The Average Cost Of Moving Cross Country

Average Cross-Country Moving Cost

The average cost to complete a cross-country move is $4,300. However, depending on the specifics of your move, you could pay as little as $2,400 or as much as $10,000+. Of course, that’s a wide range. Unfortunately, pricing within the moving industry depends on a multitude of factors, which means that there is no way to say for certain what you can expect to pay for your moving services before you consult with a professional moving company’s representatives and secure a custom quote.

That said, the largest factors influencing cost are your home size and distance. Here’s a helpful chart that shows average cross-country moving cost by home size, assuming a move of 2,000 miles:

Factors that Influence Cross-Country Moving Cost

Understanding some of the factors that moving companies take into consideration when pricing your move can help you adjust your moving process to save as much money as possible. The following factors are considered by most moving companies before they provide you with a binding estimate for your move:

The Size of Your Home

The first thing that moving companies will consider when pricing your move is the total size of your property. Interstate moving companies must follow strict guidelines issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) when it comes to the total weight that they can load onto each of their moving vehicles. This means that if you’re moving a larger property, your moving company may legally need to employ the use of additional moving trucks, which increases the cost. In general, the larger your home, the more that you can expect to pay for moving services.

The Distance You’re Traveling

The second most influential factor that will come into play when you calculate your moving cost is the total distance that you’re traveling. When you receive a quote from a moving company, the price that you’re estimated is usually all-inclusive, including:

• Toll charges
• Gas fees
• Labor expenses
• Accommodations and incidentals for moving crew members
• Any paperwork required if you’re moving a specialized piece of equipment between state lines

Traveling further increases the expenses that your moving company will need to cover, which increases the total cost of your move.

The Type of Items that You’re Moving

The type of items that you’re moving will also play a role in your cross-country moving cost. Some items require specialized equipment or packing materials to transport safely. In some instances (for example, if you’re moving a piano), you may want to hire certified movers specifically trained to move these items. This will increase the cost of your move further.

If you’re moving with any of the following, expect to incur an additional fee for your move:

• Large furniture (like an armoire)
• Pool tables
• Piano or other large musical instrument
• Hot tubs and jacuzzies
• Large exercise equipment
• Statues, large ceramics, or other pieces of fine artwork that require special crating or packing services

The Type of Moving Company You Work With

The type of moving company you hire will play a major role in the total price that you pay for a cross-country moving service. Here are the main types of companies available today:

• Full-Service Movers:Full-service moving companies provide you with a comprehensive range of services beyond basic loading and transportation. These companies can assist with packing, storage, car shipping, debris cleanup, and more. While full-service moving companies may provide the most convenient move, they are also usually the most expensive option. That said, many people find that working with a full-service moving company is worth the additional expense, especially for a large cross-country move.

• Moving Container Companies: Moving container companies provide a middle ground between a full-service move and a DIY move. These companies will provide a container for you to load up your belongings, then ship the container to your new home. While you’ll have to provide the labor to load and unload, you won’t have to drive a moving truck across the country. If you’re willing to do some of the hard work yourself, you can significantly reduce the cost of your move.
• Truck Rental Companies: Renting a truck and managing your move on your own can be the cheapest way to move. Of course, this can also be the most time-consuming and physically demanding. Managing a cross-country move completely on your own can be very difficult, but if you’re up to the task, you can dramatically reduce your expenses.

Additional Services You Schedule

If you choose to work with a full-service moving company, you can add additional services to your move to make things easier. Some of the most requested moving add-ons include:

• Packing and Unpacking Services: Moving crews can pack your belongings before your vehicle is loaded and unpack your belongings once unloaded at your new home. If you’re strapped for time or are concerned about damage during transit, this can be a great service. Professional packers can help ensure your items are packed safely while taking this time-consuming task off your hands. Keep in mind that packing can be expensive, ranging from $250 to $1,500+ depending on the size of your home.
• Furniture Assembly: Loading a moving truck can sometimes feel like a game of Tetris. In many cases, taking apart your furniture before loading and putting it back together at your new home can save space in your vehicle. Moving companies typically provide this service free of charge.
• Junk Removal: If you’re getting rid of items before the move, you might have a lot of junk piled up. Some movers will clear this debris away for you for a fee. Single item removals like a couch or mattress typically cost around $100 to $150 while a full truckload can cost as much as $700.
• Storage Services: If your move-out and move-in date don’t line up with each other, you might need to temporarily drop your shipment off at a storage unit. Many moving companies offer both short-term and long-term storage units charged on a prorated monthly basis.

