On this page12 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Colonial Van Lines vs. competitors
- Step by step
- Colonial Van Lines legitimacy and licensing
- Colonial Van Lines cost
- How a Colonial move works
- Colonial Van Lines complaints and reviews
- Federal rules that protect you on an interstate move
- Who should skip Colonial
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Colonial Van Lines is a legitimate, family-owned long distance mover based in Pompano Beach, Florida. FMCSA lists it as an active household goods carrier with a Satisfactory safety rating, not just a broker as earlier versions of this page said, though its terms say some moves are handled by independently owned local moving companies acting as its agents. Reviews are mostly positive, but complaints describe delivery delays, extra charges after reweighing and hard-to-reach coordinators, so get a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate and confirm in writing who will load and drive your truck.
Your options
-
Colonial Van Lines This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review People making a long distance or cross-country move who want a licensed carrier that offers packing and storage and will put a binding estimate in writing.
-
International Van Lines This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative A similar-sized household goods carrier worth quoting against Colonial for a long distance move.
- Federal authority
- Colonial Van Lines Inc., USDOT 1434373, MC-681534, active, authorized as a motor carrier of household goods; Satisfactory safety rating (rated June 28, 2021)1
- Fleet on file
- 25 trucks and 25 drivers under USDOT 1434373 (MCS-150, March 2025); a separate Atlanta entity, USDOT 1727120, reports 27 trucks1
- Roadside record
- 4 driver inspections, 0 out of service and 0 crashes in the 24 months before October 10, 2026 (USDOT 1434373)1
- Company
- Founded 2003 by the DiSorbo family; headquarters 1441 SW 29th Ave, Pompano Beach, FL; says it has about 250 employees and handles 12,000+ moves a year3
- Agents
- Terms say moves are provided and sometimes sold through a network of independently owned local moving companies acting as Colonial's agents4
- Price
- Quote-based; Colonial's FAQ says a long distance home move generally runs $3,000 to over $7,0005
- BBB
- Colonial Van Lines Inc.: A+, not accredited, 139 complaints in 3 years; Colonial Van Lines Relocation Division LLC: B, 85 complaints6
- Trustpilot
- 4.0 out of 5 from 3,041 reviews; 71% five star and 12% one star (October 2026)8
Pros
- Licensed household goods carrier with its own trucks and a Satisfactory FMCSA safety rating
- A+ BBB rating on its main company profile
- Most Trustpilot reviewers rate it five stars, praising careful, professional crews
- Offers packing, storage, Colonial Cubes portable containers and a virtual estimate app
- Shows its USDOT and MC numbers on every page of its website
Cons
- Some moves are handled by independent local companies acting as agents, so crews vary
- Complaints describe delivery delays and charges added after reweighing
- Several Colonial entities with different BBB ratings, including a B-rated broker division
- No published price list; you need a quote
- Website terms send disputes to binding arbitration
Best for: People making a long distance or cross-country move who want a licensed carrier that offers packing and storage and will put a binding estimate in writing.
Skip it if: You need a firm delivery date, are moving locally within one state, or want to load your own container and avoid a moving crew altogether.
Colonial Van Lines vs. competitors
| Company | FMCSA authority | Trucks (power units) | Roadside inspections, last 24 months | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial Van Lines | Household goods carrier (USDOT 1434373) | 25 | 4 | Visit site |
| International Van Lines | Household goods carrier | 24 | 31 | Visit site |
| American Van Lines | Household goods carrier | 81 | 101 | Read review |
| United Van Lines | Carrier, broker and freight forwarder with agent network | 4,731 | 2,105 | Read review |
Colonial Van Lines, step by step
Get a quote
Request a quote online or by phone and do a virtual walk-through in Colonial's app or an in-home survey.
Lock the estimate
Ask for a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate in writing, plus the deposit amount and refund terms.
Confirm who moves you
Get the name and USDOT number of the company that will load and haul your goods, Colonial or an agent.
