How much does Long distance moving cost?

Packing up your belongings and relocating to a new home can be a major hassle. And while local moves are tough enough, things can get even more complicated when you’re planning a cross-country or interstate move. Factors such as travel distance, timing, and fuel costs become more critical, raising moving prices along with your stress level.

If you’re making a long-distance move with more than a carload of stuff, you’ll probably want to hire professional movers. But full-service moving companies can do a lot more than transport items from one place to another. Their services typically include the following:

In this guide, you’ll learn about the typical cost of long-distance moving services, as well as some ways to save money.

Need help finding an honest and reliable moving company? Read Essential questions to ask movers, Benefits of hiring a mover, and How to move long-distance with ease.

The total cost of your move depends on the distance involved, volume and weight of your belongings, packing materials, labor rates, and any additional services required. Most long-distance moving companies will give you a flat-rate moving quote that takes all these factors into account. 

For a long-distance move of around 1,000 miles, the national average cost range is $2,500–7,000. For a cross-country move of about 3,000 miles, the average moving rate is $4,000–9,500. 

The type, size, and weight of your belongings will dictate the size of the truck, packing services and packing materials needed, number of long-distance movers, and if any add-on services are required. Here are average prices for moving 1,000 miles with the typical contents of different-size homes.

Studio apartment. Most studio apartments contain an average of 1,600–1,800 pounds of belongings and will require at least 2 movers to load and unload the truck. Average cost: $1,000–1,500.

One-bedroom apartment. Most 1-bedroom apartments contain an average of 2,200–3,000 pounds of belongings and require at least 2 movers. Average cost: $1,200–3,000.

Two-bedroom house. Most 2-bedroom homes contain 3,000–4,000 pounds of belongings and require 3–4 movers. Average cost: $1,800–5,500.

Three-bedroom house. Most 3-bedroom homes contain upwards of 5,500 pounds of belongings, and 3–5 movers may be required. Average cost: $3,000–9,000.

The following issues can lead to additional costs for your long-distance move.

Long-distance moving is expensive, but there are a few ways to reduce your costs.

What is the average long-distance moving cost?

The cost of hiring a full-service moving company depends on the size and weight of your belongings, distance traveled, local labor rates, and any additional services required. Most professional moving companies charge a flat rate that takes these factors into account. To move 1,000 miles with the average contents of a 2-bedroom house, the typical price range is $1,800–5,500.

What is the cheapest way to move long distance?

You can save money on a long-distance move by renting a one-way moving truck and handling the moving process yourself. The rental price will depend on the distance, truck size, customer demand, route popularity, and time of year. The average cost to rent a moving truck for a one-way long-distance move is $900–1,400.

How much does it cost to move 1,000 miles?

Depending on the size and weight of your belongings, current fuel costs, and other factors, the average price to hire a long-distance moving company for a 1,000-mile move is $2,500–7,000. 

Find long-distance moving services in your area.