An interstate move costs $2,500–$9,000+ in 2026, priced by shipment weight and distance at about $0.50–$0.80 per pound plus fuel. What sets interstate moves apart from local ones is federal regulation: every legitimate carrier must hold a USDOT number, carry insurance, and give you specific documents and rights. This guide covers both the cost and the rules that protect you when you move across state lines.
| Home size | Typical weight | Interstate cost (full-service) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom | 2,000–4,000 lb | $2,500–$5,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 4,000–6,000 lb | $3,500–$6,500 |
| 3-bedroom | 6,000–9,000 lb | $5,500–$9,000 |
| 4-bedroom+ | 9,000–14,000+ lb | $7,500–$14,000+ |
For pricing organized differently, see our cost to move out of state guide and the long distance movers cost guide.
A local move is billed by the hour. An interstate move is billed by weight × distance plus a fuel surcharge and accessorial fees. The mover weighs the truck empty and loaded to determine your shipment weight, then applies a per-pound rate that falls as weight and mileage rise. Because weight is the main driver, decluttering before an interstate move saves real money — every 1,000 pounds at $0.65 per pound is about $650.
Interstate movers are regulated by the FMCSA. Before booking, know your protections:
Interstate moves attract rogue brokers and bait-and-switch operators. Protect yourself by verifying the USDOT number, refusing large deposits, insisting on an in-home or video survey, and reading the bill of lading. Our moving scams and red flags guide details every warning sign, and the how to hire a moving company guide gives the full vetting checklist.
The word "interstate" is doing a lot of work here. A move that crosses a state line falls under federal FMCSA jurisdiction, with the USDOT registration, mandatory disclosures, and dispute process described above. A move that stays inside one state is "intrastate" and is regulated by that state's own transportation or utility authority instead, with rules that vary widely from state to state. That distinction matters because the protections — and the way you verify a mover — change with it. For an interstate move you check the USDOT lookup; for an intrastate move you check your state's licensing board. A few moves are even trickier: a short hop that crosses a state line for only part of the route is still interstate and federally regulated, while a long move within a large state stays intrastate no matter the distance.
One practical consequence: an interstate carrier weighs your shipment and prices by weight, while some intrastate movers price by the hour even over long in-state distances. When you gather quotes, confirm which framework applies so you are comparing like with like, and verify the mover under the correct system. If a company cannot tell you whether your move is interstate or intrastate, or which authority licenses it, treat that as a warning sign and move on to a mover that knows its own regulatory status.
Interstate moves cost $2,500–$9,000+ in 2026 and come with federal protections most people never use because they do not know them. Verify the USDOT number, demand a binding-not-to-exceed estimate, read the bill of lading, and declutter to cut the weight. Start your budget with our free moving cost calculator and bring that figure to every survey.
An interstate move costs roughly 2,500 to 9,000-plus dollars in 2026, depending on home size and distance. Interstate moves are priced by shipment weight and mileage at about 0.50 to 0.80 dollars per pound, plus a fuel surcharge and accessorial fees. A one-bedroom averages 2,500 to 5,000 dollars and a three-bedroom 5,500 to 9,000 dollars.
Interstate movers are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every legitimate interstate carrier must have a USDOT number, carry the required insurance, provide a written estimate and the booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, and issue a bill of lading. You can verify any interstate mover at fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move before booking.
Enter the company's USDOT number into the FMCSA Protect Your Move mover lookup to confirm it is registered, active, and insured, then check its complaint history with the FMCSA and the Better Business Bureau. A legitimate interstate mover has a verifiable USDOT number, a real address, and a clean or well-resolved complaint record. No USDOT number is a deal-breaker.
Under FMCSA rules, you have the right to a written estimate, the booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, a bill of lading, at least released-value liability protection, and a dispute-resolution and complaint process. The mover cannot hold your goods hostage for charges beyond the agreed amount on a binding estimate, and you can file complaints with the FMCSA for violations.
Yes. Moving between October and April and mid-week, mid-month is typically 10 to 25 percent cheaper than peak summer weekends, when demand for interstate carriers spikes. Booking early and staying flexible on your pickup and delivery dates gives carriers room to slot you efficiently, which often lowers the price.