Colonial Van Lines Review 2026

Colonial Van Lines is one of our top picks for long-distance moving services, offering everything from packing and storage to specialized care for antiques and art. What sets Colonial apart is its commitment to educating both customers and employees. Customers benefit from knowledgeable support throughout the entire moving process, while movers undergo intensive hands-on training at the company’s two-bedroom training facility, Colonial Van Lines University.

As a member of the American Trucking Association, Colonial Van Lines is a reliable option for interstate moves. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t handle local moves and requires a deposit of around 40%.

Colonial Van Lines was founded in 2003, and is considered one of the fastest-growing van lines in the U.S. Colonial is authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to transport household goods as a carrier. According to Colonial's website, the company has a fleet of more than 90 trucks and 45 agents it works with throughout the country. Colonial helps more than 12,000 residential, commercial, and corporate clients move every year. 

No — Colonial Van Lines holds its own FMCSA carrier authority (USDOT #1434373) and isn't a broker reselling your job to a company you've never heard of. It maintains its own fleet of 90+ trucks and trains its own employees through Colonial Van Lines University.

That said, Colonial also works with a network of about 45 independent agents around the country to extend its coverage, and we've seen online reviews describing third-party movers handling some jobs. This is a common structure among established van lines and isn't unique to Colonial, but it does mean your specific move may be handled by an agent crew rather than a Colonial-employed one, depending on your route.

We recommend asking directly when you book: "Will Colonial's own crew handle my move, or will it go to a local agent?" You can independently verify Colonial's operating authority and complaint history for free at FMCSA's SAFER database (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov).

Cross-country full-service moves aren't cheap, no matter which service you choose. However, we were able to get some ballpark estimates from CVL to get a pulse of its pricing for different kinds of moves.

Moving from Utah to New York for a three-bedroom home cost around $9,000. Regional moves for the same size home cost around $5,500 (think Minneapolis to Des Moines, Atlanta to Nashville, or Philadelphia to DC).  These quotes are in line with what we've seen from other full-service moving companies, and cheaper than some. 

I used Colonial's online form for an instant quote for moving a three-bedroom home from Bountiful, Utah to Spokane, Washington. I was happily surprised to see the initial quote come in at an affordable $1,086 to $2,650. While the specifics (and any extra services like packing) could change that, I found the opening bid pretty reasonable.

After chatting with a Colonial Van Lines representative, we learned that they consider factors like weight, mileage, origin and destination locations, and any extra services to produce a final binding quote. This means the initial quote should be the amount you pay at the end—provided there are no changes to your inventory or move details. However, it’s important to note that the binding quote applies even if your actual move costs less than the original estimate.

While this ensures stability in pricing, we found several Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaints stating that the final cost was higher than the initial quote. These complaints did not clarify whether the original quotes were considered "binding." In each instance, Colonial responded with a financial restitution offer, which resolved many of the cases we reviewed. As of November 2024, Colonial has a BBB rating of A+, and an average 4.45 star rating from over 600 customer reviews on BBB,¹ though Colonial Van Lines is not BBB accredited.

On the bright side, Colonial told us that if you find a lower quote from a qualified competitor, they'll match it.

Colonial Van Lines offers long-distance moving across the country and within regions. It serves most states in the continental U.S.; however, there are 10 states where Colonial can't pick up your belongings and four where they can't deliver. Along with transport services, you can opt for extras like storage and packing during the booking process.

Here's a snapshot of Colonial Van Line's moving services:

• Short-term and long-term storage
• Packing and unpacking
• Full coverage insurance
• Auto shipping
• Motorcycle shipping
• Trash and debris removal
• Specialty item moving and packing
• Crating
• Electronics installation
• Furniture assembly/disassembly

The only service that Colonial doesn't offer is shipment tracking; however, when you book with CVL, you get a personal moving agent to help you through from packing to unpacking. This agent can provide updates about your belongings as they make their way to your new home.

