Long-distance moving guide

How to get multiple quotes for a cross-country move

Get three quotes from movers who have each seen your inventory, in person or on a video walkthrough. Ask every one for a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate, check their USDOT number on the FMCSA website, and compare the delivery window and liability coverage, not just the price. For a 2 or 3 bedroom home going 1,000+ miles, fair quotes in 2026 land between $3,500 and $7,500.

Step 1: Write one inventory, and give it to everyone

The number one reason long-distance quotes look wildly different is that each mover priced a different move. One heard "3 bedrooms," another counted your garage, a third didn't know about the piano. Before you call anyone, walk through your home and list the big pieces room by room, plus a rough box count. Then hand that same list to every mover.

This also tells you what you shouldn't ship. Long-distance pricing is driven by weight and space on the truck, so a $60 bookcase can cost more to move 1,500 miles than to replace. Anything you'd hesitate to buy again is a candidate to sell before the walkthrough.

Step 2: Insist on a walkthrough

A legitimate long-distance mover wants to see your stuff before putting a price on it, either at your home or over a 15-minute video call where you point your phone around each room. A quote given over the phone from a bedroom count alone is a guess, and guesses get corrected on delivery day, usually upward.

Step 3: Ask what kind of estimate it is

This one question separates honest quotes from low ones. There are three kinds:

Estimate type	What you pay	Risk to you
Binding not-to-exceed	The estimate or less, if the shipment comes in lighter	Lowest
Binding	Exactly the estimate for the listed inventory	Low
Non-binding	Based on actual weight; up to 110% due at delivery, any balance billed after	Highest

The 110% cap on non-binding estimates comes from federal moving rules. Interstate movers must also give you the FMCSA booklet "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move."

Step 4: Verify the company, not the website

Anyone can build a nice website. Not everyone has a USDOT number. Every mover that crosses state lines must be registered with the FMCSA, and you can look the number up for free to see whether the company is active, whether it's a mover or a broker, and how many complaints it has. Make sure the name on your quote matches the name on the registration.

While you're there, ask the question brokers hate: will your own trucks and your own crew handle my move? A broker sells the job and passes it to whichever carrier takes it. That's legal, but it means the company you vetted isn't the company that shows up.

Step 5: Compare the whole quote, side by side

Once you have three written quotes on the same inventory, line them up on these five points:

Total price and estimate type. A binding $4,800 beats a non-binding $4,100 that can grow.
What's included. Fuel, tolls, stairs, long carries, disassembly, and packing materials. Anything missing becomes a line item later.
Delivery window, in writing. "4 to 7 days" is honest. "We'll call you" isn't a window.
Dedicated or shared truck. Shared (consolidated) shipping is often 20% to 30% cheaper with a wider window. Fine, as long as you know which one you're buying.
Liability coverage. The federal minimum is released value at 60 cents per pound per item, so a 10 lb laptop is "covered" for $6. Ask the price of full-value protection.

Red flags that lead to surprise bills

A price given without anyone seeing your inventory
A quote 30% or more below every other one
A large cash deposit required before the move
No physical address, or a company name that doesn't match its USDOT registration
Pressure to sign today "before the price goes up"
Refusal to put the estimate type and delivery window in writing

Where we fit

We do the walkthrough on video or in person, quote a flat all-in price based on your inventory and distance, and put the delivery window in writing. Our own crew loads and delivers. Get our number, then hold it next to the other two. That's exactly how it should work. See our long-distance moving service for current price ranges, or run the instant calculator for a ballpark first.

Quote questions

Comparing Long-Distance Quotes: FAQ

How many moving quotes should I get for a long-distance move?

Three is the sweet spot. One quote gives you nothing to compare, and past four or five you spend more time on walkthroughs than you save. Three quotes on the same inventory are enough to spot an outlier, in either direction.

What is the difference between a binding and a non-binding moving estimate?

A binding estimate is a fixed price for the inventory listed, so you pay that number even if the shipment weighs more. A non-binding estimate is a guess; the final bill depends on actual weight. Under federal rules, on a non-binding estimate the mover can't make you pay more than 110% of the estimate at delivery, with any remainder billed later. A binding not-to-exceed estimate is the best of both: you pay the estimate or less, never more.

How do I check if a long-distance mover is legitimate?

Every mover that crosses state lines needs a USDOT number. Search it for free on the FMCSA website to confirm the company is registered, see its complaint history, and check whether it's a mover or a broker. Then read recent reviews on Google and the BBB, and make sure the company name on the quote matches the name on the registration.

Is a moving broker the same as a moving company?

No. A broker sells your move and hands it to a carrier, often one you've never heard of, while a moving company owns the trucks and employs the crew. Brokers are legal, but they must say they're a broker, and the quote you get from one is only as good as the carrier who ends up taking the job. Ask directly: will your trucks and your people do my move?

Why is one long-distance moving quote so much cheaper than the others?

Usually because nobody looked at your stuff. A quote given over the phone without a walkthrough can be low on paper and much higher at delivery, once the real weight shows up. If one quote is 30% or more below the rest, ask how they measured your inventory and whether the price is binding. If the answer is vague, so is the price.

Make us one of your three quotes

Tell us where you're headed. We'll set up a quick video walkthrough and send a flat, all-in written price with a delivery window you can compare against anyone.

✓ Priced from your real inventory
✓ Fuel, tolls, and delivery in one number
✓ Our own trucks and crew