Pickup and weigh-in
The crew packs, inventories and loads your goods; the shipment is weighed, which sets the final price on non-binding estimates.
Delivery and claims
Check items against the inventory, note damage on the paperwork before signing, and file any claim in writing.
Colonial Van Lines legitimacy and licensing
Yes. FMCSA lists Colonial Van Lines Inc. (USDOT 1434373, MC-681534) of Pompano Beach, Florida as an active interstate motor carrier authorized to move household goods, with 25 trucks and 25 drivers and a Satisfactory safety rating. Colonial prints these numbers in its website footer. Other Colonial Van Lines Inc. entities are registered in Atlanta (USDOT 1727120, 27 trucks), Indianapolis and Kansas City.
Earlier versions of this page said Colonial is only a moving broker and listed USDOT 2246383. That number belongs to an unrelated Texas freight broker, and Colonial’s main entity is a carrier. Colonial does work with partners: its terms say moves are provided and sometimes sold through independently owned local moving companies acting as its agents, and the BBB lists a separate Colonial Van Lines Relocation Division LLC as a moving broker. Ask which company and USDOT number will handle your pickup and your linehaul.
Colonial Van Lines cost
Colonial does not publish rates. Its FAQ says a long distance residential move generally costs $3,000 to over $7,000, more for cross-country moves and homes with more than five bedrooms. Price depends on weight, distance, season (spring and summer are peak) and services such as packing, storage, shuttles and furniture assembly.
Colonial offers virtual estimates through its app. Its FAQ explains that a non-binding estimate is only a ballpark, with the final bill based on actual weight, and says that in some cases part of a deposit is refunded when the actual weight comes in below the quote. Ask for a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate, the deposit amount and refund terms in writing before you pay anything.
How a Colonial move works
You request a quote online or by phone and do a virtual walk-through or in-home survey. A move coordinator books your dates and sends an estimate and order for service. Colonial or one of its agents packs and loads your goods and weighs the shipment, with optional storage in transit or Colonial Cubes portable containers. At delivery the crew unloads, reassembles furniture if you paid for it, and you sign the inventory.
Colonial says its coordinators average about 10 years with the company and that movers complete its in-house training program, Colonial Van Lines University.
What customers say about Colonial Van Lines
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Professional, careful crews
- Good packing and unpacking
- Smooth process from quote to delivery
- Helpful move coordinators
Common complaints
- Delivery delays
- Coordinators hard to reach after pickup
- Extra charges for weight or storage
- Damaged or missing items
- Short-staffed loading crews
Colonial Van Lines complaints and reviews
Trustpilot shows 3,041 reviews averaging 4.0 out of 5, with 71% five star and 12% one star. Colonial invites customers to review and replies to about a third of negative reviews. The BBB lists 139 complaints in three years for Colonial Van Lines Inc. (A+) and 85 for the Relocation Division (B).
Positive reviews describe professional, careful crews and good packing. Negative reviews and complaints describe late deliveries, coordinators who are hard to reach after pickup, extra charges for weight or storage, and damaged or missing items. If something is damaged, note it on the delivery paperwork and file a written claim; you can also file a federal complaint through FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database.
Federal rules that protect you on an interstate move
Interstate movers must follow FMCSA rules in 49 CFR Part 375. A binding estimate must be in writing and, unless you waive it, based on a physical survey. On a non-binding estimate, the mover must release your goods at delivery once you pay up to 110% of the estimate, plus any extra services you requested; the rest is billed later.
By default a mover is liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods (Full Value Protection), up to the declared value. If you waive that in writing, coverage drops to the lower released rate set by the Surface Transportation Board, which pays far less. Read the valuation box on your bill of lading before you sign, and keep the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet the mover must give you.
Who should skip Colonial
Colonial focuses on long distance and interstate moves, so it is not the obvious pick for a short local move. If your schedule has no room for a delivery window, or you only have a few rooms of furniture, a container or freight trailer service you load yourself may cost less and give you more control over timing.
Alternatives to Colonial Van Lines
-
United Van LinesBetter if you want a very large carrier with a long inspection record and a national agent network.
