Interstate vs Local Moves
Different rules, different agencies, different pricing models. Knowing which category your move falls into determines your rights and how you're charged.
The dividing line
Interstate move — goods cross a state line. Newark to Hoboken is local. Newark to Yonkers is interstate (NJ → NY), even though it's only 30 miles. The mileage doesn't matter; the state line does.
Intrastate (long-distance local) move — goods stay within the same state, regardless of distance. Los Angeles to Sacramento (380 miles, all in California) is intrastate.
Local move — an intrastate move under a distance threshold set by your state, typically 50 to 100 miles. Local moves are usually billed hourly. Beyond that threshold, even within the same state, your move is treated as long-distance and billed by weight.
Who regulates each type
| Move type | Regulator | Key registration |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — part of US DOT | USDOT number + Motor Carrier (MC) number |
| Intrastate / Local | State PUC, state DOT, or state moving board (varies by state) | State carrier permit |
Verify any interstate mover's federal registration on the FMCSA SAFER database before signing anything. For intrastate moves, search your state's regulatory body — for example, the California Public Utilities Commission for CA moves, the Texas DMV for TX, the Florida DACS for FL.
How pricing differs
Interstate pricing
Interstate moves are priced by weight and distance, plus accessorial charges (long carries, stairs, packing, storage). The mover weighs the truck empty, then again loaded, and bills you for the difference. Distance is calculated using a standardized industry mileage guide.
Federal regulation requires a written estimate. Three flavors exist:
- Binding — price locked. Read the binding-vs-non-binding guide.
- Non-binding — estimate only; final bill based on actual weight, capped at 110% at delivery.
- Binding not-to-exceed — price can go down but never up. The smart choice.
Local pricing
Local moves are typically priced hourly: a per-hour rate for a 2- or 3-person crew, often with a minimum (3 or 4 hours). Materials, fuel surcharge, and stairs may be add-ons depending on the company.
Hourly pricing rewards efficiency. The downside: an inexperienced crew, or one that “works slow,” runs the meter. Tips:
- Get the truck size, crew size, and minimum hours in writing
- Ask whether travel time is billed (usually yes)
- Ask whether the rate includes wrapping/blankets/dollies (it should)
- Get an “estimate of charges” in writing — many states require it for moves over a threshold (e.g., CA's PUC requires it for moves of any distance)
Insurance differs too
Interstate: Released Value vs Full Value Protection
By federal law, every interstate mover must offer two valuation options:
- Released Value Protection — the default. Covers damage at 60 cents per pound per item. A 50-lb TV that's destroyed = $30. This is included at no charge but provides almost no real coverage.
- Full Value Protection — covers actual replacement value. Costs roughly 1% of the declared value. Strongly recommended for any valuable shipment.
Neither is “insurance” in the traditional sense — they are valuation programs offered by the carrier. For genuine third-party insurance, you can purchase a moving insurance policy from companies like MovingInsurance.com or through your homeowner's/renter's policy rider.
Local: state rules vary
Local moves are not subject to federal valuation rules. Instead, your state PUC or DOT sets minimum coverage, often comparable to Released Value (a fixed $/lb). Coverage details and dispute processes are state-specific. Read your bill of lading and ask the mover what valuation level applies.
Which one are you?
Quick test:
- Crossing a state line, even by one mile? Interstate. Federal rules apply.
- Same state, under ~50–100 miles (depends on state)? Local. Hourly pricing, state rules.
- Same state, longer distance? Intrastate long-distance. State rules; usually weight-based pricing.
Filing complaints
- Interstate: FMCSA — nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov or 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238)
- Intrastate: Your state PUC, DOT, or AG's consumer protection division — varies by state. Search “[your state] moving company complaint.”
- All moves: Better Business Bureau, your credit card company (if you paid by card), and your state attorney general
The takeaway: the state line is everything. If you're crossing one, demand a USDOT number, get a binding not-to-exceed estimate, elect Full Value Protection, and verify the mover on FMCSA SAFER before signing. Local moves get less federal cover — vet your state-licensed mover with the same rigor.