Exhibit 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
  We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement
on Form S-8 (No. 333-72271) of United Road Services, Inc. of our report dated
March 5, 1999, except as to Note 16(b), which is as of March 16, 1999,
relating to the consolidated balance sheets of United Road Services, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for
the period from July 25, 1997 (inception) through December 31, 1997 and for
the year ended December 31, 1998, and the related schedule, which report
appears in the December 31, 1998 annual report on Form 10-K of United Road
Services, Inc.
 
                                          /s/ KPMG LLP
 
Albany, New York
March 29, 1999