Moving cross-country or even just to a new state can be a time-consuming and expensive process. Whether you hire help or do it all yourself, a cross-country move can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more. The cost to move cross-country will vary greatly by person and depend on factors such as the size and weight of your belongings, the distance in miles between your new and old home, the cost of moving supplies, and when you're moving. To prevent you from feeling too overwhelmed, we've broken down the cost considerations for your long-distance move to help you better plan your moving budget.
Table of Contents
- Cross Country Moving Costs: DIY vs. Professional Movers
- Cost Estimates by Moving Company
- Moving Truck Rental Companies
- Tips for Saving on Cross-Country Moving Costs
- Planning Your Next Cross-Country Move
Cross Country Moving Costs: DIY vs. Professional Movers
Do-it-yourself (DIY) moves and professional movers each have advantages and disadvantages. Your decision will come down to how much you want to spend and what’s best for your peace of mind.
Pros | Cons | |
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DIY moving |
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Professional movers |
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The Cost of Professional Movers
Hiring professional movers for a cross-country move will be more expensive than the DIY option. If you’re on a tight budget, it won’t be the best choice for you. The price will depend on your exact route, but professional movers will be more expensive if they pack your belongings for you. This extra service will cost at least $100 or more, but most will charge a set rate by weight. To save money, it's best to pack up your belongings yourself and just have the movers do the heavy lifting.
With professional movers driving your belongings cross-country, you’ll be able to drive your own car instead of shipping it. Shipping a car is another hefty expense that can cost anywhere from $1,200 to over $2,100, depending on its weight and size. If you decide to make a DIY move instead of hiring professional movers, you’ll have to either ship your car or rent a car trailer to tow it yourself, which costs around $1,000.
Professional movers are great if you want peace of mind knowing that someone with experience is taking care of your belongings. There is less risk that you’ll damage your belongings or injure yourself while moving heavy objects. If your main concern is efficiency or having someone else take care of everything for you, we’d recommend going with professional movers.
The Cost of Do-It-Yourself Moving
To save on the cost of moving cross-country, you can rent a truck from popular companies like U-Haul, Budget, or Penske and make the drive yourself. These trucks usually have a base fee along with a price per mile of travel. However, there are extra fees that come with a DIY move. You’ll need to purchase moving materials like boxes, blankets, and tape. These materials can cost around $500. If you need to ship or tow a car, you’ll add anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 to your total. It’s also important to consider the cost of gas. Moving trucks average anywhere from 4 to 10 miles per gallon. Larger trucks will require diesel, while smaller trucks and vans use regular gas.
We’ll use an example to calculate the cost of gas. Let’s say you’re moving from Orange County, California, to New York City, New York (one of the most popular cross-country moving routes). The route is about 2,800 miles. You’ve rented a truck that averages 6 mpg. You’ll need about 467 gallons of gas to make the trip (2,800 miles divided by 6 mpg). On Feb. 3, 2026, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reported the national average for regular gas to be around $2.83 per gallon. At these prices, you’ll pay about $1,350 in gas for the entire trip. The national average price for diesel gas is $3.63 per gallon, so if your truck requires diesel, you’ll be paying $1,700 in gas.
When you add up the cost of the truck, gas, and moving supplies, a DIY move adds up to around $5,000. Some moving truck companies charge a cleaning fee and an environmental fee. It’s also a good idea to buy rental truck insurance in case of any damage or accidents. Plus, you’ll have to return the truck with a full tank of gas. Moving trucks have anywhere from 30- to 60-gallon tanks, which means that the last fill could cost up to $220 for diesel. Add all these extra fees together, and you’ll pay over $6,000 for a DIY move. This is still around half the cost of professional movers (if you don’t ship a car), so if you’re on a budget, the do-it-yourself option is best. However, cross-country DIY moves require a lot of extra planning and fees to keep track of. You also run the risk of damaging your belongings during the loading/unloading process and while driving. If you’re more concerned with making the move as simple, efficient, and safe as possible, go with professional movers.
The Cost of Moving with Container Services
Container companies offer a moving option that’s a hybrid between professional and DIY moving. These companies drop off a portable storage unit at your home. From there, you’ll pack up all of your belongings on your own. Once you’re done packing, the company will come pick up the container and drive it to your destination. Container companies like P.O.D.S. and Upack don’t do any of the packing or loading for you, but they take care of the transportation so you can drive or fly to your new home without worrying about moving your belongings.
When you add up the cost of renting a moving truck, gas, moving supplies, and the extra fees for a DIY move, container companies are right around, if not less than, the cost of a DIY cross-country move. If you don’t feel like driving a moving truck or dealing with all of the extra moving parts that come with a DIY move, we’d recommend container services. However, if you don’t want to pack or load your belongings on your own and you have a bigger budget, go with professional movers.
Cost Estimates by Moving Company
You have several choices for moving companies to assist with your cross-country move. Before you choose one, gather quotes from at least 3 companies so you can compare pricing and services. While some may be able to provide estimates online, the best way to get an accurate estimate on your specific move is through a survey.
Survey processes vary by company, with some requiring in-person surveys and others offering virtual surveys, where you essentially video chat with a moving rep. These surveys help the companies evaluate how much you'll be moving to your new home to better estimate the costs.
Below are average moving costs from popular companies in the U.S., but to get the most accurate costs, you'll need to reach out to any of these companies for a personalized estimate.
Moving Companies | Estimated Cross-Country Move Cost Range |
|---|---|
Bekins Van Lines | $6,800–$25,000 |
Colonial Van Lines | $7,200–$12,230 |
International Van Lines | $5,300–$12,000 |
Mayflower | $6,000–$15,000 |
United Van Lines | $6,000–$17,500 |
Moving Truck Rental Companies
There are several popular options for moving truck rentals. Prices and extra fees will vary greatly by your location, the size of the truck, and the distance of your move. To give you an idea of how the major companies compare, we’ll use a real-life example.
