Largest Moving Companies in the U.S.
Here’s the quick answer: United Van Lines is the largest moving company in the U.S., with 7,510 trucks in its fleet. The largest moving companies run national networks of local agents, which gives you more trucks, crews, and storage options for interstate, international, and corporate moves. Below, we compare the six largest movers by fleet size and show when one of the best moving companies may be a better fit.
rating
4.23 / 5
- Specialty packing services
- White-glove reputation
- 80+ years' experience
Jump to the largest movers info you’re looking for:
The 6 largest moving companies in the U.S.
We ranked the largest moving companies by the number of trucks in each fleet, not by revenue, reviews, or franchise count. A bigger fleet and agent network gives a mover more trucks and crews to draw from, which matters most for long-distance, peak-season, and multi-city moves.
| Rank | Company | Trucks | HQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Van Lines | 7,510 | Fenton, MO |
| 2 | U-Pack (ABF) | 3,848 | Fort Smith, AR |
| 3 | Atlas Van Lines | 3,759 | Evansville, IN |
| 4 | Mayflower | 3,128 | Fenton, MO |
| 5 | Allied Van Lines | 2,199 | Fort Wayne, IN |
| 6 | North American | 1,694 | Fort Wayne, IN |
Why compare movers with moveBuddha:
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Largest moving companies compared
Five of the six largest moving companies are full-service van lines: United Van Lines, Atlas Van Lines, Mayflower, Allied Van Lines, and North American Van Lines. U-Pack is the budget pick if you’ll load your own belongings. Here’s how each one works and the trade-offs to weigh before you request a quote.
United Van Lines
United Van Lines runs the largest fleet in our ranking, with 7,510 trucks. United traces its roots to 1928 and is based in Fenton, Missouri, under parent company UniGroup, which also owns Mayflower.
United books moves through about 300 affiliated U.S. agents, so the agent assigned to your area sets your crew and estimate. See how that played out in Amy’s move from New York to Texas.
United Van Lines pros & cons
- Largest fleet in our ranking
- About 300 U.S. agents
- Strong for long-distance moves
- Pricing varies by local agent
- Often overkill for local moves
U-Pack
U-Pack ranks second with 3,848 trucks because it moves households on the network of ABF Freight, an ArcBest company based in Fort Smith, Arkansas. U-Pack drops off a 28-foot trailer or a ReloCube container, you load it, and an ABF driver handles the long-distance drive.
You pay only for the trailer space you use, with no extra charges for fuel or the driver. That makes U-Pack a strong fit for budget long-distance moves if you can handle the loading.
U-Pack pros & cons
- Pay only for space used
- No fuel or driver fees
- Trailer & container options
- You pack & load yourself
- No full-service option
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Atlas Van Lines
Atlas Van Lines ranks third with 3,759 trucks. A group of 33 moving entrepreneurs founded Atlas in 1948, and it remains agent-owned under parent company Atlas World Group in Evansville, Indiana.
Atlas books moves through its agent network, so your local agent sets your crew, schedule, and estimate. Atlas handles both household and corporate relocations.
Atlas Van Lines pros & cons
- Agent-owned network
- Household & corporate moves
- Pricing varies by local agent
- Pricier for short local moves
Mayflower
Mayflower ranks fourth with 3,128 trucks. Mayflower started in Indianapolis in 1927 and joined UniGroup, the parent company of United Van Lines, in 1995.
Mayflower and United share a parent company but book moves through separate agents. If you’re weighing a UniGroup mover, get quotes from both.
Mayflower pros & cons
- Moving households since 1927
- Backed by UniGroup
- Pricing varies by local agent
- Pricier for short local moves
Allied Van Lines
Allied Van Lines ranks fifth with 2,199 trucks. Allied has moved households since 1928 and operates under SIRVA, the same parent company as North American Van Lines.
Allied offers full-service domestic and international moves through its agent network, including packing and storage.
Allied Van Lines pros & cons
- Moving households since 1928
- Domestic & international moves
- Pricing varies by local agent
- Pricier for short local moves
rating
4.23 / 5
North American Van Lines
North American Van Lines ranks sixth with 1,694 trucks. Founded in 1933 and based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, North American handles corporate, government, military, and private relocations, plus moves to more than 100 countries.
Read Marcie’s account of moving from California to Colorado with North American to see the process from quote to delivery.
North American Van Lines pros & cons
- Moves to 100+ countries
- Corporate, military & private moves
- Pricing varies by local agent
- Pricier for short local moves
Largest moving companies by category
Not every large moving company works the same way. Van lines handle interstate relocations, while franchises, container companies, truck rentals, storage companies, and labor providers serve local, DIY, and budget moves.
| Category | Largest companies | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Van lines | United Van Lines Mayflower Allied Van Lines North American Atlas Van Lines |
Interstate & international moves |
| Franchises | Two Men & a Truck College Hunks Starving Students |
Local & regional moves |
| Containers | U-Pack PODS Zippy Shell 1-800-PACK-RAT |
DIY moves without driving |
| Truck rentals | U-Haul Budget Penske Enterprise |
Low-cost DIY moves |
| Self-storage | Extra Space Public Storage U-Haul CubeSmart |
Storage before or after a move |
| Moving labor | HireAHelper Simple Moving Labor TaskRabbit |
Loading, unloading & packing help |
The largest company in one category isn’t always the best fit for your move. Van lines suit long-distance and international relocations, while franchises, containers, truck rentals, and labor-only help often cost less for local or budget moves.
