Attempting a bold DIY move when you’re moving across the country is not recommended due to the many risks, dangers, and hidden costs of moving by yourself over great distances.
Moving to another part of the country is a tough job that’s better left to experienced cross country movers.
Can you afford to hire a top-rated cross country mover? Check out the average cost to hire long distance moving companies.
Read on to learn how to find one of the best cross country movers near you.
Choosing the right cross country movers is crucial for the success of your long-distance move. Why?
Moving long distance is a complicated process (moving by yourself often proves to be a bad idea) and this is why you need to make sure your cross country moving company possesses the required experience and skills to handle your move in a highly professional manner.
Without a doubt, it is a huge logistical challenge to have all aspects of your upcoming long-distance move covered, so consult this Cross Country Moving Guide to help you stay in control of your house move from start to finish.
Learn how much it costs to hire professional cross country movers.
Follow these proven, logical, and easy steps to find the best cross country movers for your fast-approaching residential move.
Also, get familiar with the most important questions to ask your future relocation partner before you hire their services.
And finally, learn the potential red flags when searching for reliable and affordable state-to-state movers.
Here’s everything you need to know about the best cross country movers in the country.
How much do cross-country movers cost?
The national average cost of moving long distance is roughly $4,000 with a price range from $2,200 to $5,700.
Of course, the average cost to hire cross country movers will depend on several important factors and may prove to be (much) higher in your specific case, especially so when you’re moving coast to coast or you’re taking too many things with you.
It’s perfectly understandable why everyone who’s about to move to another part of the country wants to know how much cross-country movers cost.
After all, the answer to that very question will determine how they plan, organize, and later play out the entire relocation.
Select low-cost cross-country movers to keep your piggy bank happy.
The above question is really hard to answer with any desirable accuracy due to the fact that moving costs are calculated on a case-by-case basis.
In other words, except for the distance between Point A (starting point) and Point B (destination point) which remains the only constant during a residential move, all other major relocation aspects are variables and will influence the overall price to a different degree.
Distance between the two homes. As mentioned above, the distance to your new cross-country home is the only constant value of your move. And since there’s nothing you can really do about it, turn your attention to the next 4 factors in order to learn what you can do to lower the overall relocation costs.
Number of items you own. Be mindful that the total weight of your shipment will affect the final moving price directly and in direct proportion. Therefore, make sure you inventory your entire home and bring down the number of household items and personal possessions to their absolute minimum. Yes, save BIG by moving ONLY the belongings you really need and intend to use in the future.
Time of year. It’s useful to know that the exact date of your cross-country move will also influence the final price one way or the other. For example, state-to-state moving companies usually charge more during the peak moving season (May – September) with weekends, beginnings and ends of each month, and national holidays being even pricier. Thus said, if you happen to have the luxury of picking your relocation date, then don’t forget that choosing a work day during the off-peak season should earn you a healthy discount from your reliable cross country moving companies.
Additional costs. Of course, the more additional services you request from your professional partner, the more you will pay after the move is complete. Possible accessorial moving services include but are not limited to packing and unpacking, custom crating, disposal of packing materials, disassembly and reassembly of large furniture pieces, appliance servicing, handling of bulky and heavy items, hoisting (rigging), exclusive use of moving vehicle, shuttle services, and so on.
Take a closer look at our sample moving costs which will give you a general idea of how much moving companies charge for a house move across the country.
To help you prepare better for the financial aspect of your upcoming relocation, we have collected the most up-to-date price information for relocating 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom residences along the 7 most common moving routes in the country:
Have in mind that all values below are approximate. Request a price quote from reputable cross country movers in order to receive much more accurate moving estimates.
Type of home
Approx. weight of items
Moving route
Approx. price (partial packing)
Approx. price (full packing)
1 Bedroom home
2,500-3,500 lbs.
New York City – Chicago
$2,000
$3,000
1 Bedroom home
2,500-3,500 lbs.
New York City – Boston
$1,800
$2,500
1 Bedroom home
2,500-3,500 lbs.
New York City – San Francisco
$4,500
$5,500
1 Bedroom home
2,500-3,500 lbs.
Chicago – Los Angeles
$4,000
$5,000
1 Bedroom home
2,500-3,500 lbs.
Chicago – San Francisco
$4,000
$5,000
1 Bedroom home
2,500-3,500 lbs.
Houston – New York City
$3,000
$4,000
1 Bedroom home
2,500-3,500 lbs.
Houston – Los Angeles
$3,500
$4,500
2 Bedroom home
5,000-6,000 lbs.
New York City – Chicago
$3,700
$4,500
2 Bedroom home
5,000-6,000 lbs.
New York City – Boston
$3,000
$4,000
2 Bedroom home
5,000-6,000 lbs.
