Moving Locally Vs. Long Distance: What’s the Difference?

I’ve moved more times than I care to count. Sometimes, I went just down the street, and other times, across the country, but every time I thought that next time would be easier, I was wrong. But I have learned that there’s a huge difference between moving locally and moving long distance. Not just in terms of mileage but in cost, logistics, emotional toll, and even paperwork.

Furniture delivery service concept
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So, if you’re getting ready for a long-distance move, let me walk you through a few things I wish someone had told me before I started shoving my life into cardboard boxes and hauling it from coast to coast.

A room filled with lots of boxes and plants
Photo by Dina Badamshina on Unsplash

What Counts as a “Local” Move Vs. a “Long Distance” One?

Let’s start with the boring but important technical definitions. Most moving companies consider a local move to be anything within a 50- to 100-mile radius — basically, within the same city or metro area.

A long-distance move, on the other hand, usually means crossing state lines or going beyond that 100-mile boundary.

There’s also a third type, sometimes called an intrastate move, where you stay within the same state but go farther than the typical “local” limit. That’s kind of a weird in-between category and can sometimes be treated more like long-distance in terms of pricing and planning.

Why Local Isn’t Necessarily Cheaper

At first glance, local moves seem way more affordable. You usually pay by the hour, and your stuff doesn’t have to travel far, so naturally, the bill should be lower. And it often is if you’re organized and efficient.

But here’s the catch: the shorter the move, the more people tend to wing it. You know, like “Oh, I’ll just make a few trips with my cousin’s pickup,” or “Let’s just move things slowly over the course of a week.”

These plans might sound thrifty, but they’re actually exhausting and sometimes more expensive when you account for gas, food, injury, and time off work.

Long-distance moves, though? They’re a different animal. Most companies charge based on the weight of your items and the distance traveled, not the time. So suddenly, that box of old magazines becomes a financial liability, and you reconsider whether you actually need it.

Local Vs. Long-Distance Move: a Comparison

Let’s break down the difference between moving locally and going long distance through the lens of some of their most important aspects.

Planning and Prep

As I mentioned earlier, local moves usually give you more flexibility. You can pack slowly, move in stages, and even bribe friends with pizza to help you out. You might not even need a truck if you’re just relocating within the same neighborhood. Whether that’s a good idea is an entirely different question.

But with long-distance moves, you need to think like a military general. So, you’ll need a strict timeline, a detailed inventory, and a Plan B (and possibly C). If you’re moving cross country, you’ll quickly learn that coordination is key.

You can’t afford to forget something essential because it’ll be a few thousand miles away. And unless you’re driving the truck yourself, your stuff might arrive several days after you do. Which means you’ll need an “arrival survival kit” with clothes, chargers, and an eye-mask if you’re a light sleeper like yours truly.

If you're moving cross country and want to make sure everything gets from A to B without losing your sanity or your couch, I'd recommend talking to professionals who’ve done this a thousand times over; it makes all the difference.

Emotional Toll

This part doesn’t get talked about enough.

Local moves are stressful, sure, but you usually still have access to your familiar routines like your gym, your favorite grocery store, and your barber. And you probably still get to keep seeing your friends and family.

With a long-distance move, you’re likely switching jobs, adjusting to a new climate, and maybe even dealing with culture shock. There’s also the grief of leaving a familiar support system. It’s the little things that get you.

Packing Strategy

For local moves, packing is often too casual. People will toss stuff into laundry baskets and reusable grocery bags or go for the dreaded trash bag method. I’ve done all of those. Zero stars; would not recommend.

For long-distance moves, though, you need to pack as if your boxes will be flung from a catapult. Everything needs to be wrapped, padded, and labeled like it’s going through airport security, especially if your belongings are sharing truck space with someone else’s stuff.

Here’s a quick checklist:

The Timeline

One of the best things about local moves is that they’re forgiving. You can delay by a day or two. If something goes wrong, you’re usually still close enough to swing back and fix it. With long-distance moves, this is obviously not the case.

Once that truck leaves, it’s gone. If you forget to cancel your utilities, that’s a problem. If your new lease starts two days after your truck arrives, you better hope they have overnight parking.

Also, long-distance moves are far more likely to hit speed bumps like weather delays, mechanical issues, or detours. And when delays happen, your whole schedule gets thrown off. So, plan extra buffer time and double it.

Choosing the Right Mover

With a local move, you can often get away with DIY or hiring a small local team with a truck. And there are lots of decent options, often with flat hourly rates and minimal paperwork.

Long-distance moves, though, are a whole different game.

You need a company that’s licensed for interstate transport, knows how to deal with weight-based pricing, and ideally offers tracking. Some even consolidate moves, so your stuff might share a truck with someone else’s, which is efficient but adds complexity.

It’s worth reading reviews, asking for references, and confirming every single charge in writing before booking. Hidden fees are the cockroaches of moving — they pop up everywhere, and they never seem to die.