Interstate vs Intrastate: Moving and Licensing Explained
Fact Checked by: Choosing between interstate and intrastate moving influences your costs, paperwork, and timeline. If you’re staring down a maze of acronyms and fine print, you’re not alone. We help thousands of people each month compare options, check credentials, and avoid surprises so they can book confidently. This guide breaks down the differences in plain English, with expert tips to save money and stress. If you’re already comparing providers, take a look at our best interstate moving companies list for vetted picks.
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Quick reference: Interstate vs. intrastate comparison
Use this table to see how regulations, insurance, and day-to-day work differ.
| Aspect | Interstate | Intrastate |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Crosses state or national borders | Operates strictly within one state |
| Regulatory agency | FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) | State DOT or equivalent agency |
| CDL requirements | Federal standards, 21+ years, DOT medical exam | State standards, 18+ years (varies), state medical rules |
| Typical vehicles | Larger trucks (18-wheelers, tractor-trailers) | Smaller trucks, box trucks, vans |
| Route distances | Long-haul, cross-country | Short-haul, local/regional |
| Insurance minimums | Higher, federally mandated | Lower, state-specific |
| Job/lifestyle | Long trips, nights away from home | Home daily, regular hours |
| Common examples | Moving household goods from Texas to California | Local deliveries within New York |
Definitions: What is interstate vs. intrastate?
Interstate covers any operation, trucking, moving, or commerce, that crosses state or national borders. If your goods, services, or vehicle travel from one state to another, you’re operating interstate. Intrastate means the entire move stays within a single state’s boundaries. You can drive hundreds of miles and still be intrastate as long as you don’t cross a state line.
Why this matters: The distinction determines which laws, insurance minimums, and licensing requirements apply. Getting it wrong can lead to fines, delays, or insurance gaps.
- Interstate = across state lines: Think Los Angeles, California to Denver, Colorado, even if you only cross a state line for a few miles, the move is interstate.
- Intrastate = within one state: Think Miami to Orlando, Florida, pickup and delivery occur in the same state, so state rules apply.
CDL licensing and requirements: Interstate vs. intrastate
Not all commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) are the same. When you’re hiring movers, here’s how license types and eligibility differ.
Interstate CDL
Interstate CDLs are governed by federal standards and allow drivers to cross state lines.
- Background & compliance: Interstate drivers are subject to federal background checks, drug and alcohol testing, and hours-of-service limits.
- Medical clearance: A valid DOT physical from a certified examiner is required and must be kept current.
- Minimum age: Drivers must be 21 or older to operate commercially across state lines.
- Scope: Required any time a driver crosses a state line, even on a one-off shipment.
- Who sets the rules: The FMCSA establishes testing, safety, and compliance standards for interstate drivers.
Intrastate CDL
Intrastate CDLs restrict drivers to operations within the issuing state.
- Medical requirements: Standards may follow DOT guidelines or state-specific rules — check your state’s driver handbook.
- Minimum age: Many states allow 18+ to drive intrastate; some set higher limits for certain vehicles or cargo.
- Scope: Valid only for pickup and delivery within the state; crossing a border requires interstate authority.
- Who sets the rules: Your state DOT or PUC defines testing, renewals, and safety programs for intrastate commerce.
Restrictions and endorsements
Some licenses are marked “intrastate only,” which prohibits crossing state lines for work. Endorsements (like hazardous materials or passenger) often include added testing and background checks, especially for interstate drivers.
For compliance basics, see our overviews of moving company regulations and the USDOT lookup tool.
Operational scope: What qualifies as interstate or intrastate?
The classification also hinges on what you carry and who controls the shipment.
- Interstate operations: Any trip where the vehicle, cargo, bill of lading, or route crosses a state or national border. Even if the origin and destination are in the same state, routing that leaves the state typically makes the shipment interstate.
- Intrastate operations: Pickup, transit, and delivery all occur within the same state, and the cargo never enters interstate commerce.
Common activities:
- Interstate examples: Long-distance household moves, cross-country freight, and car shipping between states.
- Intrastate examples: Local moves, in-state deliveries, and regional routes that begin and end inside one state.
Regulatory bodies and compliance
Different agencies oversee interstate and intrastate carriers. Missing a registration or insurance filing is one of the most common reasons moves get delayed.
Interstate regulation
- Primary regulator: The FMCSA oversees safety, licensing, and insurance for interstate movers and carriers.
- Required identifiers: Carriers must hold a USDOT number and maintain current federal insurance filings.
- Safety oversight: Companies are subject to federal audits, hours-of-service limits, drug and alcohol testing, and periodic inspections.
Intrastate regulation
- Primary regulator: State DOTs or Public Utilities Commissions set rules for local carriers and household goods movers.
- State credentials: Many states require a state DOT or MC number and proof of insurance to operate legally.
