Are you planning on moving cross-country soon? If so, you should know that hiring a team of professionals to help you out is the way to go. With the best full-service long-distance movers, you won’t have to worry about packing your belongings or finding a storage unit in the new city. But how much do long-distance movers cost? Knowing exactly how much long-distance moving services cost will help you figure out your moving budget in advance. However, there isn’t exactly one simple answer to this question, even with the top-rated full-service long-distance moving companies. The price of your move will depend on a number of factors, including the distance, the size, and the date of the move. But first, let’s find out what is considered a long-distance move in the first place.
What Is Considered a Long-Distance Move?
Before we delve deeper into how much long-distance moving services cost, let’s find out what is considered a long-distance move in the first place. In general, these moves (also known as cross-country and interstate moves) include anything longer than moving from one part of the city to another.
However, different companies have different ways of discerning between local and long-distance moves. For example, some movers consider all moves within one state local, while others draw the line at 400 miles, regardless of state lines. The best course of action would be to contact your chosen mover and ask them if you’re not sure.
Factors That Affect the Cost of a Long-Distance Moving
No cross-country move is the same, so it’s not surprising that they come at a wide range of prices, too. Some of the most important factors that affect the final price of the move include:
- The distance. As a rule of thumb, the longer the move is, the more it will cost.
- The size. If you’re relocating a studio apartment, you will most likely pay less than if you were moving a whole mansion.
- The time. Some moving companies change their rates depending on the time of the year.
- The services. The final price will also depend on the services you choose.
Let’s take a closer look at all these factors and how they affect the answer to the question How much do long-distance movers cost.
How Does the Mileage Affect the Price of the Moving Service?
The correlation between the distance from your old home to the new one and the price is pretty simple – the further your future address is, the more will it cost to get all your stuff there. This is mostly because higher mileage implies more man-hours and higher transportation expenses.
How Much Do Long-Distance Movers Cost Depending on the Size of the Move?
The size of the move usually refers to either the weight or the volume of all your household belongings. When you submit a request for a quote from your chosen mover, you will likely be asked to provide a detailed household inventory list (either in written form, via a video call, or as an on-site estimate, which is the best-case scenario). The moving company will then estimate the final cost based on that list. At BHM, we utilize the Cubic Calculator for your convenience.
Generally, the size and the distance of the move are the two factors that have the biggest impact on the final price. Here’s a quick sample overview*:
| Moving distance | Long Distance Moving Cost: 1 bedroom |
Long Distance Moving Cost: 2 – 3 bedrooms |
Long Distance Moving Cost: 4 – 5 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 miles or less | $300 – $750 | $750 – $1,600 | $1,100 – $5,700 |
| 250 miles | $850 – $2,300 | $1,300 – $4,000 | $2,000 – $5,700 |
| 1000 miles+ | $1000 – $2,900 | $2,100 – $7,800 | $4,900 – $8,100 |
| 2500 miles+ | $1,300 – $3,800 | $3,200 – $7,700 | $8,400+ |
*Keep in mind, however, that different companies have different rates, so make sure to request a free quote from your chosen moving service provider.
Choose the Right Time to Move
Picking the right time to move could have a great impact on your budget. Most full-service long-distance moving companies get really busy between the months of May and September. Summer simply happens to be the most convenient time to move, not only because of the nice weather but also because it is the end of the school year. In general, the cheapest times of the year to move are the winter season, holidays, and weekdays.
How Do Moving Services Affect the Final Cost?
As a rule of thumb, the best full-service long-distance movers don’t offer a single unified service that covers everything. Although getting everything is an option, as a client, you will get to pick and choose the services that fit your needs and your budget. Here are the most common ones.
Basic Moving Service
The basic long distance moving service includes the transportation of all the belongings from your inventory list in a clean and safe truck from the old address to the new one. It also includes the disassembling and reassembling of furniture and physical labor.
Packing Services
Packing tends to be the most tedious and stressful part of every move. Luckily, this is another thing you can leave to professionals – at an additional cost. How much the packing service will affect the final cost of the move mostly depends on the amount of stuff you would like professional packers to handle.
Storage Facilities
Relocations can be full of surprises. Sometimes, the new place might not be move-in ready on time. Or perhaps you need a few days to clean it? Whatever the reason, the best full-service long-distance moving companies know that some of their clients need to store boxes for a few days before moving in, which is why the storage service is another option you can pick.
Insurance
Usually, the best full-service long-distance movers include any mandatory insurance in their initial estimate. However, if your chosen mover offers full-value insurance, this may come at an additional cost. Although it may seem like an unnecessary expense, it might be worth thinking about – just think about all the things with sentimental value you’d hate to lose.
Any Additional Labor
On top of the services you choose, there are some additional factors that might affect how much the long-distance moving services cost in the end. For example, if you live on a higher floor in a residential building, the moving company might charge you a stair-carry fee. Likewise, if the distance from the front door to the moving truck is too long, you might end up with a long-carry fee.
So How Much Do Long-Distance Movers Cost on Average?
It might be impossible to give a specific answer to the question How much do long-distance movers cost, but we can still talk about the averages. In general, the average long-distance move costs a little over $4,000. Remember, though, you won’t know the precise cost until you contact your chosen moving company. And keep in mind that the best full-service long-distance movers will always provide you with options that can fit your budget better.