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Moving long distances is common in the US. In fact, an average of 40 million people move home every year, with 80% of moves happening between April and September (source). Hiring a long distance mover can make your journey to a fresh start significantly quicker and easier. But finding the best long distance moving services shouldn’t be left to chance.
Keep reading to compare quotes from the best long distance moving companies and learn more about how much it costs to hire professional movers.
Here are the top three things to look for when finding the best long distance movers near you.
All legitimate long distance moving services must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This license enables the company to legally transport possessions across state lines.
When you pay for services from a company without this license, you won’t be able to make a claim if something goes wrong or the service is not delivered.
Check a company is licensed via the FMCSA moving company checker. You’ll need to know the moving company name and its US DOT number to perform the checks.
Alongside maintaining the right license, every long distance moving company must be insured. Under federal motor carrier safety law, there are two types of insurance protection you will be offered:
The best long distance moving companies must offer both types of protection for you to choose from. Naturally, full-value protection costs more than released value. In addition to the standard protections offered, you can take out your own insurance from a third party.
Customer reviews are one of the most important factors to consider when deciding who the best long distance movers are for you. Use caution when reading reviews posted on the company website, as these could be solicited.
Instead, always check Yelp or Google reviews to read unsolicited reviews about services the company has delivered to real people.
As additional research, you can also review previous official complaints made against the company. Contact your local Better Business Bureau and Consumer Protection Agency to learn more about the complaints made against a long distance moving company near you.
Related article: 7 SHOCKING Moving Company Scams & How to Spot Them
The cost of moving cross country depends on various factors, including how far you need to travel, what possessions you have, and the time of year it is.
It will also depend on whether you want the “basic” package or if you upgrade to various extras, like packing services or appliance reconnection in your new home. The average cost of moving cross country is between $2,000-$9,000 when you pay for a full-service moving company.
The table below summarises how much it costs to move cross country.
| Property Size | Details |
| Vehicle Type | Moving companies will generally offer their standard vehicles to move your possessions. The more items you have and/or the heavier they are, the larger the vehicle you’ll need to hire. |
| Distance | The further the distance, the higher the cost will be. This is to account for stopovers, gas, and the additional time it takes the movers to transport your possessions. |
| Weight | Estimate weights can be provided for the type of property you own. The best cross country movers will undertake a home evaluation before giving a final estimate. Heavier items may require additional movers and/or larger vehicles. |
| Insurance | You can choose between two types of mover’s insurance: full or released value. Released value (which provides proportionate reimbursement for lost/damaged items) is offered as a standard, but you can pay extra for full value insurance (which pays the full cost of lost/damaged items). |
| Season | Peak season moves are more expensive than non-peak. In the US, peak season is usually between April-September and non-peak between October-March. |
Get a FREE quote in minutes from the best cross country movers near you to determine how much your move will cost.
Top rated cross country moving companies offer additional services you can purchase on top of the standard moving service. Prices vary depending on what you need and can range from as little as $50 extra to thousands.
The most common extras offered for cross country movers include:
Related article: How to Prepare for a Long Distance Move
Put simply, moving companies are registered and licensed to move the contents of your home from one state to another. Working with a moving company should make your relocation significantly easier, especially if you use their additional services.
Generally, moving companies are based in either the state you’re in, the state you’re moving to, or a nearby state. To find the best cross country movers near you, use our moving price calculator. This will only show you the cross country moving companies that work in your chosen areas.
The best long distance movers will visit your home and complete a survey before giving you an exact quote. During the survey, the movers evaluate the contents of your home and the weight of the items to give you a final price.
Related article: Top 5 Safety Tips for Moving Long Distances
Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about moving cross country.
It’s best to book your cross country movers as early as possible. When you book early, you can end up with a better quote, as prices can change if a moving date becomes popular. The cheapest cross country movers also get booked up quickly, so you could miss out on a good deal by booking late.
As a general guide, you should book your cross country movers at least two months before your moving date. If you’re moving during a busy period, like during summer or spring break, it’s best to book 3 months in advance.
When booking cross country movers well in advance, choose a company with flexible booking policies. Moving house doesn’t always happen on schedule, so it’s best to choose a company that lets you adjust your moving date if things change.
Related article: Moving a Long Distance? A Checklist for Moving Day
Moving from one state to another, or a distance over 400 miles away, is generally considered a long distance move. Most cross country movers won’t consider moving between states a “long distance move”, but they may do if it’s a considerable distance. When moving long distances in the same state, it’s a good idea to get a quote from both local and cross country movers to determine the best price for you.
Related article: An Infographic Guide to Choosing the Best Moving Company
How long it takes to move across country varies depending on how you need to travel. Most long distance moves can be completed in 2-5 days by a long distance moving company. When you get a quote for a cross country move, the company will advise how long the move will take.
It’s important to plan your move carefully, especially if the moving company predicts several days or weeks to move your possessions. You can arrive at your new house much earlier than your moving van, so you’ll need to carry the essentials with you (e.g., clothes toiletries, etc.).
Related article: How to Speed Up Your Interstate Move
The cheapest option for you depends on how far you’re traveling and what items you need to transport. Sometimes, renting a moving container or truck yourself can be the cheapest option.
Rental trucks are available at a cost of $130-$2,000 for a couple of days hire, plus the cost of gas. However, be mindful of the other implications of hiring a truck and moving yourself cross country.
For example, you’ll need to load the truck yourself (enlisting the help of friends/family) and unload heavy appliances at the other end. You’ll also need to drop the vehicle back off in your previous state once you’ve moved, which can be a time-consuming inconvenience.
Other ways to save money when moving cross country involve packing everything yourself, downsizing your stuff so you have less to transport, and choosing a cheaper moving date.
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