Allied Van Lines vs United Van Lines (2026)
By Daniel Harper, Senior Editor, Moving Costs · Reviewed by Melissa Grant, Pricing & Estimates Reviewer · Last updated April 2026
Allied Van Lines (owned by SIRVA Worldwide) and United Van Lines (owned by UniGroup) are two of the four largest US van lines. Both operate huge agent networks — independent moving companies that book and operate moves under the parent brand — and both compete for the same long-distance and corporate relocation business.
On paper they look similar. In practice, the differences come from which local agent you draw, how each parent structures pricing, and the specific services you need.
SIRVA-owned national van line
UniGroup-owned national van line
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Side-by-side
| Category | Allied Van Lines | United Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Parent company | SIRVA Worldwide | UniGroup |
| Founded | 1928 | 1928 |
| Coverage | Interstate (50) + international | Interstate (50) + international |
| Agent network | ~400 locations | ~500 locations |
| 2BR estimate range | $4,500 – $8,500 (1,000 mi) | $4,500 – $8,500 (1,000 mi) |
| Estimate type | Binding-not-to-exceed available | Binding-not-to-exceed available |
| Storage in transit | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle transport | Yes | Yes |
- Strong corporate / international relo capability
- Mature SIRVA enterprise network
- Full suite of moving services including custom crating
- Long-tenured brand with stable claims process
- Quality varies by local agent
- Premium pricing on most lanes
- Pricing can be opaque without an in-home or video survey
- Slightly larger US agent network
- Strong sister brand (Mayflower) overlap for backup
- Long history in household goods
- Comprehensive long-distance services
- Quality varies by local agent
- Premium pricing on most lanes
- Some metros have weaker United agents than competing brands
Corporate or international relocations and households that want SIRVA's enterprise network.
Budget-driven moves where a non-van-line carrier or container service is cheaper.
Households wanting UniGroup's wider US agent network and long-distance reach.
Budget-driven moves where a non-van-line carrier or container service is cheaper.
Corporate parents: SIRVA vs UniGroup
Allied is part of SIRVA Worldwide alongside North American Van Lines and several other brands. SIRVA is heavily focused on corporate and international relocation. United is part of UniGroup alongside Mayflower Transit, with a long history of household goods and a strong corporate relo business.
Both run national agent networks. The actual crew loading your truck is almost always a local agent operating under the parent brand — so the agent's local reputation matters at least as much as the parent brand.
Coverage and reach
- Allied: All 50 US states + international. Roughly 400 agent locations in North America.
- United: All 50 US states + international. Roughly 500 agent locations in North America.
Either brand can move you to any standard US destination. International moves: both have established global networks.
Pricing
For a typical 2-bedroom interstate move (~5,500 lbs, 1,000 miles), 2026 quotes from either brand typically land in the $4,500 – $8,500 range with full-service load and unload, no packing. Pack labor adds $700 – $1,500. Both brands offer binding-not-to-exceed estimates and will perform an in-home or virtual survey before quoting — that's the right way to compare them, not by phone numbers.
Services
- Allied: Local, long-distance, international, corporate relo, vehicle transport, fragile-only packing, full pack, debris removal, storage in transit.
- United: Local, long-distance, international, corporate relo, vehicle transport, fragile pack, full pack, custom crating, storage in transit.
FMCSA & BBB
Both companies are long-established carriers with active USDOT authority. Both maintain BBB profiles with strong ratings (typically A+ at the parent level, though individual agents vary). Always look up the specific agent that will handle your move on FMCSA SAFER and BBB before signing.
Where Allied is the better pick
- Corporate or international relocation, especially in markets where SIRVA's enterprise contracts give you priority.
- You're already working with a SIRVA-affiliated relo specialist.
- Your local Allied agent has noticeably stronger reviews than the local United agent.
Where United is the better pick
- Households moving long-distance who want UniGroup's slightly larger agent network.
- Specific lanes where United consistently quotes better than Allied.
- Strong local Mayflower or United agent in your origin metro.
How to choose between them
- Get binding-not-to-exceed estimates from both brands' local agents.
- Get one additional quote from a non-van-line carrier (e.g. JK Moving, Bekins) for triangulation.
- Look up each specific local agent on FMCSA SAFER and the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database — not just the parent brand.
- Check BBB and Google reviews for the local agent — the parent brand's overall rating doesn't tell you what your crew will be like.
- Ask which carrier (the parent or the agent) is named on the bill of lading.
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