New York City – San Francisco
$5,500
$6,500
2 Bedroom home
5,000-6,000 lbs.
Chicago – Los Angeles
$4,500
$5,500
2 Bedroom home
5,000-6,000 lbs.
Chicago – San Francisco
$4,500
$5,500
2 Bedroom home
5,000-6,000 lbs.
Houston – New York City
$4,000
$5,500
2 Bedroom home
5,000-6,000 lbs.
Houston – Los Angeles
$4,000
$5,500
3 Bedroom home
9,000 lbs.
New York City – Chicago
$6,700
$8,000
3 Bedroom home
9,000 lbs.
New York City – Boston
$5,000
$7,500
3 Bedroom home
9,000 lbs.
New York City – San Francisco
$6,500
$9,000
3 Bedroom home
9,000 lbs.
Chicago – Los Angeles
$5,500
$9,000
3 Bedroom home
9,000 lbs.
Chicago – San Francisco
$5,500
$9,000
3 Bedroom home
9,000 lbs.
Houston – New York City
$5,500
$9,000
3 Bedroom home
9,000 lbs.
Houston – Los Angeles
$5,500
$9,000
* All the sample moving costs in the table above are only approximate values and the actual final price you will pay for your cross-country move will depend on the total weight of your household items, your booked moving date, the additional services you have requested, the hidden moving costs and fees, and a number of other essential factors that will influence the final costs.
How to select a trustworthy cross-country moving company
When choosing a reliable cross country moving company, reputation is everything. Having top-rated state-to-state movers by your side can save you a lot of trouble.
How to find the best cross country movers?
The time you invest in researching cross-country movers should pay off handsomely in the end.
Step 1.Use our Moving Cost Calculator to get in touch with the best cross country movers in your area. Those moving companies will be properly licensed by the Department of Transportation and adequately insured to operate on the territory of the country.
Step 2.Request accurate price estimates via on-site surveys from moving company representatives.
Step 3. Compare the cross country moving companies to pick the best one for you. Do the all-important research by reading their moving reviews, ratings, and testimonials. Make sure your potential relocation partner has mostly positive reviews, as well as a performance rating of 3 and above.
Step 4. Check the BBB record of the companies you’re researching to make sure they have positive ratings with the Better Business Bureau as well.
Step 5. Pay special attention to the possible additional moving services included in the quotes, and of course – their respective rates. If you happen to get an estimate that is considerably lower than the rest, then something is probably not right. Sometimes certain dishonest moving companies provide very low quotes so that they can book the job and then increase the overall price later.
Step 6. Ask your movers about your moving insurance options. Sometimes it’s better for expensive electronics and antique furniture to be packed up by the moving company. You may think that you can pack everything carefully, but of course, if your movers and packers are experienced enough, as they should, they will know what moving techniques and materials to use to ensure that your belongings are safely transported to your new place.
Step 7. Select the interstate movers that best fit your budget, have good moving reviews online, and are available on your preferred moving date.
Step 8.Book your move with the movers and pay the deposit to reserve your moving date. Make sure your deposit is as low as possible (no more than 10% of the final amount). Usually, deposits are non-refundable.
Do not underestimate the importance of in-house surveys from the best cross country movers near you. You should know that there are a number of indisputable benefits of having a moving expert visit your home in person.
First of all, the moving company representatives will be able to calculate the moving cost much more precisely based on the weight of the household items you want to move to the new home.
Secondly, the moving experts will take into consideration any potential difficulties, possible obstacles, and even dangers that the moving team is likely to face on Moving day. Also, the experienced representatives will figure out the best course of action in terms of proactive preventative measures so that your Big day goes as smoothly as possible.
And thirdly, you will be given the rare opportunity to voice any fears, concerns, and doubts you may have regarding the details of your upcoming move across the country. Needless to say, an open face-to-face conversation with a knowledgeable representative is by far the better option than trying to sort things out over the phone.
What to look for in a cross-country moving company
Moving companies that move you from state to state have years of invaluable relocation experience which can be yours for the hiring.
When looking for one of the best cross country movers in the country to take care of the most difficult aspects of your upcoming move, you may get confused by the fact that almost every moving company will claim they are the best one out there.
Clearly, that’s impossible.
So, how do you know which movers to trust when they all say they offer top-notch cross country moving services?
To be able to pick precisely the moving company you need, you’re going to need to know what to look for in cross country movers in general.
Legitimate, licensed, and registered cross country movers. Of course, you’ll want your long-distance mover to be properly licensed and registered by the authorities – something that will give the peace of mind that the moving company you select won’t try to scam you in any way as a rogue mover would. As mentioned above, all cross country moving companies must be registered by the U.S. Department of Transportation in order to operate legitimately within the country. Check the USDOT numbers of the cross country movers you’re reviewing – they should be clearly visible on their respective websites.
