Long Distance Movers Do Not Charge Per Hour.
- American National Movers
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read

When you see someone asking, "How much do long distance movers charge per hour?", it's usually a misunderstanding — especially for moves exceeding 100–150 miles. Charging by the hour doesn't work well for long distance because there are too many variables: traffic, fuel, load weight, access issues, waiting time, drive time back empty, etc.
Instead, genuine long distance moving companies charge based on your volume (cubic feet) or weight (pounds). That quote covers:
Driver compensation & labor
Fuel
Packing materials
Insurance/valuation
Truck usage
When Moving "Long Distance" Can Still Be Within One State.

Many people request 200–500-mile moves, expecting a cheap price. But those moves frequently come with quotes of $5,000–$7,000. This isn't always greed — it's due to factors like deadhead miles, limited service coverage, fuel, and load balancing. At American National Movers, our efficiency allows us to quote $2,800–$3,500 for trips with smaller loads by optimizing routes and combining shipments.
Hidden Cost Drivers You Must Know
Deadhead / Return Trip: The cost to bring the truck back empty is included in the price.
Access & Carry Fees: Stairs, elevators, and long carry distances significantly raise costs.
No Shared Routes: Movers unfamiliar with that route lack backhaul, so they charge more.
Unclear Services: Packing, disassembly, and specialty items are often excluded in "cheap" quotes.
In-State Long Distance Move More Expensive Than You Thought?
Consumers who have this problem typically reside in states like California and Texas. They request a quote for a 200-mile relocation and are surprised to find that the costs range from $5,000 to $7,000. In most cases, paying that much is expensive, we get it.
But Consider This:

The mover has to travel far, possibly without a load, going both ways
Access, stairs, long carries, fuel surcharges, and insurance all add up
Many "cheap" models don't operate in those lanes regularly, so you pay for scarcity
At American National Movers, we aim to give you more competitive rates for mid-instate long haul distances. For example, we target $2,800 to $3,500 for moves in the 250–500 mile range. Because we operate nationwide lanes and optimize truck flows, we can undercut many local long distance movers who are limited to one or two service areas.
Why Moving Companies Are Expensive: 200 to 500 Mile Relocations?
In the simplest terms, movers may be expensive for long range intrastate moves because they factor in deadhead miles (driving empty). This is a common issue for local movers in California, Texas, and other large states because many brands are limited to certain areas and primarily focus on short-distance moves.
-Deadhead Miles.
After dropping off your things, the crew usually has to drive back empty. That "return trip" cost gets baked into your quote — or in cheaper quotes, pushed onto you later.
-Limited Local Coverage.
Most local movers focus on short moves (20–50 miles). They don't run long distance routes often, so they don't have the infrastructure (or backhaul loads) to make your quote cost-effective. That means their quotes for 200–300 miles can be inflated because they're covering risk.
-Service Inconsistencies.
Many local or short-haul movers don't offer:
Binding not-to-exceed estimates.
Those gaps force them to mark up prices or introduce surprises.
Affordable Short Range Long Distance Movers.
If you need to move in-state but your mileage is longer than the typical local move, contact American National Movers or a brand that primarily focuses on long distance moves. Moving companies that mainly do short range moves prefer to avoid local hauls with high mileage, and their prices reflect that. Please do not assume every moving company operates and quotes this way—it's best to contact a few moving businesses before choosing a mover or going another route, such as renting a U-Haul.
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