A mover wants me to pay for their drive to me and back. Is that normal?

It's common when a company is based at the far end of your move: they charge for driving the empty truck to you, or for driving home empty afterwards. It can add thousands to a long move.

You don't have to accept it. Ask for a one-way price, and say plainly that you won't pay deadhead or round-trip charges.

A mover based near where you're leaving drives up loaded. Ask them if they have a job coming back the other way that week.

A moving container avoids it entirely: the company carries the container, and you hire a local crew to load at one end and another to unload at the other.

Whatever you choose, get every charge listed by name on the written estimate. A line called "round trip" or "travel" is the one to question.

Source: Household-goods pricing practice; FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move · Checked October 2026

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