Moving Comparison

1-800-PACK-RAT vs Atlas Van Lines

Researched and written by Daniel Novak · Reviewed by Brittany Evans · Last reviewed August 2026

At-a-glance

We publish no numeric score for moving companies, so this page names no winner. 1-800-PACK-RAT is described as best for container moves with steel weatherproof units, while Atlas Van Lines is described as best for corporate and government relocations. Compare the registration and authority records below, verify each USDOT number on FMCSA SAFER, and get a binding estimate from both before booking.

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Side-by-side

Category1-800-PACK-RATAtlas Van Lines
USDOT1534531125550
MC #MC-64862479658
Carrier or brokerbothboth
Founded20021948
HeadquartersWake Forest, NCEvansville, IN
CoverageAll 50 statesAll 50 states
ServicesLong-distance, Storage, Container/PortableLong-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Corporate
Legal name on the federal filing1-800-PACK-RAT LLCATLAS VAN LINES INC
Entity statusAA
Operating authority heldHousehold goods, Property, Carrier and brokerHousehold goods, Property, Carrier and broker
Power units on the census file3452,731
Drivers on the census file4202,351
Safety ratingS
Federal record as of2026-08-132026-08-13
2BR interstate estimate (BestMovers.info estimate)$1,700–$4,300$3,000–$7,200

Legal name, entity status, operating authority, fleet counts and safety rating come from the FMCSA motor carrier census and licensing files, and appear only where the identifier on the federal record matched the company record on this page. Where a row is absent for one company, this site holds no verified federal value for it.

1-800-PACK-RAT

PACK-RAT's containers are all-steel rather than wood-and-fabric, which holds up better to weather and rough handling. Pricing tracks closely to PODS.

USDOT
1534531
Pros
  • Best for container moves with steel weatherproof units.
  • All 50 states coverage; founded 2002.
Watch out
  • Coverage gaps in some rural ZIPs — confirm availability before planning.
Read full 1-800-PACK-RAT review

Atlas Van Lines

Atlas Van Lines books interstate household goods shipments under its own federal registration and handles them locally through affiliated agents. The agent assigned to your origin is a separate business from the van line, so ask which company's crew is scheduled before you sign.

USDOT
125550
Pros
  • Best for corporate and government relocations.
  • All 50 states coverage; founded 1948.
Watch out
  • The company performing your move is usually a separate agent business rather than the van line itself, so the terms, crew and equipment differ by market and are not set by Atlas.
Read full Atlas Van Lines review
1-800-PACK-RAT
Best for

Container moves with steel weatherproof units

Not ideal for

Coverage gaps in some rural ZIPs — confirm availability before planning.

Atlas Van Lines
Best for

Corporate and government relocations

Not ideal for

The company performing your move is usually a separate agent business rather than the van line itself, so the terms, crew and equipment differ by market and are not set by Atlas.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 1-800-PACK-RAT or Atlas Van Lines better in 2026?
We hold no basis to prefer one over the other. We publish no numeric score for moving companies, and the records we hold for both are the same fields: registration, operating authority, founding year, coverage, and an estimated price range. 1-800-PACK-RAT is described as best for container moves with steel weatherproof units; Atlas Van Lines is described as best for corporate and government relocations. Check each company's USDOT record on FMCSA SAFER for authority status and complaint history, then compare binding-not-to-exceed estimates for your own move.
How do 1-800-PACK-RAT and Atlas Van Lines compare on price?
For a typical 2-bedroom interstate move, 1-800-PACK-RAT estimates land around $1,700–$4,300 and Atlas Van Lines estimates land around $3,000–$7,200. Actual quotes depend on weight, distance, service level, date, and availability.
Are 1-800-PACK-RAT and Atlas Van Lines both FMCSA-licensed?
1-800-PACK-RAT operates under USDOT 1534531 and Atlas Van Lines operates under USDOT 125550. Always verify the specific entity quoting your move on FMCSA SAFER before signing an estimate.
How do I check complaints against 1-800-PACK-RAT or Atlas Van Lines?
Look up each company by its USDOT number on FMCSA SAFER, which publishes complaint and crash history for the registered entity, and check the state regulator where the move starts. Ratings published by third parties are not shown here unless the specific profile they came from has been recorded.
What estimate type should I ask for?
For interstate moves, ask for a binding or binding-not-to-exceed estimate after an in-home or video survey. Sight-unseen non-binding interstate quotes are not reliable and tend to grow on delivery day.
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