Why Understanding Private Long-Distance Moving Companies Matters
Private long distance moving companies are independent movers that handle cross-country relocations with their own trucks and crews, rather than brokering your move to third parties. This model offers key advantages:
- Direct accountability – You work with one team from quote to delivery.
- Personalized service – Smaller operations can provide more attentive customer care.
- Transparent pricing – No middleman fees or surprise handoffs to unknown carriers.
- Local expertise – Many specialize in specific routes, like from Chicago to Florida.
Moving across the country is a major life event. Long-distance moves—typically over 400 miles or across state lines—present unique challenges. The average cost for an interstate move is around $9,060, but this varies based on distance, volume, and the company you choose.
You’re entrusting all your belongings to a moving company. Understanding the difference between private carriers and brokers is crucial. Private movers own their equipment and employ their own crews, maintaining direct control over your shipment. This contrasts with brokers, who act as middlemen, coordinating with other companies to fulfill your move. This distinction can save you money and prevent major headaches.
I’m Mina Georgalas, owner and president of Bernard Movers, a family-owned moving company serving Chicago and 45 states across the U.S. since 1972. With nearly 30 years of experience, I’ve seen how choosing the right private long distance moving companies ensures a smooth transition, especially for families moving from Illinois to destinations like Florida or Georgia.
Private long distance moving companies terms to remember:
Understanding the Landscape of Long-Distance Moves
Understanding the landscape of long-distance moving is the first step to a successful relocation. When you partner with the right private long distance moving companies and know who is handling your belongings, you become an informed partner in your move. For our clients in Chicago, Melrose Park, and Des Plaines, this knowledge is the key to a stress-free transition.
What Defines a Long-Distance Move?
Most private long distance moving companies consider a move over 400 miles to be long-distance, but the key factor is crossing state lines. A move within Illinois is an intrastate move. A move from Illinois to Florida is an interstate move, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This federal oversight involves strict licensing, insurance, and consumer protection rules, adding complexity not found in local moves. Due to this complexity, we recommend booking at least four weeks in advance, especially during peak season.
For a deeper understanding of what makes these cross-country moves tick, take a look at our guide on state-to-state moving.
Types of Long-Distance Moving Services
Private long distance moving companies offer a range of services to fit your needs and budget.
- Full-service moving is the most comprehensive option. It includes professional packing and unpacking, furniture disassembly and reassembly, loading, transportation, and unloading. This hands-off approach lets you focus on your transition.
- Expedited services provide a dedicated truck and crew for your move, guaranteeing delivery dates and offering the fastest transit times.
- Consolidated shipping is a budget-friendly option where your belongings share truck space with other shipments heading in the same direction. This is more economical but requires flexibility with delivery windows.
The choice often comes down to cost versus speed. Guaranteed delivery dates typically cost more, while flexible timelines can reduce your budget. You can explore what a comprehensive approach involves at our full-service moving page.
Key Differences: Carrier vs. Broker
It’s crucial to know if you’re hiring a direct carrier or a moving broker.
A direct carrier, like Bernard Movers, owns its trucks and employs its own crews. We control your shipment from start to finish. This ensures direct carrier accountability; if an issue arises, you call us directly. This structure allows for personalized service and consistent quality, as our teams are trained to our standards. With a direct carrier, you get transparent pricing without hidden broker fees or surprise handoffs to other companies.
A moving broker acts as a middleman. They don’t own trucks or employ movers but connect you with a carrier. While some brokers are reputable, this model introduces risks. Your move might be assigned to a carrier you haven’t vetted, and communication can be complicated. The initial quote from a broker may not match the final price charged by the actual carrier. When we talk to families in Wilmette and Des Plaines, we always recommend prioritizing direct carriers for peace of mind.
For a comprehensive look at all your moving options, check out this essential guide to out-of-state moving options.
How to Select the Right Private Long-Distance Moving Companies
Choosing the right partner for your long-distance move is a critical decision. For families moving from Chicago, Melrose Park, or Elmhurst, selecting from the many private long distance moving companies requires careful vetting to ensure your belongings are treated with care.
Decoding Service Costs and Timelines
The average interstate move cost of $9,060 is just a baseline. The final price depends on several factors:
- Weight and Volume: The more you move, the higher the cost.
- Distance: Mileage between your old and new home.
- Time of Year: Peak season (summer, end of the month) is more expensive.
- Additional Services: Packing, crating, storage, or auto transport add to the cost.
- Accessibility: Difficult access like stairs or long carries may incur extra fees.
