Moving Cost by Distance

How much does a move cost based on distance? Price tables for local moves under 50 miles to cross-country relocations of 3,000 miles, broken down by home size and moving method.

Updated 2026-09-20

Full-Service Mover Prices by Distance and Home Size

Prices reflect 2-person crew for studio/1BR, 3-person crew for 2BR/3BR, and 4-person crew for 4BR+. Includes loading, transport, and unloading. Does not include packing, insurance upgrades, or specialty item fees.

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

What Determines Your Moving Cost

Distance is just one of several pricing inputs. Understanding these factors helps you estimate your real cost and find ways to reduce it.

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.

Full-Service vs Truck Rental vs Container by Distance

Prices shown for a typical 2-bedroom move (5,000 to 6,000 lbs). Truck rental includes estimated fuel cost. Container and freight prices include transport only.

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

How to Reduce Costs at Every Distance

Reduce weight before quoting

Every 500 lbs you cut saves $250 to $400 on a long-distance move. Sell or donate heavy furniture (dressers: 100 to 150 lbs, sofas: 150 to 250 lbs), books (a medium box weighs 50 to 70 lbs), and exercise equipment. Get quotes after decluttering, not before.

Move off-peak

Moving in October through March saves 15 to 25% compared to summer. Mid-week moves (Tuesday through Thursday) are 5 to 10% cheaper than Saturday. Mid-month dates (10th through 20th) avoid the lease-turnover rush. If flexible, ask movers for their cheapest available window.

Pack yourself

Full packing service adds $600 to $2,000 for a 3-bedroom home. Buying boxes from Home Depot or U-Haul and packing yourself costs $100 to $300 in materials. Use towels, blankets, and clothing as padding instead of buying packing paper.

Compare at least 3 quotes

Mover pricing for the same move varies by 30 to 50%. Always get binding or not-to-exceed quotes, not non-binding estimates. Verify each company's USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Avoid movers who give quotes over the phone without seeing your inventory.

How to spot moving scams →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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.

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

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.

Why do movers charge more per mile for shorter distances?+

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.

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

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.

Do moving costs change based on the time of year?+

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.

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

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.

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

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.