How to Choose a Long-Distance Moving Company

A long-distance move asks you to place a lot of trust in people you may have met only once. They will handle your furniture, electronics, family keepsakes, and almost everything else you own. That is why the cheapest quote should never be the only reason you choose a mover.

The risk is real. In its 2025 Operation Protect Your Move report, the FMCSA said it investigated 62 cases, handled 380 household-goods complaints, including 128 cases where belongings were held hostage, and found 665 safety and business violations.

Reliable movers usually leave a clear trail. Their identity can be verified, their estimates make sense, their paperwork is complete, and their representatives answer detailed questions without pressure.

“So, do not choose the company that makes the biggest promise. Choose the one that gives you the clearest proof.”

Here is how to choose a long distance moving company, step by step.

Step 1: Define Your Move Before Comparing Movers

Write down the details of your relocation before requesting quotes. This keeps every estimate based on the same information.

Include:

• Your current and future ZIP codes
• Preferred pickup date and flexibility
• Home size and rough inventory
• Heavy or fragile items
• Packing, storage, or vehicle-shipping needs
• Stairs, elevators, gates, or limited truck access

Set a budget you can afford, but keep some extra money aside for services that may not be included in the advertised price. Many long-distance moves cost between $2,184 and $9,742, while larger interstate moves can cost more than $10,000.

Step 2: Build a Shortlist of at Least Three Companies

Do not book the first mover that answers the phone. Start with three to five companies that serve your route and offer the services you need.

A comparison resource such as My Good Movers can help you find interstate movers, review customer feedback, and compare basic company information in one place.

You can also compare these Best Long Distance Moving Companies to give yourself a starting line.

Your shortlist movers should have these things:

• Handle interstate moves regularly
• Provide a USDOT number
• Maintain traceable contact details
• Offer the services your move requires
• Are willing to inspect your shipment before quoting

Step 3: Find Out Whether It Is a Mover or a Broker

A carrier transports your belongings. A broker arranges the move and assigns it to a carrier.

A broker can be legitimate, but it does not physically transport your shipment. FMCSA requires both interstate movers and brokers to be registered.

Brokers must also disclose their role, provide a list of the movers they use, and work with registered carriers.

Ask these questions:

• “Are you the company that will transport my shipment?”
• “Will another carrier handle any part of the move?”
• “What is the carrier’s legal name and USDOT number?”
• “Will the carrier accept this estimate in writing?”

Note: There is nothing wrong with using a broker when the arrangement is transparent. The problem begins when you believe you hired a moving company, but later discover that your shipment has been assigned to an unfamiliar carrier.

Step 4: Verify the Company Independently

When verifying a moving company, use FMCSA’s registered mover database. Search by USDOT number, then compare the federal record with the company’s website, estimate, emails, and contract.

Detail	What should match
Legal and trade names	Website and written documents
USDOT and MC numbers	Federal record and estimate
Address and phone	Contact details used by the representative
Business role	Carrier or broker
Authority status	Service being offered
Complaints	No unexplained pattern of serious issues

FMCSA’s search tool can show registration status, headquarters information, authority type, complaints, and sometimes a safety rating.

Step 5: Request Three Detailed Written Estimates

Never accept a final quote based only on a phone call or bedroom count. Two three-bedroom homes can contain very different amounts of furniture.

Ask each mover to inspect the shipment in person or through a thorough video survey. Use the same inventory for every quote.

Then compare the estimate type, included services, exclusions, payment terms, and possible extra fees.

Estimate type	Meaning	Main caution
Binding	Fixed price for listed items and services	Added items can require a revision
Non-binding	Final cost depends on actual weight and services	The final bill may be higher
Binding-not-to-exceed	Cost may fall, but should not exceed the stated ceiling for listed services	Confirm the wording in writing

For a non-binding estimate, the mover usually delivers your belongings once you pay up to 110% of the estimated cost. Extra charges may still apply for added services or access problems.

For example, if the estimate is $5,000, the base payment at delivery would be up to $5,500.

A written estimate should clearly describe the shipment and the services being provided. If the mover says, “We will add that later,” ask for the change before signing.

