty apples-to-apples comparison.
In terms of reputation, United Van Lines has a higher Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating at A+, while Mayzlin isn’t far behind with an A. Mayzlin is a family-owned business with 24/7 customer support and a lenient cancellation policy, perhaps contributing to its overwhelmingly positive customer reviews.
rating
4.79 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Neither United Van Lines nor Mayzlin offers online quotes — you’ll need to do an in-person, virtual, or over-the-phone estimate. Mayzlin and United are both competitive in terms of pricing, but Mayzlin will honor lower quotes from other pro moving companies.
United Van Lines vs. American Van Lines
American Van Lines is different from United Van Lines because the former only operates as a carrier, whereas United Van Lines sometimes outsources services to its partners. Because of this, American Van Lines can better regulate and train its employees and thus better control the quality of its services, making it one of the best moving companies around.
rating
4.9 / 5
89% of users select this mover
However, United Van Lines has American Van Lines beat by a mile in terms of experience. American Van Lines was founded within the last two decades, while United Van Lines is one of the nation’s oldest moving companies.
American Van Lines advertises full-value protection, but it may not be available in all areas — that’s not the case with United Van Lines. Like United Van Lines, American Van Lines offers flat-rate pricing or binding estimates that won’t change throughout the moving process.
United Van Lines vs. International Van Lines
International Van Lines (IVL), as the name implies, is another excellent choice when planning for an international move. The company services 180 countries, as well as all 50 states, giving it an advantage over United in terms of availability. Similar to United Van Lines, IVL also offers full-value protection plans for its moves. IVL provides 30 days of free storage with its moves.
rating
4.6 / 5
89% of users select this mover
IVL is similar to United in terms of drawbacks, as well. They do not provide instant online quotes. You’ll have to call or schedule an in-person estimate, though they also offer virtual in-home estimates. The website is clunky and can be hard to navigate, and IVL has very few local branches, which can make it harder to coordinate your move.
United Van Lines vs. JK Moving
If you’re looking for a white-glove moving experience, JK Moving is an excellent option. The moving company has a reputation for treating valuables with care, including providing furniture disassembly and reassembly and full-service packing. All moving staff are background-checked, drug-screened, and trained to ensure your goods are treated with the utmost care.
rating
4.66 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Of course, high-quality service comes at a price. JK Moving’s prices tend to be much higher than United Van Lines and others in the moving industry. While a low $250 deposit and available financing (for qualifying customers) can help, JK Moving is far from a budget-friendly option.
| Company | BBB Score | State Availability | Full-Value Protection? |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Van Lines | A+ | 46 (not in HI, RI, VT, or WV) | Yes |
| Mayzlin Relocation | A- | 48 (not in AK or HI) | Yes |
| American Van Lines | A+ | 48 (not in AK or HI) | Limited availability |
| International Van Lines | NR | 50 | Yes |
| JK Moving | A+ | 50 (local moves only available in MD, VA, and Washington, D.C.) | Yes |
How moving with United Van Lines works
United Van Lines’ moving process can vary depending on the size of your move and how far you’re moving, but there are a few common threads to keep in mind.
How to get an estimate
While you can’t get instant online estimates from United Van Lines, getting an estimate is still relatively straightforward. Start by filling out a form with some basic information about your move and the services you’re interested in on their website. At the end, you enter your contact information and select whether to be contacted via phone call, text, or email.
A service representative will then contact you to discuss your move in greater detail. Depending on where you live, a United moving agent will either visit your home in-person or conduct a virtual moving estimate to produce a binding estimate. All estimates are provided free of charge.
Booking process
If you hire United Van Lines after receiving an estimate, the company doesn’t require a deposit to book your move. You will work with your moving coordinator to schedule your pickup and delivery dates, and go over any questions or concerns you have before the movers arrive.
Your move coordinator will help you select and coordinate any services you might need. For example, they will help you schedule packers to prepare your items for transit if you use United’s packing and unpacking services. Belongings are typically packed at least one day before the move.
Expensive items like jewelry must be listed on a high-value inventory form if you plan to use United’s full-value protection coverage. Your move coordinator will help you complete this form.
Availability
United Van Lines recommends scheduling your move four to six weeks in advance to ensure availability on your preferred dates. The company is available for local and long-distance moves in 46 states (does not service Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont, or West Virginia).
On moving day, your driver may arrive a few minutes ahead of the rest of the labor help, so it’s a good idea to leave some flexibility in your schedule. Movers will load the previously packed items onto your truck, while also taking care of any wrapping or custom crating that needs to be done for fragile items at this time.
As for interstate moving services, you can track your shipment’s progress online, so you’ll know exactly where it is located. Drivers typically will call before delivery day so you know when to expect them at your new home.
Based on federal regulations, payment must be made before the truck is unloaded at your destination. United accepts cash, credit cards, traveler’s checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks.
Should you use United Van Lines to move?
Still not sure if United Van Lines is the best fit for your specific move? Here are our recommendations in a nutshell. Use United Van Lines if:
- You have a complex move that requires car transport and other specialty services
- You want a personal moving coordinator to help oversee your move
- You need international moving services
- You prefer a wide selection of optional services like debris clean-up and TV mounting
Do not use United Van Lines if:
- You’re on a tight budget
- You are making a last-minute move (the company typically schedules in-person walkthroughs of your home for a more accurate estimate, which can take time)
FAQ
Why is United Van Lines so expensive?
United Van Lines isn’t going to be the cheapest full-service moving company you can find, but don’t rule it out before you receive an accurate quote. United Van Lines’ moving services are high-quality and worth the price if you can afford it.
United Van Lines’ cost estimates depend on numerous factors, including your moving date, weight and volume of your household goods, add-on services, insurance coverage, and the distance between your current home and your new home.
Does United Van Lines offer discounts?
With a higher price point in general, United Van Lines offers discounts and other promotions less often compared to competitors. But it is always a good idea to call and speak to a customer service representative to make sure you’re getting the best price.
Who owns United Van Lines?
UniGroup owns United Van Lines. The parent company is headquartered in St. Louis and also owns popular moving companies such as Mayflower Transit and Allegiant Move Management.
Is United Van Lines better than most companies?
United Van Lines offers better insurance coverage than many full-service moving companies, which can be a major plus if you have a lot of fragile or high-value items. While most moving companies have basic valuation coverage of around $0.60 per pound, United Van Lines offers full-value protection of $6 per pound as part of its standard quotes.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
