Atlas Van Lines vs United 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. Atlas Van Lines is described as best for corporate and government relocations, while United Van Lines is described as best for long-distance moves with full packing. 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 | Atlas Van Lines | United Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 125550 | 077949 |
| MC # | 79658 | 67234 |
| Carrier or broker | both | both |
| Founded | 1948 | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Evansville, IN | Fenton, MO |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Services | Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Corporate | Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Auto transport, Corporate |
| Legal name on the federal filing | ATLAS VAN LINES INC | UNITED VAN LINES LLC |
| Entity status | A | A |
| Operating authority held | Household goods, Property, Carrier and broker | Household goods, Property, Carrier and broker |
| Power units on the census file | 2,731 | 4,731 |
| Drivers on the census file | 2,351 | 3,424 |
| Safety rating | S | S |
| Federal record as of | 2026-08-13 | 2026-08-13 |
| 2BR interstate estimate (BestMovers.info estimate) | $3,000–$7,200 | $3,100–$7,400 |
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.
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.
United Van Lines
United Van Lines is the largest brand under UniGroup and publishes the annual National Movers Study. It offers shipment tracking and a published claims process; we hold no dataset that compares its claims outcomes with other carriers.
- Best for long-distance moves with full packing.
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1928.
- Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.
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.
Long-distance moves with full packing
Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.
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Frequently asked questions
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