Reputable cross country movers. Reputation is very important for professional moving companies. This is why the best ones recognize its significance and strive to leave their customers happy so that the latter can leave good ratings and positive online reviews about their services. It’s all connected, really – the better services a cross country mover offers, the more positive reviews they will get, and hence, more people will be willing to trust them and ultimately, hire them. Remember that you’re looking for cross country movers with an excellent online reputation and good overall performance ratings left by former customers. So, make sure you check those customer reviews before saying YES to a mover.
Competent cross country movers. You’re definitely looking for cross country movers who have been trained for the job and will know exactly what it takes to protect your items, handle them carefully, and load them safely into the moving truck. You want to be paying for professionals with years of experience, not some rookies in the business who don’t know what it’s all about. Speaking of professionalism, you also need your long-distance movers to be generally nice, respectful, and well-mannered.
Affordable cross country movers. The best cross country moving companies will also need to offer competitive prices so that most people can afford them. Being the best in the business is all about walking the thin line between offering high-quality services at affordable prices. And now that you know how much cross country movers cost on average, you can easily determine whether a state-to-state mover is too expensive for you to hire or not.
Do not hesitate to ask your long distance movers some important questions which will ultimately help you reach the best-informed decision under the circumstances.
Here are the top 7 essential questions to ask your state-to-state movers before you make up your mind to use their relocation services.
Is your moving company properly licensed and insured?
How long has the company been in business?
What type of liability coverage do you offer?
Do you have enough experienced movers and packers during the peak summer period?
Do you have available storage facilities if my items need to be stored for a few days?
Do you provide on-site binding written estimates?
What services do you offer as extra and how much do you charge for them?
Make sure you’re working with reliable cross country movers that you can trust with your prized possessions.
Unpleasant surprises are surely not welcome before, during, and after your move across the country.
Make sure you are familiar with some potential red flags when searching for a suitable cross country moving company in order to avoid being scammed during this very nerve-wracking transitional period.
A moving company doesn’t have a website which is a must-have company asset in the Computer Age. Or if they do, the website lacks any satisfactory information about proper licensing or insurance. The law requires that all interstate moving companies have a USDOT Number (the proof that they are licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation) placed on a visible spot on their respective web pages. You are strongly advised to stay away from movers that are not properly licensed.
A moving company answers your phone call with “Movers” instead of saying clearly and proudly the name of the moving company. Salesmen that pick up their phone with that generic term usually work for multiple moving companies, or this particular mover goes by multiple names because they frequently change names and websites. It could also be observed with companies that have multiple D.B.A.s (“Doing Business As” names). This is a major red flag.
A moving company gives you an unusually low moving estimate over the phone, accompanied by sweet promises of completing the job in a very short time. If you sense such suspicious behavior, just hang up and call another mover.
Movers want you to pay up a deposit of more than 10% of the total estimated moving price or require a cash-only payment for their services in advance. Please note that cash payments could hardly be retrieved if something goes wrong, the company under-delivers, or the move gets canceled.
A moving company asks you to sign blank documents on Moving day or a few days before your moving date. Remember never to place your signature on blank sheets of paper no matter how “legitimate” the documents seem. It is always a good idea to ask the mover to send you all contracts and documents in advance so that you can get to know what you are agreeing to.
A moving company refuses to supply you with a free copy of the booklet “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move”. Of course, this refusal of theirs is not a real indicator that something is not right. If they say they’ve run out of copies, you can always download the booklet for free from here.
Yes, moving to another part of the country is never a joke. Still, no move-related problems are big enough when you have a top-rated cross-country mover by your side during one of life’s most stressful and transitional periods.
The national average cost of cross country movers is approximately $4,000 with a price range from $2,200 to $5,700. The cost of your move will depend on several critical factors such as the move distance, the total weight of your things, the extra services you opt for, and of course – the cross country mover itself.
Learn the cost of your long distance move by requesting free quotes from the best cross country movers near you.
How much to tip cross country movers?
If you’re happy with the way your cross country movers have handled the move from start to finish, then feel free to tip each worker individually for their hard work. $40 per mover per day is considered a decent tip for cross country movers when they do a great job. Of course, you can always choose to tip your movers more if you want and you can afford it.
How to find the best cross country movers near me?
Finding the best cross country movers near you is easier than you think. Use our Moving Cost Estimator to get free cost estimates from reputable long distance movers in your city or town, request in-home home surveys from the pros, compare estimates prepared by the cross country movers, compare the reputation of the full service cross country movers, and then pick the mover that best fits your budget and satisfies your relocation needs.
Thanks for the tips. It will surely help a lot. Just keep in mind to research all the movers you communicate with. Sometimes the same company call several times under different names.