-
A similar-sized household goods carrier worth quoting against Colonial for a long distance move.
-
U-PackCheaper if you can load and unload yourself and only need the long distance haul.
-
PODSGood if you need storage and flexible timing, since you pack a container on your own schedule.
Next steps
Colonial Van Lines reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used Colonial Van Lines, yours will be the first.
Write a reviewHow do I know I can trust these reviews about Colonial Van Lines?
- Every reviewer confirms an email address before a review can publish.
- Our moderators read every review before it publishes.
- Companies can respond publicly but can never edit, hide or remove a review.
- Paying BestGuide never changes the reader rating or which reviews publish.
Frequently asked questions
Is Colonial Van Lines a broker or a carrier?
Colonial Van Lines Inc. is a licensed household goods carrier (USDOT 1434373, MC-681534) with its own trucks. Its terms say some moves are handled through independent local moving companies acting as its agents, and a separate Relocation Division is filed with the BBB as a broker.
Is Colonial Van Lines trustworthy?
Yes. It has active FMCSA authority, a Satisfactory federal safety rating and an A+ BBB rating on its main profile. As with any mover, get the estimate and the name of the hauling company in writing.
How much should you budget for Colonial Van Lines?
Colonial quotes each move. Its FAQ says a long distance home move generally runs $3,000 to over $7,000, depending on weight, distance, season and services.
What is Colonial Van Lines' BBB rating?
Colonial Van Lines Inc. in Pompano Beach is rated A+ and not accredited, with 139 complaints in three years. Colonial Van Lines Relocation Division LLC is rated B with 85 complaints.
What is Colonial Van Lines' USDOT number?
USDOT 1434373, MC-681534, for Colonial Van Lines Inc. in Pompano Beach, FL, as shown on FMCSA SAFER and the company's website.
Where is Colonial Van Lines located?
Its headquarters is at 1441 SW 29th Ave in Pompano Beach, Florida. FMCSA also lists Colonial Van Lines Inc. entities in Atlanta, Indianapolis and Kansas City.
How long has Colonial Van Lines been in business?
Colonial says it was founded in 2003 by the DiSorbo family, whose founder started moving families in Broward County in the 1980s. Its homepage also cites 50 years of long distance moving experience without explaining how that figure is counted.
Does Colonial Van Lines require a deposit?
Colonial's FAQ refers to deposits and says part of a deposit is sometimes refunded when the actual weight comes in below the quote. It does not publish the deposit amount, so get it and the refund terms in writing.
What should I do if Colonial damages my things?
Note the damage on the delivery inventory before signing, photograph it and file a written claim with the carrier. If the claim stalls, you can file with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database and the BBB.
Does Colonial offer storage?
Yes. Colonial offers short and long-term storage, including climate-controlled units, and Colonial Cubes portable containers.
Sources (14)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- FMCSA SAFER: Colonial Van Lines Inc., USDOT 1434373 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FMCSA SAFER: Colonial Van Lines Inc., USDOT 1727120 (Atlanta) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Colonial Van Lines: About us (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Colonial Van Lines: Terms and conditions (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Colonial Van Lines: Long distance moving FAQ (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Colonial Van Lines Inc., Pompano Beach (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Colonial Van Lines Relocation Division LLC (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Colonial Van Lines reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Colonial Van Lines: Homepage (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Colonial Van Lines: Moving and storage services (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FMCSA SAFER: USDOT 2246383 (GK Logistics LLC, the number previously listed for Colonial) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- eCFR: 49 CFR 375.403, binding estimates (accessed October 12, 2026)
- eCFR: 49 CFR 375.407, the 110 percent rule (accessed October 12, 2026)
- eCFR: 49 CFR 375.201, mover liability and Full Value Protection (accessed October 12, 2026)
BestGuide is free to use. Some companies we review pay us when you visit their site or contact them through us. Compensation may influence which companies we feature and their order. It doesn't change what our reviews say. Advertising disclosure