What Is Considered a Long-Distance Move?

Today, the moving sector has many moving companies that can help with your long-distance move. Sometimes, selecting the best moving firm from the many options you have can be overwhelming. So, unless you have a detailed updated review of moving companies near you or perform in-depth research, you might have difficulty finding the best option. And that’s because the moving process is usually a stressful and difficult time and can get more complicated, especially if you are moving cross-country or long-distance. From packing to sorting and storage, there are no shortages of tasks to complete in a long-distance move, which begs the question, what is a long-distance move?

What is a long-distance move? If a move exceeds 400 miles, it qualifies as a long-distance move — for example, from New York to Las Vegas. Interstate-moving, long-haul moving, and cross-country moving are the other terms people use to refer to a long-distance move. But it also depends on the distance and destination. Technically, you can have long-distance interstate and long-distance intrastate moves. As the names suggest, interstate and cross-country moving are when you are relocating from one state and moving into another or those involving crossing state borders. However, not all long-haul moves usually cross state borders as they can exceed 400 miles but within the same state. 

Any other moves traveling fewer miles than 400 belong to the local or intrastate moves bracket. For example, a move can cover 100 miles, 50 miles, or even 200 miles. According to moving firms, such moves don’t qualify to be in the same category as long-distance moves.

What To Look for in a Long-Distance Moving Company?

Moving is one thing, and long-distance moving is another, as it often requires true grit. It doesn’t matter if you are long-distance moving for pleasure or work. You will want to hire the most competent long-distance moving company as it is vital for a smooth shift from one place to another. But do you know what is worth looking for in a long-distance mover? Continue reading to explore the following questions.

• Does the mover provide binding estimates?

Always go for a moving company that provides binding estimates to their clients. This should be the first thing to consider when determining which long-distance mover has the right attributes to make your long-distance move the best possible. If a long-distance mover’s estimates are not binding, you might be surprised at the moving firm increasing your fee at short notice, even on the moving day. Usually, when a long-distance moving firm gives you a written estimate, you should see the words “binding estimate” on it. If the written estimate doesn’t have the “binding estimate” words, don’t agree to hire that particular mover. 

• What are the moving firm’s coverage options?

It’s also recommended you check the moving company’s coverage options. Although an excellent moving company’s coverage might cost you extra dollars, most reputable long-distance moving companies provide fundamental liability coverage at no cost. Although basic liability coverage will not mean much if your household items disappear or break during transit, it acts as a great litmus test of a mover’s quality of services. So, if you encounter a long-distance moving company that doesn’t feature basic liability coverage, avoid it. 

• Does the mover incorporate online positive customer reviews?

What are people saying about the moving company you want to use for your long-distance move? The best way to explore other clients’ opinions on a mover’s services is to look for customer reviews on various online platforms. To find the most reliable long-distance mover, we would advise you to pay particular attention to what previous customers said about the mover’s punctuality and pricing. While you are likely to find a few bad reviews about any moving company, it doesn’t always mean that they are not reliable. If most online reviews are positive, praising the mover for their excellent services, it’s a potential indication you can trust them. A red flag is when most reviews are negative, meaning you should not use the moving firm’s services. 

How Much Does a Long-Distance Move Cost? What Factors Impact Quotes?

First, a long-distance move can take approximately ten to 14 days. Depending on several factors, you can now calculate what your long-distance move is likely to cost. Remember that shipment deliveries arrive in three days, three weeks, or even longer. In most cases, shipment deliveries depend on the time of the year and the degree of your moving services. Also, remember that ideally, a truck driver can only be legally behind the wheel up to 650 miles per day. 

Considering all that, a full-service long-distance move will usually cost you around $2,000. So, you can expect a long-distance move to cost you from as low as $1,250 to as high as $5,000, with most of these long-distance moves costing about $4,000. Add-on services, move distance, move type, and seasonality are some factors that may make this figure fluctuate, as discussed below in detail.

Factors Impacting Long-Distance Moving Quotes

Usually, more than one factor can affect the overall cost of a long-distance move, whether intrastate or interstate. And these factors are common among most long-distance moving companies when adjusting their quotes. 

Without wasting time, your long-distance moving package quote is likely to change depending on the following most common factors.

• Your original home’s location: The pick-up location is a vital element of a long-distance moving quote. Some long-distance movers will likely add some extra dollars to your moving quote if your original residence is quite far from the company’s headquarters. Additionally, the moving price will also be higher if the moving company realizes it might be harder to reach your original home’s location. 
• Your new home’s location: Equally, the drop-off location is an essential part of the moving quote. The moving firm is likely to raise the overall cost if it’s difficult to reach your new destination. For instance, if you are moving into a tight street where the moving truck won’t easily fit, your long-distance moving quote might include an extra fee. 
• Move time and date: The day and time of the moving matter as much as the date itself. The most well-known months for long-distance moving are spring to late summer, meaning movers will start imputing higher figures on their moving quotes as the moving demand skyrockets. Weekends and national holidays are also likely to see you pay more for your long-distance move. If you want to save, we recommend choosing a random weekday in the winter or fall. 
• Size and the overall move distance: The primary factors in moving quotes are the size and overall distance the move will cover. Take for example a three-bedroom home that features a living room, bathroom, and dining room. The size of such a home means more possessions, translating to a higher cost than a simple studio with one bathroom and small living space. 
• Labor costs: Usually, every state has different labor costs, so your moving quote will depend on the location of the moving company. This charge applies mainly to long-distance moves, internationally or cross-country, because short-distance moving quotes are primarily local. 
• Materials: Most long-distance movers also provide their clients with packing and unpacking materials as an extra charge on a standard moving quote. If you prefer a full-moving service, you will dig deeper into your pockets than if you were to provide your packing and unpacking services and materials.
• Storage fees: Storage fees don’t always apply to long-distance moving but are sometimes necessary. Sometimes the moving firm may have to hold onto your belongings before the final delivery date. In that case, your long-distance moving quote will feature some additional storage fees. So, you can avoid such ex