Mayflower vs United Van Lines
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top moving companies picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Mayflower
Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory
Moving families since 1927 with trusted full-service options
United Van Lines
Ranked #1 of 15 in this directory
America's #1 mover for long-distance household relocations
Our pick: United Van Lines. Our editors rank United Van Lines higher overall in Moving Companies — but Mayflower can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Mayflower | United Van Lines | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Full Service | Long Distance |
| Editorial rank | #4 of 15 | #1 of 15 |
Strengths
Mayflower
- ✓Nearly 100 years of moving industry experience and brand trust
- ✓Full suite of services including packing, loading, and storage
- ✓Access to United Van Lines logistics network for reliable transport
- ✓Shipment tracking available throughout the move
- ✓Specialized services for fragile and high-value items
United Van Lines
- ✓Consistently ranked as the #1 long-distance mover in the US
- ✓Extensive nationwide agent network for local pickup and delivery
- ✓Full-service options including packing, unpacking, and storage
- ✓Real-time shipment tracking through online portal
- ✓Protection plans covering full replacement value of belongings
Watch out for
Mayflower
- !Premium pricing reflects the established brand name
- !Local agent quality can vary by location
- !Customer support wait times increase during peak moving season
- !Limited self-service or hybrid moving options
United Van Lines
- !Premium pricing compared to smaller regional movers
- !Quality of service varies by local agent franchise
- !Scheduling flexibility is limited during peak summer moving season
- !Binding estimates still sometimes result in unexpected charges
Best use cases
Mayflower
- →Families who value a trusted brand name and decades of experience
- →Cross-country moves requiring full-service packing and unpacking
- →Moves involving high-value furniture or fragile collections
United Van Lines
- →Families relocating across states who need comprehensive full-service moving
- →Corporate relocations where reliability and tracking are paramount
- →Moves requiring temporary storage between pickup and delivery dates
About each tool
Mayflower
Mayflower is one of the oldest and most recognized names in the moving industry, operating since 1927. The company offers long-distance, local, and international moving services with a focus on customer care and reliability. Mayflower's partnership with United Van Lines gives it access to an extensive logistics network.
United Van Lines
United Van Lines has been the top long-distance mover in the US for years, handling hundreds of thousands of interstate moves annually. The company operates through a network of local agents who provide personalized service while leveraging United's national logistics infrastructure for reliable cross-country transport.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
See all Moving Companies →