An independent van line is a licensed moving company that owns its trucks, employs its crews, and carries your belongings under its own U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) authority. Independent van lines don't sell your booking to a middleman.
Most established long-distance movers fit that description. But there are differences between each company that will affect your moving experience.
The first difference is who actually performs your move. Some independent van lines run every job with their own trained employees from pickup to delivery. Others hold both carrier and broker authority. That means if you're moving on a route they cover well, they'll move you directly. If your move falls outside their own network, they'll subcontract your move to a different carrier.
Both models are legal and common, but they lead to different levels of consistency and accountability.
The second difference is how the price is built. One approach builds the estimate around the weight of your shipment. Another approach is a binding flat rate. This means the company quotes a single locked number and stands behind it, no matter the total weight, as long as you don't add or remove any boxes.
Each method depends on an accurate inventory count to stay reliable.
The third difference is scope. Some van lines cover local moves, long-distance moves, and international relocations. This allows for more options. Others focus only on long-distance, state-to-state moves within the contiguous 48 states. This narrower focus usually means deeper specialization in one kind of move.
The fourth difference is how much a company teaches you along the way. Some movers assume you already know how the process works and move straight to a quote. They'll answer questions, of course, but don't do much to proactively educate you. Others walk first-time long-distance movers through pricing, timelines, and which services they actually need before asking for a commitment.
You can confirm much of this before you sign anything. You might begin by looking up a company's DOT number, which is listed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database. This shows whether it holds carrier authority, broker authority, or both. The answer hints at how likely a move is to be subcontracted.
Direct questions also help:
- "Will the crew be company employees or an outside carrier?"
- "Is this quote binding or weight-based?"
- "What happens to the price if the survey misses a part of my inventory?"
You want a company you can trust. Look for one that will answer plainly and honestly.
Features Snapshot
Feature | Colonial Van Lines | DIY Move |
|---|---|---|
Company type | Direct carrier | Independent van lines, though some also hold broker authority and subcontract certain routes |
Who performs your move | Our own trained crews, from pickup to delivery | Usually their own crews, with some routes handed to partner carriers |
Pricing approach | Transparent, weight-based quote after a survey | Often a binding flat rate, with deposits and terms that vary |
Service focus | Long-distance, state-to-state moves across the contiguous 48 states | Long-distance, with some also offering local or international moves |
Best-fit customer | First-time, self-paying long-distance movers | Movers who want a locked flat price, or who also need a local or overseas move |
First-time mover support | Education-first and consultative | Varies by company, often more transactional |
Specialty handling | In-house, custom crating for fine art, pianos, and high-value items | Specialty handling available, with many emphasizing antiques and pianos |
Reach | Contiguous 48 states | Varies, with some reaching internationally |
Which Do Customers Prefer?
Why people choose Colonial Van Lines
Why people choose an independent van line
The Benefits and Drawbacks of an Independent Van Line
An independent van line can bring genuine strengths. A binding flat rate means you can plan with an exact budget. You know the number before the truck arrives and know that it won't climb as long as your inventory stays the same.
A company that also handles local or international moves gives you one relationship for very different jobs. Many independents bring well-earned experience with antiques, pianos, and fine art. For the right move, those strengths are great benefits.
Keep in mind, however, that the trade-offs come from the same choices that create those strengths. Here's where the differences can work against you:
- The crew may not always be theirs. Some independents hold both carrier and broker authority. That means a route, local move, or overseas leg outside their network can be handed to a partner carrier. On those legs, the crew and standards may be completely different from the company you booked.
- A flat rate is only as good as the survey. A binding quote is something you can count on only if the walk-through captures everything. If you miss an item or need to add more, that price can change.
- Large deposits are common. Some companies ask for a sizable deposit at booking to hold your date and rate. This means you should confirm the amount and whether it's refundable.
- Experience varies by company and route. Two independent lines can deliver very different moves. Additionally, the same company can be stronger on its core routes than on the ones it rarely runs.
- Extras aren't universal. Online tracking, a mobile app, or vehicle shipping are standard at some independents and absent at others. Make sure to confirm what's included.
To be fair, these are trade-offs rather than pure negatives. For a locked flat price, a broader menu, or an unusual route, an independent van line can be the right call.
But for a first-time, self-paying interstate move handled directly by one company, Colonial Van Lines has the advantage.
The Most Important Factors
Pricing and Quotes
Some independent lines lead with a binding flat rate, a single locked number that won't move as long as your inventory stays the same. That certainty is appealing, but it's only as reliable as the survey behind it.
Colonial Van Lines builds its estimate on the weight of your shipment after a proper survey, including photo and video virtual estimates. That means the number reflects what you're actually moving.
The final mile: This one comes down to preference. If you prefer a locked flat price, an independent van line may be best. For a transparent number tied to your actual shipment, Colonial Van Lines is a better fit.
Who Performs Your Move
At Colonial Van Lines, we use our own crews and don't hand your belongings to an outside company.
Some independent van lines hold both carrier and broker authority, so certain routes or services may be subcontracted to a partner carrier.
Both approaches are legal and common, but they lead to different levels of consistency. The company that runs every leg itself keeps handoffs to a minimum.
The final mile: For a move handled start to finish by one company with no handoff, Colonial Van Lines has the edge.
Service Range
Some independents stretch across local moves in select states and international relocations, giving you one company for very different jobs.
As professional interstate movers, Colonial Van Lines concentrates on long-distance, state-to-state moves across the contiguous 48 states. We don't handle local or overseas moves.
A wider choice of options can be helpful when you need them. A narrower focus means deeper specialization in one kind of move.
