Long distance moving: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What long distance moving is

Long distance moving carries a household across states or over a long route, with packing, loading, trucking and delivery to the new home. Shipments often share truck space with other customers, so the delivery date is a window rather than a single day.

Signs you need it

  • You are moving to another state or to a region several hours away with the whole household
  • The move needs a delivery window that matches the date you must be in the new home
  • You have a large household and need a full truck rather than a few trips in a rental van
  • Your belongings include items that must be packed and tracked across many miles
  • You cannot drive the moving truck yourself or you do not want to be on the road for days

What the pro does

  • Survey the home, or review photos and an inventory, to size the shipment and plan the packing
  • Pack fragile items and furniture with protective materials, and label every box by room
  • Load the truck with straps and padding, placing heavy furniture low and secure against movement
  • Transport the load and keep the shipment tracked, with updates on the expected delivery window
  • Unload at the new home, place furniture by room and check the inventory against the bill of lading
  • Note any damage at delivery on the paperwork and begin the claim process if needed

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Distance and the route between the origin and destination
  • Weight or volume of the shipment and the number of rooms it fills
  • Time of year, since peak moving seasons often change availability and cost
  • Full truck or shared truck space, which changes how the delivery is scheduled
  • Packing services, specialty items and stairs at either address
  • Storage in transit if the delivery date has to be moved or the home is not ready

What a written quote should spell out

  • The estimated weight or volume, and how the final amount is calculated from it
  • The pickup and delivery windows, and how the carrier updates you on the shipment
  • The valuation coverage included, and the cost and terms for extra coverage
  • Packing, unpacking and storage in transit, if they are part of the job
  • The claim process, the time limits for filing a claim and the contact for it

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the company registered to carry household goods across state lines, and can I see the registration
  • How is the shipment tracked, and how do I get an update during transit
  • What is the delivery window, and what happens if the truck arrives late
  • What valuation coverage is included, and what does it cost to increase it
  • Will you give me a binding estimate, and how is the final bill calculated
  • How do you handle a shipment that shares truck space with other customers

Red flags

  • A non-binding estimate given by phone with no survey of the home
  • A company with no registration number on its paperwork or website
  • A quote far below the others with no explanation of how it is reached
  • Pressure to pay a large deposit to an unknown broker without a written contract

What you can do yourself

You can pack your own clothes, books and small items, and label boxes clearly so the movers and the unpacking are faster. Call a professional for the loading and transport itself, for large furniture and for any move across state lines that needs registered carriers and valuation coverage.

Licenses and permits

Interstate household goods carriers are commonly required to hold federal registration, and brokers arranging those moves commonly need their own. Check with your state or local licensing agency and the transport authority that oversees interstate carriers before booking.

Long distance moving questions

Why does the delivery date come as a window?

Trucks often carry several customers' loads and make multiple stops. Ask the carrier how the window is set and how they will tell you when the truck is close.

What should I do before the truck arrives?

Clear a path through the home, keep important documents and medication with you, and have someone at the new home to direct the placement of furniture.

What if my shipment is damaged in transit?

Note the damage on the delivery paperwork before signing, take photos and file a claim within the time limit in your contract. Keep the inventory and receipts for the claim.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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