Continental Van Lines began by moving US military service members between Seattle and Alaska in 1952 when Alaska was still a U.S. territory and Seattle was known as the transportation gateway to Alaska. With statehood in 1959 came growth and the company began serving civilian customers as well. Eventually affiliating with a large interstate van line, Continental was able to expand its reach beyond Alaska and into the interstate moving market within the Lower 48 States. With the addition of an international division in the 1980s, Continental became a full service moving company.