Atlas Van Lines landed a spot on our best moving companies list because of its decades in the industry and national reach. The carrier offers a wide array of services including local, long-distance and international moving. Its website is chock full of good information for customers, and everyone who books with Atlas will get access to a portal where they can easily obtain their moving information.
You’ll need to complete a virtual or in-home estimate to obtain a quote with the company, which can be a boon to those who value accuracy but a bit cumbersome for those looking for a quick quote.
Overall, there’s a lot to like about Atlas, and we broke it all down in our review below.
Pros
- Nationwide availability
- No deposit required
- GPS tracking
Cons
- Longer quote process
- Potentially strict cancellation policy
Table of Contents
- Atlas Van Lines: An Overview
- Atlas Van Lines Costs
- Atlas Van Lines Services
- Atlas Van Lines Availability
- Atlas Van Lines Consumer Reviews
- Atlas Van Lines Fine Print
- What We Like About Atlas Van Lines
- What We Didn’t Like About Atlas Van Lines
- Atlas Van Lines vs. Competitors
- Bottom Line: Who Is Atlas Van Lines Best For?
- Methodology: How We Rated Moving Companies
Atlas Van Lines: An Overview
With more than 75 years in the moving industry, Atlas Van Lines is a powerhouse moving carrier that serves all 50 states and can provide international moving services. Atlas (USDOT #125550) has a network of over 430 independently owned agents throughout the country that help with local and long-distance moves, as well as other types of specialty moves, like car shipping. The company is a government-approved mover that boasts services like GPS tracking and virtual video surveys for more accurate moving quotes.
The company has a robust website complete with moving guides, FAQs pages and information on things like shipment tracking, customer support and filing a claim. Atlas doesn’t have a live chat, and contact with customer service will need to be done through email or phone. Once you book a move with the company, you’ll have access to a customer portal where you can see all of your moving information.
Atlas doesn’t require a deposit to book services, but some have reported that its cancellation policy can be strict. Its customer reviews are fairly mixed, but because it works with a network of authorized agents across the country, it’s best to look into local reviews to get the best idea possible.
Featured Partners
1
International Van Lines
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
2
American Van Lines
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
3
Blvd Moving
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
4
Mayzlin Relocation
Deposit required
Yes
Service availability
Excellent
Full-service packing
Yes
Atlas Van Lines Costs
Getting pricing for a sample move from Atlas was a bit challenging because the company, like many moving companies, requires virtual or in-home estimates for more accurate pricing. Because of this requirement, we were not able to obtain a local moving estimate, but we did get a general quote for a long-distance, two-bedroom move from Brooklyn, New York, to Charlotte, North Carolina, for $9,000. Atlas gives you the option to choose between a binding and nonbinding estimate.
This quote was definitely on the higher end of the estimates we received but is just a rough estimate since we did not conduct a video survey. So we always suggest you reach out to the company for a unique moving estimate.
How to Get a Quote From Atlas Van Lines
You can request a quote on Atlas’s website by filling out information like your moving date, home size and ZIP codes. From there, you’ll be paired with a local Atlas agent who will ask you more specific questions and quote you a price. You can do a virtual video estimate via the Atlas app.
Atlas Van Lines Services
Atlas offers a variety of moving services including:
Local Moves
Atlas has hundreds of agents nationwide who can perform local moves. It’s best to reach out so you can be paired with one of these agents and get a personalized quote.
Long-Distance Moves
Similarly, you’ll be paired with an Atlas agent near you who can help with a long-distance move. Atlas says that it works with nearly 350 movers specializing in long-distance moves. Because Atlas has a USDOT number and operates nationwide, the company can help you with any move, big or small, across state lines.
International Moves
Atlas Van Lines International is part of the Atlas family of companies and performs international freight servicing, allowing you to move your items internationally. The company is a FIDI-accredited International Mover (which is the most prolific quality label for movers who travel internationally) and holds many other registrations and memberships. You can similarly reach out to Atlas for a free international moving quote.
Full-Service Packing
Atlas provides customizable moving services, including full-service packing and unpacking, allowing you to shift the work to the professionals.
Auto Transportation
If you’re making a long-distance or international move, Atlas can also help you transport your car. The company offers car shipping services with enclosed or open transport options, as well as the ability to store your vehicle if needed. Atlas provides ample information about these services online, and you can also discuss vehicle shipping when you reach out for your move quote.
