Atlas Van Lines Review

In our research, we dove into the details of today’s most popular professional movers. Each of our brands is licensed and certified with the FMCSA, as well as highly respected in the industry both from customers and its moving peers.

In this guide, we’ll help you determine if Atlas is the best team for your next big transition. Here are the topics we’ll cover when reviewing Atlas Van Lines:

• Transparency 
• Pricing
• Services
• Reputation

Overview of Atlas Van Lines

Atlas Van Lines has been working to help streamline the moving experience in the US since 1948. The original alliance of movers was based in Chicago, and the company later grew into one of the largest national and international movers under the umbrella of Atlas World Group.

The company is broken up now in a unique way. While it is not a broker that outsources its moves to other brands, it does allow local agents to work independently. There are currently over 400 agent locations under the Atlas name in the US and Canada.

Overall, the company offers local, international, and cross-country moves. They also specialize in military and government moves, performing hundreds each year across the globe.

Transparency

There’s a lot to take in when you land on the Atlas moving company website. It is obvious from the start that this is a large company that handles a wide range of moves, both simple and complex. We’ve included some details about the company’s initial transparency as you move through the process.

Pricing Transparency

Atlas Van Lines is a bit old-fashioned in regards to its quote and estimate process. While the website does have an online quote information form, you are required to arrange an in-home moving estimate with an Atlas agent to get a price range.

Once you supply your phone number, you will receive a call to start the process. After your review, you will have the option to choose between a binding and non-binding estimate.

At first glance, it may seem that Atlas Van Lines’s pricing is higher than the average full-service company. This is because the initial quote includes full valuation protection at an extra $6 a pound. If you’re comfortable downgrading to basic coverage, it is included free of charge, lowering your cost significantly.

It’s important to note that AAA members receive the full value protections as a complimentary service as well as a significant discount off their full cost.

Clarity of Services

Choosing the services you need for your move is part of the extensive estimate process. One of the perks of working with a trained agent is that you don’t have to sort through these services yourself.

Once you arrange a walkthrough and inventory your household goods, the agent should help you determine if you require extra perks like professional packing, use of a storage unit, or extra valuation coverage.

Communication & Expectations

Atlas relies heavily on its tech and various apps throughout the moving process. These programs help customers:

• Perform a video survey of their home
• Budget your move
• Make a moving checklist
• Create a moving profile
• Track your driver and moving date
• File your Atlas moving documents
• File a claim for lost or damaged items

Hiring Processes

Quite unique to the moving industry, Atlas Van Lines has local agents across the US, all of which have completed their unique Atlas Academy program. Agents run their own local businesses but are managed by the larger national Atlas brand.

As for movers, all have received a background check and ample training.

Policies

Atlas Van Lines encourages full-value protection for your items, though it does offer basic coverage for free. Claims for lost and damaged items can be filed within 90 days of your delivery.

We were unable to find clear information regarding a deposit of the company’s cancellation policy.

Cost

Costs tend to run higher than the national average and are typically worth the cost for full-service and long-distance moves. However, AAA members will greatly benefit from its partnership with the company, saving customers up to $600 for their move as well as a free upgrade on insurance.

Basic and Add-On Costs

Much like other major moving companies, local moves are charged at an hourly rate while long-distance moving quotes factor in the distance and the weight of your items.

Additional factors that can affect the bottom line include:

• Time of year
• When you book your moving and delivery date
• Size of your moving team
• Structure of your home
• Access to your house or apartment

A move with Atlas long-distance will run between $3,000 and $6,000—on par with the national average. Local moves for large homes can cost as low as $2,000 whereas cross-country and international moves run over $7,000.

Quotes and Estimates

As we mentioned above, Atlas does not offer detailed online quotes directly through the website. Local agents across the country work directly with customers to build an estimate through a virtual or in-person home walkthrough.

Payment Structure

Customers must pay for the move in full before the truck is unloaded at the destination. Atlas Van Lines accepts:

• Cash
• Credit cards
• Personal checks
• Cashier’s checks
• Traveler’s checks
• Bank checks
• Business checks

Services

Atlas Van Lines is a full-service moving carrier, not a broker. Your move should not be outsourced to another company for packing, shipping, or your storage needs.

