Long-Distance Moving Costs Guide

Making a long-distance move is a big adventure — whether you’re chasing a more affordable housing market, lower living costs, warmer weather, a new job, or a change of scenery. But before you pack up and hit the road, it’s important to get an understanding of the costs involved so you can plan accordingly — and possibly save some money. 

Long-distance moving costs vary widely based on numerous factors like where you’re moving to and from, the size of your home (aka how much stuff you’re moving), and the moving solution you choose.

In this guide, we’ll break down the average cost to move across the country as well as offer some tips for economizing when possible.

How Much Does It Cost To Move Long-Distance? 

Long-distance moving costs vary quite a bit depending on the distance, the size of your household, and other factors, which we’ll address later in the article.

Here’s what you can expect to pay to move a 2–3 bedroom household:

• Across the country (coast to coast): $1,637–$7,602 for a move from California to New York City 

• Halfway across the country: $931–$6,591 for a move from California to Texas 

• Across the country vertically (north/south or south/north): $758–$5,258 for a move from New York to Florida

Below we’ll go into a lot more detail to help you estimate the moving costs for your own unique move accurately.

Long-Distance Moving Options: Pros and Cons

Before we dive into the costs, it’s important to understand one of the most important factors in determining the price tag of a long-distance move — the moving solution you choose — that is, DIY, full-service, or somewhere in between (such as a portable storage container).  

To put it simply: While DIY moving may offer the lowest upfront costs, it often comes with added stress and time commitments, whereas full-service moving companies provide convenience and peace of mind but at a higher price.

Here’s what to know about the most popular moving services for a long-distance move so you can choose what’s best for you and have context for when you collect quotes: 

Renting a truck

A DIY move is basically what it sounds like — you pack the boxes, load them onto a rental truck, drive to your new home, then unload it all upon arrival. If you’re on a budget, this is the cheapest way to move long-distance. But for big moves, especially across the country, the DIY route has its drawbacks.

Pros

• Usually the cheapest way to move across the country

• Flexibility to pack and move at your own pace

• Various truck sizes and price ranges to choose from

• Straightforward pay structure with no labor fees

• More control over how you load the truck

Cons

• Higher potential risk of damage to your items

• Fuel, mileage, and rental equipment costs aren’t included

• Often requires a permit to park

• Labor-intensive and time-consuming

• Heavy lifting can lead to injuries or physical strain

• Car shipping may be required

• Weather or traffic can cause unforeseen delays

• Large trucks are often difficult (or just plain scary) to maneuver

Portable moving containers

A portable moving container is a storage unit that can be transported from your current home to your new home — or to a storage center for temporary storage. The container provider will deliver the container to your home, then once you load it, they’ll transport it to the final destination. 

This option is more flexible and affordable than a full-service moving company, but you’ll still need to take care of the loading and unloading, or hire moving labor to help.

Pros

• Usually more affordable than a full-service company

• Doesn’t require driving a truck

• Convenient and flexible at-home delivery

• Can be used for storage if your new home isn’t ready

• No need to ship your car long-distance

• Can be loaded and unloaded at your own pace

Cons

• Usually pricier than a typical moving truck rental

• Often requires permitting, especially in urban areas

• Moving labor not included, so you’ll need to handle the packing, loading, and unloading

Full-service moves

When you hire a moving company with extensive experience and a proven track record of quality service, you can trust that your belongings will arrive safely. Some companies have been specializing in interstate moving for decades, bringing the expertise you need for a smooth relocation. Not to mention, they take care of the entire process from start to finish. 

While this level of convenience often comes with a higher price tag, many people find the investment worthwhile for the peace of mind it provides.

