When it comes to home relocations, there are many questions that come up. One of the most frequent is “what is a long distance move?” There are a variety of criteria that contribute to what defines a long distance relocation. It may be a matter of distance, whether you’re crossing state lines, or even it could come down to the moving company you use. Long distance moves tend to be a little more complicated as compared to local moves and require a bit more planning and money.
At Chamomile Go we help our customers with relocation services across California and the country. Whether it’s just a few hundred miles or on the opposite side of the country, it’s important to know what qualifies as a long distance move.
What Qualifies as a Long Distance Move?
One of the most common things people ask is “how far is considered a long distance move”. While this can be subjective based on the company, there are some general guidelines that most companies follow.
Local Move
What qualifies as a local move is usually:
- Within the same city or surrounding areas
- Under 50-100 miles away
- Able to be completed on the same day
Intrastate
Intrastate moves are usually:
- Within the state
- Over 100 miles away
- No crossing of state lines
Long-Distance or Interstate
What qualifies for a long-distance or interstate move is:
- When moving across state lines, regardless of distance
- Over 400 miles away
Or
- When the trip requires overnighting or multiple days
Most of the time, what qualifies as a long distance move is either crossing state lines or driving several hundred miles.
How Far Is Considered a Long Distance Move
One of the things homeowners tend to ask the most is “how far is a long distance move?”
Most professional movers consider:
- 100 miles or under as a local move,
- between 100-400 as a long intrastate move (depending on the company),
- over 400 as a long-distance move,
and anything across state lines as an interstate move.
Since every company has different criteria it’s good to ask how they consider moves beforehand when getting quotes.
You may read Long Distance Moving Tips?
What’s the Average Distance for a Long Distance Move?
Depending on where you’re moving, the average distance for a long distance move will vary. Below is a short list showing some city pairs with their driving distances:
- Los Angeles to San Francisco – 380 miles
- Denver to Dallas – 800 miles
- Chicago to Miami – 1,400 miles
- New York to Los Angeles – 2,800 miles
On average, long distance moves can vary anywhere from 400 to 3000 miles with delivery dates ranging from 2-7 days depending on the distance, time of year, weather, planning, hauling logistics, etc.
What Affects Long-Distance Moving Costs?
Distance is only one of the aspects that affect how much your move will cost. There are several other considerations when budgeting for a long distance move.
Distance Traveled
The further you move, the more it will generally cost due to increased fuel and labor needed to transport your goods
Weight of the Shipment
The further distance you move also depends on the weight of your shipment. Movers usually base their costs off the weight or square footage of the items being moved.
Moving Services
Paying for extra services like packing, disassembly, storage, furniture assembly, unpacking, and others can add up but also make the process a lot easier
Time of year
Summer is the peak season for relocations, so it’s best to plan your long distance move in the off-season if you want to save money
Accessibility
If the apartment or house you’re moving to or from has stairs, requires extra equipment, has poor parking, or other hardships, it could affect the price.
Insurance
For long distance moves, it’s best to have extra coverage or shipping insurance to ensure valuables get to their destination safely
Long Distance Moving Checklist
One of the most crucial things you can do is plan ahead for your relocation. Below is a helpful long distance moving checklist to guide you to an easy transition.
8–12 Weeks Prior to Moving
- Pick a moving date
- Research local movers and get quotes
- Create a moving budget
6–8 Weeks Prior to Moving
- Declutter unnecessary things
- Donate or sell what you don’t need
- Buy packing supplies
- Create a home inventory
4 Weeks Prior to Moving
- Book movers
- Start packing non-essentials
- Notify utility companies
- Change your address
1 Week Prior to Moving
- Pack an essentials bag
- Label everything
- Confirm your moving date
- Keep valuables and papers separated
Move Day
- Give the movers a tour of your home
- Check all rooms before departure
- Bring medications, chargers, and important documents with you
- Be present for the movers to answer any questions
Using a long distance moving checklist can make it a lot easier for you to stay on track and avoid last-minute mishaps.
Tips for Planning a Long-Distance Move
As you can see, planning plays a huge role in making your move run smoothly. Here are a few helpful tips regarding planning for a long-distance move from the experts:
- Start planning at least 2 months ahead of time
- Research and get quotes from multiple companies
- Label everything according to the room they’re in
- Pack breakables with care
- Keep valuables with you at all times
- Leave buffer days in your schedule
- Ask companies about tracking your shipment
The earlier you plan, the easier your life will be on move day. Just a few early preparations can save you a lot of time and money.
Why Trust Chamomile Go?
At Chamomile Go we know that every long-distance relocation is unique, and we have the experienced local team to ensure your items arrive safe and sound every step of the way. We offer trusted long-distance moving services and can help with everything from packing and unpacking, residential moves, furniture protection, loading/unloading, and storage services. We’re committed to making every part of your long distance relocation run smoothly and without any stress.
Final Thoughts
You can spend wisely and prepare with confidence now that you know what counts as a long-distance move. Every relocation has its challenges, but with the right team and careful planning, your experience can be smooth and stress-free. At Chamomile Go, we combine experience, care, and reliability to make every mile of your move effortless.
Whether you’re relocating across the state or across the country, our expert movers in Sherman Oaks are ready to guide you every step of the way. From detailed checklists to personalized moving plans, we ensure your transition is seamless from start to finish. Ready to move with confidence? Contact Chamomile Go today to get a free quote and discover why homeowners and businesses trust our Sherman Oaks movers for long-distance relocations done right.
FAQs
What distance qualifies as a long-distance move?
Moving more than 400 miles or across state lines is typically considered a long-distance relocation.
What counts as long-distance moving?
A move over 100 miles or across state lines is usually considered long-distance. It often involves special regulations and pricing.
How many miles is a long-distance move?
Most movers define long-distance as 100 miles or more. Some companies use 150+ miles as their benchmark.
What is considered a local move vs long-distance move?
A local move is usually under 100 miles within the same city or region. A long-distance move is over 100 miles or crosses state lines.
Is $5,000 enough to move cross country?
Yes, $5,000 can be enough for a small to medium move if you plan well. Costs depend on distance, home size, and services used.