Entry Level Services

The company offers all the basic services of a national mover, including:

• Local moves around the country 
• Long-distance moves in the US and Canada
• International moves to a location around the world
• Military moves
• Corporate moves
• Small moves

Each of these services includes loading and unloading to and from the truck with a trained team that offers white-glove service. You also get a free in-home estimate as well as access to move tracking as the truck heads to your new home.

It’s worth noting that Atlas Van Lines has a unique program specifically for smaller moves. This is not common for a larger carrier like this. Named SimpliCity, its small-move program offers free rough estimates, transparent pricing, and clear delivery dates for moves smaller than two bedrooms.

Extra Services

Atlas Van Lines allows customers to customize their moves with a few extra services to streamline your moving experience. You can expect:

• Partial or full packing services
• Unpacking
• Long-term storage
• Storage-in-transit services
• Specialty item padding and packaging
• Customized crates
• Full value protection
• Large item moves like pianos and pool tables
• Auto, motorcycle, and boat shipping

AVL packers come the day before to box up your home. On moving day, expect the team to inventory your items as they load them onto the truck as well. You can then track the truck’s progress with the company’s tracking app so you know when to expect them at your new home.

Special Perks and Technology

A moving registration number provides access to the MOVR app, an online program to track and budget your move. You can also track the progress of your moving truck with the Atlas app itself.

Advertised Strengths

Atlas is very proud of its customer care, and this effort shows through in the customer reviews. From pick up to drop off, the team is known to stay in close contact with its clients. The local agent also plays a key role in keeping clients happy and in the loop.

Reputation

After decades in business, Atlas is relatively well known. They received accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and an A+ rating and four out of five stars.

We always recommend reviewing customer testimonials for several companies before signing a contract. Here are some of the trends we found for Atlas Van lines in each category.

Customer Care

Overall, customers often report that the Atlas Van Lines team is friendly and caring. Moving day can be stressful, particularly with complex or cross-country relocations. Reviews across sites highlight kind and courteous crews on moving day.

For example, Kori on ConsumerAffairs mentioned, “When the movers arrived, all of them were courteous and friendly. They handled my items with care, and they were receptive to my concerns. I knew exactly what to expect as the move progressed. During the move itself, I was called by the driver and knew where he was on his trip, when he was going to arrive, and my mom, who was my point person at the destination, was treated with care and compassion!”

Reputation for Efficiency and Reliability

We found similar trends for the team’s speed and reliability. The company often arrived on time and stuck to the prearranged schedule. 

Debbie M. noted on Google, “William, our driver from Atlas, was top-notch! Our move from OKC to Tulsa was quick, seamless, and went off without a hitch. The crews at both locations were kind and efficient in spite of 15-degree temps and ice and snow.”

Reputation for Value

Customers frequently reported a great experience with the estimate process. We found many reviews that Atlas goes above and beyond to offer a quote very close to what you can expect on moving day. Costs overall are also listed as fair and reasonable.

Care for Household Items

While this is not uncommon, we did find several complaints regarding broken items or poorly packaged goods. These types of reviews are common on BBB where customers come to seek reimbursement for damage or replacement.

A customer complained on BBB, “Upon delivery, I had a very unprofessional experience with an extremely rude delivery person. Additionally, there were 9 missing items in my shipment & numerous items that were damaged, completely broken, or taken apart & the pieces lost so the item could not be re-assembled.”

Our Review

Atlas Van Lines may not allow as much customization as small companies, but they do provide top-quality customer services and reasonable prices. You can also trust the moving company’s many decades in the business, particularly for complicated relocations that require specific expertise.

Here are some pros and cons of working with Atlas Van Lines.

Pros:

• Discounts for AAA members
• National and international locations
• Personalized serviced from local agents
• Moving apps and helpful website

Cons:

• No immediate online quotes
• Some reports of damaged items
• Initial estimates include insurance upgrade