By Joe Schwartz, CEO and Co-Owner, AAA Movers · Serving Minneapolis and Chicago · Last updated August 28, 2026 How long a long-distance move takes depends on where you're going, how much you're moving, and the route the truck needs to take. One thing that's important to understand is that drive time isn't the same as moving time. A trip that takes 20 hours by car doesn't mean your belongings will arrive the next day. Commercial truck drivers have federal limits on how many hours they can drive, and the moving process also includes loading, weighing, routing, required rest periods, and unloading. At AAA Movers, our long-distance moves come with a guaranteed delivery date, so you'll know when your belongings are scheduled to arrive before the move begins. The first thing we explain to customers is that you can't look at Google Maps and use that drive time to figure out when the moving truck will arrive. A family driving from Minneapolis to Phoenix, for example, can switch drivers, stop when they want, and potentially drive late into the night. A commercial truck driver can't do that. There are federal limits on driving hours, along with required breaks and rest periods. The truck also has to account for loading, weighing, routing, fuel stops, traffic, weather, and unloading at the destination. That's why we look at the entire move when determining your delivery date, not just the number of miles between your old home and your new one. One of the biggest concerns customers have with a long-distance move is pretty simple: When am I actually getting my stuff? At AAA Movers, our long-distance moves have a guaranteed delivery date. That means you're not left with an open-ended estimate wondering whether your belongings will show up Tuesday, Friday, or sometime the following week. Your delivery date is determined as part of planning the move. We look at the distance, shipment, route, legally available driving time, and the other logistics involved before committing to that date. You'll also see important pickup and delivery information in your bill of lading. In simple terms, the bill of lading is the contract between you and the moving company for your shipment. It documents important information about the move, including the services being provided and the agreed pickup and delivery information. Keep your copy with you during the move rather than packing it in a box that goes on the truck. If you ever have a question about what was agreed to, this is one of the first documents you'll want to reference. Commercial moving trucks can't simply drive until they reach your destination. Federal hours-of-service rules generally allow a property-carrying commercial driver to drive for up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. There are additional limits on total on-duty time, along with required breaks. For customers, you don't need to memorize all of those rules. The important thing to know is that a moving truck cannot legally drive across the country nonstop. We account for those limits when scheduling your guaranteed delivery date. A long-distance move can generally be broken into three parts: All three matter when figuring out how long your move will actually take. Even with a guaranteed delivery date, several factors determine how much time AAA Movers needs to schedule for the move. Distance and route. More miles usually mean more driving days. The actual route matters too. Driving through major cities, construction zones, mountain passes, or other difficult areas can change how a move needs to be scheduled. Shipment size. The amount you're moving affects loading, transportation, and unloading time. Weather. Snow, ice, severe storms, and other dangerous conditions can affect commercial trucks just like any other vehicle. This is especially important on winter moves through Minnesota, the Upper Midwest, and mountain states. Packing readiness. If you're supposed to be packed when the crew arrives but half the house still needs to go into boxes, load day can take considerably longer. If you need help, arrange professional packing services ahead of time. Access. Tight streets, limited truck parking, elevators, long carries, loading docks, and building restrictions can all add time. If you're moving into an apartment or condo, find out whether you need to reserve an elevator or loading area before moving day. These are exactly the kinds of details we consider before committing to a delivery date. Even when you know exactly when your belongings are scheduled to arrive, there are some things that should never go on the moving truck. A good rule is: if you can't comfortably go without it until delivery, keep it with you. That includes: Keep these items physically separate while the crew is loading. Putting them in your car first is usually the easiest option. Our moving checklist can also help you figure out what should stay with you. Knowing your guaranteed delivery date makes planning the rest of the move much easier, but you still want to think through the timing of your closing, lease, travel, and utilities. For example, don't schedule delivery for a day when you don't actually have access to the property yet. If there's going to be a gap between leaving your old home and getting into the new one, temporary storage may be the better option. The earlier we know about these details, the easier it is to build the move around your schedule. Whether you're considering AAA Movers or another company, don't be afraid to ask specific questions before signing anything. AAA Movers operates under USDOT #1140502 and MN DOT #101574. We also provide a point of contact throughout the move and real-time tracking on our long-distance trucks. You can verify interstate movers through FMCSA's Protect Your Move website before hiring them. Common questions about long-distance moving timelines, delivery dates, and the paperwork that holds them. It depends on the distance, route, shipment size, and logistics involved. Remember that the drive itself is only one part of the move. Loading, federal driving limits, required rest, traffic, weather, and unloading all have to be considered. Yes. AAA Movers provides a guaranteed delivery date for its long-distance moves. The date is determined when planning the move so you know when your belongings are scheduled to arrive. A bill of lading is an important contract between you and your mover covering your shipment. It contains important details about the move, including the services being provided and pickup and delivery information. Keep your copy with you until your move is complete. Commercial drivers have federal limits on how many hours they can drive and how much rest they must take. Moving trucks also have to account for loading, unloading, fuel, traffic, routing, weighing, and other parts of transporting a household shipment. AAA Movers considers moves beyond 50 miles to be long-distance moves. Moves that cross state lines are also subject to federal interstate moving regulations. Be cautious if a mover won't clearly explain when your belongings will be delivered, won't put important terms in writing, asks for an unusually large upfront deposit, or doesn't have a USDOT number you can verify. When you're trying to figure out how long a long-distance move will take, don't base your plans on Google Maps. There is a lot more happening between load day and delivery than simply driving from Point A to Point B. The important thing is knowing when you'll actually get your belongings. With AAA Movers, you'll have a guaranteed delivery date so you can plan your travel, new home, and the rest of your move around a date you know ahead of time. If you're planning a long-distance move, call us at (612) 448-2641 or message us for a free quote. Once we know where you're going and what you're moving, we can work out the timeline and delivery date for your move. About the author Joe Schwartz is the CEO and Co-Owner of AAA Movers, a Minneapolis and Chicago moving company in business since 1964. Alongside co-owner John Schwartz, he leads our ProMover certified crews across Minnesota and the Chicago market. Our Minneapolis location holds a 4.9-star Google rating across more than 1,600 reviews. AAA Movers operates under USDOT #1140502 and MN DOT #101574.Quick Answer
Key Takeaways
How Long Do Long-Distance Movers Take?
AAA Movers Provides a Guaranteed Delivery Date
What Is a Bill of Lading?
How Far Can a Moving Truck Legally Drive in a Day?
What Affects Long-Distance Moving Time?
What Should You Keep With You?
Planning Around Your Delivery Date
Questions to Ask Any Long-Distance Mover Before You Sign
FAQ
How long do long-distance movers take?
Does AAA Movers guarantee the delivery date?
What is a bill of lading?
Why does a moving truck take longer than driving there myself?
What is considered a long-distance move?
What are some red flags when hiring a long-distance mover?
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