Finding the Best Long Distance Moving Company

As you start to look at everything necessary for a long-distance move, it’s likely that you’ll end up deciding to use a long distance moving company to take care of everything that you’re trying to get done. And that’s a perfect option when you want to be sure that you’ve got everything in order.

But, how do you know that you’ve got the best long distance movers to help you out? What do you need to know about long distance moves and how can you be sure to budget properly for one? These are big questions, and our team at Moving Relo wants to help you figure out solutions that work for your purposes.

How much does it cost for long distance movers?

The average cost of a long-distance move is somewhere around $6000, depending on a variety of factors. Here’s a quick list of some of the things that may be included in your estimate for hiring long distance movers.

  • The distance – many moving companies will put together an estimate based on how far they are going to need to drive.
  • The number of bedrooms or the weight of the items that you’re going to be taking with you.
  • Any sorts of travel fees – gas, tolls, and other such things.
  • Any storage fees that may be applicable.
  • Packing and unpacking costs, if you request them.
  • Any supplies that you may need to purchase from the long distance moving company that you’re working with.
  • Add-ons for your move, including white glove services, disassembly and reassembly, mattress bags, and other things that will make the move simpler.
  • When you move – moving during the week is cheaper than moving on the weekend; moving in the middle of the month is cheaper than moving at the beginning or end.
  • Insurance costs for liability and valuation.

Other costs may apply, but these are some of the most common ones that you will come across during your long distance moving journey.

What is the best way to move long distance?

There are many, many options out there when you’re looking at your long distance move. Some of them are definitely more efficient than others.

  • Hire long distance movers. Companies like ours can help you with all of the logistics and ensure that things go as smoothly as possible.
  • Portable moving containers, which are containers you load on your own and then get picked up and moved to your new place.
  • Rent a moving truck or moving van and load it up on your own.
  • Utilize freight or other type of shipping service – this is especially helpful if you’re sending items overseas.

There are other creative ways that you can move, as well – it all depends on your budget and how much you want to do or are able to do.

Who are the best moving companies?

As you start looking at long distance moving companies, you want to be sure to look for a number of different traits. Here is a quick list of what we think are the most important things that a long distance moving company needs in order to provide you with the best service.

  1. Professionalism: You want to work with movers that are professional and that know their stuff.
  2. Punctuality: Being on time is essential when you want to be sure that a move goes as smoothly as it possibly can.
  3. Attention to detail: Packing/unpacking and loading/unloading your personal belongings can be something that takes a lot of attention to detail, and movers absolutely must have attention to detail.
  4. Great at communication: It’s frustrating to not get calls back or to be left out of the loop during the planning process, so you want to be sure that your movers are good at communicating with you.
  5. Offers a variety of services and options: Everyone has different needs when they’re getting ready for a long-distance move, and having all sorts of services and add-ons available can ensure that your move goes the way that you want it to go.
  6. Fair prices: You get what you pay for, and paying rock-bottom prices isn’t always the best thing, because you aren’t necessarily going to get the best services if you work with the lowest bidder. So, you want to look for fair, affordable prices that you can fit within your budget.
  7. Proper licensure: There are specific types of laws for every state regarding licensure of moving companies. And, their trucks have to be licensed with the Department of Transportation on the Federal Level. The moving company needs to be insured and bonded, as well.
  8. Certifications: You also want to look for certification from the American Moving & Storage Association. They offer several certification options: Certified Moving Consultants (CMC’s), Certified Packers/Loaders (CPL’s), Certified Office and Industrial Consultants (COIC’s), and Registered International Movers (RIM’s).
  9. Trustworthy: These individuals will be moving a lot of your stuff – and some of that stuff has monetary and/or sentimental value to you and your family. Because of that, you want to be certain that you can trust the movers that you’re working with.
  10. Great recommendations and reviews: The internet is such a great place with lots of resources. And, many people are completely willing to be 100% honest about their experiences with different movers. So, look at their reviews on various websites and you’ll see whether or not people are recommending their services.

Many times, you can look around on the web and find out relevant, helpful information that can help to point you in the right direction for movers. You can also ask family and friends to see if they have any companies that they recommend for you to work with.

How much does it cost for long distance movers?

Long distance moves are going to vary in cost based on a variety of factors, which we discussed earlier in this article. With all of those considerations in mind, the average cost of hiring a moving company for your move is around $5500. This is based on a 2 to 3 bedroom home with 7,000 or less pounds worth of items, over 1,000 miles of travel.

If you’re traveling a shorter distance or you have fewer items to move (especially if you have fewer pieces of furniture and appliances to move), then you may see your costs at around $3000 or even less. This also depends on the company you work with and how long it’ll take to get things done. 

What is the cheapest way to move long distance?

The cheapest option for a long distance move is to do it yourself. Whether you use a portable moving container or you ship your items via a freight option; it could end up saving you money in the long run. It still may cost a couple thousand dollars to make it happen, but it’ll be a little cheaper for you than some of the other options that we’ve listed here.

But, it does come with some concerns. You may have to talk to your homeowners’ insurance or rental insurance company to get additional coverage for your move. You will also need to pay any and all rental fees, and you’ll likely have to ask family and friends to come and help you with the moving process. So, while it may cost you less money, it will cost you a lot more time and give you much more stress to try and do it on your own.

What is considered a long distance move?

Your moving company is going to be the one that defines exactly what a long distance move is to them. But, for most companies, it’s considered to be a move that is 100 miles or more from your starting location. Other companies may consider a long distance move one that goes across state lines, and that anything “in state” has a different name. And even others may have a longer distance (200, 300, or even 400 miles). They usually make this information readily available, so ask them or explore their website.

If you’re looking for the most reliable long distance moving company out there, then Moving Relo is here to help you. We can provide you with quotes and whatever information that you need in order to sort out all of the details necessary for your move to go well. Contact us today and we can get started with the process.