10 best long-distance moving companies in Pasadena, CA

Long-distance or interstate moves differ from local moves in important ways. When you're moving between states, you may come up against higher costs, complicated logistics, and concerns such as how to move your car.

The right movers can help ease your challenges. That’s why we’ve created this overview of the best long-distance movers in Pasadena to help you, your family, and your possessions get safely to your new home.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Moving companies that perform long-distance moves differ significantly from those that only assist with local moves. Local movers usually only work within a certain geographic area. They'll usually charge an exorbitant fee to work outside that area if they’re willing to at all.

When it comes to pricing, long-distance moving companies commonly set fees based on the weight of your items, while local movers typically set fees based on the length of time needed for your move. However, some providers use a mix of time and weight to set their rates, so be sure to check with your specific provider about its prices.

When faced with an interstate move, it's important to weigh the benefits of hiring long-distance versus local moving companies. Although local movers may have a better grasp of your specific location and potentially offer more affordable rates, the knowledge and experience that long-distance movers have in handling interstate moves is indispensable. Long-distance moving companies can save you time and headaches because they're more likely to have the relevant information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of interstate moves.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Pasadena

Choosing the right long-distance moving company in Pasadena requires research to ensure the company meets your needs and fits your budget. To help you navigate the process of picking a licensed and trustworthy long-distance moving company in Pasadena, we've collected some recommendations below.

• Ask about insurance: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires interstate movers to provide two kinds of insurance coverage: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. You can ask about these or similar insurance options for long-distance moves that don't cross state lines. To completely protect your belongings during the move, we suggest purchasing your own moving insurance on top of the coverage provided by your mover. To help you better understand your long-term moving insurance choices, we've provided a more detailed overview below.
• Assess qualifications: Moving companies performing interstate moves must have a USDOT number and be registered with the FMCSA. This registration serves as a sign that you're working with a qualified company. The FMCSA publishes complaint histories for movers on its website and enforces policies such as mandating that movers give clients a written price quote.
• Compare costs: Start requesting quotes several months before your move. For a comprehensive comparison, be sure to ask for detailed cost breakdowns from several long-distance movers in Pasadena. Quotes should include an itemized list with costs for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any additional services you think you might use.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers provide financing plans as a way to help customers pay for their moving expenses. If you need financial assistance for your move, a moving or relocation loan might be a strong choice to help cover expenses. Ask your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial assistance for your move. Looking into several choices allows you to pick the one with the best rates and lowest fees.
• Read reviews: You can find out what others have said about specific long-distance movers by reading Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other online review websites. Friends and loved ones can also provide valuable recommendations.
• Think about timing: Summer is the most popular time of year for moving, which means movers may be harder to book and costlier if you’re moving during the summer months. Since Pasadena is home to so many college students, the beginning and end of the school year may be particularly busy because of students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Be wary of movers that offer “too good to be true” quotes or nonbinding estimates. Reliable moving companies generally shouldn't request your complete payment upfront. If a mover has a history of negative reviews or BBB complaints, it's best to avoid them. The FMCSA details mover rights and responsibilities of which you should be aware.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A useful piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to schedule your moving company well in advance of your move date. It's best if you plan your move at least 90 days beforehand. This gives you enough time to hire movers. You may even want to start planning earlier than that if you need specialized services, like piano or car moving.

If you decide to pack for your move by yourself, we recommend getting started a month beforehand. When it comes to valuable, sentimental, or fragile belongings, such as plants or family heirlooms, you may opt to carry them in your car rather than the mover's truck.

To stay organized, make a detailed list of everything that needs to be done before and after your move, such as notifying the California DMV of your new address.

Make sure you're not without essentials in the first few days of your move by putting together a bag with items such as medicine, extra clothes, and a toothbrush and toothpaste.

The night before moving day, make sure you get plenty of rest.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

Moving insurance is a must for long-distance moves. It'll protect you if any of your belongings are lost or damaged.

The FMCSA requires all interstate movers to offer two insurance options. The first, Full Value Protection, requires movers to repair, replace, or provide a cash reimbursement for any items lost or damaged during your move. This policy may not apply to certain items that are extremely valuable (typically those valued at over $100 a pound), for some moving companies. You have to pay more for Full Value Protection, but it will ultimately get you more coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection doesn't cost you anything, but it has less coverage. With this insurance, your moving company will reimburse you up to 60 cents per pound for lost or damaged possessions.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might cover some of your belongings during the move if you keep the same policy during your move. This typically isn’t the case for long-distance moves, but checking your policy might be worth a look.

Sources

State of California Department of Motor Vehicles U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration