How the Options Compare at a Glance
Option | What It Is | Often Best For |
|---|---|---|
DIY move | Rent a truck and do the work yourself | Small, short, budget-first moves |
Portable container | You load a container; they drive it | Budget movers willing to do the loading |
Local moving company | Short, same-area moves priced by the hour | In-town moves of about 50 miles or less |
Independent carrier | A company that runs its own long-distance moves | A range of interstate moves |
Major van line | A national brand that moves through local agents | Corporate or agent-network moves |
Colonial Van Lines | A full-service direct carrier | Hands-off, long-distance, high-value moves |
DIY Moving
A do-it-yourself move usually means gathering moving supplies and relying on friends and family to help pack, load, and drive the rented truck. It's often the cheapest option for a small, short move. Because you're involved at every step, it gives you full control.
But you also take on all the effort, driving, and risk. As a move gets bigger or farther, the hidden costs and physical demands grow. That's when hiring a professional crew starts to look like the better option.
Local Moving Companies
Local movers specialize in short, same-area moves, usually within about 50 miles. They price the work by the hour. They're a strong fit for an in-town move.
Colonial Van Lines does not handle local moves of 50 miles or less. Similarly, local movers generally won't help you move across the country like we do. If you need to move a longer distance, cross-country moving services are the better option.
Independent Carriers
Independent carriers run long-distance moves with their own trucks and crews rather than selling your booking to a middleman.
Colonial Van Lines is an independent carrier. This comparison looks at how we stack up against the broader field of independent van lines on three factors: pricing, who performs the move, and how far their service reaches. Those details are what separate the best cross-state moving companies from less preferable options.
Major Van Lines
Major national van lines are large, well-known brands that operate through networks of independently owned local agents. When you choose a major van line, the company that books your move may not be the crew that shows up.
Colonial Van Lines is a direct carrier that performs your move with its own crews. That affects accountability, quoting, and the people who handle your belongings. The comparison lays out where a household name helps and where a focused carrier has the edge.
Which Option Is Right for You?
The best choice depends on your budget, the size and distance of your move, and how much you want handled for you.
A small, short, budget-first move can work well with a DIY truck or a container. A large, long-distance, or high-value move tends to pair better with a full-service carrier.
If you need an out-of-state mover who will handle your items with care, Colonial Van Lines is an excellent choice. We perform the whole job with our own crews, a transparent weight-based quote, and full service under one roof.
Get a Free Quote
Ready to see how a full-service move compares for your relocation? We'll walk you through your options, survey your home, and offer a free, no-pressure estimate. Request a quote today to get started with your long-distance move.
FAQs
Long-distance movers generally fall into a few groups.
You can rent a truck and move yourself, use a portable container service that drives a container you load, hire a local company for short in-area moves, or book a professional long-distance carrier that handles the whole job. There are also brokers, which arrange your move with a separate carrier rather than performing it themselves. Colonial Van Lines is a direct carrier, meaning we perform interstate moves with our own crews.
Start with these factors:
- Size of your move
- Distance
- Budget
- How much you want handled for you
A small, short, budget-first move may suit a rental truck or a container, while a large or long-distance move often calls for a professional carrier. It also helps to check licensing, read reviews, and compare written quotes before you commit. Colonial Van Lines walks first-time movers through the process with a free, no-pressure quote.
Renting a truck and doing the work yourself is usually the least expensive option on paper, followed by a portable container where you load and the company drives. A full-service move costs more because a crew handles everything for you.
Of course, the cheapest choice up front isn't always the best value once you factor in time, effort, and the risk of damage. Comparing the real cost of each option, including hidden expenses, gives you the clearest picture.
When you hire a full-service long-distance moving company, a professional crew handles the work from start to finish. That typically covers:
- Packing
- Loading
- Driving
- Unloading
- Unpacking
- Reassembling furniture
Additionally, full-service movers usually offer options like storage, auto shipping, and coverage for your belongings. You're paying for labor and expertise rather than doing the heavy lifting yourself. As a full-service mover, Colonial Van Lines conveniently brings these services under one roof for interstate moves.
Look at cost, effort, protection, timing, and how far your belongings need to travel. A rental truck or container saves money but keeps the labor on you. A professional carrier costs more, but the crew handles the work load.
Check whether each option is licensed for interstate moves, how it prices the job, and what protection it offers for your things. Adding up the full cost of each option, not just the sticker price, makes the comparison fair.
Giving yourself several weeks of lead time makes almost every part of a move easier. Early planning gives you time to handle everything you need to do:
- Compare quotes
- Book your preferred dates
- Declutter
- Pack at a reasonable pace
Peak season in late spring and summer fills up faster, so booking sooner helps during those months. Colonial Van Lines can walk you through a realistic timeline once you request a free quote.
First-time long-distance movers often get the most benefit from a professional carrier, since a trained crew handles the parts that are easy to underestimate. A full-service company can also explain pricing, timelines, and services. This takes pressure off an unfamiliar process.
A confident mover with a small load and a tight budget can still do well with a container or a rental truck. Most of Colonial Van Lines' customers are first-time long-distance movers, so we lead with education rather than a hard sell. Our expertise and full-service advantages are what bring first-time movers to us.
Larger homes and high-value belongings almost always need a professional carrier. DIY trucks and containers can strain under a big load, and they leave the packing and protection up to you. That can be risky when you own high-value items.
At Colonial Van Lines, our trained crews bring the equipment to safely move heavy furniture. They are specially trained to crate fine art, pianos, and other delicate pieces. Our teams are used to handling large interstate moves and high-value items, and we offer our own crews and coverage options.
Not always, but it helps as the move gets bigger and farther. A small, budget-conscious move can work with a rental truck or a container when you're willing and able to do the labor.
A larger household, a tight schedule, or valuable belongings tend to make a full-service carrier the more practical choice. Weigh how much of the work you want to keep against how much you want handled for you.
Price differences usually come down to how much each option does for you. A rental truck is mostly the vehicle and fuel. A container adds the driving. A full-service move adds a crew, equipment, and coverage. Distance, the weight or volume of your belongings, the time of year, and any extra services also move the number.
Comparing quotes that cover the same services is the best way to see a true difference.
That's up to you. Professional movers can take on as little as the driving or as much as the entire move, including packing, loading, unloading, and even unpacking. Many companies also offer storage, furniture assembly, and vehicle shipping as add-ons.
At Colonial Van Lines, we offer full-service and partial options. You decide how much to do yourself and how much to leave to the crew.