Van lines
A van line is a national network of local moving companies that operate under one brand. Several of the biggest now share a parent company, so some brands come in pairs.
- United Van Lines and Mayflower: both owned by UniGroup.
- Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines: both owned by SIRVA.
- Atlas Van Lines: agent-owned and based in Evansville, Indiana.
- Wheaton World Wide Moving and Bekins Van Lines: Bekins is part of Wheaton.
- Other large national carriers: Arpin Van Lines, National Van Lines, Stevens Van Lines, Suddath, Graebel, Armstrong Relocation, and Covan World-Wide.
Pro tip: Ask every van line which local agent will handle your move and whether your estimate is binding, since the agent sets your price and crew. Our guide to binding vs. non-binding estimates explains the difference.
rating
4.23 / 5
- Specialty packing services
- White-glove reputation
- 80+ years' experience
Moving franchises
Moving franchises focus on local and regional moves. Each location is independently owned but runs on a national brand’s systems.
- Two Men and a Truck
- Starving Students
- College Hunks Hauling Junk
- EkoMovers
Read Tessa’s move from Michigan to Kansas for a firsthand look at College Hunks.
Moving container companies
Moving container companies drop off a container, give you a few days to load it, and deliver it to your new home, so you never drive. Containers cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average.
Truck rental companies
A rental truck is usually the cheapest way to move and gives you the most control over your delivery date. Costs can approach mover prices once you add fuel, mileage, and supplies, so compare your truck estimate against mover quotes.
- U-Haul
- Budget Truck Rental
- Penske
- Enterprise Truck Rental: round-trip rentals only, so it’s best for local moves.
Self-storage companies
Self-storage fills the gap when you’re downsizing, waiting on a new home, or storing items between moves. Read your contract before you sign, since fees can hide in the fine print.
- Extra Space Storage: the largest operator by store count since merging with Life Storage in 2023.
- Public Storage
- U-Haul
- CubeSmart
Moving labor companies
Moving labor companies supply hourly help for loading, unloading, and heavy lifting, so you can pair a rental truck or container with professional muscle. Compare options in our guide to the best moving labor companies.
- HireAHelper
- Simple Moving Labor
- TaskRabbit: acquired the on-demand moving app Dolly in 2024.
rating
4.15 / 5
- Get multiple labor quotes
- Online booking system
- Available nationwide
Is a large moving company right for your move?
The largest moving companies are strongest for interstate and international moves, but they’re rarely the cheapest choice for a simple local move. Match the type of company to your move:
- Local or in-state moves: an independent local mover usually costs less, since you don’t pay for a national network you won’t use.
- Cross-country and international moves: a national van line’s reach makes it the safest choice.
- Budget out-of-state moves: moving containers save about 30% on average, but you load everything yourself.
- Local DIY moves: a rental truck is usually cheapest and puts you in control of your delivery date.
Estimate your cost with the moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator, which factors in distance, home size, services, and access, so your range reflects your move instead of a flat national average.
moveBuddha users save over 30% on average compared to people who book the first quote they receive.
Learn More“The difference between a smooth move and a stressful one is usually decided before the move even begins. It comes down to planning, communication, and the company that you choose.”
—Anthony DiSorbo, Owner, American Van Lines
Big or small, choose a mover you can trust to show up on time without hidden fees. moveBuddha has reviewed 4,500+ moving companies with a 72-point rating system, and moveBuddha Certified movers add $1,000 in coverage plus dispute mediation if something goes wrong. Narrow your list to a few reputable movers, then compare at least three quotes before you book.
Largest moving companies FAQs
What is the largest moving company in the U.S.?
United Van Lines is the largest moving company in the U.S. by fleet size, with 7,510 trucks. U-Pack ranks second with 3,848 trucks, followed by Atlas Van Lines with 3,759. We rank by fleet size, not revenue, reviews, or franchise count.
Do the largest moving companies charge hidden fees?
Surprise charges usually come from add-ons your estimate didn’t list. Fuel surcharges add 8% – 15% to long-distance transportation charges, and access fees for stairs, long carries, or shuttles add $75 – $500+. Ask for a written estimate that itemizes every fee, and check our list of hidden moving costs.
How can I tell if a large moving company is reputable?
Look up the mover in the FMCSA mover search to confirm its registration and complaint history. Then check its Better Business Bureau profile and recent customer reviews. Booking a moveBuddha Certified mover adds $1,000 in coverage and dispute mediation.
When is the cheapest time to hire a large moving company?
Fall and winter are usually the cheapest times to hire a mover. About 41% of annual moves happen between May and August, according to moveBuddha data, so summer rates run highest. See our guide to the best time to move to plan around peak season.
How can I get a free moving quote?
Most large moving companies offer free online quotes, but you’ll need a virtual or in-person survey for a binding estimate. The moveBuddha Mover Marketplace gets you up to five no-obligation quotes from one request. For a quick ballpark first, try our moving cost calculator.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
