Interstate moving services: FMCSA rules and how to use them
Every move that crosses state lines is regulated by FMCSA. That gives you specific consumer protections most people never use — knowing them changes which carrier you book.
By Ryan Mitchell, Senior moving industry analyst · Reviewed by Amanda Brooks, Licensed relocation consultant · Updated April 2026
An "interstate move" is any household-goods move where the origin and destination are in different U.S. states. The moment that boundary is crossed, federal law (49 CFR Parts 375–379, administered by FMCSA) supersedes state intrastate rules. Every legitimate interstate mover must hold an active USDOT number, a Motor Carrier (MC) number with household-goods authority, and the cargo and liability insurance FMCSA requires.
The good news: federal rules give consumers stronger and more consistent protections than most state intrastate regimes. The bad news: those protections only kick in if you book a properly registered carrier and use the federal complaint and claims processes correctly. Most consumers don't, and rogue carriers exploit that gap.
Verify before you book
FMCSA's free SAFER Company Snapshot tool (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) lets you look up any carrier's USDOT and MC numbers, current operating authority, insurance on file, complaint history, and out-of-service status. This takes less than a minute and rules out roughly 90% of bad actors.
- Active operating authority for "household goods" — not just "property." The two are distinct.
- Cargo and liability insurance on file (the snapshot lists both).
- Complaint count and out-of-service orders in the last 12 months.
- Whether the entity is registered as a carrier, broker, or both.
Your federal protections
- Right to a written estimate and order for service before pickup.
- Right to be present when the truck is weighed (and to a re-weigh if you're disputing the bill).
- 110% rule: on a non-binding estimate, the carrier can collect at delivery only up to 110% of the original estimate; the rest must be billed in 30 days.
- Right to file a written claim within 9 months of delivery.
- Right to file a federal complaint at the National Consumer Complaint Database (nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov).
Carriers vs. brokers (it matters)
FMCSA registers brokers separately from carriers. Brokers don't own trucks or employ drivers — they sell your move to whoever has capacity. Some brokers are excellent at matching loads to good carriers; many are not. The single highest-leverage question to ask any "moving company" you're talking to is: "Are you the carrier that will physically move my goods, or are you a broker placing the load with another carrier?" The answer determines who's accountable when something goes wrong.
Real 2026 cost guide
| Scenario | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1BR cross-state | $1,500–$3,500 | Often consolidated load; container competitive. |
| 2BR cross-state, 1,000 mi | $2,800–$5,800 | Mid-market sweet spot. |
| 3BR cross-state, 1,500 mi | $4,500–$8,500 | Van lines usually win on consistency. |
| 4BR+ cross-country | $7,500–$15,000 | Dedicated truck recommended. |
- • Any move crossing state lines, regardless of size
- • Customers who want federal consumer protections to apply
- • High-value loads where claims accountability matters
- • The move is intrastate (use the state-licensed local or long-distance product)
- • You need pickup and delivery on the same day across a state line under ~250 miles (a dedicated local-style truck may be cheaper)
What to ask before you book
- Verify USDOT and MC numbers in FMCSA SAFER before paying any deposit.
- Confirm "household goods" operating authority specifically (not just "property").
- Ask: carrier or broker? Get the answer in writing.
- Request a binding-not-to-exceed estimate after a video or in-home survey.
- Read the bill of lading before signing — it's the binding contract.
- Document any pre-existing damage and inventory at pickup; require an inventory copy.
- Save delivery paperwork for at least 9 months (the FMCSA claim window).
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