Pros

• Every step is handled by professionals to save you time, effort, and stress

• Experienced movers know how to handle fragile, bulky, and specialty items

• Reduced risk of loss or damage to your valuables

• No need to lift heavy appliances, furniture, or boxes

• Moving insurance and liability protection are available

• Packing services are often available as an add-on

• Professionals drive the truck for you, so you don’t have to ship your car

• A lot faster and more efficient than a DIY move

Cons

• Typically more expensive than the other long-distance moving options

• Extra fees may be added for navigating stairs, handling heavy items, and other special scenarios

• The moving company controls the schedule

• Not all companies are reliable, requiring careful research

How Much Does It Cost To Move Long Distance?

Below you’ll find the average cost to move across the country, based on the most popular moving routes Americans took in 2024, starting with regional and interstate moves then cross-country moves. 

These costs are broken down by moving solution — since, as covered above, move type is quite possibly the biggest factor in determining the price of a long-distance move.

Sample Long-Distance Moving Costs: California to Texas

Californians who want a less expensive cost of living, a robust job market, and no state income taxes are flocking to the more affordable Lone Star State.

*Based on rough estimates from MoveBuddha for a 2-bedroom home, excluding insurance coverage and taxes.

Sample Long-Distance Moving Costs: Florida to Texas

Texas offers a cheaper housing market and fuel prices than what you’ll find in the Sunshine State, making it an attractive destination for many Floridians.

*Based on rough estimates from MoveBuddha for a 2-bedroom home, excluding insurance coverage and taxes.

Sample Long-Distance Moving Costs: Texas to Florida

Coastal living with world-class tourist attractions, vibrant beaches, and sunshine all year round attract Texans to Florida in spite of potential higher living costs.

*Based on rough estimates from MoveBuddha for a 2-bedroom home, excluding insurance coverage and taxes.

Sample Long-Distance Moving Costs: Texas to California

Expenses aside, California offers unmatched natural scenery, career opportunities, and cultural diversity, which tempt Texans farther west to The Golden State.  

*Based on rough estimates from MoveBuddha for a 2-bedroom home, excluding insurance coverage and taxes.

Sample Long-Distance Moving Costs: Florida to North Carolina

North Carolina was among the top five states Americans moved to in 2024, including Floridians seeking mountain living and all four seasons.

*Based on rough estimates from MoveBuddha for a 2-bedroom home, excluding insurance coverage and taxes. 

Sample Long-Distance Moving Costs: Florida to Georgia

From Atlanta’s urban scene to Savannah’s historic charm, Floridians can’t seem to resist The Peach State.

*Based on rough estimates from MoveBuddha for a 2-bedroom home, excluding insurance coverage and taxes. 

How much does it cost to move across the country?

The average cost to move across the country ranges from $775–$3,747 for a rental truck (not including gas, taxes, and other fees) to $1,434–$5,144 for a portable container and $2,212–$8,300 for a full-service move.

The particulars of your own relocation will determine exactly how much you end up forking over. Here are a couple of sample moves to give you an idea of cross-country moving costs by move type.

Sample Cross-Country Moving Costs: California to Florida

California has some of the most expensive costs of living in the U.S. Fortunately, the Sunshine State offers balmy weather and beachy vibes at a fraction of the price, attracting tens of thousands of Californians every year.

*Based on rough estimates from MoveBuddha for a 2-bedroom home, excluding insurance coverage and taxes.

Sample Cross-Country Moving Costs: New York to Florida

In recent years, there’s been a mass exodus of New Yorkers, as thousands pack up for the Sunshine State to escape the cold winters and steep housing costs.  

*Based on rough estimates from MoveBuddha for a 2-bedroom home, excluding insurance coverage and taxes.

Which Factors Impact Long-Distance Moving Costs?

As you can see above, even for each moving solution, the cost of moving long distance can vary significantly. 

Here are the top factors that influence a long-distance move. Be sure to budget for them ahead of time, so there won’t be any unforeseen sticker shock on moving day.

The size of your home

It’s probably no surprise that moving a larger home tends to be pricier than moving a smaller home. But just how much does it influence your final moving costs?

To put this into context, the average cost to move a 4-bedroom house (2,000 sq. ft.) across the country from California to Florida will set you back $2,039 on the low end or $11,294 on the high end. In comparison, it’ll cost between $1,489 and $7,662 to move the contents of a 2-bedroom house (1,000 sq. feet) across that same distance. 