Beside the advertisement policies and promises of Cross country moving companies there can be a dark side too. One should take advice of those who have better experiences while doing so. Thanks for sharing this information.
Get additional insurance on the move and the movers will take extra care packing your items.
I would really like to know who thought this up. One of the things from the old school that movers are/were taught is to treat all belongings all moves the same.
Thanks for the comment. This is an assumption I made based on the insurance itself. I agree that most reputable professional cross country movers pack all household items with the same care.
But there is something else when we speak about valuable items. When one insures it’s items with additional moving insurance, he estimates all of the item’s costs and declares them to the insurance agency. That way, the movers will be prepared about the delicate items and the insurance itself and will usually pay extra attention to those insured items and also plan their position in the truck in advance.
you will not loose much money. Should be….you will not lose much money. I can't help it, I am a retired English teacher. This website was very helpful.
You will not loose much money. Should be….you will not lose much money. I can't help it, I am a retired English teacher. This website was very helpful.
Go to http://www.protectyourmove.gov. Then go to the BBB.
At Protect Your Move you can enter the name of the moving company and see if they are even currently licensed to work. I found out one of the movers who contacted me had been suspended. You can also see driving records. One company was allowing their drivers to drive for too many hours. This site also clearly explains the difference between a binding agreement and non-binding (an estimate, which is later updated, after your goods are weighed. Cannot exceed 10% of your original quote), as well as insurance coverage.
I am moving across country in May. I’m hoping for a great experience.
If you end up happy with your movers can you let us know who you used? I just checked out all the people who sent me quotes through moving.com and all are a nightmare. I have a reputable guy in CT but he only does local moves and I’m going to Denver and no one I know seems to have anyone they’d want to use again for long distance. Thanks and best of luck with your move!
I live in Westchester and moving only 15 min away. I was wondering if you could give me the name and # of the reputable guy in Conn. that you mentioned. Thanks, Catherine
I was wondering what company you decided to go with? I will be moving from CT to Denver in a few weeks and was hoping you may have a recommendation. Hope your move went well and you are enjoying CO!
We also are moving from Westchester to Colorado, and are thinking of doing it ourselves. not sure about moving companies after seeing what people have experienced here.
Stephanie, I am reading a post you wrote in January about moving cross country. I hope your move went well and am wondering if you can recommend (or not recommend!) a mover (NY to CA). Thanks!
Hi Stephanie, I am moving from Los Angeles to Chapel Hill, North Carolina in May. I have never moved out of state. 30 years ago I used Bekins to move locally and they hire xcons who steal. I am afraid, can you help? Helen in Calabasas.
Stefanie, I am moving from the Bay Area to Raleigh area in Sept/Oct. Were you happy with the movers you used in your 2013 cross country move? Would you recommend them? Other moving cos you considered? would sure appreciate your reply
I used WorldWide Movers and then after I paid the deposit and sign the contract they sourced me out to a company called "cross country movers".. they picked up my stuff and put it in another storage unit somewhere then 2 weeks later when I called to see where all my stuff was they proceeded to tell me it hadn't even been in "transit" yet. Now it's 21 days later, they never returned my phone calls and haven't heard a word from them. To top it off the A**hat that I planned the whole thing with David, he said a week, then quoted my studio and my belonging at $1300.., then this x country company shows up and because they knew I was in a jam and had to have my stuff moved that day after being scr***d by another company and losing my deposit there for $200+ dollars. They then and there told me that they would in no way move my things for that price. So WHO effing knows WHEN they will show up and how many more thousands of dollars I will owe them. I WILL NEVER EVER move my things again unless I drive the UHAUL myself. Last time I used a moving company, they "broke down " somewhere in Kansas and my stuff sat in the hot sun for 2 MONTHS and it ruined my mattress that they bent in half. Also, TWICE I have used PODS you pack it they move it, but both times when I opened it it was like they rolled the pod the whole way from PA to CA and all my stuff was broken. BOTH times. Never again. This is the last straw. They are all scammers. It is the single MOST corrupt business in the US right after Congress.
Thanks for the heads up about Cross Country and more importantly Pods. I felt the same way about using them, but you just confirmed my worse nightmares.
Please advise people to never use the Las Vegas based company called Fast Moving, as thye use bait and switch fraud, quote you $1,800, then try to add over 2 thousand more after they get your stuff. They went through my personal belongings and stole my birth certificates and everything silver, threw my breakables together after taking them out of the padded boxes I had them in, broke so much stuff, wouldn't deliver where they contracted for, then got angry and kicked my boxes, breaking more stuff, and finally unloaded a $500 portable dog fence, then put it back on their truck and left with it. I have never seen such tactics in my life. They partner with a company from N.Y. Unreal.
