Written By Erin Scott
Factors That Influence the Cost To Move Across the Country
There are several factors that influence cross-country moving costs. Understanding how each one impacts the total cost can help you to plan a cost-effective (and efficient) move that aligns with your needs.
Distance of the Move
The greater the distance of your move, the more fuel and time will be required — and the more it will cost. For example, moving the contents of a 2-bedroom home from New York City to Miami (1,290 miles) with full-service movers will cost between $2,850 and $6,150. A move of the same size between Los Angeles and New York (2,790 miles) will cost between $4,700 and $8,600.
Size and Weight of Your Move
Cross-country movers will typically base their rates on the weight or volume of your moving inventory. Full-service movers tend to go by weight, while freight trailers go by volume (specifically, how much space your stuff takes up in the trailer). It makes sense that the heavier the weight or the greater the volume, the more it will cost to transport. The table below illustrates how much the cost of a full-service move can vary depending on the size of the move.
Full-Service Moving Estimates Based on Home Size
| Move Size | Estimated Weight (pounds) |
Estimated Volume (cubic feet) |
Full-Service Moving Cost ~1,000–2,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Studio or 1 BR |
Up to ~3,500 | ~300 – 600 | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| Medium 2–3 BR |
~5,000 – 8,500 | ~800 – 1,300 | $8,000 – $11,000 |
| Large 4+ BR |
~10,000 – 15,000+ | ~1,400 – 2,000+ | $12,000 – $16,000+ |
For more, read: The Cost To Move a Two-Bedroom Apartment Cross-Country
Type of Moving Service
Cross-country moving costs vary significantly from one moving service to the other. Typically, services that require more hands-on labor from you will cost less, and vice versa.
There are four main options to choose from:
- Moving Truck Rental: The cheapest option is always a DIY move with a moving truck rental, but this solution also requires the most time and physical labor on your part.
- Freight Trailer: Moving with a freight trailer is more affordable and doesn’t require that you drive a rental truck. The trailer is dropped off at your home for loading, then picked up and transported to your new home for unloading.
- Portable Moving Containers: Portable moving containers are the most storage-friendly option on our list. During and after loading, the container can be kept on-site in your driveway or stored at a storage facility until you’re ready to have it delivered to your new home.
- Full-Service Moving Company: The most hands-off approach, but also the most expensive, involves hiring professional movers who take care of all the loading, driving, and unloading for you.
Full-service movers are the only option that comes with loading and unloading, but you can add that service to any of the other moving methods by hiring hourly labor. The table below shows estimated cross-country moving costs for each type of move so you can compare them side-by-side.
Estimated Cross-Country Moving Costs By Moving Service: 2–3 Bedroom Home
| Service | “DIY” Moving (Moving Truck) |
Moving Truck (with Labor) |
Freight Trailer |
Portable Container |
Full-Service Moving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading & Unloading | N/A | $421 | $421 | $421 | Included |
| Moving Truck / Container | $4,514 | $4,514 | $4,354 | $4,786 | Included |
| Gas | $896 | $896 | Included | Included | Included |
| Grand Total | $5,410 | $5,831 | $4,775 | $5,207 | $9,500 |
Time of Year and Scheduling
The summer is peak moving season, when many people choose to use their vacation days and school breaks to tackle their moves. As a result of the increased demand, moving services and rentals are most expensive during this time. If you’re looking to save money, the best time to move is between September and April, during the off-season. The weekends and the beginnings and ends of each month are also popular times to move, so if summer is your only option, you can still save by scheduling your move mid-week and mid-month.
Estimated Moving Costs By Season: Los Angeles to Atlanta*
| Rental Truck Move |
Freight Trailer Move |
Portable Containers |
Full-Service Movers |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Season | $1,890 – $3,541 | $2,500 – $4,306 | $3,221 – $5,273 | $5,694 – $9,242 |
| Off Season | $1,463 – $2,658 | $1,995 – $3,331 | $2,494 – $4,296 | $4,451 – $7,744 |
| Savings | $427 – $883 | $505 – $975 | $727 – $977 | $1,243 – $1,498 |
*Estimates based on quotes for a 3-bedroom residence during peak moving season (weekend in mid-July) and the off season (middle of the week in mid-December).
Additional Services and Fees
If you opt for additional moving services or if your move involves special circumstances, there will be additional costs or fees. Many of these costs vary from one company to the next, but we’ve included estimated rates below where possible. When scheduling your moving service, be sure to mention any of the following that may apply:
- Moving insurance ($215 – $2,500)
- Packing services ($60 per hour)
- Unpacking services ($60 per hour)
- Storage services ($240 per month)
- Handling of fragile, heavy, or oversized items (Pricing varies)
- Disassembling and reassembling of furniture ($60 per hour)
- Long carry fee (Pricing varies)
- Multiple staircases (Pricing varies)
- Shuttle fee for accessing hard-to-reach destinations ($0.08–$0.12 per pound, $200 minimum)
- Last-minute cancellation or rescheduling (5%–15% of bill)
Other Related Expenses
Not all moving costs are billed by the moving company. Depending on which moving service you choose, there may be additional costs to budget for, including:
- Packing supplies ($50–$250)
- Tolls (Pricing varies)
- Fuel (Pricing varies)
- Personal vehicle shipping ($1,000–$2,000)
- Accommodations (~$151 per night)
- Dining out (~$60 per day per person)
- New car registration ($12–$162 depending on the state)
- New driver’s license ($10–$89+ depending on the state)
How To Save Money On Your Cross-Country Move
From choosing a more affordable moving solution to taking care of the packing yourself, there are several things you can do to minimize your cross-country moving costs.
Declutter and Downsize Before Your Move
Getting rid of things you don’t need or want before your move — especially larger, heavier belongings — means a lower weight and volume to transport, and a lower moving cost. You can donate items in good condition, and consider selling more valuable ones that are easy to replace (e.g., sports gear or appliances) to help recoup moving expenses.
Move During the Off Season
You can save between $400 and $1,500 (or more) by scheduling your cross-country move during the off-season — typically, fall and winter, when demand slows down. Moves that take place in the middle of the week and middle of the month also tend to cost less.
Compare Multiple Moving Quotes
It’s always a good idea to compare multiple moving quotes before settling on a long-distance mover. MovingPlace makes it easy to compare quotes side-by-side with straightforward and transparent cost estimates.
Pair Labor-Only Moving Help With Freight Trailer Moving
Instead of hiring full-service movers, you can hire labor-only moving help to load your freight trailer, possibly saving you thousands of dollars.
Pack Everything Yourself
Packing and unpacking is almost always considered an additional service, even when you move with a full-service moving company. Taking care of this step yourself can save you hundreds on your final bill. When planning your moving timeline and checklist, allow ample time for packing to keep it from becoming an overwhelming task.
Takeaway: How to Save on Cross-Country Moving
If saving money is your number-one priority, then a DIY move with a rental truck is the way to go — but keep in mind it’s going to require a lot of work. If your time is worth more to you than the money you would save with a DIY move, a full-service moving company with added packing services might possibly be worth the high cost. If your moving needs fall somewhere in the middle — with a tight budget and tight timeline — moving with a freight trailer and hiring labor-only loading/unloading services can save you time as well as hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars on your cross-country move.
MovingPlace is an online marketplace and booking platform with thousands of top-rated, vetted, and licensed movers. Every moving quote includes straightforward, transparent pricing, making it easy to budget for your cross-country move. Start your search for a long-distance mover today.
Karen Bodkin
