What Long Distance Movers Won’t Move (and What to Do)

When you’re planning a move across the country, it’s easy to assume everything in your home can go straight into boxes and onto the truck. Learning that there are items movers won’t take can come as a surprise, especially when you’re already focused on timelines, packing, and family responsibilities. Having this information ahead of time makes it easier to plan and prevents last-minute stress.

With nearly a century of experience, National Van Lines has guided families through every step of long distance moving, including what can and cannot go on the truck. Long distance movers handle most household belongings, but there are clear rules about what movers won’t move. Knowing these guidelines early helps you stay safe, avoid delays, and plan with confidence.

This article covers:

• Why long distance movers have these rules
• Hazardous materials that cannot go on the truck
• Perishable food items that do not travel well
• Pets and plants movers cannot take
• High-value or personal items you should carry yourself
• How to prepare when movers won’t move certain belongings

Why Movers Won’t Move Certain Items

Long distance moving means sharing space with other shipments on a truck that travels for days at a time. To keep everything safe, movers follow federal transportation laws and long-standing industry standards that outline what can’t be loaded. These rules reduce risks like fires, spills, or damage that could affect every customer’s belongings.

The goal is consistency. When every move follows the same safety guidelines, families know what to expect and movers can deliver shipments reliably. That’s why it’s important to learn about restricted items early in the planning process.

What Are Considered Hazardous Materials in a Long Distance Move? 

Hazardous materials are everyday products that contain chemicals, gases, or other substances that could be dangerous in transit. Movers cannot load anything that might leak, ignite, explode, or cause harm to people, property, or the environment. These restrictions are in place for both safety and compliance with federal transportation laws.

Here’s a quick look at common categories, examples, and how you should handle them:

By reviewing this list early, you give yourself time to handle hazardous items properly. Whether that means using them up, donating, or disposing safely, taking these steps ensures your move starts off smooth and without delays.

When I Move Long Distance, What Happens to My Food? 

Food may not seem dangerous, but anything that is perishable is not allowed in long distance moving trucks. Perishable items can spoil, rot, or attract pests if left unrefrigerated for extended periods. Even sealed containers can create major problems.  Movers cannot transport these items because they can leak, create odors, or damage other belongings during a long trip.

The biggest culprits are fresh produce, dairy products, frozen items, and opened containers. These items cannot survive a multi-day trip.

If you want to make the most of what’s in your kitchen, try this short timeline:

1. One week before the move: Plan meals around what’s in your fridge and freezer.
2. Two to three days before the move: Stop grocery shopping, except for essentials.
3. Day before the move: Donate unopened, non-perishable food to a local food bank.

Canned goods, dry pasta, and boxed items may be okay, but always check with your moving coordinator first.

Transporting Pets and Plants 

Neither pets nor plants can ride in the moving truck, though for very different reasons.

Pets need care, comfort, and ventilation, which a sealed trailer cannot provide. They should always travel with you. Make travel plans in advance, including water, food, bathroom breaks, and overnight stops if needed. Many families find it helpful to ask their veterinarian for records, travel tips, or motion sickness medication.

Plants often fail to survive extended travel in dark, sealed conditions. Some states also restrict moving plants across borders to protect agriculture. If you hope to bring them, check your new state’s regulations, or consider gifting plants to neighbors and taking small clippings instead.

What Should I Do With My High-Value or Personal Items During My Move? 

High-value items are possessions that hold significant financial value or personal significance, such as jewelry, documents, or family heirlooms. Movers recommend you keep these items with you to ensure they remain secure, accessible, and protected throughout the move.

Here are the main categories to carry yourself:

• Jewelry and heirlooms – small, valuable, and irreplaceable.
• Electronics – laptops, tablets, and personal devices.
• Important documents – passports, birth certificates, medical records, and wills.
• Sentimental keepsakes – photo albums, family letters, and personal mementos.
• Daily-use items – prescription medications, house keys, and chargers.

A smart strategy is to create a personal “essentials bag” with all of these items so they never leave your side.

How to Prepare When Long Distance Movers Won’t Move Certain Items

Knowing what movers won’t move is helpful, but preparing early is what keeps moving day simple. Instead of relying on one long list, think of this as a step-by-step plan:

1. Request the non-allowables list. Your moving company will give you the most up-to-date details.
2. Sort early. Create four piles: keep-with-you, donate, dispose, and use-up.
3. Schedule drop-offs. Hazardous waste sites, food banks, and recycling centers often have specific hours.
4. Plan for pets and plants. Confirm vet records, secure carriers, and look up plant regulations.
5. Pack a personal essentials kit. This should include documents, medications, electronics, and valuables you’ll carry yourself.

Planning Ahead Makes the Difference

The rules about what movers won’t move were created to keep families and crews safe, and they’ve worked that way for generations. Long distance movers still follow them today, protecting shipments from leaks, damage, or loss along the way. At National Van Lines, we’ve seen that the best way to handle these restrictions is by preparing early. Decide what to donate, what to dispose of, and what to carry with you. That preparation turns your moving day into a smoother, more predictable experience.

You just learned about what long distance moving companies won’t take during a move, and how these rules keep everyone involved (including your stuff!) safe and sound. Now, you’re probably wondering about other specialty items and how to pack them. Keep growing your knowledge with our article on how to protect your medicine and jewelry during a move.