When you’re getting ready to move to another state, you’ve likely booked the movers and bought a ridiculous number of boxes—you probably feel quite on top of things. But the part that no one tells you is that once the wheels start turning, you have a bunch of secret expenses to pay. They’re not obvious, they’re not friendly, and they definitely weren’t on the first quote, but you have no choice but to pay them. Here are ten hidden fees when you move across state lines.
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Elevator Reservation Fees in Apartment Buildings
Anyone living in a high-rise might need to book the elevator, as some buildings charge $100 or more just to let movers block off the lift for a few hours—and don’t be surprised if they want a separate deposit too. You’ll usually have to schedule your elevator booking days in advance through the building manager. If you forget or miss the window, they may deny access altogether, forcing your movers to use the stairs, which could lead to even more surprise fees.
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Requirements
Speaking of city apartments, the building management might ask your movers to show a Certificate of Insurance and if your moving company doesn’t already have the right one, you’ll have to pay for a special one. These are usually $50 to $150 and some buildings require the COI to list them as “additionally insured” with very specific liability amounts. Even if it’s missing a single line, they’ll send you back to revise it, which could mean more delays.
Long Carry Charges
You need to make sure that the moving truck is able to pull right up to your new place because if it can’t, then you’re on the hook for a “long carry” fee. Essentially, if your stuff has to be hauled more than 75 feet, the movers charge extra for the additional effort, whether you’re in a house with a long driveway or an apartment that’s just really far from the curb. It’s usually based on how many feet beyond the limit they have to carry and they’ll bring out the tape measure to check.
Storage Access Fees
Moving often involves putting your stuff into short-term storage, but don’t assume you can just swing by and grab things like it’s a public locker. Some companies charge a “visit fee” just to let you peek inside, which is usually $25 to $75 each time, and they’ll often require advance notice. Some companies also limit how often you’re able to access your items during storage, so if you’re someone who checks your stuff frequently, it gets expensive quickly.
Extra Stop Charges for Multiple Drop-Offs
Likewise, if your stuff isn’t all going to one place, perhaps because you have a short-term rental or need to drop half your boxes at your mom’s, you’ll have to pay for that extra stop. It doesn’t matter if it’s just five minutes down the road, it still counts and no, your movers won’t round it down. You’re looking at something like $100 per drop that gets added later.
Fuel Surcharge Based On Market Rates
Just when you thought “fuel included” meant no surprises, here comes the fine print—some companies tack on a fuel surcharge if the gas prices jump too high. It’s tied to national averages and could become part of your bill post-move as a fee of anything from $50 to $200 extra, depending on how far you’re going. Your contract might even include a chart that calculates the rate based on the average price per gallon during your moving week.
State-Specific Permit or Toll Fees
Certain states refuse to just wave you through when you’re moving in and they’ll make you pay for the privilege. Some movers will force you to pay random toll or permit charges they picked up driving through states like New York or Massachusetts, although they might not mention it upfront. Instead, it’s buried in your final bill and you might see a line for $80 that you have no clue about until you ask—it’s totally legal & depends on the route they take.
Binding Estimate Recalculation Fees
Even though you’ve given the movers a list of everything you’re bringing, you might’ve forgotten about the stuff in your crawlspace or decided to throw in those five random chairs at the last minute. As a result, you’ve triggered a recalculation, which involves them redoing your estimate and charging you around $100 just to change the paperwork, which doesn’t include the new weight or labor. It’s just to press “update” on their end, no matter how unfair that might seem.
Out-of-State Licensing Surcharge
Not all moving companies can legally drive across state lines and if the one you hired isn’t allowed to, they’ll bring in another company to handle part of the move. And yes, you’re covering the cost of the handover, which they’ll call a “licensing surcharge” or something vague. It might be $100, or it might be triple that, but either way, it’s easy to miss unless you’re really watching the numbers.
State-Specific Fuel Emissions or Environmental Fees
Certain states have stricter fuel & emissions rules that you might have to pay for if the moving truck isn’t already compliant. California, for example, has all kinds of extra regulations and movers will absolutely pass those costs on to you, although they won’t list it as a “California fee.” Instead, they’ll say something like “environmental compliance” and will charge $75 or more at the end. Most movers know it’s coming and don’t say anything until you ask about it.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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