Long Distance Moving Companies
Long distance moving companies handle the logistics of relocating your entire household across hundreds of miles. Moving from Southampton to Glasgow or Norwich to Cardiff involves different planning than a local move across town. This guide covers how to choose a reliable company, what the costs look like, and practical tips for making a long-haul move go smoothly.
Long-distance UK moves cost £500 to £1,200 depending on property size and miles. Choose fixed-price quotes over hourly rates.
Message us in the live chat.
A Closer Look at Long Distance Moving Tips UK
Picking the right long distance movers comes down to five factors.
Insurance is non-negotiable.
Every booking includes £500 of goods-in-transit cover free, with £3,000 Plus cover available for £12.
Ask to see the certificate.
Second, check their vehicle fleet.
A proper long-distance mover uses large Luton or 7.5-tonne vehicles with air-ride suspension to reduce vibration on motorway stretches.
Third, read recent reviews.
Fourth, get a fixed-price quote rather than hourly.
Hourly rates on long-distance jobs create anxiety about every traffic jam.
Fifth, ask about their experience with your specific route.
A company that regularly runs London to Edinburgh knows the best stops, overnight parking, and access challenges at both ends.
Giant Van handles long-distance UK moves daily, with full insurance and fixed pricing.
Van Access for Long Distance Moving Tips UK: How It Works
How to Prepare Your Home for Long Distance Moving Tips UK
What You Get With Long Distance Moving Tips UK
Long distance moving companies provide a full-service package for relocations over 50 miles.
The standard inclusions are: a pre-move survey (video or in-person), a fixed-price written quote, the correct vehicle for the load, a crew of 2 to 4, moving blankets and ratchet straps, loading, long-haul transport, unloading, and furniture reassembly at the destination.
Insurance covers the entire journey, which is critical on routes where the van spends 3 to 6 hours on motorways.
Specialist add-ons include packing services, storage, piano moving, and vehicle transport.
The key difference between long-distance and local services is logistics.
A local crew returns to base the same day.
Long-distance crews may stay overnight if the distance exceeds 250 miles.
This affects pricing but should not affect quality.
Giant Van runs long-distance routes daily across the UK, including London to Manchester (200 miles), Bristol to Edinburgh (370 miles), and Southampton to Glasgow (400 miles).
Every booking includes goods in transit insurance.
Steps to Book Long Distance Moving Tips UK
- 01
Long-distance moves need more preparation than local ones because there is no second trip.
- 02
Start decluttering 6 weeks out.
- 03
Every item you remove from the load saves space, weight, and money.
- 04
Pack non-essential rooms first: loft, spare bedroom, garage.
- 05
Use small boxes for heavy items and large boxes for light items to keep weights manageable.
- 06
Label every box with room destination and contents on two sides.
- 07
Photograph the contents of each box before sealing it as a backup inventory.
- 08
For the move itself, confirm the route with your removal company.
Long Distance Moving Tips UK: Urban and Rural
Long distance moving companies charge based on volume and miles.
London to Birmingham (120 miles): £500 to £800 for a 3-bed house.
London to Manchester (200 miles): £600 to £950.
London to Edinburgh (400 miles): £800 to £1,200.
Bristol to Leeds (200 miles): £550 to £900.
Southampton to Glasgow (400 miles): £750 to £1,100.
These prices cover a full crew, van, loading, transport, unloading, and insurance.
Single-item or partial-load long-distance moves cost significantly less: £100 to £300 depending on item size and route.
Fixed-price quotes are essential for long-distance moves because hourly billing penalises you for traffic delays.
Giant Van provides fixed-price quotes for all UK routes with no mileage surcharges.
House removals start from £149, with long-distance pricing based on volume and destination.
A Better Standard of Long Distance Moving Tips UK
Check four things before booking long distance moving companies.
First, insurance: the van is on the road for hours, increasing the window for incidents.
Giant Van includes goods in transit insurance on every long-distance booking.
Second, vehicle suitability: a Luton van is fine up to 200 miles, but longer routes with heavy loads may need a 7.5-tonne truck.
Fourth, fixed-price quotes: hourly billing on a 5-hour motorway run creates unpredictable costs.
£500
Transit Insurance
Accredited
Industry Certified
The Smart Time to Book Long Distance Moving Tips UK
Professional Long Distance Movers vs DIY Van Hire
Planning motorcycle transport services alongside your household move saves time and reduces stress.
Coordinate both bookings to arrive at the new property on the same day if possible.
For the household contents, Giant Van runs long-distance UK moves daily.
Routes like London to Manchester, Bristol to Birmingham, and Edinburgh to London are covered regularly.
