Moving is one of the most stressful events in life. Almost everyone has to deal with it at least once throughout their lifetime. It can be hard to juggle all the factors that go into making your move as smooth and painless as possible. One of the most integral parts of your move is your movers. The type of movers that you should seek out entirely depends on the type of move that you’re making: local or interstate.

Often, the difference between local or interstate moving has to do with the number of miles. If you’re making a move under 50 miles away, then the trip is often thought of as a local trip. If the trip is over 50 miles, then the trip is thought of as interstate moving. But, all of that changes when state lines are brought into the picture. If your trip ever crosses state lines, then it’s going to be thought of as being interstate regardless of the distance. There are some interstate moves that are shorter than local moves. It all depends on your circumstance.

Here are four ways your trip will be considered interstate:

  1. Going from one state directly to another state
  2. Going from a U.S. state to out of the country
  3. Going from one state to a place in the same state, but moving out of state during the trip
  4. Going from one state to a place in the same state, but moving out of the country during the trip.

Whether you’re moving across the street or moving across the country, there are a couple things that you should be familiar with before signing on the dotted line.

 

Local Movers

Whether you’re moving a couch from the moving truck to your current home or moving an hour away, it’s all considered a local trip. It just has to be under that 50-mile limit. When it comes to creating a budget, it’s important to understand that local movers are often paid by the hour. When you pay for more movers, the job may be done quickly so you may end up paying less than you think.  It also may have a lot to do with the size of your house. The moving company may send a team of movers whom they think can handle the size of your home. Then, each mover would be paid hourly. It all depends on the particular moving company.

Unlike interstate movers, local movers don’t have to register with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.) In turn, your movers aren’t bound to the FMCSA rules and regulations. Instead, they have to abide by the rules made by your particular state. Research your state’s rules and regulations beforehand. Also, ask for a written estimate before entrusting the moving company with your things. This reduces the chance of any surprises popping up once the moving process is all said and done.

It’s essential that you heavily research the moving companies in your area before making your final decision.

 

Interstate Movers    

When it comes to making an interstate move, the movers will often make you pay differently. They’ll make you pay by the weight (or cubic inch) of your things. They’ll also make you pay for the fuel costs as well to take your things from point A to point B. If you’re looking to cut costs for your move, essentially the only way to do that would be to move with fewer things. For example, you might want to get rid of heavier items like couches and beds before moving them into your brand new abode.

When searching for a possible moving company, you’ll probably end up choosing a nationally recognized company like U-Haul. Unlike most moving companies, U-Hauls have offices across the United States. This gives you the opportunity to rent a truck from one place and return it in another. Also, in order to create an accurate budget, you have to take into account where you’re moving to. For example, if you’re moving from Nebraska to New York, you have to take into account that labor costs are more in New York than they are in Nebraska. In turn, you’ll end up paying more for your movers.

Interstate moves are governed by the FMCSA rules and regulations. For example, the FMCSA requires that your moving company gives you a written estimate for every shipment made for you. Make sure that your moving company is registered and insured with the FMCSA. This keeps your things as secure as possible. With FMCSA, you can also look up their consumer complaint history and their on-the-road safety performance records. This can be key information to figure out if a moving company is right for you.  If a prospective moving company isn’t ensured with the FMCSA, then you probably shouldn’t choose them to protect your possessions for an interstate move. Also, it’s important to make sure that your shipment of goods has been assigned a UDOT (US Department of Transportation) number. It makes your goods easily searchable online so you are aware of the status of your things. If you live near state lines and your move is going to be relatively short, then you still need a UDOT number for your possessions.

Being informed is an integral part of the moving process. Doing the required research allows you to create a solid budget and reduces the chance of dealing with surprises during your moving experience. Just the process of moving can be stressful enough anyway, and dealing with movers doesn’t have to be. Knowing the difference between local and interstate movers makes you aware of what should be going during the moving experience. If something happens that seems out of the ordinary, you can point it out and stop it immediately. The most important part of the moving experience is keeping your things safe and secure. If you pick the right moving company for your circumstance, you’ll safely be in your brand new home before you know it.

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