Another drawback for some could be that Colonial doesn't offer in-state moves (like from Houston to El Paso, for example) and doesn't serve movers heading to or from Alaska or Hawaii.

We love Colonial's commitment to employee training. Moving families and businesses across the country isn't a simple task. The logistics and lifting alone take steady hands and strategy. That's why Colonial sends all its employees back to school at Colonial Van Lines University.

Movers and drivers spend two to four weeks in intensive training at Colonial Van Line's training facility, which includes a two-bedroom mock home. There, they learn the best techniques for packing, lifting, and caring for everyday and specialty items.

If you have specialty items like pianos, antiques, or large pieces of art that need special care, it's covered in CVL's coursework during this training. Even experienced movers new to Colonial go through the CVLU course.

Customers can also benefit from these training courses! We found quick courses for preparing valuables like dressers, chairs, appliances, books, fine china, and clothes.

We like that Colonial Van Lines has embraced technology to better serve its customers. Colonial made one of the first mobile apps for virtual moving estimates (although I couldn't get the app to work), which makes it easier to give accurate estimates right from the start. 

Colonial is also striving to make the moving process as sustainable as possible. It plans to add Tesla electric tractors to its fleet by 2026, and aims to have a fully electric fleet by 2028. We're encouraged to see a moving company that's working to minimize its environmental impact. 

Before you start your long-distance move, it helps to understand how the process works with Colonial Van Lines.

It all starts with a quick call to Colonial Van Lines or filling out the online contact form. When I used CVL's online form for an instant quote, I got my estimate within seconds and received a phone call and email from them immediately. 

This initial contact allows Colonial to get some details about your move. Information like your prospective move dates and the zip codes for your origin and destination are needed so the moving specialists can create a quote.

From there, they can help you take inventory of your home, or you can use Colonial's estimator app to get a count for yourself. Once all the necessary information is collected, you'll receive a binding estimate for your move. CVL has a team of quality assurance pros who check every customer's move for the finer details, ensuring that the load they're transporting matches the services they're offering.

Don't despair if you really wanted to go with Colonial, but got a better quote from another company. If you happen to find a lower quote from another qualified mover, Colonial is ready to match that price—demonstrating its commitment to fair and competitive pricing.

When you're ready to proceed with service through Colonial, you'll need to pay a deposit. This usually amounts to around 40%, but the company offers discounts for repeat, corporate, and military customers (and don't forget about the $500 Move.org discount!). If something changes, you can cancel service for a full refund up to five business days before your move day.

Finally, it's time to get ready for the big day! You can pack up your home or add packing services for all your stuff or just specialty items.

Like what you heard so far?

From free quotes and discounts for repeat, corporate, and military customers to the mountains of helpful information on its website, Colonial Van Lines knows the importance of customer service—and it shows.

If you have quick questions or just want to compare Colonial Van Lines to other long-distance movers, you can ping the instant messenger on the Colonial website. Phone lines and email assistance are also available if you can't find what you need in Colonial's extensive FAQ, blog, or other resources for move preparation.

But our favorite feature about Colonial's customer service is the dedicated Account Manager service. This is your moving guru, your guiding light through the whole process. If you have questions, comments, or something you want to change, adjust, or drop, they're your single source for customer service. No confusion, no waiting on hold.

While we like what we see when we look at the robust customer service policies and tools available from Colonial, we like to find out what actual customers think.  We examined both customer reviews and complaints to get a comprehensive view of how those policies translate during an actual move.

The most significant thing we found is that Colonial's complaints have drastically decreased over the past several years, according to records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

In 2025, Colonial had 17 complaints, down from 27 the previous year. As of July 1, 2026, there have been 27 complaints this year. When speaking to representatives from Colonial, they continually emphasize their commitment to delivering the best moving experience.

We've also found oodles of positive customer reviews online. Across major customer review platforms, Colonial averages around 4.3 stars out of 5, with 4.66 on the Better Business Bureau. The top things customers like about moving with Colonial include excellent communication throughout the moving process, the professionalism of everyone from the person they booked to the drivers and loaders, timely delivery, and the care the movers took with customers' belongings.

