If
you’re planning a cross-country move, creating a budget is essential. A good
moving budget accounts for all the associated costs and fees that involve
packing up and moving long distances. It also allows for some incidentals and
surprises that may pop up along the way. The cost of long-distance moving can
vary, but the average price tag ranges from $3,000 to $7,000.
What
actually goes into the cost of your interstate or long-distance relocation? As
it turns out, it’s a complex interplay of fees, labor costs, services chosen,
and the physical footprint of your belongings. In this guide, we explore the
factors that influence the costs associated with long-distance moves and how
you can better manage them during your relocation.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Interstate or Long Distance
Moving
Using
professional moving
services is an excellent way to reduce the physical and mental stress
of your relocation, but it can be expensive. Typically, the factors that
influence interstate moving costs include the following:
Distance
Between Locations
The
farther the distance between your current home and your new one, the higher the
costs. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one, longer distances
require more fuel, which increases the overall expense. More travel time also
requires additional labor costs for the moving crew. The longer distances can
even require lodging for your moving team.
Weight
and Volume of Belongings
The
size of your home and its contents often dictates the cost of your move because
larger or heavier loads require bigger trucks or multiple trips. That increases
the cost. In addition, heavier loads consume more fuel, which can add up over
long distances. If you’re relying on the movers to pack your belongings (or
buying materials from them to pack on your own), more items need more boxes,
padding, and protective materials. Finally, the time it takes to load and
unload all those boxes and pieces of furniture adds up to additional labor
time.
Type
of Moving Service
Full-service
moves are obviously the most expensive, and they include packing, loading,
transporting, and unloading. Full-service movers may even unpack your
belongings at your request! Partial-service moves, meanwhile, are a “middle of
the road” option that includes everything except packing and unpacking.
These
aren’t the only options, however. You can also purchase container services at a
moderate cost, which allows you to pack and unpack at your leisure and have the
contents of your home transported to its new location. Finally, the least
expensive option is to rent a truck and do everything yourself. While this can
save money, it also requires you to handle all the heavy lifting and driving a
larger vehicle.
Time
of Year and Seasonality
Moving
during the peak season (between May and September) will almost always cost more
than if you choose to move during other times of the year. Many people try to
schedule their relocation when their kids are out of school, or the weather is
pleasant, which drives up demand and costs. The flexibility to move during the
“offseason” between October and April can often save you money on your move.
Additional
Services
Asking
your movers to perform additional moving
services like packing and unpacking, furniture assembly upon arrival,
and other duties can add hefty fees to the cost of your move. For those trying
to stay within a budget, it often makes sense to pack and unpack on your own as
much as possible before relying on the movers to do the extra work.
Estimating Moving Costs
Budgeting
enough funds for your move is essential, and the only way to do that is to
fully understand your moving companies’ cost calculations. Most moving
companies estimate costs in two ways: average cost per mile and weight-based
pricing.
- Estimated
Per-Mile Costs: Moving
companies sometimes reference per-mile rates for long-distance moves as
part of their initial cost calculations. While these rates can range from
$0.50 to $0.80 per mile for distances under 1,000 miles and from $0.70 to
$1.00 per mile for over 1,000 miles, the actual cost may vary based on the
factors explained earlier. At Safe Ship, we provide a binding estimate fee
based on the overall subtotal rather than a per-mile rate alone, ensuring
you have an accurate, all-inclusive cost for your move.
- Estimated
Weight-Based Costs: Some moving companies may also factor in the weight of
your belongings. Typical rates range from $0.50 to $0.80 per
pound. A one-bedroom apartment, for example, might “weigh” around 3,500
pounds and cost anywhere from $1,750 to $2,800. A three-bedroom house
could weigh about 10,000 pounds and cost between $5,000 and
$8,000 to move. One perk of working with a moving broker is that you
don’t have to worry about the math behind weight-based pricing. Brokers
provide a total cost estimate for your move based on the information
provided and pair you with service providers that fit your needs.
Moving
companies use this information to provide different estimates, such as non-binding,
educated guesses based on average weights. Binding estimates are a guaranteed
price based on your in-home inventory. A binding not-to-exceed estimate won’t
exceed the estimate and could even be lower. In addition to this pricing, other common
moving fees may be applicable, such as packing fees, lodging fees for
movers, and hourly labor costs.
Moving
brokers can help you facilitate multiple quotes from different movers at once,
which can make the process of shopping for movers much less stressful.
Types of Interstate Moving Services and Their Costs
When
you move across state lines with professional movers, you have a few choices.
Different moving services cater to unique needs and budgets. For example, you
could opt to hire full-service movers to carefully handle and load your
belongings. Alternatively, you could choose to use a container-based moving
solution that requires more work on your end but might lower the overall cost of
long-distance moving.
