Van Line
Definition
A large national moving company network that coordinates long-distance moves through local agents. Examples: United Van Lines, Atlas Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, and North American Van Lines.
Van lines are the largest players in the interstate moving industry. They operate as networks: a corporate headquarters coordinates the operation while local agents (independently owned moving companies) handle the actual pickup, delivery, and customer service.
How the agent model works: you contact either the van line directly or a local agent. The local agent provides the estimate and handles pickup. The shipment is transported on the van line's trucks (or agent trucks operating under the van line's authority). A local agent at the destination handles delivery.
Advantages of van lines: nationwide infrastructure and name recognition, standardized training and quality controls, multiple agents means broad geographic coverage, and established claims processes.
Disadvantages: often more expensive than independent movers (corporate overhead), the agent model means you may deal with different companies at origin and destination, and quality can vary between agents even within the same van line.
The major van lines include: United Van Lines (largest US van line), Atlas Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines, Mayflower, Wheaton, and Bekins. Each has hundreds of local agents across the country.