While full-service movers generally calculate moving costs by estimating the total weight of your items, rental truck and portable container companies require you to pick a size based on the square footage of your home. (Hint: When collecting estimates, don’t forget about the contents of the shed, attic, garage, and other easy-to-overlook spots in your home.) 

Where and how far you’re moving

The distance between your previous home and final destination will have a substantial impact on your total expenditure. Moving to the state next door (e.g., St. Petersburg, FL to Savannah, GA) or just a few states over (e.g., Panama City, FL to Wilmington, NC) will be cheaper than moving from one side of the country to another (e.g., San Francisco to Miami or New York City to Tampa). This is due to the extra fuel, labor, and time required for long-distance moves, not to mention potential tolls and logistical complexities. 

Sometimes, the direction of your move can also impact costs due to fluctuations in demand. For example, if a moving company has an excess of containers or trucks in a region like, say, California and needs to relocate them, they may offer lower prices for moves departing that area. This is why moving from NYC to Los Angeles can sometimes cost a lot less than moving from Los Angeles to New York, for example.

Specialty items

If you plan on moving items such as a piano, hot tub, billiards table, fine artwork, or large appliances, you will likely have to pay extra. Due to their bulky or fragile nature, these items require both delicate packing and careful transport. In order to move them safely and minimize the risk of damage, it’s worth the investment to hire professional movers for these specialty items. After all, you might incur more costs if they get damaged in transit.

Your moving date

Due to school calendars and work schedules, weekends and summer months are often the most convenient times to move, but since many households relocate at these peak times, this high demand can elevate the price. 

If your schedule is flexible, opt for a weekday in the fall or winter “off” seasons as a simple way to help curb some of those long-distance moving costs.

Auto transport

If you’re planning a long-distance move, you may need to ship your car, especially if you’re renting a moving truck as part of a DIY move. The average cost of shipping a car could be anywhere from $755 for less than 500 miles to upwards of $2,000 for over 2,500 miles — but you may be able to avoid this expense by choosing a full-service mover or portable container provider so that you’re free to drive your own vehicle.

The type of moving service

As we covered above, there are several different ways to handle the logistics of a move. The most budget-conscious option is to do it on your own, while the most expensive is usually, although not always, hiring full-service movers. With DIY moving, don’t forget you’ll be trading time and effort for savings, as you’ll be handling everything yourself—packing, driving, and possibly shipping your car. Be sure to factor in gas, accommodations, time off work, and other costs associated with DIY moving (more on that below) before you make your final decision.  

Stairs

Moving companies will often charge an additional fee to carry items up or down more than one flight of stairs. If you’re moving into a two-story house or an apartment unit on the second floor, chances are, that will be covered in the initial quote (double check just in case), but if you’re moving into a high-rise complex with no elevators, expect your movers to tack on some additional labor costs. 

Moving insurance

Since homeowners and renters insurance policies don’t always cover potential damage or loss during a move, you might want to consider moving insurance. Most professional moving companies offer full-value protection insurance, which covers the cost to repair, replace, or compensate for lost or damaged items.

Full-value protection typically costs around one percent of the total declared value of your items. If everything on the truck weighs 10,000 lbs., and the mover values this at $6 per lb. (or $60,000 total), the insurance policy would cost approximately $600.

Moving supplies

There are many creative and resourceful hacks for accumulating free boxes, but sometimes you just need to invest in specialty moving boxes like wardrobe or electronic boxes. And don’t forget materials like moving straps, foam cushions, tape, and shrink wrap, as well as dollies or furniture sliders if you’ll be doing the loading and unloading on your own.

Parking and moving permits

A moving permit grants you permission to park a rental truck or place a portable container on the street for a specified duration so that you can load and unload your belongings. 

The cost of a moving permit will depend on factors such as location, truck size, and the duration of the parking and can range from $50 to hundreds of dollars, depending on the municipality, so be sure to research permit requirements well in advance to avoid unexpected costs and budget accurately.

