Largest Moving Companies
Quick answer: The largest moving companies in the United States are led by United Van Lines, U-Pack, Atlas Van Lines, Mayflower Transit, and Allied Van Lines, based on fleet size. In this ranking, “largest” means number of trucks, not overall review score, pricing, or franchise network. There are approximately 7,000 licensed, active movers in the U.S. and another 1,000 in Canada. Many are relatively small independent players, but others are large corporations with vast resources and extensive coverage areas.
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To determine the largest moving companies in the country, we looked at the number of trucks in their fleet. We also counted franchise locations individually and not as one large, national company. For example, Two Men and a Truck, PODS, All My Sons Moving & Storage, and College Hunks Hauling Junk will not be listed as a whole because they have dozens of subsidiary franchises. However, an individual owner could be listed if they have a large enough fleet.
Based on truck count, the five largest moving companies in the U.S. are United Van Lines (7,510 trucks), U-Pack (3,848), Atlas Van Lines (3,759), Mayflower Transit (3,128), and Allied Van Lines (2,199). See more of the largest moving companies in the table below.
| Rank | Moving Company | Trucks | HQ City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Van Lines LLC | 7,510 | Fenton, MO |
| 2 | ABF U-Pack | 3,848 | Fort Smith, AR |
| 3 | Atlas Van Lines Inc. | 3,759 | Evansville, IN |
| 4 | Mayflower Transit LLC | 3,128 | Fenton, MO |
| 5 | Allied Van Lines, Inc. | 2,199 | Fort Wayne, IN |
| 6 | North American Van Lines, Inc. | 1,694 | Fort Wayne, IN |
| 7 | Wheaton Van Lines Inc. | 961 | Indianapolis, IN |
| 8 | Bekins Van Lines LLC | 956 | Hillside, IL |
| 9 | Graebel Van Lines, Inc. | 828 | Aurora, CO |
| 10 | Arpin Van Lines Inc. | 645 | West Warwick, RI |
| 11 | Stevens Van Lines Inc. | 623 | Saginaw, MI |
| 12 | AMJ Campbell | 600 | Markham, ON |
| 13 | Suddath Relocation Systems | 561 | Jacksonville, FL |
| 14 | Covan World-Wide Moving Inc. | 498 | Midland City, AL |
| 15 | Armstrong Relocation Co | 487 | Memphis, TN |
Largest moving companies by category
Not all large moving companies operate the same way. Some are national van lines built for interstate relocations, while others focus on local moves, DIY moves, storage, or labor-only help. Here’s a quick breakdown of the largest moving companies by category so you can find the right fit faster.
| Category | Largest companies | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Van lines | United Van Lines, Mayflower Transit, Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines, Atlas Van Lines | Interstate, cross-country, and international moves |
| Moving franchises | Two Men and a Truck, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Starving Students, EkoMovers | Local and regional full-service moves |
| Moving container companies | U-Pack, PODS, Zippy Shell, 1-800-PACK-RAT, U-Haul U-Box, SMARTBOX | Budget-friendly DIY moves without driving a truck |
| Truck rental companies | U-Haul, Budget Truck Rental, Penske, Enterprise Truck Rental | Low-cost DIY local and long-distance moves |
| Self-storage companies | Public Storage, U-Haul, Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart, Life Storage, SpareFoot Storage | Temporary storage before, during, or after a move |
| Moving labor companies | HireAHelper, Simple Moving Labor, Dolly, TaskRabbit | Loading, unloading, packing, and hourly moving help |
Keep in mind: The largest moving company for one type of move may not be the best option for another. Large van lines are usually best for long-distance and international relocations, while franchises, container companies, truck rentals, and labor-only providers can make more sense for local or budget-conscious moves.
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Our recommendations
Largest doesn’t always mean best for your move. A company can have one of the biggest fleets in the country and still not be the best fit for a local move, a budget move, or a container move. The moving industry is huge, generating billions of dollars each year — yet no two moving experiences are exactly alike. The best moving company for you will depend on the type of moveyou’re planning and your unique circumstances.
Many people look to the largest moving companies because those are what show up first in an online search. Larger companies also have a vast network and a wealth of experience, as well as more customer reviews you can read to help you feel better about the moving process. But even among the largest moving companies, there are several different types of movers you should consider before you get a quote.
A quick look at different moving company options
Due to their reach, van lines will always be an option no matter where you’re moving. However, if you’ll be moving within the same state, their resources could be overkill, and you may end up overpaying for a routine move.
That’s why we recommend reputable independent moving companies for local or short-distance moves. Many of the top moving companies have reasonable prices and good reviews without the added expenses of a full-service van line.
For cross-country and international moves, the nationwide (and even international) resources and reach of the best moving van lines can help make your move as seamless as possible, so we recommend working with them.
If you’re moving out of state on a budget, try looking into moving container companies, which are often cheaper than van lines (although you’ll have to pack everything yourself).
Finally, if you’re moving locally and would prefer to do so by yourself, a rental truck is your best option.
We’ll dive into the largest moving companies for each of these types of movers below.
Van lines
Van lines are large, multi-state networks of moving companies that operate under well-known national brands.
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The van line model has been around for more than a century but really came into its own in the mid-20th century as Americans became more mobile due to the development of the interstate highway system.
Van lines can be ranked based on a number of factors, including revenue, number of trucks, and the size of their agency network. In the past few decades, some of the industry’s largest companies have merged to create the largest relocation service powerhouses in the United States, which is why several of the ones below are listed together.
- United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit
- Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines
- Atlas Van Lines
- Wheaton World Wide, Bekins Van Lines, and Stevens Van Lines
- Arpin Van Lines
- National Van Lines
- Suddath
- American Red Ball Movers
- New World Van Lines
Want to know what it’s like to move with some of the top van lines in the country? We have you covered with our first-person reviews and moving grants — real life experiences from movers like you that used these services and gave us feedback on how everything went. Check out our United Van Lines review and get insight into what the moving experience from quote to moving day looks like with this post on Amy’s move with UVL from New York to Texas.
