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Cost guide

Interstate moving cost

Interstate is about crossing a state line, not about how far you're going — and that distinction comes with real legal protections.

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Short answer: an interstate move of a 2–3 bedroom home typically costs $2,800–$7,500 in the 500–1,500 mile range — but "interstate" itself is a legal category (crossing a state line), not a distance category, and that distinction matters more than most people realize.

Quick facts
Definition Crosses any state line
Regulator FMCSA (federal)
Required carrier ID Active USDOT number
2–3BR, 500–1,500 mi $2,800 – $7,500

Interstate vs. long-distance — not the same thing

"Long-distance" describes mileage. "Interstate" describes a legal boundary. A move from Houston to El Paso covers roughly 750 miles without ever leaving Texas — long-distance, but not interstate, and not subject to FMCSA interstate rules. A move from one small New England state to the next might be under 50 miles but crosses a state line — interstate, even though it doesn't feel like a "long-distance move" at all. Pricing tends to track mileage regardless of which category applies, but the legal protections only kick in for the interstate case.

What being "interstate" actually guarantees you

What it costs

Once a move is interstate, pricing follows the standard weight-and-distance model used for any long-distance shipment — see our long-distance moving cost guide for a full breakdown by home size and mileage tier. The interstate designation itself doesn't add cost; it adds the regulatory protections above, which matter most if something goes wrong.

Moving out of state specifically

"Moving out of state" is the everyday way people describe an interstate move, and it carries the same considerations — plus practical to-dos like updating your driver's license and vehicle registration, checking whether your destination state has different insurance or tax requirements, and confirming your mover is licensed for interstate transport specifically (a purely local/in-state license isn't the same authorization).

Frequently asked questions

What makes a move "interstate" specifically? +

Interstate simply means crossing a state line — a 40-mile move from one small state into a neighboring one counts, even though it feels local. Interstate movers fall under FMCSA regulation regardless of how short the trip is.

Is interstate moving cost different from "long distance"? +

They overlap but aren't identical — "long distance" is about mileage, "interstate" is about crossing a state line. A 3,000-mile move within Texas or California is long-distance but not interstate; a 40-mile move between two small Northeastern states is interstate but not what most people picture as "long distance."

How much does an interstate move cost? +

For a 2–3 bedroom home, expect roughly $2,800–$7,500 for a typical interstate move in the 500–1,500 mile range — pricing follows the same weight-and-distance model as any long-distance move once you've crossed a state line.

What protections apply specifically because it's interstate? +

Interstate movers must be FMCSA-registered with an active USDOT number, provide you with the "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and offer at minimum the released-value ($0.60/lb) liability option — protections that don't apply the same way to a purely in-state local move.