What makes a move interstate
The test is the state line, not the distance. Chicago to Milwaukee is about 90 miles and it is an interstate move. Chicago to Cairo, Illinois is more than 350 miles and it is not.
That matters because interstate household moves fall under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Rules in 49 CFR Part 375 cover estimates, paperwork, weighing, payment at delivery and claims. Those rules apply whichever state you live in.
Expert Movers is completing its federal motor carrier registration. Our U.S. DOT number will be published here as soon as it is issued, and you can check it in the FMCSA SAFER database before you sign anything.
How interstate pricing works
Local movers usually charge by the hour. Interstate moves are normally priced from the weight of the shipment and the distance, plus services such as packing and storage.
Three parts make up most of the bill:
- Linehaul: weight and miles. This is the largest part on most moves.
- Accessorials: stairs, long carries, shuttle trucks and similar access work. Agree on these before you sign the bill of lading.
- Valuation: the level of the mover's liability for loss or damage. See valuation coverage.
| Home | 800 mi | 1,200 mi | 1,600 mi | 2,000 mi | 2,400 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1.1k to $1.8k | $1.1k to $1.8k | $1.3k to $2.0k | $1.4k to $2.3k | $1.6k to $2.5k |
| 1 bedroom | $1.4k to $2.3k | $1.6k to $2.6k | $1.9k to $3.0k | $2.1k to $3.4k | $2.3k to $3.7k |
| 2 bedroom | $2.6k to $4.3k | $3.0k to $4.9k | $3.5k to $5.5k | $3.9k to $6.2k | $4.3k to $6.8k |
| 3 bedroom | $4.1k to $6.6k | $4.8k to $7.5k | $5.3k to $8.6k | $6.0k to $9.5k | $6.5k to $10.5k |
| 4 bedroom | $5.8k to $9.3k | $6.7k to $10.7k | $7.5k to $12.1k | $8.4k to $13.4k | $9.3k to $14.8k |
Treat the table as a budget guide. Your written estimate replaces it.
Paperwork you should receive
On any interstate move, the mover owes you specific documents:
- A written estimate, after a survey of your belongings on site or by video, unless you waive the survey in writing.
- The federal booklets "Ready to Move?" and "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move".
- The bill of lading at least three days before loading. You can cancel it without penalty within three days of signing.
- An itemized inventory at or before loading.
We walk through all of this on your rights and responsibilities.
Near-state moves: Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan
Plenty of Chicago moves cross a state line without going far: Northwest Indiana, Milwaukee and Madison, Southwest Michigan. They are still interstate, so the same federal rules apply.
Tell us the route and we will say plainly whether a long-distance truck is the right tool. On very short trips, a local carrier with interstate authority can be a better price. Our crews and schedules are set up for longer lines, and those moves get the most from a weight-and-distance price.
Common interstate lines from Chicago
Coming the other way:
How to compare interstate quotes
- Use the same inventory for each company. A lower price on a smaller guess isn't really lower.
- Ask which estimate type you are getting. On a non-binding estimate, the final bill follows the actual weight.
- Check the federal record. Look up each company's U.S. DOT number in SAFER, and read how to choose a long-distance mover.
- Find out who you hired. A broker and a carrier are different things, and the company arriving on moving day should be named before you pay anything.