We used ABF two times. It was a little costly but they guaranteed pick and move date and deliver date. Our move was from California to Arkansas and back again a few years later. We will use them this summer again. My sister used the las vegas company and she was told the day before she moved that they could not longer move her and she lost her deposit of $1800. She had to rent two UHaul trucks and leave behind way too many furniture items she wanted because she had leave. It was Cali to Florida. ABF really had not glitches.
Is the use of renting of a uHaul possible by hiring insured, with workers comp movers to load truck in LA then find a friend to drive it to NY where I have to hire professionals to unload.
ABF is fantastic in our experience and prob will use it again if we move cross country here in the future. They drop off an empty tractor trailor 28′ at your door and you load it from back to front then insert a bulkhead wall locking your stuff off then they haul it off and fill the rest of it up with freight. I moved from CA to Northern IN and it took about a week. They estimate amount of space u need and drop off several if u need it. Was just quoted 4900 for one 28′ foot plus 10 feet of a second from IN to AZ. Def worth checking into
OK, please share, i am moving from GA to California and I am already lost, what to use? Pod, mover company. I am tired of getting phone calls any time want to shop around.
I don’t want to store, just want to move my furniture and don’t want to drive by myself.
I have read so many horror stories I am about to hire a driver to take rented truck across the country and follow in my car. I have talked to so many movers, but I do not want my stuff put on different trucks or stuck somewhere for a long period of time, or things stolen. I want one truck to pick it up and the same truck to deliver it. What a long of awful stories I am seeing. I guess they all have to hire people and you do not know who is taking care of your stuff. I am ready to take my pets in my van and follow the truck. Oregon to Florida..long trip.
Nan and Jessica,
I will probably drive the U Haul myself with family following in the car, or hire a driver to drive the U Haul from Washington state to Florida. Hope to do it in no more than 3 days.
I am guessing it took you longer than 3 days in a uhaul truck?
My husband and I moved from Maryland to San Diego, and used Alexander Mobility. They were hired by the move coordinator at the company my husband worked for, but the work they did was excellent. Driver was great, helpful and they all treated us well!
I have two storage facilities in Texas and need to have them moved to South Carolina. Hired a mover and got ripped off. Need to get another company but cat afford Atlas and Mayflower prices…any suggestions?
Do NOT use Cross Country Movers. The customer service is good to get you in. But, after that you are screwed. The prices aren't the same as your contract, I cannot get my stuff moved to me because the cannot keep track of my forms, the customer service is awful now. Nobody can help me… I'm constantly transferred around. I'm frustrated!!! I've requested my property on 08/05… they still say I never requested it (after I've received confirmation emails and mailed several forms-at their request). If you are moving from GA- don't use them!!!
I’m having the exact same issue with Cross Country Movers. I cannot get my stuff and nobody replies. Everyday they have my stuff is more money from me. I’m livid!!! I will never have my stuff shipped anywhere again.
Inter-state moves are definitely a tricky procedure. You have to be very careful to avoid lots of difficult problems. When things get lost in an inter-state move, it can make life very complicated.
My family and I will be moving from Ohio to San Jose, CA. Any recommendations for moving companies? Had a moving company come over this morning and they quoted me $8,000.
Thank you all very much for your input and insight! This article is very helpful. As with any move it is stressful and costly. I have only moved a couple of times with local moving companies and I packed the majority. I did end up paying double what I had thought- lesson learned. We are a family of 4 moving from California to Reno area in the early part of next year. I do like the idea of hiring a truck and driver, not sure how to go about that or the liabilities. Has anyone used this type of service successfully and how did they find the driver? I have also seen companies advertise they can help you pack or unpack and do not do the actually driving delivery. Has anyone used this type of service? We will also be moving our business, so our office will also need to be moved. I have seen a few companies that offer the by size of the truck space, but upon further research- found that it can take numerous days for your items to be delivered? Any help, reputable referrals, or comments are appreciated. Thank you!
Like any other event, you need to prepare carefully for a move. This will help you to save the time for which you are paying on the day of the move. It will also help the movers to carefully pack everything and get it loaded into the truck. The technique for packing and loading is the same for all moving companies, and this advice will work for moving a large house or for moving an apartment.
I am going to write this to as many sites that take movers reviews as I can to keep someone else from experiencing what I did. I read so many wonderful reviews about Cross Country Movers that I decided to use them for my L.A. to NYC move after checking out several others. This was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Aside from the fact that I paid for extra insurance with a company associated with Cross Country (for my valuables) more than a month has past since I sent in a claim for breakage of fine china (that the movers packed) and two tiffany vases that are missing.
