Estimate my move

How Much Does a Long-Distance Move Cost?

How to build a long-distance move budget from written transport quotes, shipment scope, travel and potential storage costs.

MoveDayPlan Editorial Updated

How it is priced

Weight × distance

are important quote factors, alongside service scope and the applicable tariff; this guide does not present a fabricated national price average

An unbranded moving truck travels along a rural road between wooded hills.

Moves between states are priced differently from local moves. Ask whether the carrier bases your quote on weight, volume, reserved space or another stated tariff method, and which packing, valuation and access services are included. Distance is a pricing factor, not a universal dollars-per-pound-mile formula. That is why prices vary so much: a one-bedroom apartment a few hundred miles away and a family home across the country are both long-distance moves.

What changes the price

Long-distance price factors
FactorWhat to ask the mover
Weight or volume of the shipment Is the price based on weight or cubic feet, and how is it measured?
Distance What is the delivery window for this route?
Season and date Is there a summer or end-of-month surcharge?
Packing and materials What does full or partial packing cost, and are materials included?
Access at both ends Are stairs, long carries or a shuttle truck charged separately?
Valuation coverage What is included and what does full value protection cost?
Storage in transit What does it cost if my new home is not ready?

Estimates and your rights

Interstate movers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a USDOT number you can look up. They give either a binding estimate, which guarantees the price for the items and services listed, or a non-binding estimate, which is only their expectation based on actual weight and services; the general non-binding delivery-payment threshold is 110% of the estimate, with exceptions for additional services requested after the contract and qualifying impracticable operations. This is not a cap on the final bill; other charges are deferred under the applicable rules. Read the linked delivery-payment guide for the exceptions and timing. Federal rules require movers to offer two kinds of liability coverage: full value protection and released value, which covers no more than 60 cents per pound per article, so ask about full value protection for valuable items. A mover must give you the FMCSA booklet «Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move» with its written estimate.

Ways to move long-distance

  1. Full-service movers Confirm whether the agreed service includes packing, loading, transport and unloading, then compare its complete quote.
  2. Portable container You arrange packing and loading and the provider transports the container; add any hired labor and storage to its quote.
  3. Rental truck You arrange the vehicle, packing, loading and driving; add fuel, lodging, tolls, equipment and any hired help.

Frequently asked questions

When is the cheapest time to move long-distance?

Ask for comparable written quotes on dates that work for your inventory and access. Include household travel and extra housing costs before deciding which date is cheaper.

How many moving quotes should I get?

At least three written quotes from licensed movers, ideally after an in-home survey of your belongings. Quotes given over the phone or online without seeing your things are the ones most likely to change on moving day.

Sources checked October 22, 2026. Provider specifications apply only to the equipment described. Model defaults and allowances are planning assumptions, not measured inventory or market prices.

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