- Tariffs and insurance: Movers must follow state-specific tariffs, dispute processes, and valuation/coverage minimums.
Pro tip: Verify credentials before you book. Use the FMCSA’s SAFER Company Snapshot for interstate carriers, and your state’s DOT lookup for intrastate movers.
Want vetted options fast? Here are our readers’ favorite full-service movers:
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Vehicle types, haul distances, and routes
The kind of move you book shapes equipment, routing, and pricing.
- Interstate: Long-haul carriers often use tractor-trailers (18-wheelers) on multi-day routes with wider delivery windows.
- Intrastate: Local crews typically run box trucks or cargo vans on repeat city or regional routes with tighter time windows.
Example: Moving from New York to Texas usually involves a semi-truck and federal paperwork. Moving across town? A box truck and state rules are more likely.
Insurance and safety requirements
Coverage options and safety rules differ, which affects your risk and your quote.
Interstate
- Liability minimums: FMCSA requires at least $750,000 in liability (more for certain cargo types); many reputable movers carry higher limits.
- Safety standards: Federal hours-of-service, drug/alcohol testing, and recordkeeping apply to interstate carriers.
- Valuation options: Interstate movers must offer released-value protection (60¢ per pound) and optional full-value protection for an added fee.
Intrastate
- Safety rules: States may adopt or modify federal standards. Check your state’s mover regulations.
- State minimums: Insurance requirements vary by state and are usually lower than federal thresholds.
- Valuation: Some states set released-value coverage as low as 30¢ per pound; full-value protection may be optional.
Bottom line: Always ask what coverage is included, how claims work, and whether you should add full-value protection for high-value items.
Practical examples and real-world scenarios
Scenario 1: Interstate household move
When Jason moved from Oregon to South Carolina, he chose U-Pack’s 28-foot trailer for $6,109 and hired local movers for loading. Crossing multiple state lines triggered federal insurance, licensing, and carrier rules, so he verified credentials ahead of time.
“I hired local movers to help with loading in Oregon, shipped my car separately, and managed the logistics between multiple states. Using a hybrid approach gave me more control, but it was definitely more complex than a local move.”
– Jason Wang, Corvallis, OR to Seneca, SC
Scenario 2: Intrastate local move
Moving from Houston to Dallas (about 240 miles) is still intrastate because pickup and delivery happen within Texas. Your mover will follow Texas licensing, tariffs, and insurance rules.
Scenario 3: “Shortcut” through another state
Some in-state routes briefly cross borders. A move from Oakland, Maryland to Annapolis, Maryland may dip into West Virginia or Virginia. Because origin and destination are both in Maryland, it’s typically intrastate — but confirm the company’s licensing and insurance for any out-of-state travel.
Scenario 4: Complex multi-state logistics
Amy’s Rochester, New York to Mineral Wells, Texas move with United Van Lines included full-value protection for interstate coverage. Despite a few damaged items, her claims process was straightforward.
“Four items were damaged, but United paid the claim quickly. Communication was excellent, and all regulations for moving my goods across state lines were clearly explained.”
– Amy Temple, Rochester, NY to Mineral Wells, TX
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What’s the minimum age for interstate CDL drivers?
Interstate CDL drivers must be at least 21 years old under federal law. Drivers ages 18–20 may be eligible for intrastate CDLs in many states, but they cannot cross state lines commercially. If you’re close to turning 21, consider finishing required training and your DOT physical so you’re ready for interstate work on your birthday.
Can a driver with an intrastate CDL operate in another state?
No. An intrastate CDL restricts you to operations within the issuing state. To legally cross state lines, you need interstate authority that meets FMCSA standards, including appropriate insurance filings and safety program compliance.
What are the insurance requirements for interstate vs. intrastate moves?
Interstate carriers must meet federal liability minimums (at least $750,000, often higher depending on cargo). Intrastate minimums are set by each state and tend to be lower. Always confirm the mover’s active policy and ask whether full-value protection is available for your shipment.
How can I tell if my move is interstate or intrastate?
If any part of the shipment crosses a state line, the move is interstate. If pickup, transit, and delivery all happen inside one state, it’s intrastate. When in doubt, ask the mover to specify which authority they’ll use on your bill of lading and verify it with the USDOT lookup.
Do moving companies need a USDOT number for local moves?
Only if they also operate interstate. Some states require their own DOT or MC number even for local moves, so a reputable intrastate mover will still show state credentials and proof of insurance. If your project could cross a border, confirm that the mover holds active interstate authority as well.
Additional resources
Want to go deeper on rules, costs, and planning? These guides are a great next step.
Conclusion: Why the interstate vs. intrastate label matters
Understanding the difference shapes your budget, timeline, and risk. The right authority and coverage helps you avoid costly surprises and keep your move on schedule.
Ready to price your move? Use our calculator to compare options and see how distance and services affect your bottom line.
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How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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