How to Choose a Long-Distance Moving Company

Vet any long-distance mover by confirming their USDOT number on the FMCSA database, getting a written binding estimate after an in-home or video survey, reading verified reviews, and refusing to pay a large upfront deposit. Those four steps block the majority of moving fraud before it starts.

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Long-distance moves cross state lines, which means your mover is regulated by federal law, not just a state license. That opens a clear vetting path: every legitimate interstate carrier must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and carry a USDOT number you can look up in seconds. Knowing how to use those tools, and what to look for in estimates and contracts, is the practical difference between a smooth move and a nightmare.

The single most important check you can do is confirm that a moving company is registered and authorized with the FMCSA. Unregistered carriers are operating illegally and have no obligation to honor your estimate or deliver your goods on time.

**How to check:** Visit protectyourmove.gov and use the Search for a Registered Mover tool. Enter the company name or their USDOT number. The database shows:

• Registration status (you want "Active")
• Operating authority (must show authorized to transport household goods)
• Insurance carrier and whether coverage is current
• Complaint history filed with FMCSA

A company that cannot provide a USDOT number, or whose number shows "inactive" or "revoked," is not a legitimate interstate mover. Do not proceed.

Beyond the FMCSA check, confirm the company has a physical street address (not just a P.O. box), a working local phone number, and has been in business under the same name for a verifiable period. Name changes can be a tactic used by bad actors to shed complaint histories.

Also clarify upfront whether you are dealing with a carrier or a broker. A carrier owns its own equipment and employs its own crew. A broker arranges your move with a third-party carrier. Brokers are legal and FMCSA-regulated, but you have a right to know the actual carrier's name before signing, and you should run the USDOT check on that carrier as well.

For more on common schemes to watch for at this stage, see the MovingRated guide on how to spot a moving scam.

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Once you have confirmed a company's licensing, your next step is the estimate. This is where many consumers lose leverage.

FMCSA regulations require interstate movers to offer written estimates. There are three types:

**Binding estimate:** A fixed price. The mover cannot charge more at delivery, even if the actual weight of your shipment is higher than estimated. This is the strongest consumer protection.

**Binding not-to-exceed estimate:** The price is capped at the estimate but can come in lower if your actual weight is less. This is the most favorable option for the consumer.

**Non-binding estimate:** An approximation. The mover can charge more at delivery based on actual weight and services. Federal law caps what they can demand at delivery at 110% of the non-binding estimate, but you are still responsible for the remaining balance within 30 days. This type offers the least protection.

A reputable mover will conduct a thorough in-home survey or a detailed video walkthrough before issuing any estimate. Be skeptical of any company that quotes a price over the phone based only on what you describe. Estimates based on inadequate surveys often result in inflated delivery charges.

Get estimates from at least three companies, all for the same scope of work, so you are comparing apples to apples. Make sure each estimate lists every service: packing materials, stair fees, long-carry charges, fuel surcharges, and storage if applicable.

For a detailed breakdown of how estimate types work legally, see the binding vs. non-binding moving estimate guide.

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The lowest estimate is not automatically the best deal. Evaluate each company across several dimensions:

**Reviews:** Look for reviews on platforms where the mover cannot filter responses. Check the FMCSA complaint database as a baseline, then look at independent review sources. Pay attention to patterns: a cluster of recent one-star reviews about delivery delays or price increases at delivery is more meaningful than a single outlier.

**Subcontracting:** Ask directly whether your move will be handled entirely by company employees or partially subcontracted. If the answer involves a third party, get that carrier's USDOT number and vet them separately.

**Delivery window:** Long-distance movers do not always give a single delivery date; they often provide a delivery window of several days. Understand the range and what happens if they fall outside it.

**Valuation coverage:** Every interstate mover must offer two types of valuation. Released value protection is free but covers only 60 cents per pound per item, which means a 10-pound laptop is covered for $6 regardless of its actual value. Full value protection covers replacement cost and costs extra. Decide before you sign which level of protection matches your risk tolerance.