Other services Atlas offers include:
- Corporate relocations
- Military moves
- Government moves
- Small moves
- Logistics
- Moving supplies
- Moving special items
- Storage
- Valuation
- Travel services
Atlas Van Lines Availability
Atlas Van Lines performs moves in all 50 states. It has independent agents in every state who are held to certain standards while working under the Atlas name. When you reach out for a quote, Atlas will let you know which agent would perform your move. We recommend researching your local Atlas location for more information.
Moving Companies By State
Atlas Van Lines Consumer Reviews
Atlas Van Lines has mixed customer reviews. It currently has a 1.2-star rating out of 5 on ConsumerAffairs. The company doesn’t have too many reviews on the BBB, but it does have an A+ rating on that site. Sentiments on our Consumer Sentiments report were also fairly mixed, with some customers praising the reliable service and others mentioning higher-than-expected pricing and delivery problems.
Because the company has independent agents all over the country, we suggest researching customer reviews for the Atlas agent you’d be working with specifically. From there, you can make a better determination about service quality and any issues that might arise.
Atlas Van Lines Fine Print
It’s important to understand all the policies that go into your bill of service with Atlas. We suggest reading over any documents carefully, but here are a few things you pay special attention to:
Cancellation Policy
Atlas Van Lines does not outline a clear cancellation policy on its website. Although many have reported that the company will issue a full refund within three days of signing the work order, we weren’t able to verify that information. We recommend asking the local Atlas mover you work with for its policies here.
Insurance Options
Like many movers, Atlas Van Lines offers a few options for protecting your belongings during your move. It notes that it is not technically moving insurance but rather value protection for your items. The most basic option, which Atlas does not recommend, is known as minimal protection. With this free option, claims for loss or damage are based on the item’s weight and then multiplied by 60 cents per pound.
You can also opt for Full-Value Protection at a cost. Note that Atlas will assign this to your move unless you specifically ask for lower coverage. The minimum declared value of a move for Full Value Protection is $10,000 or $6 multiplied by the total weight of the shipment in pounds, whichever is greater.
What We Like About Atlas Van Lines
Atlas Van Lines is an experienced, nationally available moving company. We appreciate that it offers such a wide range of moving services and seems committed to transparency by packing its website full of information. Its customer moving portal and lack of deposit requirements are also big points in its favor.
What We Didn’t Like About Atlas Van Lines
You’ll need to complete a virtual or in-person moving survey to get a quote from Atlas, which is ultimately good for those who value accurate pricing but can be difficult for those trying to quickly compare companies. Its customer reviews were also fairly mixed.
Atlas Van Lines vs. Competitors
Atlas Van Lines vs. Mayflower Transit
These companies both made our national best moving companies list and for good reason. Neither requires a deposit and both are carriers that work nationally. The estimate we received from Mayflower was much lower, but as we noted, our Atlas estimate was limited, so we recommend getting quotes from both companies and comparing based on your unique move.
Learn more: Mayflower Transit review
Atlas Van Lines vs. Colonial Van Lines
Colonial Van Lines is another popular choice. Though its estimate was lower than Atlas’s, it is only available in 48 states and requires a deposit. Again, we recommend reaching out to get your own unique estimates.
Learn more: Colonial Van Lines review
Bottom Line: Who Is Atlas Van Lines Best For?
Atlas Van Lines is an excellent choice, especially for those who value extensive experience in the moving industry and a company that is dedicated to customer education and quality of service. Atlas can perform nearly any moving service you can think of, so we think it’s definitely one to consider when comparing moving companies.
Methodology: How We Rated Moving Companies
We developed our list of the best moving companies by first identifying competitors that met basic criteria such as licensing, insurance and legal registration. We reviewed the 69 most widely available companies from that list and scored them all based on 89 different attributes. Each company’s rating is determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, such as an in-house Consumer Sentiment Analysis, pricing, moving services and options, nationwide availability and more.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates moving companies on our detailed methodology page.
Get Your Free Moving Estimate
Receive a custom quote that's designed to meet your needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does Atlas Van Lines do?
Atlas Van Lines is a moving company with independent agents nationwide. The company has been around for decades and provides local, long-distance and international moving options.
Does Atlas Van Lines require a deposit?
No, Atlas Van Lines does not require a deposit for its moves.
What payments does Atlas Van Lines accept?
Atlas allows you to pay via ACH, wire, cashier’s check, traveler’s check or cash. You can also pay by electronic check or credit card via its customer portal. You can choose to pay once the move starts or after you reach your destination.
