Before hiring an out-of-state mover, understand licensing, FMCSA authority, delivery dates, insurance, pricing, deposits, and how to avoid brokers or unauthorized movers.
Reliable Movers created this guide to help customers compare interstate moving companies and plan a safer long-distance move from New York.
Interstate moving tips from Reliable Movers serving New York and the East Coast.
Moving across state lines? Hire a licensed interstate moving company — not a broker, lead seller, or unauthorized mover.
Reliable Movers is a family-owned interstate mover serving New York, the East Coast, and select Midwest destinations with flat-rate pricing, experienced crews, company-owned trucks, and direct owner involvement.
We provide binding estimates, exclusive truck options, and real delivery dates — not vague multi-week delivery windows.
Family-owned since 1996. Brandyn working alongside the Reliable Movers crew.
We provide free in-home estimates and a guaranteed written price based on your inventory and moving conditions.
Over the years, Reliable Movers has helped many customers after they were misled by online brokers or scam call centers pretending to be moving companies. Most people do not realize they hired a broker until it is too late.
Before signing any contract, learn the difference between a real mover and a broker: Broker vs. Mover .
Use the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot to research interstate moving licenses. When searching for a mover, the Operating Authority should show:
Weight bumping is a moving scam where a company inflates the weight of your shipment to raise the final price. This can happen if a truck is weighed while partially loaded or with extra fuel or items added. In many cases, movers then demand the higher payment before delivering your belongings.
Being informed helps you avoid scams and keeps your move on budget and on schedule.
A few recent long-distance and interstate moves completed by Reliable Movers throughout New York, Florida, Maine, Washington, DC, and the East Coast.
Owner Mike setting up a baby grand piano after its move from New York to Florida.
Full-service interstate move from Oswego, NY to Washington, DC.
Interstate household move from Auburn, NY to Maine.
Reliable Movers provides binding estimates only, meaning your moving price is provided in writing and remains locked in as long as the conditions of the move do not change. Unlike many interstate moving companies, we do not use weight-based pricing that can lead to unexpected charges, reweigh disputes, or last-minute price increases.
Our goal is simple: clear, transparent pricing before moving day so you know exactly what to expect.
As long as the inventory and moving conditions remain the same, the price remains the same.
Many national van lines combine multiple customers’ shipments and may transfer belongings through terminals before final delivery. This can create long delivery windows.
Your belongings are not repeatedly unloaded or transferred between trucks. Our goal is safe, efficient, on-schedule delivery.
For packing advice, moving checklists, and consumer protection information, visit our Moving Blog.
View Our Moving Blog & Packing TipsGet an in-home estimate, written binding price, and direct communication with our team. No brokers, hidden charges, or bait-and-switch pricing.
Moving across New York, the East Coast, or Midwest? We’ll provide a customized moving plan and flat-rate quote in writing.
Before hiring a mover for an out-of-state move, verify that the company is legally authorized to transport household goods across state lines.
Go to csa.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Scroll down until you see the search bar titled “Check Motor Carrier Safety and Performance Data.”
Enter the company’s name, USDOT number, or MC number into the search bar.
Click Search and review the results carefully.
Some companies have similar names. Make sure you select the exact company you are researching.
On the results page, find Licensing and Insurance in the top right corner.
If the company has active interstate household goods authority, you should see “Yes” after Household Goods and an active MC number.
If you see “No” after Household Goods, do not hire that company for an interstate move.
Answers to common questions about interstate moving companies, moving brokers, FMCSA licenses, deposits, binding estimates, delivery schedules, and avoiding moving scams.
Search the company in the FMCSA SAFER database using its USDOT number. Under Operating Authority, the company should show Active status and be Authorized for HHG (Household Goods).
A moving company physically transports your belongings using its own trucks and crews. A broker sells your move to another company and does not perform the move itself. Always ask if you are dealing directly with the mover.
Yes. Extremely low interstate moving quotes are often used to secure a deposit and may later result in additional charges, delivery delays, or shipment disputes. Always compare services, licensing, and written estimates.
A binding estimate is a written moving price based on the inventory and conditions discussed during the estimate process. As long as the move details do not change, the price remains the same.
No. Consumers should be cautious when a moving company requests payment by ACH transfer, wire transfer, Cash App, Zelle, or similar methods. Credit card payments typically provide better consumer protection.
Authorized for HHG means the company has federal authority to transport household goods across state lines. This is one of the most important items to verify before hiring an interstate mover.
Verify the company's FMCSA authority, read long-term customer reviews, obtain a written estimate, avoid unusually low quotes, and make sure you know whether you are hiring a mover or a broker.
Weight bumping occurs when a mover inflates the shipment weight to increase the final bill. Customers should request written estimates, review inventories carefully, and ask about weighing procedures.
Delivery times vary based on distance, route, and shipment size. Some movers provide direct delivery while others combine multiple shipments, which can extend delivery windows significantly.
Yes. Comparing multiple estimates helps you evaluate pricing, licensing, delivery schedules, services included, and overall professionalism before choosing a mover.
No. Some interstate movers use broad delivery windows that may span several days or even weeks. Always ask how delivery dates are scheduled and documented.
Provide an accurate inventory, pickup and delivery addresses, desired moving dates, storage requirements, and any specialty items such as pianos, safes, antiques, or hot tubs.
Moving scams and broker complaints remain common within the interstate moving industry. Taking time to verify licensing, reviews, and operating authority can help protect your belongings, budget, and moving experience.