Home / Long-distance moving
Long-distance moving
Long-distance moving, from first call to last box
When hundreds of miles separate two homes, timing, route and crew availability matter more than anything else. Here is how to plan for it.
What counts as long-distance
There is no legal definition. Many movers treat anything over about 400 miles as long-distance, and the term mostly signals that the move will take days, not hours. It is a question of distance, not of state lines.
That makes it different from state-to-state moving, which is about crossing a border. Atlanta to Boston is both. Houston to El Paso is long-distance but stays in Texas, so state rules apply. A short drive from Kansas City, Missouri to Kansas City, Kansas is interstate but nobody would call it long-distance.
A realistic planning timeline
Eight to ten weeks out
Choose your date and request quotes. Peak dates fill early, so settle your route and date first.
Four to six weeks out
Confirm your mover in writing. Start using up the pantry, and sort what you will take, sell or donate.
Two weeks out
Pack the rooms you use least. Arrange parking and elevator time at both addresses.
Moving week
Pack the essentials box, keep valuables and documents with you, and be ready for the crew when they arrive.
What drives the price
- The weight or volume of what you are moving
- The distance between the two addresses
- The season, with May through September and month-ends costing more
- Stairs, long carries or a shuttle when a large truck cannot reach the door
- Extras such as packing, crating or storage
- The level of liability coverage you choose
Time on the road
A cross-country load spends several days in transit. Pickup is set for a specific day, and delivery is agreed as a window that reflects the distance and the route. Because ours are direct moves, nothing about that window depends on another customer's stops.
Things that cannot ride on the truck
Movers will not carry flammables, propane tanks, cleaning chemicals, fireworks or perishable food. Keep important papers, medication, jewelry and anything you cannot replace with you.
The short version
Four steps from date to door
Pick your date
Choose your route and move date. It takes under a minute.
Get your code
Your move code links your route and date to our trusted network.
Get matched
Share a few details. We match you with a vetted company for a direct move.
Move day
One crew loads your belongings and drives them straight to your new home.
Long-distance questions
Quick answers
How far ahead should I book a long-distance move?
Eight weeks is comfortable. In summer or at the end of the month, earlier is better. Short notice is possible, but you will have less choice of dates.
Should I pack myself or have the crew pack?
Either works. Packing yourself costs less, while crew packing is faster and usually comes with better coverage for what is inside the boxes. Ask how your mover treats self-packed boxes before you decide.
Can I get my things earlier if I arrive first?
Delivery follows the window you agreed on. Share your arrival date when you request a quote so the window can be built around it.
Planning a long move?
Start with your date. It takes under a minute.