When I first signed up with Cross Country, Joseph was as amiable and accommodating as one would want ..until I signed. Then it was impossible to get him to respond to my emails, phone calls or txts. When he did he had a very patronizing attitude which was quite disturbing. I had a very bad feeling from that moment on. Because I had several valuable items professionally packed they sent one of their investigators to check the many boxes I had packed and he stated that I should get a reduction in price for several items that were professionally packed and assured me this deduction would occur. It never did. I was charged the amount originally quoted to me without the deductions. When the delivery occurred they had somehow delivered someone else’s belongings to me which had to be picked up by some of their other movers. Three of these movers arrived believing they were moving me instead of picking up someone’s belongings.
I am still waiting for a response to my claim from anyone from Cross Country. I have been in touch with Customer Service where I emailed my claim but have gotten no response. I called the insurance representative from their company who said I should be in touch with Customer Service. I am obviously being given a run-around. I am presently going to consult an attorney. Please do not use this company if you care about your belongings. Moving in itself is stressful enough without having to go through this kind of situation.
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Thanks for the tips. It will surely help a lot. Just keep in mind to research all the movers you communicate with. Sometimes the same company call several times under different names.
Gооd роіnt Јоhn. І’vе hеаrd thаt thе mоvіng brоkеr соmраnіеѕ саll undеr dіffеrеnt соmраnу nаmеѕ. Вut іf уоu mаkе уоur rеѕеаrсh уоu wіll bе аblе tо dіffеrеntіаtе thе соmраnіеѕ уоu аrе ѕреаkіng wіth іf thеу аrе rеаl оr fаkе оnеѕ.
Beside the advertisement policies and promises of Cross country moving companies there can be a dark side too. One should take advice of those who have better experiences while doing so. Thanks for sharing this information.
Get additional insurance on the move and the movers will take extra care packing your items.
I would really like to know who thought this up. One of the things from the old school that movers are/were taught is to treat all belongings all moves the same.
Hey Mj Gore,
Thanks for the comment. This is an assumption I made based on the insurance itself. I agree that most reputable professional cross country movers pack all household items with the same care.
But there is something else when we speak about valuable items. When one insures it’s items with additional moving insurance, he estimates all of the item’s costs and declares them to the insurance agency. That way, the movers will be prepared about the delicate items and the insurance itself and will usually pay extra attention to those insured items and also plan their position in the truck in advance.
And what is moving insurance?
Thanks Martin Panayotov, there are lots of tips which are so much helpful. I hope you’ll provide us some tips about forgotten items when we move.
Thanks again..
you will not loose much money. Should be….you will not lose much money. I can't help it, I am a retired English teacher. This website was very helpful.
Are you moving???
Yes, Texas to Caifornia back to Texas
You will not loose much money. Should be….you will not lose much money. I can't help it, I am a retired English teacher. This website was very helpful.
Go to http://www.protectyourmove.gov. Then go to the BBB.
At Protect Your Move you can enter the name of the moving company and see if they are even currently licensed to work. I found out one of the movers who contacted me had been suspended. You can also see driving records. One company was allowing their drivers to drive for too many hours. This site also clearly explains the difference between a binding agreement and non-binding (an estimate, which is later updated, after your goods are weighed. Cannot exceed 10% of your original quote), as well as insurance coverage.
I am moving across country in May. I’m hoping for a great experience.
If you end up happy with your movers can you let us know who you used? I just checked out all the people who sent me quotes through moving.com and all are a nightmare. I have a reputable guy in CT but he only does local moves and I’m going to Denver and no one I know seems to have anyone they’d want to use again for long distance. Thanks and best of luck with your move!
I live in Westchester and moving only 15 min away. I was wondering if you could give me the name and # of the reputable guy in Conn. that you mentioned. Thanks, Catherine
Hi Michele,
I was wondering what company you decided to go with? I will be moving from CT to Denver in a few weeks and was hoping you may have a recommendation. Hope your move went well and you are enjoying CO!
I am also moving CT to Denver in July who did you end up using? We are trying to use PODs but our condo assoc. is not too privy about it
We also are moving from Westchester to Colorado, and are thinking of doing it ourselves. not sure about moving companies after seeing what people have experienced here.
Stephanie, I am reading a post you wrote in January about moving cross country. I hope your move went well and am wondering if you can recommend (or not recommend!) a mover (NY to CA). Thanks!
Hi Stephanie, I am moving from Los Angeles to Chapel Hill, North Carolina in May. I have never moved out of state. 30 years ago I used Bekins to move locally and they hire xcons who steal. I am afraid, can you help? Helen in Calabasas.
