How Much Does a Long-Distance Move Cost?
Last updated: May 22, 2026 by the How Much Does That Cost? editorial team. Estimates are informational - see our methodology.
A long-distance or interstate move costs $2,600 to $7,500 on average, with most households paying around $4,500 to relocate a 2-3 bedroom home several hundred to a couple thousand miles with full-service movers. Long-distance moves are priced primarily by shipment weight and distance, unlike local moves, which are billed hourly.
A studio apartment moving a short distance can cost as little as $1,200, while a large 4+ bedroom home moving cross-country with full-service packing can run $10,000-$12,000 or more. Choosing a DIY truck rental instead of full-service movers is the single biggest way to lower the cost.
Quick Answer
Typical range: $2,600 – $7,500
Low end
$1,200
High end
$12,000+
Actual pricing varies by location, project size, materials, labor rates, and job complexity. Use the calculator below for an estimate tailored to your project.
a Long-Distance Move Cost Calculator
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Estimated Project Cost
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Typical estimate: —
This is an estimate, not a quote. Actual pricing depends on your specific project details and local contractor pricing.
Cost Breakdown
How a typical project budget breaks down by category.
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Linehaul transportation (weight x distance) | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| Packing & materials | $300 – $1,200 |
| Loading/unloading labor | $400 – $900 |
| Fuel surcharge | $100 – $400 |
| Valuation/insurance coverage | $150 – $400 |
What Affects the Cost
Total shipment weight or volume
Long-distance movers price primarily by the weight (or cubic feet) of your shipment, so more furniture and boxes directly raise the linehaul cost.
Distance between homes
Cost rises with mileage, though not perfectly linearly — moves under 500 miles are priced differently than true cross-country relocations of 2,000+ miles.
Time of year and month
Summer (May-September) and the end of the month are the busiest and most expensive times to book, since leases commonly turn over then; moving in the off-season or mid-month can lower quotes noticeably.
Accessibility at pickup and delivery
Stairs, elevators, long carry distances, or a shuttle truck needed for narrow streets or rural roads can all add fees on top of the base linehaul quote.
Binding vs. non-binding estimate
A binding estimate guarantees the final price based on the surveyed inventory, while a non-binding estimate can increase if the actual weight comes in higher than estimated — binding quotes reduce surprise costs.
Full-service vs. DIY
Hiring movers for loading, transport, and unloading costs significantly more than renting your own truck or a moving container and handling the labor yourself.
Cost by Home Size
| Home Size | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,200 – $2,600 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,800 – $3,800 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,600 – $5,200 |
| 3 Bedroom | $3,400 – $7,500 |
| 4+ Bedroom | $5,000 – $12,000 |
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Doing it yourself
Renting a truck (e.g., U-Haul or Penske) and driving it yourself typically costs $1,200-$3,000 for a cross-country move including fuel and lodging, saving thousands versus full-service movers, but it requires you to load, drive, and unload everything yourself over potentially multiple days.
Hiring a professional
Full-service interstate movers load, transport, and unload your entire home, provide licensed and insured drivers, and offer valuation coverage for lost or damaged items, but typically cost 2-4 times more than a DIY truck rental.
Bottom line: A moving container or DIY truck rental is the better value if you're comfortable with the physical labor and driving; full-service movers make more sense for larger households, tight timelines, or anyone unable to lift heavy furniture.
Ways to Save
- Get a binding, not-to-exceed estimate rather than a non-binding one so the final price can't balloon if the shipment weighs more than estimated.
- Move during the off-season (October-April) or mid-month to avoid peak summer and end-of-month demand surcharges.
- Declutter heavily before the in-home or virtual survey — every 100 lbs removed lowers your weight-based quote.
- Compare full-service movers against a moving container or DIY rental truck, especially for smaller households.
- Pack your own boxes and only pay professionals to handle large furniture and fragile specialty items.
- Get at least 3 in-home (not phone-only) estimates from movers registered with the FMCSA for interstate moves.
How We Estimated This Cost
We model each calculator from public price ranges, labor data, material pricing, industry surveys, and the regional adjustment method explained in our methodology. Estimates are reviewed for consumer usefulness, then shown as ranges because local quotes, site conditions, materials, and timing can change the final price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a long-distance move cost?
A long-distance move averages about $4,500, with most households paying $2,600 to $7,500 depending on home size, distance, and whether you hire full-service movers or move yourself.
How is long-distance moving cost calculated?
Interstate movers typically price based on the total weight of your shipment and the distance between homes, plus any additional services like packing, valuation coverage, or storage-in-transit.
Is it cheaper to use a moving container instead of full-service movers?
Yes, moving containers like PODS typically cost 40-60% less than full-service movers since you load and unload yourself, though they take longer since the container is picked up and delivered on the company's schedule.
What is the difference between a binding and non-binding moving estimate?
A binding estimate guarantees a fixed final price based on the surveyed shipment, while a non-binding estimate is only an approximation and can increase if the actual weight is higher — binding estimates are generally safer for budgeting.
How long does a long-distance move take?
Delivery windows typically range from a few days for moves under 1,000 miles to 1-3 weeks for cross-country moves, since movers often consolidate multiple shipments on one truck.