How Much Does It Cost to Move Across the Country in 2025?
The average cost to move across the country is $4,572
Plan to spend $550 to $12,000 on most cross-country moves, with the average landing at $4,572.
Distance, home size, and the service package you pick all shift the final price.
Hiring professional movers frees up your time and adds peace of mind that your belongings will travel safely.
Renting a small shipping container starts at $900, while hiring a full-service moving company can cost up to $9,700.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Moving across the country costs an average of $4,572, with most people spending between $2,391 and $6,868. Your final bill depends on distance, home size, and the level of professional help you choose. Hiring professional movers saves you hours of packing and driving, reduces moving-day stress, and helps ensure that every box arrives when and where it should.
Long-Distance Moving Cost Factors
Your long-distance moving bill hinges on three main things: how far you’re going, how much you’re moving, and how much help you want from the pros.
Size of Your Home
Home size is one of the biggest price drivers. A studio or one-bedroom place tops out at $3,000, while three-bedroom households can approach $8,000.
| Number of Bedrooms | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Studio or 1 | $700–$3,000 |
| 2 | $1,000–$7,000 |
| 3 | $1,400–$8,000 |
| 4 | $1,800–$10,000 |
| 5 | $3,000–$12,000 |
| 6 | $4,000–$15,000 |
Requested Services
Every add-on you choose nudges the total higher. Here’s what common extras cost and how they can simplify moving day:
The cost of hiring professional movers ranges from $1,400 to $9,700 for a full-service move. For most long-distance moves, moving companies charge by weight, not by the hour.
Professional packers cost from $270 to $2,200.
Move-out cleaning costs range from $120 to $420.
Time, Weight, and Distance
Movers price long-distance jobs by weight and mileage—the heavier the load and the farther the haul, the more you’ll pay.
The time of year can also impact the cost of your move. Moving on a weekend or holiday may result in higher rental prices.
| Weight of Belongings (Lbs.) | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 500 | $250–$400 |
| 1,000 | $500–$800 |
| 2,000 | $1,000–$1,600 |
| 5,000 | $2,500–$4,000 |
| 10,000 | $5,000–$8,000 |
| 15,000 | $7,500–$12,000 |
Moving Supplies
Expect to pay about $1 for a medium box and up to $40 for bubble wrap or storage bins. Those small line items add up fast, so factor them into your budget early.
Insurance
Moving insurance runs 1% to 2% of your shipment’s value. Your homeowners or renters policy might provide limited coverage, but you can always buy extra protection if you’re hauling high-value items.
Additional Expenses
Don’t forget to budget for the extras—vehicle registration, new driver’s licenses, hotels, meals on the road, and storage fees can all add up on the final tab.
Long-Distance Moving Cost by Service Level
If you're planning a long-distance move of more than 400 miles, you'll need to choose a type of moving service for the trip.
| Service Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Full service | $1,400–$9,700 |
| Truck rental | $1,200–$2,100 |
| Shipping container | $700–$3,200 |
Full-Service Movers
Hiring full-service movers costs between $1,400 and $9,700, depending on the distance and any additional services required. When you hire a moving company for an interstate trip, they send a consultant to your house to do the following:
Evaluate the size of the truck you’ll need
Estimate the total weight of the load
Talk to you about extra insurance for your belongings
At the end of the consultation, you’ll receive a detailed estimate that includes itemized services and costs.
Moving Truck Rental
Renting a moving truck to move across the country costs between $1,200 and $2,100.
Shipping Containers
Renting and transporting a shipping container for your move costs $700 to $3,200. The price depends on the number of units you need and the distance you plan to travel. Most homes use one to three units.
Container companies drop a portable storage unit at your house and let you pack it at your leisure. On a specified date, they pick it up and deliver it to your destination, where you can unload it.
Budgeting Tips for Cross-Country Moves
Keep your cross-country move from breaking the bank with these practical strategies:
Get at least three quotes from different moving companies to compare pricing structures and find the best value for your specific needs.
Move during the off-season (October through April), when demand drops and companies offer lower rates, sometimes 20-30% less than summer prices.
Declutter ruthlessly before you pack; every item you donate or sell means less weight to transport and lower moving costs.
Source free moving supplies from local stores, social media marketplace groups, or friends who recently moved, instead of buying new boxes.
Create a detailed moving budget spreadsheet that tracks every expense—from packing tape to hotel stays—to prevent surprise costs from derailing your finances.
DIY vs. Hiring Long-Distance Movers
Tackling a local move solo is doable, but cross-country moves are much more intensive. You can pack, load, drive, and unload everything yourself, but hiring a professional moving company saves you hours of work and ensures your belongings are insured and properly handled throughout the process.
Contact a professional moving company in your area to get started today.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Movers classify any relocation of 400 miles or more as long-distance. Once you cross that line, fuel surcharges, tolls, and extra labor hours come into play, so you’ll need a more detailed plan and a crew experienced with interstate logistics. Coordinating schedules, securing permits, and budgeting for mileage are all essential to keeping the move on track and stress-free.
The most effective moving approach depends on your budget, distance, and the amount of belongings you’re bringing. If you’re short on time or have a houseful of furniture, hiring professional movers is the fastest, least stressful route. They supply the trucks, equipment, and insurance you need for a smooth haul. For lighter loads, a rental truck or shipping container can trim costs if you’re willing to handle the heavy lifting yourself.
Moving insurance adds a small percentage to the bill but protects your belongings during transit. Standard coverage pays about $0.60 per pound; upgrading costs more but is worth it if you’re shipping antiques or electronics. Build this line item into your budget to protect your wallet and gain peace of mind in case anything shifts or breaks during transit.
Renting a moving truck or shipping container helps keep labor costs low, as you handle the loading and driving yourself. A single container can cost as little as $700, while truck rentals range from $1,200 to $2,100 per day. To make the DIY route pay off, map your route, line up insurance, recruit friends for the heavy lifting, and budget extra time for loading, driving, and unloading everything safely.
If you’re driving the rental truck yourself, check every state on your route for oversized-vehicle, parking, and weigh-station rules before you hit the road. Pros handle these permits automatically, but DIY movers must confirm the requirements with local authorities and the rental company. Securing the proper paperwork upfront helps keep fines at bay and keeps your move on schedule.
Moving pods cost $2,000 to $5,000, while full-service movers can range from $2,700 to $10,000. Because you handle the packing and unpacking on your own schedule, you avoid most labor fees. The trade-off is the sweat equity you’ll invest in loading and unloading, but for many homeowners, the savings more than offset the extra effort, especially on long hauls.
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