Moving Comparison

Budd Van Lines vs United Van Lines

Researched and written by Daniel Harper · Reviewed by Amanda Brooks · Last reviewed August 2026

At-a-glance

We publish no numeric score for moving companies, so this page names no winner. Budd Van Lines is described as best for long-distance and corporate moves where you want one carrier's own driver from pickup to delivery, 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

CategoryBudd Van LinesUnited Van Lines
USDOT185771077949
MC #15253367234
Carrier or brokercarrierboth
Founded19751928
HeadquartersSomerset, NJFenton, MO
CoverageAll 50 statesAll 50 states
ServicesLong-distance, Packing, Storage, CorporateLong-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Auto transport, Corporate
Legal name on the federal filingBUDD VAN LINES INCUNITED VAN LINES LLC
Entity statusA
Operating authority heldHousehold goods, PropertyHousehold goods, Property, Carrier and broker
Power units on the census file1244,731
Drivers on the census file1023,424
Safety ratingS
Federal record as of2026-08-152026-08-13
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.

Budd Van Lines

Budd Van Lines Inc is an independent nationwide carrier rather than an agent of a national van line, which is rare at this size: the federal census records 124 power units and 102 drivers filed from Somerset, New Jersey. Because the company holds its own active common and contract authority with household goods on the licensing record and no broker authority, the entity you contract with is the entity that hauls the shipment. The company's own history pages date the business to 1975.

USDOT
185771
Pros
  • Best for long-distance and corporate moves where you want one carrier's own driver from pickup to delivery.
  • All 50 states coverage; founded 1975.
Watch out
  • This is a long-haul operation rather than a local hourly mover, and the licensing record shows no broker authority, so capacity is limited to what the company's own fleet can carry.
Read full Budd Van Lines review

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.

USDOT
077949
Pros
  • Best for long-distance moves with full packing.
  • All 50 states coverage; founded 1928.
Watch out
  • Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.
Read full United Van Lines review
Budd Van Lines
Best for

Long-distance and corporate moves where you want one carrier's own driver from pickup to delivery

Not ideal for

This is a long-haul operation rather than a local hourly mover, and the licensing record shows no broker authority, so capacity is limited to what the company's own fleet can carry.

United Van Lines
Best for

Long-distance moves with full packing

Not ideal for

Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Budd Van Lines or United 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. Budd Van Lines is described as best for long-distance and corporate moves where you want one carrier's own driver from pickup to delivery; United Van Lines is described as best for long-distance moves with full packing. 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 Budd Van Lines and United Van Lines compare on price?
For a typical 2-bedroom interstate move, Budd Van Lines estimates land around $3,000–$7,200 and United Van Lines estimates land around $3,100–$7,400. Actual quotes depend on weight, distance, service level, date, and availability.
Are Budd Van Lines and United Van Lines both FMCSA-licensed?
Budd Van Lines operates under USDOT 185771 and United Van Lines operates under USDOT 077949. Always verify the specific entity quoting your move on FMCSA SAFER before signing an estimate.
How do I check complaints against Budd Van Lines or United 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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