American Van Lines vs Atlas Van Lines
Researched and written by Daniel Harper · Reviewed by Amanda Brooks · Last reviewed August 2026
We publish no numeric score for moving companies, so this page names no winner. American Van Lines is described as best for specialty items (piano, fine art, antiques), 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
| Category | American Van Lines | Atlas Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 614506 | 125550 |
| MC # | 294798 | 79658 |
| Carrier or broker | carrier | both |
| Founded | 1995 | 1948 |
| Headquarters | Pompano Beach, FL | Evansville, IN |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Services | Long-distance, Packing, Storage, Specialty/Piano | Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Corporate |
| Legal name on the federal filing | AMERICAN VAN LINES INC | ATLAS VAN LINES INC |
| Entity status | A | A |
| Operating authority held | Household goods, Property | Household goods, Property, Carrier and broker |
| Power units on the census file | 81 | 2,731 |
| Drivers on the census file | 68 | 2,351 |
| Safety rating | S | S |
| Federal record as of | 2026-08-13 | 2026-08-13 |
| 2BR interstate estimate (BestMovers.info estimate) | $2,900–$6,800 | $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.
American Van Lines
American Van Lines states first-party that it staffs moves with W2 employees rather than day labour. It requires a deposit to hold a move date, so ask what portion is refundable and by when before you pay it. We publish no BBB grade and hold no complaint dataset, so nothing here rates the company's service.
- Best for specialty items (piano, fine art, antiques).
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1995.
- Deposit required upfront on most quotes — confirm refund terms before paying.
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.
- Best for corporate and government relocations.
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1948.
- 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.
Specialty items (piano, fine art, antiques)
Deposit required upfront on most quotes — confirm refund terms before paying.
Corporate and government relocations
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
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