Below is a comparison of the cost for each of the major moving companies to move belongings from Southern California to Northern Georgia:
- Budget Truck Rental: $3,211 for a 12-foot truck or $3,717 for a 16-foot truck
- Penske Truck Rental: $3,557 for a 12-foot truck or $4,090 for a 16-foot truck
- U-Haul Truck Rentals: $3,754 for a 10-foot truck or $3,952 for a 15-foot truck
In this scenario, Budget is the least expensive option. While Budget was the best for this move, we’d recommend comparing all of your options using your specific moving route and dates before making a decision.
Tips for Saving on Cross-Country Moving Costs
Moving across the country is always going to be expensive, whether you hire pros or DIY your move. No matter which option you choose, there are several ways to cut costs.
Purge Your Belongings Before a Cross-Country Move
The months leading up to your move are the perfect time to get rid of belongings that you don’t absolutely need. Professional mover rates are partially determined by the weight and total size of your belongings, so the less you have, the cheaper it will be to move. For DIY movers, you’ll be able to rent a smaller, less expensive truck or container by purging your belongings. Have a yard sale and sell goods online through Craigslist or mobile apps like OfferUp. You can make money to set aside for the cost of moving. Plus, the people who purchase your belongings will take the items with them, so you don’t have to deal with moving or disposing of them. You can also give things to friends and family or donate items to your favorite charity. You’ll thank yourself when you get to your new home and have fewer items to unpack and organize.
Be Strategic About the Date of Your Move
Late spring and summer are the busiest times of year to move because many families and college students move at the end or before the start of the school year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, most people move during the summer. Because these are busy moving times, professional movers and moving trucks are in higher demand. Companies may charge more during the busy months, and it can be harder to find movers at the last minute. On the other hand, in the off-peak moving season when business is slow, you’re more likely to find deals from moving companies. If you have flexibility with the timing of your move, we’d recommend moving in the fall or winter.
You should also consider the day of the week that you move. Weekends are busier than weekdays because most people have weekends off.
Leases for houses and apartments often end on the last or first few days of the month. Because of this, the beginning and end of every month are busy moving dates. You may be able to find a better deal on movers or truck rentals in the middle of the month.
Handle the Packing Yourself
If you’re hiring professional movers, pack up your belongings yourself. Movers charge extra fees for packing services, so if you do it yourself, you can save money. Plus, when you pack your own belongings, you can organize and label the boxes the way you want to so that you know which items are in each box when it’s time to unpack.
Ask Around for Moving Supplies
Moving supplies like blankets, boxes, bubble wrap, and tape can add up to $500. One easy way to save on your cross-country move is to find these supplies for free. Ask local stores if they have any boxes to get rid of. A few common places to get free boxes are:
- Grocery stores
- Liquor stores
- Large retailers like Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and Target
- Bookstores
- Recycling drop-off locations
Your friends and family may have moving materials that they can lend you. In the months leading up to your move, save any large boxes and bubble wrap that you get from online purchases and deliveries. Not only is this more economical, but it’s also more environmentally friendly.
Quick Summary: There are several different options for moving cross country. Whether you want professional movers, a do-it-yourself option or shipping container services, there are choices for various budgets. If your main concern is cost, we’d recommend the DIY option of renting a moving truck or using a moving container company. For those with a bigger budget who want a professional to move their belongings and remove the hassle and heavy lifting, go with professional movers.
Planning Your Next Cross-Country Move
There are several different options for moving cross-country. Whether you want professional movers, a do-it-yourself option, or shipping container services, there are choices for various budgets. If your main concern is cost, we’d recommend the DIY option of renting a moving truck or using a moving container company. For those with a bigger budget who want a professional to move their belongings and remove the hassle and heavy lifting, go with professional movers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cross-Country Moving Costs
What are red flags with movers?
Be wary of companies that refuse to provide an on-site or virtual inspection and instead give a quote over the phone. Over the phone quotes are fine in the research phase, but flat-out refusing inspections could signal sketchy behavior. Other major red flags include asking for a large cash deposit upfront, using unmarked rental trucks, or failing to provide a physical office address.
What will movers not take?
Movers generally won't transport hazardous materials, including aerosol cans, paint, propane tanks, and cleaning chemicals. Perishables like frozen or refrigerated food are also off-limits for long hauls. Most importantly, movers advise against packing high-value personal items like jewelry, passports, and medical records in the truck. You should keep these valuables and essentials with you during the cross-country trip for security.
What is the hardest room to pack when moving?
Most pros agree that the kitchen is the ultimate packing challenge. It’s filled with fragile glassware, odd-shaped appliances, and heavy stacks of ceramic plates that require meticulous wrapping. Unlike a bedroom, where items are mostly soft or uniform, the kitchen contains many small items and sharp objects that require significantly more time and packing paper to secure properly for a long-distance journey.
How soon before a move should you start packing?
For a cross-country move, you should start the process six to eight weeks before your move date. Begin by decluttering and packing off-season items or things stored in the attic and garage. By starting early, you avoid the panic-packing phase, which often leads to disorganized boxes and a higher risk of item breakage. Aim to have everything but your daily essentials boxed up three days before the truck arrives.
What is the first thing to do when packing for a move?
The absolute first step is to declutter and purge. Moving cross-country is priced largely by weight and volume, so taking items you don’t need is literally throwing money away. Sort your belongings into keep, donate, or trash piles. Once you’ve slimmed down your inventory, create a moving binder or digital spreadsheet to track your inventory and receipts before you ever tape a single box.