When you’re planning a move, going the DIY route often seems like the most obvious way to save money. But once moving day approaches, you might start to realize there’s a lot more involved in a DIY move than you anticipated. Between the heavy lifting, planning, driving, packing supplies, scheduling, and unexpected expenses, a DIY move can quickly become more stressful, more expensive, and more time-consuming than you thought.
That doesn’t mean DIY moving is always the wrong choice — for some, it’s the perfect fit. The key is knowing what to expect and having a plan to manage it, so you can avoid unnecessary stress — and any moving-day regrets later on.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about DIY moving, including the different DIY moving options, DIY moving tips to make the process easier, and whether a DIY move ultimately makes the most sense for you.
What Is DIY Moving?
DIY moving, aka do-it-yourself moving, is exactly what it sounds like: a move you’re responsible for managing entirely on your own. Unlike a full-service move where professional movers handle the logistics and labor, a DIY move puts all the responsibility on you.
People who choose to take on DIY moves are usually lured by the flexibility and the lower upfront price tag.
With a DIY move, you’re typically in charge of:
Packing
Organizing
Lifting
Loading
Driving
Unloading
Unpacking
Yes, you’re in full control of the timeline, packing process, and transportation method. But of course, with that control also comes more responsibility, more physical work, and more risk.
Your DIY Moving Options
When sorting out how to handle the logistics of your move, bear in mind that there are three different DIY moving options to choose from — depending on your budget, your timeline, and how much stuff you’re moving.
Rental moving trucks
Renting a moving truck has always been one of the most common DIY moving options. You’ll usually pick up the truck from a lot, drive it to your old home, load up your belongings, drive to your new home, and unload everything — all on your own.
This option gives you full autonomy, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Driving a large moving truck can be stressful, particularly if you’re inexperienced, and especially if you’re moving long-distance.
Portable moving containers
Portable moving containers have become much more popular recently. With this type of DIY moving option, a company delivers a storage container directly to your home. You pack and load the container yourself, then the company comes back to pick it up and transport it to your new home.
The biggest perk of a portable moving container is that it eliminates the need to drive a huge moving truck, which many people appreciate. It can also give you more flexibility if your move-in and move-out dates don’t perfectly line up.
Moving with personal vehicles or trailers
If you don’t own much stuff — or plan to sell or donate most of it before the move — you could also move with your own vehicle. This works best, though, if you have access to a larger vehicle like a truck, SUV, or trailer.
The Real Cost of a DIY Move
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about DIY moving is that it’s always dramatically cheaper than hiring professional movers. In fact, many people underestimate all the expenses involved.
Here’s the range of estimated moving costs for a few common long-distance moves.
Example Moves | DIY Moving Costs (Renting a Moving Truck)* | Full-Service Moving Costs |
Los Angeles to Austin, TX | $3,033–$6,061 | $931–$6,591 |
NYC to San Francisco | $3,179–$5,689 | $1,637–$7,602 |
Boston to Miami | $3,051–$5,544 | $758–$5,258 |
*Estimated costs based on U-Haul reservation estimates, May 2026. Fuel costs not included.
The hidden costs of DIY moving
With DIY moving, small expenses can be easy to overlook — but they can quickly add up. Common additional costs you’ll want to be aware of when considering DIY moving include:
Fuel
Trailer or towing equipment
Mileage fees
Insurance coverage
Packing supplies
Dollies and moving equipment
Broken furniture
Lost or damaged items
Storage fees
Cleaning supplies
Hotel stays
Food during travel
Time off work
Extra childcare or pet care costs
Injuries from lifting heavy furniture
Last-minute truck extensions
Weather-related delays
Furniture replacement costs
What is the cheapest way to move yourself? DIY moving is still often considered the cheapest way to move — especially if you sell or donate most of your furniture and belongings beforehand. That said, the realistic overall cost of a DIY move should also include things like replacement furniture, extra travel time, hotel stays, and missed workdays. That’s why it’s important to look beyond the initial truck rental price and think about the full picture of your move to make an informed decision about the most affordable moving option for your situation. |
DIY Moving Tips for a Smoother Move
If you decide a DIY move is right for you, taking the time to plan ahead can make the move feel less daunting. Here are a few DIY moving tips to help.
Declutter before packing
One of the best things you can do to ease the burden of a DIY move is to reduce the amount of stuff you pack and haul in the first place. The fewer items you move, the easier and cheaper your DIY moving experience will be.
Before packing:
Donate items you no longer use, like clothes and appliances.
Sell bulky furniture.
Throw away broken items.
Digitize all your paperwork.
Organize your closets, garage, and any other storage areas.
Start packing early
To successfully pull off a DIY move, pace yourself when it comes to packing. Waiting until the final few days to get started will only make you more stressed and increase the probability of rushing and accidentally forgetting or damaging something.
Create a strategy for moving day
A smooth DIY move starts with a solid plan. The more you prep ahead of time, the better you’ll feel by the time moving day arrives.
Before the big day, make sure you:
Reserve your moving truck.
Figure out parking for the truck.
Plan your driving route.
Schedule elevator access if your building requires it.
Designate extra time in your schedule for unexpected delays.
Double-check that friends or family are still available to help out.
Have a plan for heavy items
One of the biggest challenges you might face in DIY moving is safely handling large or heavy belongings.
When moving heavy items on your own, make sure to use the best DIY tips and tools for moving:
Use furniture sliders.
Rent dollies.
Wear lifting straps.
Disassemble your furniture when you can.
Lift with your legs, not your back.
Avoid moving extremely heavy items alone.
If you’re wondering how to move something really heavy by yourself, the safest answer is usually: don’t. Items like pianos, safes, pool tables, and large appliances should not be moved without professionals — and professional moving equipment.
Additional DIY Packing Resources: |
When Hiring Professional Movers Makes More Sense
While DIY moving works well in some situations, there are plenty of benefits to hiring movers — and sometimes going with the pros just makes more sense.
Professional movers are especially useful for:
Families with children
Large homes
Busy professionals
Seniors
Multi-story homes
Tight moving timelines
Heavy or specialty items
DIY moving vs. full-service moving
Both DIY and full-service moving can be great relocation options, depending on who you ask and what your needs are for the move.
Here’s a comparison of the key factors to consider when choosing between DIY moving and full-service moving:
Factor | DIY Move | Full-Service Movers |
Physical Labor | You do the lifting | Movers do the lifting |
Time Commitment | Significant time required | Less time required |
Upfront Cost | Lower cost | Higher cost |
Stress Level | Often more stressful | Often less stressful |
Injury Risk | Greater risk | Lower risk |
Scheduling Flexibility | Set your own schedule | Coordinate with movers |
Driving Responsibility | You drive | Movers transport |
Packing Responsibility | You pack | Packing available |
Risk of Damage | Greater risk of mistakes | Professional handling |
Convenience | More work for you | Most convenient option |
Try a Full-Service Move with Colonial Van Lines
If juggling a DIY move on top of everything else feels overwhelming, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Colonial Van Lines has been helping families move long-distance with more than 250,000 moves nationwide under our belts. From packing to loading to handling transport, our professional movers can handle the heavy lifting so you can take care of everything else. Get a fast, free quote today!