Americans across the country are moving for work and better opportunities. In 2025, 78.49% of movers relocated within the same state, while 21.51% crossed state lines, indicating this trend.

Moving across the country is challenging. Irrespective of whether you are relocating for work, education, or lifestyle changes, the process can be stressful. However, it can be made easy when you choose the right moving company.

When choosing a moving company, many people make the mistake of picking one without understanding what should be considered. A long-distance move in the USA involves logistics, timing, documentation, and coordination across multiple states with varied terrain, climate, and other factors.

Here we will tell you what you must consider. This blog will make you aware of everything that you must know when choosing a moving company for a cross-country move.

What Should You Look for in Reputable Moving Companies Cross Country?

Finding reputable moving companies for a cross-country move requires checking a few essential things. This includes:

Verify FMCSA Registration

Any company transporting household goods across state lines must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Ask the moving company for:

• A valid USDOT number
• Interstate household goods operating authority
• Active insurance filings (*)
• Matching business information across federal records

Customers should also review the FMCSA Licensing & Insurance database to confirm the registration status is active. If a mover shows inactive, suspended, or pending registration, it is usually a major warning sign.

*Note: Minimum insurance requirements for a legally operating interstate mover include $750,000 in public liability, $5,000 in cargo coverage per vehicle, and $1,000,000 in general liability. 

Why Does Interstate Operating Authority Matter?

A USDOT number alone is not always enough. So, reputable long-distance movers should also have active interstate operating authority through FMCSA records for long-distance relocations between states.

For this, in April 2024, the FMCSA launched Operation Protect Your Move, conducting crackdown investigations across 17 states specifically targeting movers and brokers operating without proper authority or insurance. 

So, you must confirm the company's authority to transport household goods across state lines through the following:

Review Complaint History Carefully

Recognizing complaint patterns helps in highlighting the issues of a moving company. So, you must look for the following signs: 

• Delivery delays
• Damaged belongings
• Lost inventory
• Unexpected estimate changes
• Poor claims handling
• Communication problems during transit

Why Its Important?

According to the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database analysis from December 2024, the top complaint categories are hostage loads (31%), damaged goods (24%), late delivery (19%), overcharging (15%), and lost items (8%). Hostage-load complaints alone have increased 189% since 2022.

As of June 2024, the FMCSA received 2,612 complaints against moving companies. Only an estimated 5–10% of all moving scams ever get reported, according to the FTC and BBB, meaning the true number of affected consumers is far higher.

These factors make it essential to scan through the company’s complaint sections to ensure you do not experience the same issue.

Confirm Physical Business Presence

Professional movers usually operate from a verified office or warehouse facility. So, you must confirm the following:

• Physical business address
• Company-branded trucks
• Warehouse or storage facilities
• Business registration details
• Dedicated customer support line

Note: Running such a check is important because in 2024, 23% of moving fraud cases involved carriers operating under three or more business names simultaneously. This is a tactic shell companies use to evade complaint detection. 

Review Communication Practices

Reliable movers always maintain consistent communication before and during the move. Some of their best communication practices are:

• Written estimates
• Clear delivery windows
• Shipment tracking options
• Dedicated customer support
• Transparent inventory documentation

What Difference Do the Best Long-Distance Movers Make?

Moving across the country is more than just a long drive. This is a massive logistical puzzle. However, the top-rated long-distance movers help in improving the process in the following ways:

Expert Logistics

Top-rated companies like us, at Value Added Moving, always come prepared with a strategic plan. Our plan includes optimizing travel routes to avoid traffic or weather delays, coordinating delivery windows, and providing a single point of contact to manage the entire timeline.

The best companies know how to use their experience in state-specific regulations and logistical hurdles to lower the challenges and ensure a smooth experience.

Specialized Equipment and Safety Protocols

The most reputable cross-country movers always use the best tools that aren't typically found in a standard rental truck. They use heavy-duty dollies, custom crating for fragile items, and specialized equipment to secure loads to reduce the risk of property damage.

Advanced Tracking and Security

Modern long-distance companies offer GPS shipment tracking. This offers peace of mind, allowing you to see exactly where your belongings are in real-time. This provides a level of security and transparency that manual moves simply cannot match.

Cost Predictability via Binding Estimates

A recent study by ADSI suggests that 40% of people end up being charged more than they were originally quoted during their moving estimate. This is mainly due to the fact that they did not secure a binding estimate before the move.

This Value Added Moving, as a reputable cross-country mover, provides fixed quotes, so there is no chance of such a thing happening. There are no hidden costs like fuel, tolls, and equipment rentals that can spiral and put financial stress. This transparency helps you budget accurately and prevents price shocks.