Don’t miss our Mayflower review where we break down their services and costs or our Allied Van Lines Reviewto decide which provider is the best choice for you.
Dive deeper into the offerings with our North American Van Lines review and get inside info on what the moving experience is like from Marcie’s experience using the service to move from California to Colorado.
Moving franchises
Franchises tend to focus on local and regional moves.
In many ways, moving franchises offer the best of both worlds. They’re independently owned and operated, but they allow customers many of the benefits of working with a national company (as long as your move is within their service area). They’re a great choice if you’re looking for a local mover.
Here are some of the largest full-service mover franchises:
- Two Men and a Truck
- Starving Students
- College Hunks Hauling Junk
- EkoMovers
Thinking about using one of these companies for your next move? Know what to expect thanks to our Two Men and a Truck review v and get insight on actual moving experiences with College Hunks by reading Tessa’s moving experience from Michigan to Kansas.
Moving container companies
Though moving container companies are usually lumped in with other DIY move options, they differ in that moving container companies provide the transportation between your old and new homes, which is a big plus for consumers who’d rather not drive a clunky moving truck.
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Moving container companies bring an empty container to your home or business and give you a few days to load it. Once you’re done, they pick it up and deliver it to your new address, where you unload it. You pay a flat rate based on the number of containers you use for your move.
Moving containers are available for both local and long-distance moves, offering a convenient, flexible, and often relatively inexpensive alternative to a full-service company.
The biggest container moving companies include:
- U-Pack
- PODS
- Zippy Shell
- 1-800-PACK-RAT
- U-Haul U-Box
- SMARTBOX
Truck rental companies
Truck rental companies have been the mainstays of the DIY moving and storage business for decades.
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They’re popular options for both local and long-distance moves, but due to economic factors like migration trends and supply and demand, they can sometimes be nearly as expensive as professional movers — especially if you choose add-on services and materials such as packing supplies.
For that reason, it’s always wise to consider comparing your potential truck rental expenses against quotes from the best movers.
The largest truck rental companies are:
Self-storage companies
Whether you’re storing a boat for the winter, moving into a smaller home, or simply in need of a space to keep your stuff before your new home is ready, storage services will probably be a necessity.
There are thousands of storage facilities in nearly every city and town across the country. They offer a variety of storage options, including climate-controlled, outdoor, and drive-up storage to fit most needs and budgets. Both short-term and long-term storage contracts are available at most facilities. However, the types of storage solutions available can vary based on your location.
Competition tends to keep prices reasonable, but be warned: Hidden charges sometimes lurk in the fine print of storage contracts. Don’t sign the dotted line until you’ve read your contract thoroughly.
The largest self-storage companies are:
Moving labor companies
Back in the day, customers were limited to either using a full-service moving company or doing everything themselves. Now, however, there are hybrid options that allow families to choose the services they want and combine them into one unique, efficient, and reasonably-priced package.
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Whether you’re renting a truck and moving across the country or hiring a container moving company and moving to the other side of the state, moving labor providers are perfect—especially if you’d rather not be responsible for packing/unpacking or lugging heavy furniture and appliances up and down stairs and into and out of trucks. These companies can provide as much (or as little) help as you need to make moving day run smoothly.
The largest moving labor companies are:
- HireAHelper
- Simple Moving Labor (SML)
- Dolly
- Task Rabbit
Are the largest moving companies your best option?
Our take: The largest moving companies tend to be strongest for interstate and international moves, but they’re often not the most cost-effective choice for a simple local move.
One of the most important parts of your pre-moving checklist is to decide which type of move is best suited to your needs and which moving company is your best option. A good first step is by understanding what your move might cost you by using our moving cost calculator.
Starting your search with the largest moving companies can be a good choice because of the wide range of services offered and the ease of finding information and getting online quotes. However, there’s nothing wrong with looking at local residential moving services.
What ultimately matters most is that you choose a company you can trust. Keeping costs down is important, but you should also be able to trust that your company will show up on the move date and provide the agreed-upon services without hidden fees or mishaps.
Narrow down your options to a few reputable movers available in your area (big or small), then request quotes from your top three so you can select the best option and approach moving day with confidence.
FAQs on Largest Moving Companies
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. In this guide, we define “largest” by the number of trucks a company operates, not by franchise count, customer reviews, or overall revenue.
What are the best options for an international move?
For most international moves, a large national van line is the best option. Big van lines have the global reach, agent networks, and relocation experience needed to handle overseas moves more smoothly than smaller local movers.
Are moving containers OK for local moves, or is it better to rent a truck?
Moving containers can work for local moves, but they’re usually more expensive than renting a truck and driving it yourself. They’re best for people who want a DIY move without having to drive a large moving vehicle.
Why are moving costs and truck rental prices so high in California and New York?
Higher moving costs in California and New York usually come down to supply and demand. Large populations, high move volume, and strong seasonal demand push prices up, especially during the busy spring and summer moving season.
What’s the best way to handle a corporate relocation?
If you’re relocating for work, ask about a relocation package before accepting the job. Employers may reimburse moving expenses, cover part of the cost, or hire movers directly on your behalf.
How can I be sure I’m using a reputable company?
The best way to vet a mover is to check licenses, reviews, and complaint history. Use sources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), Google reviews, and Yelp to compare reputation and customer experiences.
How can I get a free quote?
Most large moving companies offer free online quotes for a rough estimate. For exact pricing and a binding estimate, you’ll usually need to complete an inventory survey, either virtually or in person. If you want a ballpark figure 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.
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