Palmer Moving Services 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. Palmer Moving Services is described as best for detroit and michigan household and corporate relocations handled by a long-established atlas agent, 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 | Palmer Moving Services | United Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 511993 | 077949 |
| MC # | 406654 | 67234 |
| Carrier or broker | carrier | both |
| Founded | 1910 | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Warren, MI | Fenton, MO |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Services | Long-distance, Local, Packing, Storage, Corporate, International | Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Auto transport, Corporate |
| Legal name on the federal filing | PALMER MOVING & STORAGE CO | UNITED VAN LINES LLC |
| Entity status | A | |
| Operating authority held | Household goods, Property, Carrier and broker | |
| Power units on the census file | 4,731 | |
| Drivers on the census file | 3,424 | |
| Safety rating | S | |
| Federal record as of | 2026-08-15 | 2026-08-13 |
| 2BR interstate estimate (BestMovers.info estimate) | $2,100–$5,800 | $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.
Palmer Moving Services
Palmer Moving & Storage Co, carrying the Palmer Moving Services trading name, files from Warren, Michigan with household goods and general freight cargo entries and a docket recorded on the licensing file as MC-406654. The registration's own operating configuration is intrastate, and the interstate household work the company advertises is performed in relation to Atlas Van Lines rather than under independent interstate authority established here; the two are kept separate on this page rather than merged into a single claim. The number shown alongside the Atlas agent branding on the company's site identifies the van line and is held in the van-line relationship layer instead of on this record. The business dates itself to 1910.
- Best for detroit and michigan household and corporate relocations handled by a long-established atlas agent.
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1910.
- The company's own federal filing is configured for intrastate operation, so long-distance shipments run in relation to the van line rather than under a registration Palmer controls, and the number printed on its site belongs to the van line.
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.
Detroit and Michigan household and corporate relocations handled by a long-established Atlas agent
The company's own federal filing is configured for intrastate operation, so long-distance shipments run in relation to the van line rather than under a registration Palmer controls, and the number printed on its site belongs to the van line.
Long-distance moves with full packing
Quotes are non-binding by default unless you specifically request a binding estimate.
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