U-Haul 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. U-Haul is described as best for diy moves where you drive the truck, 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 | U-Haul | Atlas Van Lines |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 125550 | |
| MC # | 79658 | |
| Carrier or broker | both | |
| Founded | 1945 | 1948 |
| Headquarters | Phoenix, AZ | Evansville, IN |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Services | Local, Long-distance, Storage, Container/Portable | Long-distance, International, Packing, Storage, Corporate |
| Legal name on the federal filing | ATLAS VAN LINES INC | |
| Entity status | A | |
| Operating authority held | Household goods, Property, Carrier and broker | |
| Power units on the census file | 2,731 | |
| Drivers on the census file | 2,351 | |
| Safety rating | S | |
| Federal record as of | 2026-08-13 | |
| 2BR interstate estimate (BestMovers.info estimate) | $400–$2,800 | $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.
U-Haul
The default DIY rental option in nearly every US ZIP code. Cheapest path for a same-city move; their U-Box container product also competes with PODS for long-distance.
- Best for diy moves where you drive the truck.
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1945.
- Truck condition and customer service vary widely by location; one-way rentals can run 3–4x the local price.
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.
DIY moves where you drive the truck
Truck condition and customer service vary widely by location; one-way rentals can run 3–4x the local price.
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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