Every move is insured, and fixed-price quotes mean no surprise charges when the motorway is slow.
House removals start from £149.
Message us in the live chat.
Long-distance UK moves require more planning, better packing, and a reliable crew.
There are no second trips when you are moving 200 or 400 miles.
Giant Van runs long-distance routes daily, from London to Edinburgh and Bristol to Glasgow.
Every move is fixed-price, fully insured, and handled by trained crews.
If you are relocating across the country, start with a free video survey and receive a fixed quote within the hour.
Message us in the live chat.
- £500Transit Insurance
- Same DayAvailability
Related Services
- Man and Van
- House Removals
- Office Removals
- Packing Materials
- Van Hire
- Furniture Delivery
- International Removals
- Student Removals
- Long-Distance
- Removals by Town
- Removals Near Me by Area
- More Guides
- Cost Calculator
- Compare Options
- Moving Guides
- Locations
- About Us
- UK Moving Cost Report
- Our Methodology
- Editorial Standards
Moving Services You Can Book
Long Distance Moving Companies — FAQs
Are motorbike transport services insured during the move?
Reputable motorbike transport services carry goods in transit insurance that covers your bike during loading, transport, and unloading. Always ask for the insurance certificate and check the coverage limit. For bikes worth over £10,000, request a declaration of value to ensure the cover matches the bike's worth.
How much do car shipping companies charge for UK moves?
Car shipping companies charge £150 to £350 for open-trailer transport within the UK and £300 to £700 for enclosed transport. Prices vary with distance, vehicle size, and collection flexibility. Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead for the best rates and availability. Most companies offer door-to-door or depot-to-depot options.
How long does a long distance move take in the UK?
A long distance move in the UK takes 6 to 12 hours from start to finish. Loading a 3-bed house takes 2 to 3 hours. Transit from London to Manchester takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Unloading takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Moves over 300 miles may involve an overnight stop for the crew.
Giant Van coordinates timing so the crew arrives fresh and your belongings are delivered on schedule.
Do long distance moving companies offer storage if my dates don't align?
Yes. Most long distance moving companies offer short-term storage for 1 to 8 weeks when your move-out and move-in dates do not match. Items are loaded into a container at the old property, stored in a secure facility, and delivered to the new address when ready. Storage costs £80 to £200 per month depending on volume.
Giant Van arranges storage as part of the removal booking.
Is it worth hiring long distance movers for a 1-bed flat?
Yes, for moves over 100 miles. A DIY long-distance move with a 1-bed flat involves van hire (£80 to £120), fuel (£50 to £100), insurance (£15 to £25), tolls, and 8 to 12 hours of driving and loading. Professional long distance movers handle the same move for £250 to £500 with insurance included.
The price gap is smaller than expected, and you avoid the physical strain and risk of a solo long-haul drive.
Can long distance moving companies transport a car alongside household items?
Long distance moving companies do not carry cars inside the removal van. Vehicle transport requires a separate flatbed trailer or enclosed car transporter. Costs range from £150 to £700 depending on distance and vehicle type. Some removal companies coordinate vehicle transport alongside the household move.
Giant Van can arrange car transport through partner services to arrive on the same day as your furniture.
Related Locations and Services
- Advice — Transport Services
- Advice — Moving House Cost Uk
- Advice — Delivery 2
- Advice — Man and Van Hire
- Advice — Moving House Quotes
- Advice — Moving Out Cleaning
- Advice — Removal Van Hire
- Advice — Furniture Collection
- Advice — How to Pack Shoes
- Advice — Courier 13
- Advice — How to Pack Power Tools
- Advice — Best Time to Move House
- Advice — How to Pack Plants
- Advice — Location Service Luton
- Advice — How to Pack Lamps
- Advice — Location Service London 3
- Advice — How to Pack Jewellery
- Advice — How to Pack Garden Tools
- Advice — How to Pack Electronics
- Advice — How to Pack Documents
- Advice — How to Pack Curtains
- Advice
Sources and further reading
These are the official UK sources that set the rules for a job like this one. Each link goes straight to the source so you can check it yourself. Links open in a new tab.
- Citizens Advice
Free, independent advice on consumer rights, contracts and complaints.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, s.49 (reasonable care and skill)
Section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015: a service you pay for must be carried out with reasonable care and skill.
- Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013
The regulations covering what a trader must tell you before you book, and your right to cancel a service booked online or by phone.
- CMA — what businesses need to know about unfair commercial practices
The Competition and Markets Authority's guidance on how a business has to present its prices and offers.
All links checked on or after 1 August 2026.
Compiled by the Giant Van editorial team
Giant Van Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 16071027.