United Van Lines vs Mayflower
Both United Van Lines and Mayflower are owned by UniGroup, Inc. and run on similar systems. The real differences come down to your local origin agent, the binding-estimate process, and your specific route. Here's a transparent side-by-side.
- Compare up to 3 estimates from licensed providers
- Route-based matching — only providers serving your lane
- Limited, controlled outreach — no auction-style lead blast
- Pricing based on your route, timing, and inventory
Check Your Moving Cost
Limited outreach · Route-based matching · Compare up to 3 estimates from licensed moving providers.
- Compare up to 3 estimates from licensed providers
- Route-based matching — only providers serving your lane
- Limited outreach — no auction-style lead blast
- Route availability checked before matching
What they have in common
- Same parent company (UniGroup, Inc.)
- Full-service household-goods carriers (not brokers)
- Networks of independent local agent-carriers
- Binding and non-binding interstate estimate options
- Full-value protection and 60¢/lb release valuation available
- Long-distance, packing, storage-in-transit, and auto transport
Where they actually differ
- Local agent network — quality varies city by city for both brands
- Promotions and seasonal pricing — both run them independently
- Quote tooling and survey style — different sales reps, different inventories
- Branding and warranty programs (e.g. Mayflower's HomeBox, United's My UniGroup tools)
How it works
How MovingRanger Works
A controlled long-distance moving quote marketplace — route-based matching, limited outreach, and up to 3 estimates so you can compare before choosing.
- Step 1Share your route & move size
Pickup and delivery ZIPs, approximate home size, and target dates. Takes under a minute.
- Step 2We check route availability
We match against licensed providers that actually run your lane and have capacity in your window.
- Step 3Compare up to 3 estimates
Up to 3 screened providers send written estimates. Limited outreach — no auction-style lead blast.
- Step 4Choose & book on your terms
Review pricing, services, and reviews side-by-side. You decide who books your move.
Why MovingRanger
Why Compare With MovingRanger?
Most quote sites auction your information. We don't. MovingRanger keeps outreach controlled so you can actually compare estimates instead of fielding 30 phone calls.
- Limited outreach, not a lead blast
Your request is shared with at most 3 screened providers — not dozens of brokers.
- Route-based matching
We only pair you with providers that run your lane and have availability in your window.
- Licensed moving providers
Providers must hold active operating authority where required for the route and service.
- Compare before choosing
Side-by-side estimates make it easier to spot lowball quotes, missing services, and red flags.
Comparison engine
Compare Moving Providers Smarter
The cheapest estimate is rarely the real price. MovingRanger surfaces the comparison factors that actually predict your move-day outcome — so you can choose with eyes open.
Active operating authority for the route and service type.
Who actually loads the truck — broker, carrier, or van-line agent.
Whether the provider is currently running your lane in your window.
Studio, 2-bed, large home — providers specialize in different sizes.
Flexible spread vs. guaranteed window changes the price.
Self-pack, partial, full-service, and storage-in-transit options.
Binding-not-to-exceed estimates protect against re-weigh surprises.
Big deposits and stiff cancellation terms are a real red flag.
FMCSA complaint counts, BBB, Google — context matters more than star count.
Provider fit
MovingRanger Provider Fit Types
Not every move needs the same provider. Tell us your priorities and we surface up to 3 estimates from providers that actually fit.
- Best Price Fit
Partial-load or consolidated long-distance providers — lowest cost when your dates and delivery window are flexible.
- Best Service Fit
Full-service van-line agents with white-glove packing, dedicated coordinators, and binding-not-to-exceed estimates.
- Large Move Fit
Carriers specialized in 3-bed-plus households with cubic-foot capacity, packing crews, and storage-in-transit.
- Fast Pickup Fit
Providers with current capacity on your lane — best when you need pickup inside the next 7–14 days.
Why quotes differ
Why Quotes Can Differ
Two estimates on the same move can come in hundreds of dollars apart. Here's what's usually driving the spread.
- Different inventory assumptions
One provider weighs by visual survey, another estimates from your description. Same load, different cubic feet.
- Route density & backhaul
A provider running your lane this week prices very differently than one that has to deadhead a truck.
- Date flexibility
Flexible windows let providers consolidate loads — guaranteed dates cost more across the board.
- Service scope creep
Full packing, long carry, shuttle service, stairs, and storage-in-transit all add line items.
- Estimate type
Non-binding lowball quotes get re-weighed. Binding-not-to-exceed caps the upside.
- Red flags
Unusually low quotes, large up-front deposits, and missing USDOT numbers are signals — not bargains.
See your real moving cost
Get a free, no-obligation quote based on your route, home size, and timing.
How to actually pick between them (or a third option)
- 1Get a binding written estimate from both — same inventory, same dates
- 2Ask each agent who specifically performs origin pickup and destination delivery
- 3Verify each agent's US DOT/MC authority on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
- 4Compare valuation coverage and claim turnaround times in writing
- 5Get one more quote from a screened independent moving provider as a benchmark
Frequently asked questions
Are United Van Lines and Mayflower the same company?
They share a parent — UniGroup, Inc. owns both brands. Each operates a separate van line with its own network of independent agent-carriers, but both run on similar systems, pricing tools, and claims processes.
Is one cheaper than the other?
Neither is consistently cheaper. Long-distance pricing is set by published tariffs and your specific origin agent's quote — two Mayflower agents in different cities will price the same move differently. Always get binding quotes from both and compare line-by-line.
What's the practical difference for a customer?
Very little. Both offer full-service long-distance moving, packing, fragile-only packing, storage-in-transit, and auto transport. The difference that actually matters is which local agent handles your origin and destination — that's where service quality lives.
Are they brokers or carriers?
Both are interstate motor carriers (van lines) operating through agent-carriers, not brokers. Each move is performed under the van line's FMCSA authority by a local agent crew.
Should I use a van line or an independent long-distance mover?
Van lines offer brand consistency and easier claims escalation. Independent FMCSA-authorized carriers can be cheaper and run more responsive crews. The right answer depends on your inventory value, route, and timing.
Related guides
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What Moving Ranger is — and what it is not
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Owned & Operated
Moving Ranger is an independent online moving marketplace run by a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and industry professionals with 20+ years of experience working inside moving brokers and moving carriers.
- Not a moving broker. We do not arrange or sell interstate household-goods transportation.
- Not a motor carrier. We do not own trucks or transport household goods.
- Not licensed, bonded, or insured as a mover. Moving Ranger does not hold FMCSA broker or carrier authority.
We only share your request with moving brokers and carriers that are licensed, bonded, and insured, hold active FMCSA US DOT / MC authority where applicable, and have passed our screening — so only qualified companies get a chance to earn your business. Final pricing and service terms are set by the provider you choose. Verify any US broker or carrier at FMCSA SAFER.
Moving Ranger is an independent online marketplace run by industry professionals with 20+ years of experience working with moving brokers and carriers. Moving Ranger is not a moving broker, not a motor carrier, and is not licensed, bonded, or insured as a mover — we do not arrange, sell, or transport household goods moves ourselves. We only share your request with moving brokers and carriers that are licensed, bonded, and insured, hold active FMCSA US DOT / MC authority where applicable, and have passed our screening. Final pricing, availability, and service terms are set by the moving provider you choose.