What Distance is Considered a Long-Distance Move?

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Moving companies group their services into categories like local, interstate, short, and long-distance moves. Each mover has a unique classification based on the services they provide. Long-distance moves often involve traveling many miles and sometimes include crossing state lines.

Distance is the key factor most movers use to determine whether the transit is long or short. Not every company you pull up from a “movers near me” search can provide long-distance relocations. Here’s an overview of what movers consider a long distance:

Non-local Moves & Distances

A local move is any relocation that doesn’t go beyond 50 miles. Most moving companies have a consensus about local moves remaining within 50 miles. If your transit involves more than 50 miles, the moving company can consider it long-distance, even if you relocate within the same state.

Relocations that start and end within the same states are classified as intrastate but not necessarily local. Intrastate moves can still involve traveling many miles from one end to another because some states are massive.

The primary determinant of long-distance moves is the number of miles traveled. If the distance involves crossing state lines, it becomes an interstate or out-of-state relocation. Most interstate moves are long distances unless you leave very close to the border and your destination is within 50 miles.

The move is still considered interstate but doesn’t involve all long-distance preparations. Interstate moves involving long-distance require extra-legal preparation and charges for the mileage and weight of your items.

Distances Beyond 400 Miles:

A relocation beyond 50 miles isn’t considered local, but some movers don’t charge it like long-distance travel. Reliable movers near me companies offer local, short-distance, long-distance, and cross-country moves.

Nearly all cross-country moves are long-distance, except for clients who live close to the borders. A long-distance move is any relocation involving several hundred miles.

The distance requires more fuel and road knowledge. You also need a large truck to move all items in one trip.

Long-distance travels beyond 400 miles often involve crossing state lines. States have different labor laws, so expect a rise or drop in relocation fees. Companies that provide long-distance moves have a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration license and enough insurance to protect client belongings.

Distances beyond a few hundred miles are priced based on the miles, fuels used, weight, and the number of belongings. This threshold isn’t an industry standard, meaning individual moving companies can determine what they consider long-distance.

Interstate & Cross-country Moves:

Moves that involve traveling to a different state or county generally fall under long-distance relocations. This is because moving from one state/country to another involves more paperwork, legal requirements, and preparations.

Sometimes moving to a different state doesn’t involve traveling hundreds of miles. In such cases, the mover will likely charge based on fuel used and the mileage traveled. The mover may feature a quotation for long-distance travel if the distance involves hundreds of miles.

Quotes for long-distance moves are pricier than those for shorter distances. Some movers also charge per hour, although issues such as travel, vehicle condition, and weather can affect how fast you relocate. Cross-country moves are expected to involve long distances and regulation differences.

For this reason, interstate and cross-country moves cost more than intrastate and short-distance relocations. Some movers specialize in short-distance and local moves, which is another way to say they don’t handle long-distance relocations. If you’re planning to relocate, you can check out apartments for rent in mesa az.

Key Takeaways About Long Distance Moves:

A long-distance move is precisely what the name suggests, a relocation involving traveling long distances. The actual mileage between the two locations is the main determining factor, but luggage amount and weight are just as influential.

Some items are large and take up a lot of space, so you’ll need more trucks or a larger one that might consume more fuel. Other items are too heavy, and only a few can be safely transported using a specific truck.

If your relocation involves multiple trips, the travel distance will increase. Movers charge more for longer distances because they spend more on fuel and labor.

The risks also increase when traveling hundreds of miles. Since mileage is a strong indicator of a vehicle’s value, any transit with more mileage will incur extra fees to cover the wear and tear on the truck. You can ask the mover whether they consider your relocation long or short distance.

Finding the Best Movers Near Me:

Typing “movers near me” online is one of the easy ways to pull up a list of local and national movers. Some movers specialize in small families and businesses, while others can handle all types of relocations.

When looking for moving services, determine the company’s focus, so you can find movers that meet your needs. Leading movers can complete all kinds of relocations, including local, interstate, and cross-country.