On the other end of the spectrum, negative reviews most often mention unexpected costs on the final bill and delivery delays. 

See where Colonial Van Lines ranks in our Best Long-Distance Moving Companies roundup.

Choosing the right moving company can be challenging, especially when comparing your options. We like Colonial's specialized services and customer-focused approach, but we recommend that you compare features and pricing against other movers to make sure you get the right mover for your needs and budget. The table below highlights how Colonial's costs compare to other long-distance movers.

Colonial Van Lines shines with its comprehensive services, extensive employee training, and customer discounts—and it's pricing falls in line with most competitors. But higher deposit requirements and some concerns about pricing accuracy may be factors to consider.

Key pricing positives for Colonial Van Lines:

• Generous $500 Move.org discount for our readers.
• Multiple discounts available, including military and corporate options.

Areas to consider:

• Higher deposit requirement compared to some competitors (up to 40%).
• BBB complaints about final costs exceeding initial quotes, although most were resolved with restitution offers.

Check out Colonial's full FAQ page to learn more about the long-distance moving process.

Colonial Van Lines is one of our favorite moving companies. If you’re looking for a customized moving experience, highly-trained movers, and a personal account manager to guide you through the whole process, Colonial fits the bill. 

Here’s why we recommend Colonial Van Lines:

• Extensive moving services: From packing and storage to specialized care for everything from antiques to grand pianos, Colonial can help with all aspects of your long-distance move.
• Well-trained movers: Colonial invests heavily in training its employees through Colonial Van Lines University, where movers get hands-on practice with customer service and handling delicate items.
• Commitment to innovation: The company offers the industry’s first mobile app for virtual moving estimates (although I can’t get it to work) and plans to integrate Tesla electric tractors into its fleet, aiming to become fully electric by 2028.
• Customer discounts: Colonial provides discounts for military members, repeat customers, and Move.org readers.

While Colonial requires a deposit of up to 40% and has faced some complaints about final costs exceeding initial quotes and third-party movers, most issues were resolved with financial restitution. Overall, its strong customer focus, extensive training programs, and innovative practices make Colonial a top choice for long-distance moves.

Want one of the best long-distance moving companies around?

To review Colonial Van Lines, we met with the company several times to learn about its history, policies, and practices. We also peppered them with questions to ensure we're providing the most accurate information to our readers. To see how the company operates, we took a virtual tour of Colonial's offices and CVLU training facility.

In addition, we went through the instant online quote process and downloaded Colonial's mobile app. Finally, we dove into all the online reviews, complaints, and Reddit threads we could find to get a sense of how real customers rate Colonial Van Lines. 

In late 2024, Move.org adopted an updated, more rigorous editorial strategy. This change included new editorial leadership and in-depth data collection and analysis from a dedicated data analyst. Our new approach is rooted in cutting through the noise to provide readers with honest, unfiltered information and reviews they can rely on. We are committed to bringing expert-backed insights that go beyond surface-level research.

We aim to clarify misleading marketing, uncover real customer experiences, and highlight the best each company offers. We know that moving is a deeply personal experience, and that’s why we’re on a mission to identify the good, the bad, and the ugly so you can find the cross-country mover that meets your unique needs—while avoiding the common pitfalls that can be both financially and emotionally costly. Here’s how we do it:

1. In-depth research and mystery shopping.
2. Industry verification and regulatory compliance.
3. Real-world moving experiences.
4. Collaboration with moving companies and cross-verification.
5. Ongoing monitoring and updates.
6. A 5-point rating systems that looks at pricing and value, customer service and experience, services and extras, availability and scheduling, and reputation.

To learn more about how we evaluate and review cross-country moving companies, read our full methodology.

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1. BBB, Colonial Van Lines Business Profile. 
2. U.S. DOT, FMCSA Household Goods Program, Colonial Van Lines profile.