Full-Service
Movers and Their Price Range
Full-service residential
moving services are exactly what the name suggests: a team of movers
who will help pack, load, transport, and unload your belongings after reaching
your new home. Full-service movers are often the most expensive option. That’s
especially true if you are moving long distances. For example, a long-distance
move could cost anywhere between $3,700 and $15,000, depending on the size of
your house, the number of belongings you have to move and the distance between
houses.
Container-Based
Moving Services
Container-based
moving services like PODS or U-Pack offer a flexible middle ground where you need
to handle the physical act of loading your items, but a truck comes and picks
them up to take them to your new home. It’s an affordable option if you don’t
need help loading or unloading.
For
short moves across state lines, costs can range from $400 to $700 for a
one-bedroom apartment and $1,000 to $2,500 for long-distance ones. Two- to
three-bedroom homes can cost between $700 to $1,500 for short moves under 50
miles, while long-distance ones could cost between $2,500 and $4,500. Finally,
large homes could cost as much as $2,500 for shorter-distance moves and $7,500
for long-distance ones.
Prices
can vary and largely depend on several factors, including the number and size
of necessary containers, how long you’re renting them for, and the season in
which you’re moving.
Additional Expenses During Long Distance Moving
Labor
and transportation costs aren’t the only factors that can influence your
interstate moving costs. In addition, you may have to deal with the following
expenses:
- Packing
supplies: Whether
you buy them to pack things yourself or rely on your movers to handle the
work, you’ll have to pay for boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other packing
materials. Moving companies that sell these items typically do so at a
significant upcharge, so it’s worth trying to source items from local
stores or friends.
- Temporary
storage costs: If
your new home isn’t ready yet or your move takes additional time, you may
need to temporarily store your belongings at a storage facility. In
addition, it’s possible the moving company may need to store your
belongings on their property for a short period.
- Travel
expenses: You’ll
also want to budget for travel expenses, both for yourself and for your
movers. Particularly long moves (such as coast-to-coast relocations) often
require overnight stays for your movers, and you’ll be on the hook for
that, as well as any lodging and food for yourself.
Costs of Long Distance Moving for Specialty Items
Some
items require special handling and transportation, and those requirements can
sometimes add to your long-distance move’s overall cost. Items that require
specific attention can include:
- Vehicles: Moving a vehicle can be costly,
but many moving companies can facilitate your vehicle’s shipment as part
of their services. Shipping a car can cost between $550
to $2,450, depending on the type of vehicle being shipped and the
total distance. Transport to or from more remote areas can cause vehicle
shipping costs to vary greatly. Vehicles shipped to remote locations like
Hawaii and Alaska can easily cost double the standard rates due to carrier
availability and access.
- Arts and
antique furniture: Shipping antiques can add to your moving costs because
of the additional care they require during the move. Ensure movers know
the importance of these pieces and, if possible, consider preparing them
for the move yourself to avoid damage.
- Pets: Some moving companies will
actually take care of handling your pets, but there are specific rules for
each state. Ask your moving broker about the potential of moving animals
as part of your initial consultation.
Understanding Moving Insurance and Its Impact on Cost
Moving
insurance is another cost you may not have considered but should factor into
your moving budget. It protects your belongings during your move. Basic carrier
liability coverage is typically included at no additional cost and offers
minimal protection for your belongings. It’s a requirement for interstate
moves, but it does not account for your items’ actual value and it’s more than
likely insufficient for all but the most inexpensive items.
Full
value protection, meanwhile, is a more comprehensive option that is based on
your shipment’s total declared value. It usually costs between 1%-2% of your
total declared value but provides repair, replacement, or cash settlement
options in the event of damage to your possessions.
Cost of Long Distance Moving for Commercial Moves
Households
aren’t the only customers who need help with long-distance transport. Corporate
moving services are often more costly than household moves because of
the additional complexities involved, such as office furniture and equipment
costs. However, specialized commercial movers can help offset these higher
prices with training and staff that simplifies relocating an office from one
state to another.
The
cost of moving your business largely depends on its size, the number of people
you employ, and the services you require as part of the move. For example, it
could cost as much as tens of thousands of dollars to move an office with more
than ten employees. Common factors influencing your moving expenses include the
number of computers, file cabinets, furniture pieces, and more. Like other
relocations, mileage and required services also play a role in determining your
move’s price.
The
benefits of using corporate relocation services include reducing liability and
professional packing for items that need transport across the country.
How to Save Money When Moving Across the Country
No
matter how far you’re moving, it’s possible to save money while moving from one
state to another. It takes smart planning and consideration. Common strategies
for reducing your moving costs include downsizing
before the move and eliminating anything you don’t actually need to
take with you. You may also choose off-peak moving dates that don’t coincide
with busy seasons to reduce the risk of being overcharged. Finally, it never
hurts to ask about available discounts for military service, seniors, students,
or other applicable reasons.
One
other way to save money for your long-distance
moving services is to trust a moving broker to help facilitate your
move. A moving broker can source quotes from carriers who offer the services you
need (and help you decide which ones you don’t).