The final mile: For a move that also needs local or international service, an independent van line is the better fit. For a domestic long-distance move, Colonial Van Lines brings focused expertise.
First-Time Mover Support
At Colonial Van Lines, most of our customers are hiring a professional long-distance mover for the first time. Because of that, we choose to lead with education. We explain pricing, timelines, and services before asking for a commitment.
Independent van lines range from equally consultative to more transactional, often moving quickly to a quote.
For someone who has moved long distance before and knows exactly what they want, a fast quote might be just fine. But for a first-timer, an education-first approach can prevent costly mistakes.
The final mile: For a first-time long-distance mover who wants the process explained, Colonial Van Lines has the edge. An experienced mover may not need the extra guidance.
High-Value and Specialty Items
Some of your items may need more than just boxes. They'll need custom crating, padding, and experienced hands to survive the move intact. Fine art, pianos, antiques, and heirlooms all need special treatment from competent movers.
As professional long-distance movers and packers, at Colonial Van Lines, our specially trained crews handle your belongings with care. We also offer climate-controlled storage to help preserve these special items.
Many independent van lines also emphasize specialty handling, and some are known for antiques and pianos. However, because many companies subcontract some routes, the care your items get depends on the assigned carrier.
Because Colonial Van Lines performs its own moves, the same accountable team protects your valuables.
The final mile: Both handle high-value items well. Colonial Van Lines adds consistency by keeping the work with its own crews.
The Colonial Van Lines Difference
At Colonial Van Lines, we specialize in long-distance moves across the contiguous U.S. As long-distance moving experts, our own crews perform every move rather than handing the job off to a different company. With our process, customers get one team who carries their move from beginning to end.
Our education-first approach is highly beneficial for first-time long-distance movers. We explain all the factors that affect pricing, the timeline you can expect, and which services you might need.
We build our estimates on the weight of your shipment after a detailed survey. This system keeps you informed and free from any surprises when you get your quote.
We train our movers at Colonial Van Lines University, our in-house program, where they learn to safely crate, pack, and handle belongings. We offer an array of services under one roof:
- Full-service and partial packing
- Specialty crating for high-value items like art and pianos
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Auto shipping
- Climate-controlled storage
Additionally, we are certified and fully licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). With an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and ProMover certification, we bring decades of experience and customer care to every long-distance move.
We focus on long-distance work, so a local move of 50 miles or less or an overseas relocation falls outside what we do. If you're planning a state-to-state move and want a company you can trust to handle your move with care, Colonial Van Lines is the mover you're looking for.
Get a Free Quote
Before you choose between similar-looking van lines, it helps to talk with the company that will actually load the truck. Colonial Van Lines will explain your options and survey your home and belongings. After that, we'll give you a transparent, weight-based quote at no cost. Get a free, no-pressure quote today and see how a direct long-distance van line like Colonial Van Lines handles a move like yours.
FAQs
An interstate move crosses state lines, going from one state into another. It falls under federal rules. A local move usually covers 50 miles or less within the same state or area.
The two are priced and regulated differently, which is why a company that specializes in one may not handle the other. Colonial Van Lines focuses on long-distance, state-to-state moves and does not handle local moves of 50 miles or less.
The cost for long-distance movers depends on a number of factors and the way each company prices each factor. Some build the estimate on the weight of your shipment, others use a flat rate, and a very low quote sometimes leaves out fees that appear later.
The way a company operates also affects the price. One that performs its own moves may price differently than one that plans to subcontract. Comparing quotes works best when you ask each company what the number includes and how it was calculated.
Delivery time depends on the distance, the size of your shipment, and the time of year. Most long-distance movers give you a delivery window rather than a single guaranteed date. A move across several states can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks from the pickup date. The peak summer months tend to run longer because demand is high.
Your coordinator can give you a realistic window for your route and keep you updated as your delivery date approaches.
It depends on how the company operates. Some long-distance shipments get combined with other loads or transferred between trucks and warehouses along the route. When this happens, there's more handling and more chances for damage.
A carrier that runs its own trucks and crews keeps those handoffs to a minimum. Because we at Colonial Van Lines perform our own moves, we keep your belongings with our team rather than passing them to an outside carrier.
You can usually add full value coverage or separate moving insurance. This bases repair or replacement on what your items are actually worth. It helps to ask exactly what each option covers before you decide. Our team at Colonial Van Lines can walk you through the coverage choices for your move so you can pick the level that fits your belongings.
High-value and fragile pieces need more care than standard boxes. Our professional movers use custom crating, padding, and specialized equipment to protect them. We crate items like pianos, antiques, and artwork individually. For those interested in long-distance moving and storage, we offer climate-controlled storage to protect your items.
Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the best choice of dates and more time to plan. During the busy season from late spring through summer, movers fill up quickly. A longer lead time also leaves room for an accurate survey and a clear quote instead of a rushed one.
Beyond the base estimate, a few situations can add more to the cost:
- Carrying items a long way from the truck
- Navigating stairs or elevators
- Arranging a shuttle when a large truck can't reach your door
- Packing services
- Extra materials
- Storage during a delivery delay
A representative from Colonial Van Lines explains these possible charges upfront instead of surprising you on moving day. Our weight-based quotes come from a real survey of your home, which helps keep the final bill close to the number you were given.
Yes, many long-distance movers can coordinate vehicle shipping so your car arrives around the same time as your belongings. Cars usually travel on open or enclosed carriers. The cost depends on the distance, the vehicle, and the transport type you choose.
Handling both through one company saves you from arranging a separate service on your own. Colonial Van Lines offers auto shipping alongside your household move, which keeps your relocation under one roof.