Long-Distance Process · USDOT 3006268
How a Long-Distance Move Works
A step-by-step walkthrough of an interstate move with A Plus Moving & Storage – from your first quote request to the day the last box leaves the truck at your new home.
From quote request to delivery, step by step
Every interstate move follows the same six-step process. Knowing what each step involves lets you plan ahead, prep your home, and avoid the surprises that derail a lot of long-distance moves.
Step 1 · Initial quote
Tell us where you’re going, how big the home is, and your target dates. We give you a ballpark range based on similar moves on that corridor. Takes 5 minutes online or one phone call.
Step 2 · Visual or video survey
Our surveyor walks through your home (in person or via video survey) and documents every room. This produces the binding estimate – locked-in pricing based on what’s actually being moved.
Step 3 · Booking & paperwork
Sign the binding estimate, pick your packing services, choose Released vs Full Value Protection, schedule pickup. We assign a dedicated move coordinator as your single point of contact.
Step 4 · Packing & pickup
If full-pack: we arrive 1-2 days before pickup. On move day, the crew foreman walks the inventory, the team loads efficiently and protectively, and the truck is sealed before it leaves.
Step 5 · Transit
Your shipment is consolidated with other moves on the route (this is what makes long-distance affordable). Your coordinator tracks the load and shares an updated delivery window 24-48 hours before arrival.
Step 6 · Delivery & unpack
Crew arrives, the seal is broken in front of you, and items are placed where you want them. Furniture is reassembled. Optional unpack & debris removal handled the same day. Inventory is checked off.
A typical interstate timeline
- 4-6 weeks before: get quotes & book
- 2-3 weeks before: pre-move survey
- 1 week before: confirm logistics
- 1-2 days before: packing crew arrives (if full-pack)
- Move day: pickup, load, seal, depart
- 5-14 business days: transit & delivery
Off-peak (October-March) timelines compress; peak season (May-August) requires more lead time on every step.
Common questions about the process
How long after the survey will I get the binding estimate?
Usually within 1-2 business days. Faster for video surveys. The estimate is delivered as a PDF with line-item pricing, your assigned coordinator’s contact info, and a digital signature link.
Is the same crew packing, loading, and delivering?
Pickup crew handles packing and loading. Transit is handled by the long-haul driver. Delivery crew unloads at destination. Your move coordinator is the single thread that connects all three teams to you.
What if I need to reschedule?
Reschedule any time before the day of pickup with no penalty. Day-of cancellations may be subject to a fee. Weather-driven reschedules are always free of charge.
Can I track my shipment in transit?
Yes – your move coordinator shares ETAs and any updates as the truck moves toward delivery. We don’t have GPS tracking visible to customers in real time, but we have current location data internally and update you actively.
Why every step matters. The reason long-distance moves go wrong is almost always a step that got skipped or rushed – a survey that wasn’t done in person, a binding estimate that didn’t lock pricing, a coordinator who couldn’t reach the driver. Our process treats each of the six steps as a quality gate.
Dedicated coordinator
FMCSA-licensed
BBB A+
Ready to start step 1?
Get your initial quote in 5 minutes. We’ll schedule a survey and give you a binding estimate within 1-2 business days.
Popular long-distance moving routes
Binding quotes on our most-requested cross-country lanes — no surprise fees.