As you might expect, any additional services that you schedule through your moving company will increase the total price that you’ll pay for your move.

Your Moving Date

Like many industries, the moving industry has both a busy season and an off season. If you’re moving during the spring or the summer, you can expect to pay more for your move, because these are the busiest months. When more people are moving, movers must increase their rates to remain competitive due to stronger demand. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the winter and fall months are the least busy in the industry, and rates are typically lower during these seasons.

Miscellaneous Fees and Charges

There are situations when your moving company may need to charge additional fees, including the following:

• Broken Elevators: If your movers were expecting to be able to use an elevator to access your apartment and they cannot, they will likely charge an extra loading fee.
• Added Items: When you receive a binding estimate from your moving company, the estimate is only valid for the shipment reported at the time of the estimate. If you add extra items to your move not included in the estimate, your mover will charge you an additional fee.
• Extended Carry: If your movers must park more than 50 feet away from the entrance to your property, they may charge you an additional fee. If you have a driveway, ensure that it is clear before your movers arrive to avoid this charge.

If your mover does need to charge fees, they will do so after your move is complete. It is against the law for a moving company to threaten not to deliver your shipment until you pay any fee after loading. If you experience this type of moving fraud, file a complaint with the FMCSA. The FMCSA will help connect you with local law enforcement services, who can assist you in retrieving your things.

How to Lower Your Cross-Country Moving Costs

While moving across the country can seem exceptionally expensive, it doesn’t need to be. Here are several tips and tricks that you can use to save money:

Sell Some of Your Things

The amount of items you move is one of the primary factors that influence your cost. One of the easiest ways to lower your cost is to simply move with less stuff. Having a yard sale is a fun and easy way to earn a bit of cash while getting rid of items that you don’t want to bring with you. Selling off larger items like major appliances or furniture can help to maximize your savings.

Donate What You Can’t Sell

If you’re having trouble selling some of your things or don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up a garage sale, you may want to donate your old things to charity to give them new life. Giving to charity benefits your community and can help you save on your taxes as well.

Find Free Moving Supplies

Though you purchase packing supplies from your moving company, it’s exceptionally easy to find free supplies within your local community. For example, if you’re looking for sturdy cardboard boxes, you may want to make a visit to your local liquor store. Liquor stores receive dozens of boxes strong enough to transport glass bottles daily—and most of these boxes end up in the trash can at the end of the day. Ask your local wine and spirit store manager if they have any cardboard boxes on hand.

If you don’t have a wine and liquor supply store near you, you might also be able to find free sturdy boxes at your nearby grocery store. Most grocery store managers will be more than happy to provide you with plenty of sturdy boxes free of charge. You may also want to check online marketplaces like Craigslist or the Facebook Marketplace to see if anyone in your local area is getting rid of old boxes.

Provide Your Own Packing Services

If you’re moving many glass items, you might be tempted to hire professionals to pack them to avoid breakage. While professional moving companies can surely offer high-level packing services, you can also replicate these services with a bit of help from family members and friends.

Change Your Moving Date

If you have more flexibility with your moving date, you may want to consider moving during the months of September through March. These months are the least busy within the moving industry, which means that you can often find the most affordable rates.

If you can’t afford to change your moving season, consider moving during the week. Moving on a weekday as opposed to a weekend may help you save on your move, because moving companies receive fewer requests during the week.

Top Cross Country Movers

Now that you understand the average cost of moving cross country and the factors involved, it’s time to decide which moving company you want to work with. If you’d like to begin your search with the most reliable moving companies, consider getting free quotes from these recommended providers below: