What is considered long-distance for a moving company?

For most moving companies, a long-distance move is typically defined by the total distance traveled. While there's no universally set mileage, moves that exceed 400 miles or take multiple days to complete are often categorized as long-distance.

One of the first questions when planning a move is whether it's considered a local or long-distance relocation. The distinction is crucial as it affects the logistics, costs, and overall planning. While there's no universally accepted definition, many moving companies classify moves exceeding 100 miles or spanning multiple days as long-distance. This article delves deeper into the criteria and factors that moving companies use to define such moves.

Assessing the Criteria for Long-Distance Moves

Determining the criteria for a move often involves several factors. The first and most obvious factor is distance. Many moving companies consider any move that crosses state lines, regardless of the actual mileage. However, some companies define long-distance moves as relocations that exceed a certain number of miles, typically 100 or more.

Another crucial criterion movers use to determine if relocation is classified as the type of transportation required. Moves requiring specialized vehicles or equipment due to large distances are often considered moves. For instance, it falls under this category if your belongings need to be shipped overseas or transported across multiple states using semi-trucks.

The final element in assessing whether a move qualifies as long distance' revolves around time duration from the start to the destination. If the journey takes longer than what would usually be expected from local relocations - say several days instead of just one - this could qualify it as being categorized under by professional movers. This aspect considers not only travel time but also packing/unpacking times and potential delays along transit routes.

Factors Used to Define Long-Distance by Moving Companies

Various factors come into play when moving companies define what constitutes move. The first and most obvious factor is the distance between the two locations. Generally, any relocation that exceeds 100 miles is considered a move. However, this isn't set in stone as different companies may have slightly varying definitions of what they consider 'long'.

Another important determinant is whether or not the move crosses state lines. Some moving companies classify moves as based on this criterion alone, irrespective of the mileage covered during the relocation process. This classification often comes with additional regulations and requirements due to interstate commerce laws.

In addition to distance and crossing state lines, some movers also consider other aspects, such as time taken for travel and the complexity involved in executing the move while defining or local. For instance, if a move involves navigating through challenging terrain, which significantly increases travel time despite being under 100 miles, it could be classified by some movers as a 'long-distance' one because of its complexity.