When getting quotes, you’ll see two main types:
- Binding Estimates: A guaranteed price, provided your inventory doesn’t change. We recommend this for transparency.
- Non-Binding Estimates: An approximation based on estimated weight. The final cost can change, which carries a risk of unexpected charges.
For timelines, book your move at least four weeks in advance. Transit time can range from a few days for expedited services to several weeks for consolidated shipments. A move from Chicago to Florida, for example, might take 5-10 days with a dedicated truck. To get a comprehensive understanding of what to expect financially, dig into Understanding the average cost for movers.
Your Vetting Checklist for private long distance moving companies
Use this checklist to vet private long distance moving companies for your move from Skokie or Morton Grove:
- Verify Licensing (USDOT Number): All interstate movers must have a USDOT number from the FMCSA. Verify it on the FMCSA website to check a company’s safety record and operating authority. This simple step helps you avoid illegitimate companies. The FMCSA database also shows if they are a carrier or broker and have active insurance. A reputable company will display its USDOT number prominently on its website and trucks.
- Understand Insurance (Valuation): Movers offer valuation, which is their liability for your goods.
- Released Value Protection: Basic, no-cost coverage at $0.60 per pound per item. This is minimal protection.
- Full Value Protection: A more comprehensive option where the mover is liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged items. It costs extra but provides greater peace of mind. Ask the mover to explain the cost and deductible for Full Value Protection. Check if your homeowners’ insurance policy covers moves, as many do not. Never assume you are fully covered without written confirmation.
- Read Customer Reviews: Check independent platforms for reviews. Look for patterns in feedback regarding professionalism, pricing, and communication. Go beyond the company’s own website. Look at sources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Google Reviews. Pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews—a professional response is a good sign.
- Review Pricing and Contracts: Get a clear, written quote, preferably a binding estimate. Ask about all potential fees upfront.
- Identify Red Flags and Scams: Be wary of unusually low estimates, demands for large cash deposits, no physical address or USDOT number, and high-pressure sales tactics. Common scams include the “hostage” scam, where movers demand more money before releasing your items, weight scams involving fraudulent weight tickets, and broker bait-and-switch tactics. For an official guide on what to look for, refer to the Official guide on hiring movers.
Preparing for a Successful Move with private long distance moving companies
Meticulous preparation is key to a smooth move from areas like Glencoe or Northfield.
- Create a Detailed Home Inventory: List all your belongings before packing. This helps with getting an accurate quote and is essential for any potential insurance claims. Taking photos of valuable items is also a good idea.
- Packing Best Practices: Proper packing protects your items. Use sturdy boxes, don’t overpack them, and label each box with its contents and destination room. Pack an “essentials” box with items you’ll need immediately upon arrival (toiletries, medications, documents) and keep it with you.
- Securing Belongings and Appliances: Disassemble large furniture if possible (we can handle this with our full-service option). Double-wrap fragile items and empty all drawers. Disconnect, drain, and clean all major appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, and secure any moving parts.
By taking these proactive steps, you contribute to the safety of your belongings, allowing us to execute our part of the move flawlessly. For a comprehensive guide, use A helpful moving checklist.
Executing Your Cross-Country Relocation
After weeks of preparation, your move day is here. With private long distance moving companies like Bernard Movers, this process is designed to be as smooth as possible for our clients moving from Illinois to new homes in Florida, Georgia, or elsewhere.
Move Day and Beyond
On move day, our professional crew will arrive, conduct a final walkthrough to confirm the inventory, and address any last-minute questions. Our team is trained in strategic loading practices to maximize space and protect your belongings during transit.
Once your shipment is on its way, you can use our shipment tracking to monitor its progress. We believe in open communication and provide regular updates so you’re never left wondering about the status of your move.
Upon arrival at your new home, our crew will unload your items, place boxes in their designated rooms, and reassemble any furniture we took apart. This is a critical time for you to inspect your belongings as they come off the truck. Check for any damage that may have occurred and note it on the inventory sheet before our crew leaves. Document any issues immediately with photos.
In the rare event of damage or loss, contact us right away. We will guide you through our straightforward claims process. Federal regulations require all interstate movers to have a dispute resolution program, and we are committed to resolving any concerns fairly and promptly. Our low claim rates are a testament to our experienced crews and rigorous safety protocols.
We want you to feel confident that choosing Bernard Movers means choosing a partner who cares about your move’s success.
To make your transition even smoother, we’re offering a 20% additional discount on moves from anywhere in Illinois to Georgia or Florida, booked for delivery by March 15, 2025.
Ready to turn your moving plans into reality? Start planning your Chicago move today. We’re here to help every step of the way.
