Quick answer: A long carry fee in 2026 typically runs $1–$3 per 100 lbs for each 75-foot increment beyond the first free 75 feet on interstate moves, or a $90–$300 flat fee locally. For a 5,000 lb shipment carried 150 feet (one chargeable increment), expect roughly $50–$150. The charge applies when the truck cannot park close to your door — large complexes, gated communities, high-rises, long driveways. The calculator below estimates your long carry surcharge.
A long carry fee (also "excessive distance" charge) is an accessorial movers add when they must carry your belongings an unusually long distance between the truck and your door — typically more than 75 feet on interstate moves. It compensates for the extra time and labor when the truck can't park close to the residence. Common triggers: sprawling apartment complexes, gated communities, high-rise buildings, narrow streets, and homes with long driveways.
| Mover type | How it's charged | 2026 typical rate | Free distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate van line | Per 100 lbs per increment | $1–$3 / cwt / 75 ft | First 75 ft free |
| Local full-service | Flat per increment | $90–$300 flat | Varies (often 50–75 ft) |
| Local hourly crew | Folded into hourly time | Extra crew time billed | No set threshold |
The carry distance is the actual walking path from where the truck legally parks to your door — not a straight line. Sidewalks, detours around buildings, interior hallways, and ramps all count. This matters: a unit that looks "close" on a map can be a 200-foot walk through a complex. The increment (commonly per 75 feet) determines how the chargeable distance is bucketed.
On interstate moves, the long carry is a published tariff line: a rate per hundredweight (cwt) per distance increment. The formula:
Long carry = (shipment weight ÷ 100) × rate per cwt × number of chargeable increments
| Shipment weight | 1 increment @ $2.00/cwt | 2 increments @ $2.00/cwt |
|---|---|---|
| 2,000 lbs | $40 | $80 |
| 5,000 lbs | $100 | $200 |
| 8,000 lbs | $160 | $320 |
| 12,000 lbs | $240 | $480 |
An interstate shipment weighing 5,000 lbs delivered to an apartment 150 feet from the nearest truck parking. Free distance 75 ft, 75-ft increments, $2.00 per cwt.
If the carry were 225 feet (2 increments), the fee would double to $200. Heavier shipments scale linearly.
Local movers more often apply a flat long carry fee — commonly $90–$300 depending on distance and shipment size — or simply bill the extra time at their hourly rate. For a small apartment move with a moderate carry, an hourly crew may be cheaper because you pay only for the marginal time. For a large home with a long carry, a flat fee can cap your exposure.
These are different charges for different problems. A long carry applies when the truck can park within reach but the crew walks a long way. A shuttle fee applies when a full-size truck cannot access the residence at all, so a smaller vehicle ferries goods. Sometimes both apply; sometimes a shuttle is used to avoid an even longer carry. See our shuttle-fee guide for that scenario.
For interstate household-goods moves, the FMCSA requires carriers to publish accessorial charges — including long carry — in their tariff and disclose them in the written estimate. A long carry that was reasonably knowable at the survey should be in the binding estimate. An undisclosed, knowable charge added on move day is improper. Review the FMCSA "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet.
On the bill of lading, verify: (1) the measured carry distance matches reality; (2) the free distance was deducted; (3) the increment count is correct; (4) the per-cwt rate matches the estimate. On a local move, a flat long carry fee should match the written estimate exactly. Dispute any discrepancy in writing immediately and request the measurement methodology.
A long carry fee is an accessorial charge movers add when they must carry belongings an excessive distance between the truck and your door, typically more than 75 feet on interstate moves. It covers extra time and labor when the truck can't park close — large complexes, gated communities, high-rises, long driveways. Interstate moves charge per 100 lbs per increment; local movers often charge a flat fee.
On interstate moves, roughly $1–$3 per 100 lbs for each 75-foot increment beyond the first free 75 feet. For a 5,000 lb shipment carried 150 feet (one increment), about $50–$150. Local movers more often charge a flat $90–$300, or bill the extra time hourly. The free distance and increment vary by carrier — confirm in writing.
Most interstate carriers include the first 75 feet free, then charge for each additional increment (commonly per 75 feet). The measurement is the actual walking path from legal truck parking to your door, so sidewalks, detours, and hallways count. Some carriers use a 50- or 100-foot free threshold — confirm the free distance and increment in your written estimate.
Reserve the closest legal parking or a loading zone (in cities, a temporary no-parking permit), coordinate with management for a service entrance near your unit, disclose the parking situation at quote time so it's in a binding estimate, and consider whether a smaller shuttle could reach the door (though that may trigger a shuttle fee). Get the carry distance assessed during the survey.
No. A long carry fee applies when the truck can park within reach but the crew walks a long distance. A shuttle fee applies when a full-size truck cannot access the residence at all, so a smaller shuttle vehicle transfers goods. They address different problems and can both apply, or one can avoid the other. Both are legitimate accessorials that must be disclosed in an interstate estimate.