Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A 1,000-mile move costs $2,500 to $5,500 for a 1-bedroom, $4,200 to $7,800 for a 2-bedroom, and $5,500 to $10,000 for a 3-bedroom with full-service movers. The exact price depends on the weight of your shipment, time of year, and access conditions at both locations. Peak season (June through August) adds 15 to 25% to these figures. Get at least 3 binding quotes to find the best rate.

Question 2

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers for a long-distance move?

Accepted Answer

Renting a truck is typically 40 to 60% cheaper than full-service movers. A 26-foot truck rental for a 1,000-mile move costs $1,800 to $3,500 including fuel. Full-service movers for the same move cost $4,200 to $7,800 for a 2-bedroom. However, truck rental requires you to load, drive, and unload everything yourself. Factor in fuel ($300 to $600 for 1,000 miles), hotels ($100 to $150 per night), and meals. If you value your time or have physical limitations, full-service movers may be worth the premium.

Question 3

Why do movers charge more per mile for shorter distances?

Accepted Answer

Short-distance moves have higher per-mile costs because the fixed overhead (truck dispatch, crew mobilization, loading and unloading time) is spread over fewer miles. A 100-mile move still requires a full crew for a full day. The actual driving time is only 1 to 2 hours, but loading and unloading take 3 to 8 hours regardless of distance. For moves under 100 miles, movers typically charge an hourly rate ($120 to $200 per hour for a 3-person crew) rather than a per-mile rate.

Question 4

How much does the weight of my shipment affect the price?

Accepted Answer

Weight is the single largest cost factor for moves over 100 miles. Most long-distance movers charge $0.50 to $0.80 per pound. A typical 2-bedroom apartment weighs 5,000 to 6,000 lbs. A 3-bedroom house weighs 8,000 to 12,000 lbs. Reducing your shipment weight by 1,000 lbs can save $500 to $800. The most effective way to reduce weight: get rid of old furniture (a single dresser weighs 100 to 150 lbs), books (a medium box of books weighs 50 to 70 lbs), and exercise equipment.

Question 5

Do moving costs change based on the time of year?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Peak season runs from June through August, when prices are 15 to 25% higher and availability is limited. The most expensive single week is typically the last week of June. The cheapest months are November through February, when demand drops significantly. Moving mid-month (the 10th through the 20th) is usually cheaper than end-of-month or beginning-of-month, since most leases turn over on the 1st. Weekday moves are 5 to 10% cheaper than weekends.

Question 6

What is a portable moving container and when is it the best option?

Accepted Answer

A portable container (PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, U-Pack) is a steel or wood container dropped at your home for you to load. The company then drives it to your new location. Costs range from $2,000 to $6,000 for a cross-country move. Containers work best for moves of 500+ miles when you want to save money but cannot drive a large truck yourself. You handle the packing and loading (saving labor costs), while the company handles the driving. Delivery windows are typically 5 to 10 business days.

Question 7

Are there hidden fees I should watch out for in a moving quote?

Accepted Answer

Common add-on charges include: stair carry ($75 to $150 per flight), long carry over 75 feet from truck to door ($100 to $300), shuttle service if the truck cannot reach your building ($200 to $500), elevator fee ($75 to $150), bulky item surcharge for pianos, hot tubs, or safes ($150 to $800 each), packing materials ($200 to $600), and storage-in-transit if your new home is not ready ($100 to $300 per month). Always ask for an itemized quote that lists every potential surcharge.

Distance	Studio	1 BR	2 BR	3 BR	4 BR+
Local (under 50 mi)	$400 - $800	$600 - $1,200	$900 - $1,800	$1,200 - $2,500	$1,800 - $3,500
100 miles	$800 - $1,500	$1,200 - $2,200	$1,800 - $3,200	$2,500 - $4,500	$3,500 - $6,000
250 miles	$1,200 - $2,000	$1,800 - $3,200	$2,800 - $4,800	$3,800 - $6,500	$5,000 - $8,500
500 miles	$1,500 - $2,800	$2,200 - $4,200	$3,500 - $6,500	$4,800 - $8,500	$6,500 - $11,000
1,000 miles	$2,000 - $3,500	$2,500 - $5,500	$4,200 - $7,800	$5,500 - $10,000	$7,500 - $14,000
1,500 miles	$2,500 - $4,200	$3,200 - $6,200	$5,000 - $9,000	$6,500 - $12,000	$9,000 - $16,000
2,000 miles	$3,000 - $5,000	$3,800 - $7,000	$5,800 - $10,500	$7,500 - $13,500	$10,000 - $18,000
3,000 miles	$3,500 - $6,000	$4,500 - $8,000	$6,500 - $12,000	$8,500 - $15,000	$12,000 - $20,000

Factor	Impact	Details
Weight of shipment	Largest cost driver	Long-distance movers charge $0.50 to $0.80 per lb. A 2BR averages 5,000 to 6,000 lbs.
Distance	Linear increase above 100 mi	Per-mile rate decreases with distance: ~$3/mi at 100 mi vs ~$0.80/mi at 2,000 mi.
Season	15 to 25% premium in peak	June through August costs most. November through February costs least.
Access conditions	$75 to $500 in surcharges	Stairs, elevators, long carries (75+ ft), narrow streets, no-parking zones.
Packing services	$200 to $2,000 added	Full packing for a 3BR costs $600 to $2,000. Self-packing saves this entirely.
Insurance (valuation)	$300 to $800 for full-value	Default is $0.60/lb per article. Full-value protection covers repair or replacement.
Day of week / month	5 to 10% savings	Mid-week and mid-month moves are cheapest. End-of-month weekends are most expensive.

Method	Local	500 mi	1,000 mi	2,500+ mi	You Load?	You Drive?
Full-service movers	$900 - $1,800	$3,500 - $6,500	$4,200 - $7,800	$6,500 - $12,000	No	No
Truck rental (U-Haul, Penske)	$150 - $400	$1,200 - $2,500	$1,800 - $3,500	$2,500 - $5,000	Yes	Yes
Portable container (PODS)	$800 - $1,500	$2,000 - $4,000	$2,800 - $5,500	$4,000 - $7,000	Yes	No
Freight trailer (ABF U-Pack)	N/A	$1,800 - $3,200	$2,200 - $4,500	$3,000 - $6,000	Yes	No

Moving Cost by Distance

Full-Service Mover Prices by Distance and Home Size

What Determines Your Moving Cost

Full-Service vs Truck Rental vs Container by Distance

How to Reduce Costs at Every Distance

Reduce weight before quoting

Move off-peak

Pack yourself

Compare at least 3 quotes

Frequently Asked Questions

Related

Find movers near you