Is 50 -100 Miles Considered Long Distance To Movers?

American National Movers
Sep 4
3 min read

Short answer: yes and no.

A 50–100-mile haul is shorter than average, but movers still price and schedule it like a long‑distance load. Hourly rates work best for true local moves (same city, short travel). Once you're past roughly 50 miles, it's hard for movers to predict the hours because you're paying for travel time, loading, unloading, and the return trip. That's why many movers stop using hourly and price 50–100-mile jobs as a long distance move.

Solution:

American National Movers offers reasonable price on 50 to 100 mile long distance moves;

~50 miles: $1,800 (less for a few pieces) • ~100 miles: $2,300–$2,500 • Same‑day pickup & delivery • BNTE option available.

Green truck driving on an empty highway with mountains and trees in the background. The sky is clear and blue. — You might be surprised at how expensive movers can be, even for short 50-100 mile moves. This is because they factor in the travel time to the destination and to drive back empty. At American National Movers, we offer one-way moving and piggyback options to help keep your costs as affordable as possible.

American National Movers: Rates on 50-100 Mile Moves.

We price these the way customers expect: simple flat ranges, one crew, same‑day pickup and drop‑off. Here is a chart showing how much American National Movers charges for 50-100 mile moves:

Why Movers May Be Expensive Even if Your Move is Within 100 Miles.

Most people think: "Pack in a couple hours, drive a couple hours… shouldn't this be under $2,000?" Here's why the price may be higher than expected—and it's not just fuel:

A black question mark in an open cardboard box. The box is plain brown with visible seams, creating a sense of mystery.

Travel time eats the clock. You pay the crew for their time there and back.
Deadhead miles. The truck often returns empty, but the time still costs wages.
No second job. A 100‑mile run usually blocks the whole day, even if the load isn't huge.
Opportunity cost. That same truck could run two local 20–30 mile jobs, each grossing $1,500–$2,000.

Net effect: if a 50–100 mile quote isn’t close to double a short local, the truck is better used elsewhere—hence the “long‑distance‑style” pricing.

How To Keep 50-100 Mile Moves Within Budget.

Moving options such as truck rentals, PODS, American National Movers, and small moving companies are the best cheapest options for long distance moves within 100 miles:

Truck rental (DIY): Lowest sticker price, highest effort. Great if you have help and easy access to parking. You carry the risk, the driving, and the stairs.
Portable container (PODS‑style): Flexible timing; you load at your pace. Delivery/parking constraints can incur additional fees; the final cost can rival that of professional movers once add-ons are factored in.
Small/local carrier: Affordable on short range long distance moves, provided they have availability. Make sure you verify reviews and insurance to ensure your long distance movers are reliable.
American National Movers (short‑range lane): Pro crew, same‑day pickup/drop, flat rates (~$1,800 @ 50 miles; $2,300–$2,500 @ 100 miles).

What You Need To Know: Long Distance Moving Vs. Interstate.

Movers may call a 50–100 mile job “long‑distance” for pricing/scheduling reasons, but the legal term interstate only applies when your shipment crosses a state line. If you stay in one state, it’s intrastate—even if it’s 99 miles.

Why it matters:

Interstate (crosses a state line): Mover must be federally authorized (USDOT/MC), follow FMCSA rules, use a federal bill of lading, and offer specific claims/arbitration processes. Pricing is often weight‑based with clear line items.
Intrastate (inside one state): Regulated by your state (rules vary). Some states treat moves over ~100 miles as “long‑distance intrastate” and price by weight/distance; others keep it hourly.
Industry slang vs. law: “Long‑distance” is mover slang tied to how a job blocks a full truck‑day. “Interstate/intrastate” are legal categories that control paperwork and dispute rules—not necessarily the final price.

Two quick examples:

60 miles, NYC → NJ: Short distance, interstate (crosses state line). Expect interstate paperwork; short‑range pricing still makes sense.
90 miles, city ↔ city in the same state: Intrastate. How it’s priced depends on your state’s rules, but it often behaves like a “mini long‑distance” because it ties up a truck‑day.

50-100 MileLong Distance Movers, Affordable Pricing.

Moving 50 to 100 miles away is technically not considered a long-distance move, but determining an hourly rate may be challenging, and it does require a crew for the entire day. That's why you might be surprised to find that the average moving costs for a move within 100 miles are around $4,000. At American National Movers, we price 50-100 mile hauls as long distance, but at an affordable average cost of $2,300, sometimes less.