Local vs Long Distance Moving

Moving is a process everyone goes through sooner or later, for many different reasons. It may be for a job, family, or looking for other life changes. In a nutshell, it is simple. Pack your stuff, load it up, move it, and unload it. But in reality, things are much more complex than that. From paperwork to organizing everything, moving can often be a real pain. Another thing to consider is the distance. If you are only moving to a new neighborhood in your town, you can simply hire local movers NYC and get everything done fast. However, if you are moving to another state or even another country, things may be a little bit different. This is why it is important to know the difference between Local vs Long Distance Moving.

The main factor of every move is the distance your goods need to travel to the new destination. A type of move is determined based on this. Movers separate them into local, and long-distance moves, for the most part. So, our goal here is to help you understand the differences between Local vs Long Distance Moving. If you realize you need the help from long distance movers NYC after reading this text, know you’ll work with absolute professionals. Now, let us begin dissecting these move types and explaining their key differences.

Local vs Long Distance Moving – What exactly are they?

First and foremost, you need to assess the situation to determine what kind of move you are undergoing and what kind of mover you need. When discussing Local vs Long Distance Moving, we first need to go through the basic groups that moves are separated in. So, now the main question is: How far are you planning to go? Is your new location going to be 50 miles, 100 miles, or 500 miles?

• Local move – Usually, the rule of thumb is that a local move is considered anything below 100 miles. However, That is mainly a move within the city limits.
• Intrastate move – After local, there is the intrastate move, anything between 60 to 300 miles. Intrastate means it is limited within the state borders, so usually a city to city situation.
• Long-distance -Last but not least, you have the long-distance moves. This is everything above 400 miles. These types of moves alternatively go as interstate or long haul moves. Intrastate implies that you are moving your goods over one or several state borders.

Now, let’s go a bit deeper into detail with Local vs Long Distance Moving.

Local moving

Many moving companies consider everything between 60 and 100 miles a local move, as previously mentioned. Moving beyond this distance is still a local move, but now falls under the category of an interstate move. Although you are travel for hundreds of miles, you are still within the state line. In price comparison of Local vs Long Distance Moving, the price is another factor that sets the difference. A local move will cost you around $1000 to $1300.  The rates vary based on the number of rooms, fuel costs, and the number of movers needed for the job.

Local moves are generally much easier to plan than long-distance ones. You will be able to complete a local move in a day or two, with good planning and professional reliable movers. It is relatively short and manageable, so you do not have to pay as much attention to pets and children. Given that the distance is far shorter as well, you will also pay less for fuel expenses.

Long-distance moving

Compared to a local move, a long haul or an interstate move will generally be more expensive and more time-consuming.  The first thing you need to do is to make sure your moving company has a valid USDOT number and that it has proper insurance. The company must also be validated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. All this is mandatory for every long distance mover and is tightly regulated. The usual cost of a long-distance move is somewhere between $5000 to $8000. A Linehaul charge is to going to add to the total cost, remember this. This charge means the mover will weigh all the items, and determine a price per pound.

Always remember never to sign a contract that does not include a written estimate with a complete moving quite. A long-distance move should be planned out months in advance because of how complex it is. It is simply not enough to focus only on the packing and disregard everything else. Although you do need to pack everything safely, your main focus should be the trip itself. Advanced planning for a long haul is an absolute must. Plan your route, navigation, rest stops, and motel options.

Reducing the costs and load size in Local vs Long Distance Moving

Regardless if you are moving to a new neighborhood or a new state, it is wise to consider downsizing your possessions. Not only will it reduce the total amount of stuff you have to move, it will also directly affect the moving cost and save you money while moving. Even if it is a local move, the less you have to carry with you, the easier it will be. A good way to do this is to declutter by sorting through your belongings and deciding what you need, and what you will throw away or donate to charity. Reducing the cost through the load size is especially important in long hauls, because of the linehaul charges we mentioned previously. It is a basic charge for any move and the movers calculate it by the weight of your stuff, and the mileage.

The fuel cost per mile is added to the weight per pound of all your items combined. Movers determine the cost per mile, however, it is usually the same on the level of the area. Given the fact that bigger loads cost more to move, it is good for you to downsize as much as you can before setting off. Another important thing to consider, are bulky or otherwise complex objects. No matter if it is Local vs Long Distance Moving, movers will usually charge more if you have tricky furniture or lots of stairs that make packing complicated. In this case, consider disassembling such items yourself, to make it easier for the moving crew, and to save yourself from some extra expenses.