If you have a long-distance relocation coming up sometime soon, you're probably already chipping away at a to-do list that covers everything from switching utility providers to getting together with neighbors one last time to hiring the right residential moving company. While local relocations can sometimes be executed with the help of friends and family, it's much harder for your loved ones to make multiple trips back and forth with their personal vehicle if you're moving 100+ miles, let alone across the country.

Metropolitan Van & Storage, a seasoned moving and storage company in the Bay Area, has completed more long-distance relocations than we can count. Oftentimes, our customers voice concerns ahead of time around the average cost of moving company services, hoping to not pay more than is necessary. Below, we break down all that you need to know about long-distance movers costs, and how homeowners can budget for their journey to a new part of the state, country, or even around the world.

What is Considered a Long-Distance Move?

While the definition of a long-distance relocation will vary from one moving company to the next, it's typically considered to be a distance of at least 100 miles, with some movers even categorizing them as 400 miles or further. 

There are different types of long-distance relocations. In a state like California, stretching approximately 800 miles from the northern border to the southern border, you may not even leave the Golden State while still completing a long-distance relocation. Some different types may include:

  • Intrastate Relocations
  • Interstate Relocations
  • Cross-Country Relocations
  • International Relocations

How Does Long-Distance Moving Company Pricing Work?

While local movers costs are based on an hourly rate and time spent on the project, long-distance moves are calculated a bit differently. First, your moving team will factor in the weight of your belongings. The more cargo being carried, the higher the cost. Secondly, your moving company will calculate the distance from your current home to your updated address, and base the second half of their written estimate on the mileage between the two.

How Can I Keep My Long-Distance Relocation Within My Budget?

There are plenty of ways homeowners can avoid racking up unnecessary costs while still getting the professional help they need and deserve while packing up and moving long-distance. For starters, ask your movers what their rate is for a basic move, where they're only responsible for transporting your belongings. From here, you'll be able to better decide how much wiggle room is left over for any additional services that could make moving day simpler and more stress-free for you, such as:

  • Full-Service or Fragile-Only Packing
  • Custom Crating for Antiques and Art
  • Floor and Doorway Protection
  • Short or Long-Term Storage 
  • Unpacking and Debris Removal
  • Piano Shipping
  • Vehicle Shipping

Since the 1940's, Metropolitan Van & Storage has assisted folks relocating all across the country. We're trusted agents of Atlas Van Lines, a prominent moving and storage organization, which gives us access to a strong network across the globe, allowing us to always help our customers relocate with ease and efficiency. 

Get in touch with our moving experts today for more information on all that we can do for you, and we'll give you a free estimate on any of our long-distance moving services.