How to Choose Long Distance Movers
Picking a long-distance mover is mostly verification: confirm the company is licensed with FMCSA, learn whether you are talking to a broker or the carrier itself, get a written binding estimate after a survey, and choose valuation coverage before the truck is loaded.
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Vetting checklist
- USDOT number
- Every interstate household-goods mover must display one; look it up on FMCSA's company search.
- MC operating authority
- For-hire movers also need MC authority; check that its status is active, not revoked or pending.
- Complaint history
- FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database records complaints against the USDOT number.
- Broker or carrier
- Ask who owns the trucks. A broker must say so in writing and name the carrier doing the move.
- Binding estimate
- A binding or binding-not-to-exceed estimate caps the bill; a non-binding one can still rise up to 110% at delivery.
- Valuation coverage
- Released value pays about 60 cents per pound per item; full value protection costs more but repairs or replaces.
- Red flags
- Large cash deposits, phone-only estimates, no physical address and unsigned or blank paperwork.
Cost reference: 3-bedroom by distance band
| Band | Example distance | 3-bedroom |
|---|---|---|
| short interstate move | 300 miles | $2,800–$3,700 |
| medium-haul move | 800 miles | $4,050–$5,350 |
| long-haul move | 1,500 miles | $6,000–$8,000 |
| cross-country move | 2,500 miles | $7,850–$10,450 |
Common questions
How do I choose a long distance moving company?
Shortlist companies with an active USDOT number and MC authority, get at least three written estimates after a survey, compare the valuation coverage each offers, and read the FMCSA complaint record before you sign.
What is the difference between a moving broker and a carrier?
A carrier owns the trucks and moves your goods; a broker sells the job to a carrier. Brokers must disclose that they are brokers and name the carrier, and only the carrier's estimate binds the price.
What are the red flags when hiring long distance movers?
A large cash deposit before moving day, an estimate given over the phone without a survey, no USDOT number on the website or truck, and a blank or incomplete bill of lading.
Any long distance moving tips for the week of the move?
Photograph high-value items, keep your inventory list and bill of lading with you rather than on the truck, and be present at delivery to note damage before signing.