Accommodations, food, miles, and fuel

Some moving truck rental companies offer unlimited miles, but most will charge you around $0.20–$0.90 per mile. On top of those fees, you’ll also need to factor in other costs such as food, fuel, and overnight accommodations while you’re on the road. These expenses can add up quickly, so make a budget — and stick to it.

How to Save on Cross-Country Moving Costs

There’s no denying it: the costs to move long-distance, especially across the country, are substantial, but you can offset some of that financial strain with a few creative strategies. Of course, you shouldn’t cut too many corners, as this could result in even more stress due to unreliable service or damage to your items. 

Here’s how to save money where possible, while still ensuring a smooth and seamless experience.

Declutter before you start packing

A long-distance move is an opportunity to downsize and scale back on what you no longer need. 

Before you start tossing random objects in boxes, take inventory of all the items you own and be honest about which should come with you and which have overstayed their welcome. Then, donate, sell, toss, or recycle the unnecessary clutter. The less you have to pack and transport, the lower those long-distance moving costs will be.

Do your own packing

Packing is a labor-intensive job, but doing it yourself will save a considerable amount of money. Start with the non-essential items in your attic, basement, guest room, and other storage areas about six to eight weeks before the move. Then as you build momentum, pack up the more lived-in spaces of your home, such as the bedrooms and dining room.

Packing becomes less of a hassle when you break it into manageable, bize-size increments. There’s no shame in asking friends or family members to roll up their sleeves and help, too.

Avoid the busiest moving seasons

As we talked about earlier, summers and weekends see the highest demand for moving long-distance. If possible, avoid relocating during these peak seasons — choose a weekday in the fall or winter. Not only will you snag cheaper off-season rates, but you also won’t have to stress about limited availability for rental trucks or containers.   

Explore moving discounts

Some moving companies and truck or container rentals offer discounts for military soldiers and veterans, senior adults, teachers, college students, union members, and those who are moving without a job. Based on the time of year, a seasonal or holiday promotion might also be available. Ask about these discount rates when you call for a quote.  

Collect multiple quotes

Speaking of quotes, don’t settle for the first professional movers you come across. Reach out to several companies, read their customer reviews online, research their track-record with the Better Business Bureau, then compare their rates and services until you find the right match. This extra homework will help you choose a reliable business that suits your budget parameters while also meeting the specific needs of your interstate or cross-country move.

How Much Money Should I Save to Move Across the Country?

In order to move across the country with minimal stress and setbacks, you’ll want to save at least enough money to cover all the basic costs of your move, along with other out-of-pocket incidentals such as meals or accommodations. This could range from as little as $2,500 to upwards of $10,000, based on the size of your household and the logistics of when, where, what, and how you plan to move.

Follow these steps to make sure you’ve got all your long-distance moving costs covered in your budget:

• Use this moving calculator for a reliable estimate of how much you’ll need to save to afford a long-distance move so you can start setting aside funds. 

• Call around to collect quotes from a variety of companies. Choose the provider that offers the best balance of experience, reviews, and overall value.

• Plan your travel arrangements for the journey to your new home, and factor in vehicle shipping if applicable to your situation.

• If you don’t have a job lined up, save enough money for at least three months of basic living expenses while you look for stable employment.

• If you’re on the hook for the first and last month’s rent (or any other move-in fees) at your new residence, earmark this amount for once you arrive.

• If you need to set up internet, cable, or other utilities in your new home, plan ahead for installation charges and equipment rental fees. 

Embark on Your Long-Distance Move with Colonial Van Lines

A long-distance move should be smooth, not stressful — and having an accurate moving budget plays a key role in making that happen. 

One of the best ways to stay on budget is by choosing a trusted moving company that provides transparent pricing and reliable service. With over 50 years of expertise in interstate and cross-country moving, Colonial Van Lines ensures a seamless transition from start to finish. Call us for a free quote today