Step 6: Calculate the Complete Cost

A quote may look affordable because likely charges are missing. Check for:

• Packing materials and labor
• Stair and elevator fees
• Long-carry charges
• Shuttle service
• Storage-in-transit
• Bulky-item handling
• Extra pickup or delivery stops
• Valuation coverage
• Cancellation or rescheduling fees

A Moving Cost Calculator can help you create an early budget based on the route and move size. Use it as a planning benchmark, then rely on the detailed written estimate after the mover has reviewed your inventory

For example, Company A charges $4,800 but does not include packing or shuttle service. Company B charges $5,250 and includes both. If Company A adds $900 for those services, its total cost becomes higher than Company B’s.

Ask each company to show you what is included, what is optional, and what could be charged later.

Step 7: Read Reviews for Patterns

When checking long-distance moving company reviews, do not focus only on the average star rating. Read recent feedback and look for repeated comments about:

• Final price compared with the estimate
• Pickup and delivery timing
• Damage or missing items
• Carrier substitutions
• Communication after the deposit
• Claims handling
• Unexpected storage or access charges

Several complaints about prices going up after loading are more serious than one complaint about a late phone call. Check public reviews, compare them with FMCSA complaint records, and see how the company responds to customer concerns.

Step 8: Ask Direct Questions Before Paying

Prepare your questions to ask a long-distance moving company before the call:

1. Are you a carrier or broker?
2. Is the estimate binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed?
3. Which services are excluded?
4. What could change the price?
5. Is the deposit refundable?
6. What are the pickup and delivery windows?
7. Who will be my contact after pickup?
8. What protection options are available?
9. How does the claims process work?
10. What happens if the truck cannot park near the property?

Listen to the quality of each answer. “Do not worry about it” is not an explanation. A reliable representative should point to the relevant part of the estimate or contract.

“The way a company handles difficult questions before booking predicts how it will communicate after pickup.”

Step 9: Understand What “Protection” Means

Many people hear the word “insured” and assume every damaged item will be replaced at its retail value. That is not always how protection for an interstate move works.

Interstate movers must offer two types of protection: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. Released Value is free, but the mover is only responsible for 60 cents per pound for each item.

For example, if a 25-pound television is lost or damaged, the mover may only have to pay $15.

Ask about:

• The cost of Full Value Protection
• Any deductible
• High-value-item declarations
• Rules for self-packed boxes
• Evidence required for a claim
• Claim-filing deadlines

Step 10: Watch for Warning Signs

Most moving company red flags appear before moving day. Slow down when a company:

• Refuses to provide a USDOT or MC number
• Gives a low quote without inspecting the shipment
• Uses a name that does not match federal records
• Hides whether it is a carrier or broker
• Demands a large or immediate deposit
• Requests an untraceable payment method
• Sends blank or incomplete documents
• Pressures you to sign
• Cannot explain possible extra charges
• Has no verifiable address

Make the Final Decision With a Scorecard

Compare the finalists using the same standards:

Decision factor	Suggested weight
Registration and authority	25%
Estimate clarity	20%
Reviews and complaint patterns	15%
Communication	15%
Interstate experience	10%
Protection and claims terms	10%
Price	5%

Before signing, make sure the estimate, order for service, and bill of lading show the correct company name, shipment details, services, payment terms, and protection level.

Interstate movers and brokers must also provide FMCSA’s “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet and the “Ready to Move” brochure. These documents explain the paperwork you may be asked to sign and your rights if belongings are lost or damaged.

FAQs

How do I know whether a long-distance moving company is legitimate?

Check the company’s USDOT number in FMCSA’s mover database. Confirm that its registered name, address, contact details, operating authority, and business type match the information on your estimate.

How many moving estimates should I get?

Get at least three written estimates based on the same inventory and services. This makes it easier to compare prices, identify missing charges, and recognize quotes that are unusually low.

What is the difference between a moving carrier and a broker?

A carrier physically transports your belongings, while a broker arranges the move with another company. Both must be federally registered for interstate moves.

Should I pay a deposit to a long-distance moving company?

A reasonable deposit may be required, but be cautious of companies demanding a large upfront payment or pressuring you to pay immediately.

What are the biggest warning signs of an unreliable moving company?

Common warning signs include missing registration details, estimates without an inspection, incomplete documents, unusually low quotes, unclear broker status, large deposit demands, and pressure to sign quickly.