Local vs. Long-Distance Moves: What’s the Difference?

Moving is like ordering a pizza—it sounds simple until you realize you forgot the sauce, the box is upside down, and it costs way more than you thought.

So, your lease is up. Or maybe you finally found a place where the neighbors don’t throw wild parties on Tuesdays. Either way, you’re moving.

But here’s where the brain fog kicks in: are you doing a local move or a long-distance move?

And what’s the difference? Isn’t it all just packing stuff, renting a truck, and trying not to throw out your back lifting that mystery box labeled “random stuff”?

Well, not exactly.

Every year, about 27.3 million Americans move, and more than 8 million of those moves are long-distance.

Most people have no clue how different a local move is from a long-distance move until they’re knee-deep in cardboard and mildly panicked.

A local move might just cost you a Saturday and a few pizzas for your friends.

A long-distance move is a whole different beast; we are talking about movers, mileage costs, insurance, and the soul-crushing moment when you realize your favorite item didn’t survive the 900-mile ride.

Keep reading, and let’s break down the real differences between local and long-distance moves.

What Constitutes a Local Move?

On the other hand, long distance moves take you far beyond a 100-mile radius, often crossing state lines or even countries.

Distance makes long-distance travel more complicated and costly. For instance, a person moving from New York to Florida or California would be considered making a long-distance move.

Long-distance moves require more preparation, as you need to plan for packing, transporting your belongings across state or national lines, and coordinating with moving companies that specialize in longer routes.

With longer moves, you also have to consider transportation options and insurance, which often increase the overall cost.

What is a Long-Distance Move?

On the other hand, long-distance moves take you far beyond a 100-mile radius, often crossing state lines or even countries.

Distance makes long-distance travel more complicated and costly. For instance, a person moving from New York to Florida or California would be considered making a long-distance move.

Long-distance moves require more preparation, as you need to plan for packing, transporting your belongings across state or national lines, and coordinating with moving companies that specialize in longer routes.

With longer moves, you also have to consider transportation options and insurance, which often increase the overall cost.

Key Differences Between Local and Long-Distance Moves

Cost Breakdown

When you’re making a local vs. long-distance move, the price differences can be stark. For local moves, pricing is based on an hourly rate, which can range between $80 and $150 per hour.

This can depend on the size of the moving crew and how long it takes to load and unload your belongings.

However, when it comes to long-distance moves, costs are usually determined based on the weight of your items and the distance being traveled. On average, a long-distance move can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 or more.

For example, a move from New York to Los Angeles can cost $3,500 for a small apartment’s worth of belongings. The bigger your home and the more stuff you have, the more expensive the move will be.

To help mitigate costs, it’s important to get multiple quotes from moving companies and try to book during less busy times of the year. According to the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), the peak moving season is in the summer, so moving in the off-season might save you a significant amount of money.

Time and Effort Involved

In a local vs. long-distance move, one key factor is the amount of time it will take to get everything done. A local move is typically a one-day affair.

The time-consuming tasks generally include packing your belongings, loading them onto the truck, and unloading them at the new destination.

 You can easily knock it out in a few hours, depending on how many items you’re moving and how much help you have.

On the other hand, long-distance moves often span multiple days or even weeks, especially when transporting large volumes of items over vast distances.

You may need to account for rest stops, overnight stays, or delays due to road conditions or weather. A long-distance move also requires more advanced planning and time to arrange accommodations for the journey if you’re driving.

Packing and Preparation

Packing for any move can be overwhelming, but a long-distance move typically requires more meticulous preparation than a local one. Because your belongings will be in transit for much longer, it’s critical to make sure everything is well-packed to avoid damage.

For a local move, you may be able to avoid fully packing certain items or just using boxes and packing materials lying around the house. However, for long-distance moves, it’s highly recommended that you invest in proper packing materials—like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and sturdy boxes—to protect your belongings.

When moving across long distances, it’s also a good idea to prioritize what goes on the truck and what stays with you.

Insurance and Liability

Another significant difference between local vs. long-distance moves is the level of insurance and liability coverage you may need. Insurance might not be a huge concern for local moves if you’re moving a short distance, but you should still check with your moving company to see what is covered in case of damage.

When moving long-distance, insurance becomes a larger concern. Long-distance moves involve greater risk, as your items are exposed to more variables during transit, including longer travel times and possibly inclement weather.

Most moving companies offer basic liability coverage, but you may want to purchase additional insurance for peace of mind.

Long-distance movers will often provide a few different levels of coverage:

• Released Value Protection: This is usually included in the cost and covers a minimal amount of damage.
• Full Value Protection: This costs more but covers the replacement value of lost or damaged items.

Logistics and Route Planning

Route planning is another important difference between local vs. long-distance moves.

For a local move, the route is straightforward, and traffic can usually be managed with some flexibility. However, long-distance moves require careful planning.

Considerations like weather conditions, the number of stops along the way, the potential for delays, and whether there are any special road restrictions (like certain trucks not being allowed on specific highways) all come into play.

It’s not uncommon for long-distance movers to provide an estimated timeline of when your belongings will arrive at your new location. In some cases, long-distance moves involve shared transport with other customers, which can mean longer waiting times before your items are delivered.

Emotional and Physical Stress

Moving, no matter the distance, can be an emotional and physically taxing process. The more stressful part of a local vs. long-distance move often boils down to the emotional weight of saying goodbye to a familiar home and community.

For long-distance moves, there’s often the added emotional strain of leaving behind friends, family, and everything familiar to start fresh in a new place. This can add layers of stress on top of the physical exhaustion of moving itself.

Local moves may feel less overwhelming, as you’re typically staying within the same general area and might already have a support system nearby. The mental load may still be there, but it’s often less heavy.

Final Thoughts

In the end, whether you’re moving locally or long-distance, the key is to plan ahead and understand the requirements of both types of moves.

With a local vs. long-distance move, it’s important to take into account your budget, timeline, and the level of preparation required for a smooth transition.

Both types of moves come with their own challenges, but with the right planning and support, you can make the entire process as stress-free as possible.