Helen who did you end up using for your long distance move? Thanks! Bridgette
Stefanie, I am moving from the Bay Area to Raleigh area in Sept/Oct. Were you happy with the movers you used in your 2013 cross country move? Would you recommend them? Other moving cos you considered? would sure appreciate your reply
I used WorldWide Movers and then after I paid the deposit and sign the contract they sourced me out to a company called "cross country movers".. they picked up my stuff and put it in another storage unit somewhere then 2 weeks later when I called to see where all my stuff was they proceeded to tell me it hadn't even been in "transit" yet. Now it's 21 days later, they never returned my phone calls and haven't heard a word from them. To top it off the A**hat that I planned the whole thing with David, he said a week, then quoted my studio and my belonging at $1300.., then this x country company shows up and because they knew I was in a jam and had to have my stuff moved that day after being scr***d by another company and losing my deposit there for $200+ dollars. They then and there told me that they would in no way move my things for that price. So WHO effing knows WHEN they will show up and how many more thousands of dollars I will owe them. I WILL NEVER EVER move my things again unless I drive the UHAUL myself. Last time I used a moving company, they "broke down " somewhere in Kansas and my stuff sat in the hot sun for 2 MONTHS and it ruined my mattress that they bent in half. Also, TWICE I have used PODS you pack it they move it, but both times when I opened it it was like they rolled the pod the whole way from PA to CA and all my stuff was broken. BOTH times. Never again. This is the last straw. They are all scammers. It is the single MOST corrupt business in the US right after Congress.
Thanks for the heads up about Cross Country and more importantly Pods. I felt the same way about using them, but you just confirmed my worse nightmares.
Thank you for the tip.
We have a family of 5 (including baby) and are moving from South Georgia to Oregon! Any suggestions?
did u find a good mover?? we are moving from CO to Oregon and wondered if you had a good experience?
OREGON!?
Excuse me……..since when are u moving to Oregon??????
I was thinking what too Amanda
Please advise people to never use the Las Vegas based company called Fast Moving, as thye use bait and switch fraud, quote you $1,800, then try to add over 2 thousand more after they get your stuff. They went through my personal belongings and stole my birth certificates and everything silver, threw my breakables together after taking them out of the padded boxes I had them in, broke so much stuff, wouldn't deliver where they contracted for, then got angry and kicked my boxes, breaking more stuff, and finally unloaded a $500 portable dog fence, then put it back on their truck and left with it. I have never seen such tactics in my life. They partner with a company from N.Y. Unreal.
Cali is a tough state to deal with!
We used ABF two times. It was a little costly but they guaranteed pick and move date and deliver date. Our move was from California to Arkansas and back again a few years later. We will use them this summer again. My sister used the las vegas company and she was told the day before she moved that they could not longer move her and she lost her deposit of $1800. She had to rent two UHaul trucks and leave behind way too many furniture items she wanted because she had leave. It was Cali to Florida. ABF really had not glitches.
Did you use ABF’s U-Pack option?
Thanks!
Is the use of renting of a uHaul possible by hiring insured, with workers comp movers to load truck in LA then find a friend to drive it to NY where I have to hire professionals to unload.
ABF is fantastic in our experience and prob will use it again if we move cross country here in the future. They drop off an empty tractor trailor 28′ at your door and you load it from back to front then insert a bulkhead wall locking your stuff off then they haul it off and fill the rest of it up with freight. I moved from CA to Northern IN and it took about a week. They estimate amount of space u need and drop off several if u need it. Was just quoted 4900 for one 28′ foot plus 10 feet of a second from IN to AZ. Def worth checking into
I am moving from Seattle to the east coast pretty soon. Great tips for my upcoming move.
OK, please share, i am moving from GA to California and I am already lost, what to use? Pod, mover company. I am tired of getting phone calls any time want to shop around.
I don’t want to store, just want to move my furniture and don’t want to drive by myself.
I am looking at mover options for the same route, GA to CA for next month, May. I am curious who you found and if you’d recommend to use them or not.
Just starting to get estimates to move from NJ to Calif. Suggestions above are very helpful. Thanks
I'm looking for a good not too expensive company to go from Buffalo, NY to Houston, TX…hard to know who to look for
Hi we offer very affordebale moving services. We located in Los Angeles but work across the U.S.A. Contact us vua facebook
I have read so many horror stories I am about to hire a driver to take rented truck across the country and follow in my car. I have talked to so many movers, but I do not want my stuff put on different trucks or stuck somewhere for a long period of time, or things stolen. I want one truck to pick it up and the same truck to deliver it. What a long of awful stories I am seeing. I guess they all have to hire people and you do not know who is taking care of your stuff. I am ready to take my pets in my van and follow the truck. Oregon to Florida..long trip.
Hello Nan,
Your post spoke to me. I am thinking of doing the same thing – following the truck on my drive. Wondered if you had any updates or advice?
Many thanks!
Nan and Jessica,
I will probably drive the U Haul myself with family following in the car, or hire a driver to drive the U Haul from Washington state to Florida. Hope to do it in no more than 3 days.
