Every state regulates moving companies differently — Missouri included. This guide covers what a legal Missouri mover must hold, what the law says about estimates and deposits, where residents are actually moving, and one phone line that reaches professional moving companies serving the state.
Call (888) 705-1780We connect you with professional moving companies.
Answer first
The rulebook
Under Missouri Revised Statutes section 390.051, no one may operate as a common carrier of household goods in intrastate commerce on Missouri highways without a certificate issued by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission; MoDOT Motor Carrier Services administers the program. MoDOT states that household goods carriers must obtain operating authority before operating in or between Missouri municipalities or commercial zones, and it publishes a downloadable List of Authorized Transporters of Household Goods on its Household Goods Transport page (modot.org/HHGoods) so consumers can verify a mover before hiring. Under RSMo 390.054, a household goods certificate or permit cannot be issued or renewed unless the mover proves it carries workers' compensation insurance for all employees.
| Question | Missouri answer |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Motor Carrier Services, acting for the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission |
| Credential a legal mover holds | Missouri intrastate operating authority for household goods: a certificate of public convenience and necessity for common carriers under Missouri Revised Statutes section 390.051 (contract carriers hold a permit under section 390.061), obtained through the MO-1 Application to Operate Intrastate filed with MoDOT Motor Carrier Services |
| Estimate rules | Under MoDOT's Household Goods Tariff Circular No. 1-2013, adopted under rule 7 CSR 265-10.050, a mover must give a written non-binding estimate on request before the move; a non-binding estimate does not limit the final lawful tariff charges. If the mover offers binding estimates and you request one, it must be in writing, signed by both parties, and it binds the mover for 60 days after the mover signs (unless the document states a shorter period); the final bill must be the binding estimate or the actual charges, whichever is lower. Estimated charges cover only the quantities and services listed, so changes in dates, locations, or items can void an estimate, and a revised estimate is binding for 30 days. MoDOT's Moving in Missouri guide adds that estimates are free in Missouri, that you may watch the weighing at no cost, and that a requested reweigh may cost up to $20. |
| Deposit rules | Missouri statutes (Chapters 387 and 390, RSMo) and MoDOT's Household Goods Tariff Circular No. 1-2013 set no specific cap on deposits, and no deposit-limit rule was identified. MoDOT's Moving in Missouri guide notes that payment is usually due before unloading at delivery and that movers are not required to accept every payment type, so consumers should confirm payment and any deposit terms in writing before the move. |
| Liability / valuation | Under MoDOT's Household Goods Tariff Circular No. 1-2013, every Missouri household goods carrier must assume some liability (valuation) and must offer a default option at no extra charge. For weight-based moves the free default is released value of 60 cents per pound per article; the mover must also offer Basic Depreciated Value (liability of $1.25 per pound times shipment weight), Expanded Depreciated Value (owner-declared amount), and Non-Depreciated Value (at least $3.50 per pound or a higher declared value, with repair, replacement, or current-value cash settlement). For hourly-rated moves the options are Standard Valuation (fair market value) or released value at 60 cents per pound per article. Claims must be filed with the mover in writing within 10 days of delivery; the mover must acknowledge within 30 days and pay, decline, or make a settlement offer within 120 days. RSMo 390.126 also requires liability insurance, and RSMo 390.054 requires workers' compensation coverage. |
| Where to complain | MoDOT Motor Carrier Services. Under RSMo 387.137 and 387.139, the Highways and Transportation Commission must maintain a consumer complaint system for intrastate household goods moves, keep a file on each complaint, and update complainants at least quarterly. Under rule 7 CSR 265-10.130, consumers file using the commission's complaint form, available through modot.org/movinginmissouri. Contact MoDOT Motor Carrier Services at 830 MoDOT Drive, PO Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102, toll-free 1-866-831-6277, or contactmcs@modot.mo.gov. The Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline (1-800-392-8222) is an additional option. |
Verify a Missouri mover in the official lookup →
No Missouri statutory or rule changes specific to intrastate household goods movers were identified for 2024-2026. The current framework dates to 2012 legislation (House Bill 1402 merged with Senate Bill 470, RSMo 387.137, 387.139, 390.051, 390.054) and MoDOT's Household Goods Tariff Circular No. 1-2013, effective December 30, 2013; the Code of State Regulations chapter (7 CSR 265-10) is current as of the June 30, 2024 edition.
The moment your move leaves Missouri, federal FMCSA rules take over: the mover needs an active USDOT number, estimates must be in writing, non-binding estimates carry the federal 110% cap on what's due at delivery, and you're entitled to the 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet plus access to arbitration. Our field guide walks each protection in plain English.
Missouri took in 143,688 people from other states and sent 135,597 out in the most recent Census migration year — net +8,091, ranking #22 of 51 on arrivals per 1,000 residents. 12.1% of residents changed homes within the year (ACS). Here is where the traffic actually goes:
| Destination | Movers/yr |
|---|---|
| Kansas | 18,573 |
| Illinois | 14,982 |
| Texas | 10,883 |
| Arkansas | 8,714 |
| Florida | 7,814 |
| Origin | Movers/yr |
|---|---|
| Kansas | 20,692 |
| Illinois | 15,326 |
| Texas | 9,322 |
| California | 8,146 |
| Arkansas | 7,548 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS state-to-state migration flows. Full 51-state rankings on the study page.
Season & timing
Missouri moving peaks in late spring and summer, which is also the state's severe-weather season: spring and early summer bring thunderstorms, hail, and tornado risk, and July-August moves face high heat and humidity that are hard on people, pets, and electronics. Winter ice storms can make Missouri highways hazardous for moves from December through February; MoDOT posts road conditions on its Traveler Information Map.
The national demand math still applies on top of the weather: May through September is peak, month-ends spike with leases, and mid-month mid-week dates are the reliable capacity valley. Flexible dates are worth more than any coupon.
Services
How it works in Missouri, what drives the estimate, and the questions that catch problems early.
How it works →How it works in Missouri, what drives the estimate, and the questions that catch problems early.
How it works →How it works in Missouri, what drives the estimate, and the questions that catch problems early.
How it works →How it works in Missouri, what drives the estimate, and the questions that catch problems early.
How it works →Q & A
A carrier owns trucks and moves you; a broker sells your job to a carrier, and federal law requires brokers to say so. Our line is neither — it connects your call directly to a professional moving company serving Kansas City, and we never take custody of your move or your money.
Modest deposits happen, especially peak season, but large cash-only deposits are the signature move of moving fraud. Missouri statutes (Chapters 387 and 390, RSMo) and MoDOT's Household Goods Tariff Circular No. 1-2013 set no specific cap on deposits, and no deposit-limit rule was identified. MoDOT's Moving in Missouri guide notes…
Released value is the free federal minimum on interstate moves — sixty cents per pound per article, which turns a shattered TV into pocket change. Full-value protection costs more and makes the mover repair, replace, or pay out actual value. Which one you have is decided on paper before loading, not after breakage.
Two to four weeks works most of the year; summer month-ends and long-distance dates reward six-plus. Booking early buys you date choice, not just availability. If you're inside two weeks, flexibility on the exact day is your best card — dispatchers fill gaps constantly.
Interstate pricing is built on shipment weight, mileage, and services (packing, stairs, shuttles, storage), documented on a rated order for service. That's why phone estimates without an inventory are guesses — and why the written estimate rules exist.
Local pages
Popular corridors
Local or long-distance, one call gets your dates, access questions, and estimate process sorted — no forms, no number-selling.