You can get a rough sense of what your move should cost using the MovingRated cost calculator before you start requesting estimates.

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Knowing what a legitimate company looks like is as important as knowing what to avoid.

**Large upfront deposit:** Reputable long-distance movers either charge no deposit or charge a modest one (typically under 25% of the estimated total). If a company demands 50% or more upfront, especially in cash or wire transfer, treat it as a serious warning sign. Some fraudulent operators collect a large deposit, load your belongings, and then demand a substantially higher payment before unloading.

**No physical survey:** A company that issues a binding estimate without ever seeing your goods is either inexperienced or setting you up for a price increase at delivery.

**Name changes and generic company names:** Scam operations frequently change names to evade complaints. If a company's listed name on FMCSA is different from the name on their website, ask for an explanation.

**Blank or incomplete contracts:** Never sign a contract that has blank fields. Every charge, every service, and every date should be filled in before you sign.

**Pressure tactics:** "This price is only good today" is a negotiating tactic, not a legitimate business practice. A reputable mover will give you time to compare estimates.

**Unmarked equipment:** The absence of a company name on any equipment at pickup is not by itself disqualifying for subcontracted moves, but combined with other flags it warrants caution.

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Use these questions when speaking with any company you are seriously considering:

**1. Are you a carrier or a broker?** If a broker, who is the actual carrier, and can I see their USDOT number?

**2. Will you conduct an in-home or video survey before issuing a binding estimate?** Any company unwilling to do this should be removed from your list.

**3. What is included in the estimate?** Ask specifically about packing materials, stair and elevator fees, long-carry charges, fuel surcharges, and any storage that may be required.

**4. What is your delivery window, and what happens if you miss it?** Get the answer in writing.

**5. What valuation coverage do you offer, and what does full value protection cost for my shipment?** Compare this against a third-party moving insurance policy if the difference is significant.

**6. What is your deposit policy, and is it refundable if I cancel?** Get the refund terms in writing before you pay anything.

**7. Who handles claims if something is damaged or lost?** Understand the process, the timeline, and whether you will deal directly with the carrier or a third-party adjuster.

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**Do long-distance movers have to be licensed?**

Yes. Any moving company that transports household goods across state lines must be registered with the FMCSA and hold an active USDOT number. You can verify registration for free at protectyourmove.gov. A company that cannot produce a USDOT number is operating illegally and should not be hired.

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

A binding estimate locks your price. Even if your shipment weighs more than the mover estimated, you pay the stated amount. A non-binding estimate is an approximation; the final charge is based on actual weight and services, and it can exceed the estimate. For long-distance moves, a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate is generally the safer choice. See the full binding vs. non-binding estimate breakdown.

**How much of a deposit is normal for a long-distance move?**

Most reputable carriers request little to no deposit, or a modest amount under 25% of the estimated total. A demand for 50% or more upfront, particularly in cash or wire transfer, is a well-documented red flag for moving fraud.

**Can a mover refuse to deliver my belongings if I don't pay extra?**

Under federal law, an interstate mover cannot hold your goods hostage to extort payment beyond the binding estimate. However, for non-binding estimates, they may require up to 110% of the estimate at delivery, with the remainder due within 30 days. If a mover demands payment far above your agreed price and refuses to unload, contact the FMCSA hotline at 1-888-368-7238 (1-888-DOT-SAFT).

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

A carrier employs its own drivers and crews and operates its own equipment. A broker arranges your move with a third-party carrier. Brokers must be FMCSA-registered and disclose that they are brokers before you sign. The practical difference: with a carrier, you know who is handling your goods from day one. With a broker, get the carrier's name and USDOT before your move date.

**Where can I report a problem with a long-distance mover?**

File a complaint with the FMCSA at protectyourmove.gov or call 1-888-DOT-SAFT. You can also file with your state attorney general's office and the Better Business Bureau. Keep all written communications, your signed estimate, and the Bill of Lading, as these documents are essential for any dispute.

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