I am guessing it took you longer than 3 days in a uhaul truck?
My husband and I moved from Maryland to San Diego, and used Alexander Mobility. They were hired by the move coordinator at the company my husband worked for, but the work they did was excellent. Driver was great, helpful and they all treated us well!
Always enjoyed Mark Twain's comment on spelling…and it goes like this: "I don’t give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way".
Can anyone recommend a moving company.. From LA to Niagara Falls Ontario, Canada.
Thank you
Hi! Moving from LA to Canada… Any suggestions for moving company? Thanks!
I’m moving from Tampa to San Diego and would really like the movers to deliver within a week. Is that possible?
need to move one item across country, any suggestions for a hauler from LA to GA
Moving from NJ to CA in July. Arrival time is VERY FLEXIBLE. Don't need packing, just loading, driving and unloading and no scams! Thanks!
Moving from SE MO to central FL. Any tips, advise, suggestions, warnings?
Moving from SE MLO to central FL. Would like tips, advise, suggestions, warnings.
VERY INFORMATIVE!
Thank you for the very helpful information. It will really help me consider what to look for.
I have two storage facilities in Texas and need to have them moved to South Carolina. Hired a mover and got ripped off. Need to get another company but cat afford Atlas and Mayflower prices…any suggestions?
Do NOT use Cross Country Movers. The customer service is good to get you in. But, after that you are screwed. The prices aren't the same as your contract, I cannot get my stuff moved to me because the cannot keep track of my forms, the customer service is awful now. Nobody can help me… I'm constantly transferred around. I'm frustrated!!! I've requested my property on 08/05… they still say I never requested it (after I've received confirmation emails and mailed several forms-at their request). If you are moving from GA- don't use them!!!
I’m having the exact same issue with Cross Country Movers. I cannot get my stuff and nobody replies. Everyday they have my stuff is more money from me. I’m livid!!! I will never have my stuff shipped anywhere again.
Inter-state moves are definitely a tricky procedure. You have to be very careful to avoid lots of difficult problems. When things get lost in an inter-state move, it can make life very complicated.
I will move from Northwest Arkansas to San Francisco Bay Area soon. Can someone recommend me a reliable moving company in this area? Thanks!
My family and I will be moving from Ohio to San Jose, CA. Any recommendations for moving companies? Had a moving company come over this morning and they quoted me $8,000.
Thank you all very much for your input and insight! This article is very helpful. As with any move it is stressful and costly. I have only moved a couple of times with local moving companies and I packed the majority. I did end up paying double what I had thought- lesson learned. We are a family of 4 moving from California to Reno area in the early part of next year. I do like the idea of hiring a truck and driver, not sure how to go about that or the liabilities. Has anyone used this type of service successfully and how did they find the driver? I have also seen companies advertise they can help you pack or unpack and do not do the actually driving delivery. Has anyone used this type of service? We will also be moving our business, so our office will also need to be moved. I have seen a few companies that offer the by size of the truck space, but upon further research- found that it can take numerous days for your items to be delivered? Any help, reputable referrals, or comments are appreciated. Thank you!
Like any other event, you need to prepare carefully for a move. This will help you to save the time for which you are paying on the day of the move. It will also help the movers to carefully pack everything and get it loaded into the truck. The technique for packing and loading is the same for all moving companies, and this advice will work for moving a large house or for moving an apartment.
I am going to write this to as many sites that take movers reviews as I can to keep someone else from experiencing what I did. I read so many wonderful reviews about Cross Country Movers that I decided to use them for my L.A. to NYC move after checking out several others. This was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Aside from the fact that I paid for extra insurance with a company associated with Cross Country (for my valuables) more than a month has past since I sent in a claim for breakage of fine china (that the movers packed) and two tiffany vases that are missing.
When I first signed up with Cross Country, Joseph was as amiable and accommodating as one would want ..until I signed. Then it was impossible to get him to respond to my emails, phone calls or txts. When he did he had a very patronizing attitude which was quite disturbing. I had a very bad feeling from that moment on. Because I had several valuable items professionally packed they sent one of their investigators to check the many boxes I had packed and he stated that I should get a reduction in price for several items that were professionally packed and assured me this deduction would occur. It never did. I was charged the amount originally quoted to me without the deductions. When the delivery occurred they had somehow delivered someone else’s belongings to me which had to be picked up by some of their other movers. Three of these movers arrived believing they were moving me instead of picking up someone’s belongings.
I am still waiting for a response to my claim from anyone from Cross Country. I have been in touch with Customer Service where I emailed my claim but have gotten no response. I called the insurance representative from their company who said I should be in touch with Customer Service. I am obviously being given a run-around. I am presently going to consult an attorney. Please do not use this company if you care about your belongings. Moving in itself is stressful enough without having to go through this kind of situation.