Moving Comparison

Bay Area Movers vs United Van Lines

By Daniel Harper, Senior Editor, Moving Costs · Reviewed by Melissa Grant, Pricing & Estimates Reviewer · Last updated May 2026

At-a-glance

On our weighted score, Bay Area Movers takes the edge (4.3/5). That said, Bay Area Movers is the better pick for bay area local moves, while United Van Lines wins for long-distance moves with full packing. Always get binding estimates from both before booking.

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Side-by-side

Category	Bay Area Movers	United Van Lines
USDOT	Verify on FMCSA	077949
MC #	Verify on FMCSA	67234
BBB rating	A+	A+
Founded	2006	1928
Headquarters	San Jose, CA	Fenton, MO
Coverage	Regional	All 50 states
Services	Local, Long-distance, Packing, Storage	Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Auto transport, Corporate
2BR estimate	$700–$2,700	$3,100–$7,400
Customer rating	4.3 / 5	4.3 / 5

Bay Area Movers

South Bay mover with steady operations across Silicon Valley and the Peninsula. Tech-relocation experience.

USDOT

Verify on FMCSA

BBB

A+

Pros

Best for bay area local moves.
Regional coverage; founded 2006.
BBB rating: A+.

Watch out

Limited interstate availability.

Read full Bay Area Movers review →

United Van Lines

United is the largest brand under UniGroup and publishes the well-known annual National Movers Study. Claims handling and tracking tools rank above the industry median based on FMCSA data.

USDOT

077949

BBB

A+

Pros

Best for long-distance moves with full packing.
All 50 states coverage; founded 1928.
BBB rating: A+.

Watch out

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

Read full United Van Lines review →

Bay Area Movers

Best for

Bay Area local moves

Not ideal for

Limited interstate availability.

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 Bay Area Movers or United Van Lines better in 2026?

On weighted score, Bay Area Movers edges ahead, but the right pick depends on your specific move. Bay Area Movers is best for bay area local moves; United Van Lines is best for long-distance moves with full packing. Get binding-not-to-exceed estimates from both before deciding.

How do Bay Area Movers and United Van Lines compare on price?

For a typical 2-bedroom interstate move, Bay Area Movers estimates land around $700–$2,700 and United Van Lines estimates land around $3,100–$7,400. Actual quotes depend on weight, distance, service level, date, and availability.

Are Bay Area Movers and United Van Lines both FMCSA-licensed?

Yes. Bay Area Movers operates under USDOT Verify on FMCSA and United Van Lines operates under USDOT 077949. Always verify the specific entity quoting your move on FMCSA SAFER before signing an estimate.

Does Bay Area Movers or United Van Lines have a better BBB rating?

Bay Area Movers carries a A+ BBB profile and United Van Lines carries a A+. Local agent or franchise ratings can differ from the parent profile, so check the agent that will actually handle your move.

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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