The quick answer
A cross-country move in 2026 typically costs between $3,000 and $7,500 for a two- to three-bedroom household. The exact number depends on distance, shipment weight, the services you choose, and when you move. The good news is that nearly every one of those variables is within your control.
This guide walks you through the most effective ways to lower each cost component so you can relocate across the country without draining your savings. If you want a personalized number before you read further, estimate your moving costs in about two minutes.
Know your options: four ways to move cross-country
Not every cross-country move requires a full-service moving company. Understanding the spectrum of options helps you match your budget to the right level of service.
Full-service movers
A crew handles packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking. This is the most convenient option but also the most expensive, typically ranging from $4,000 to $7,500 or more for a multi-bedroom home. Full-service makes the most sense when your employer covers relocation costs, when you have a large household with specialty items, or when your schedule leaves no time for a hands-on approach.
Rental truck (DIY move)
You rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your destination, and unload at the other end. Rental costs for a cross-country trip generally fall between $1,500 and $3,500 depending on truck size and route. However, you need to add fuel (which can easily exceed $500 on a coast-to-coast drive), lodging for one or two nights on the road, meals, tolls, and the physical effort of loading and unloading. A DIY move works best for smaller households willing to put in the labor.
Freight containers (portable moving containers)
A company drops off a container at your home. You pack and load it on your schedule, then the company picks it up and ships it to your new address. Costs typically range from $2,500 to $5,500. This option gives you the flexibility of self-packing without the stress of driving a large truck across the country. It is a strong middle ground for budget-conscious movers who want professional transport.
Hybrid move
You handle the packing and unpacking yourself but hire professionals for loading, transport, and unloading. This approach strips out the most expensive labor component (packing) while still giving you experienced handlers for the heavy lifting and long-haul driving. Hybrid moves often save 20 to 40 percent compared to full-service quotes.
Time your move for lower rates
When you move matters almost as much as how you move. Moving companies use demand-based pricing, and demand follows predictable seasonal patterns.
Move during the off-peak season
- Winter months (January through March) offer the lowest rates. Demand drops sharply after the holiday season, and moving companies are eager to fill their schedules.
- Early fall (September and October) can also provide moderate savings compared to the summer peak.
- Summer (June through August) is the most expensive window. Families coordinate moves around the school calendar, college students relocate, and lease cycles create a surge of demand that drives prices up.
Choose a mid-month, midweek date
Most leases start and end on the first or last day of the month, which creates heavy demand around those dates. Moving mid-month, especially on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, can reduce your rate by 10 to 20 percent simply because fewer people are competing for the same trucks and crews.
Book early but stay flexible
Booking six to eight weeks in advance locks in availability and often earns you a better rate. At the same time, let your moving company know if you have date flexibility. Some movers offer discounted rates for customers willing to accept a delivery window of a few days rather than a fixed date.
Get multiple quotes and negotiate
Never accept the first estimate you receive. The difference between the highest and lowest quote for the same move can be 30 percent or more.
- Get at least three in-home or virtual survey estimates. Online-only quotes based on an inventory list are a starting point, but binding estimates based on a visual survey are more accurate and protect you from surprise charges.
- Share competing quotes. Let each company know you are comparing options. Many movers will match or beat a competitor's price to win your business.
- Ask about discounts. Military, senior, student, AAA, and first-responder discounts are common but rarely advertised. You will not receive them unless you ask.
- Negotiate services, not just price. If a company will not budge on the total, ask them to include free packing materials, a free month of storage, or waived fuel surcharges.
Get a free moving quote to start comparing your options today.
Reduce weight to reduce cost
Long-distance moves are priced primarily by weight and distance. You cannot change the miles between your current home and your new one, but you can absolutely change how much you ship.
Declutter room by room
Go through every room with a simple rule: if you have not used it in the past year, it probably does not need to make the trip. Be especially ruthless with bulky, heavy items that are cheap to replace, such as old bookshelves, worn-out furniture, and outdated electronics.
Sell, donate, and dispose strategically
- Sell higher-value items on online marketplaces, through local buy-sell groups, or at a garage sale. The cash you earn directly offsets your moving costs.
- Donate usable items to local charities. Many organizations will pick up furniture and large donations at no cost. Keep receipts for potential tax deductions.
- Dispose of anything broken or unsalvageable. Check your municipality's bulk pickup schedule to avoid paying for private junk removal.
Weigh the replacement math
Before packing a heavy item, compare the cost of shipping it to the cost of buying a replacement at your destination. A $150 bookshelf that adds 200 pounds to your shipment could cost more to move than to replace, especially if you find one secondhand.
Pack smart: DIY vs. professional packing
Professional packing is one of the largest add-on costs in a full-service move, often adding $500 to $1,500 or more. Doing it yourself saves a significant amount.
Source free and low-cost supplies
- Ask local grocery stores, liquor stores, and bookstores for free boxes. Liquor store boxes are particularly sturdy and come with built-in dividers.
- Check community boards and online marketplaces for people giving away packing supplies after their own moves.
- Use towels, blankets, clothing, and linens to wrap fragile items. These items need to be packed anyway, so they serve double duty.
Pack efficiently
- Heavy items in small boxes, light items in large boxes. This keeps weight manageable and prevents boxes from breaking.
- Fill every gap. Empty space inside a box allows items to shift and break during transit. Use packing paper, clothing, or towels to fill voids.
- Label every box with its contents and the room it belongs in. Clear labels speed up unloading and help you prioritize which boxes to open first.
When professional packing makes sense
If you own high-value art, antiques, or extremely fragile items, professional packing for those specific pieces can be worth the cost. Many companies offer partial packing services so you can handle the bulk of the work yourself and leave the specialty items to the pros.
Hidden costs to watch for
A cross-country move comes with expenses that do not always appear in the initial quote. Build these into your budget from the start.
- Fuel and mileage fees. If you are renting a truck, calculate fuel costs based on the truck's actual miles-per-gallon rating, not your car's. Large trucks average 6 to 10 MPG.
- Insurance and valuation coverage. Basic carrier liability covers only $0.60 per pound per item. A 50-pound flat-screen TV would be valued at just $30. Full-value protection or a third-party moving insurance policy costs more upfront but protects you from significant loss.
- Storage fees. If your move-out and move-in dates do not align, you may need temporary storage. Get storage pricing upfront and factor it into your total budget.
- Long-carry and stair fees. If movers cannot park within a certain distance of your door, or if they need to navigate stairs or elevators, expect additional charges.
- Shuttle fees. In cities where a full-size moving truck cannot access your street, a smaller shuttle truck may be required to transfer your belongings.
- Tolls and permits. Cross-country routes often include toll roads. Depending on your route, tolls can add $50 to $200 to the trip.
- Tip for movers. Tipping is not mandatory, but it is customary. Budget $20 to $50 per mover for a long-distance job, or roughly 15 to 20 percent of the total move cost split among the crew.
A simple cross-country budget checklist
Use this checklist to build a realistic budget before your move. Adjust the figures based on your household size and the quotes you receive.
- Moving service or truck rental: $1,500 to $7,500
- Packing supplies (if not DIY): $100 to $300
- Professional packing (if applicable): $500 to $1,500
- Fuel (truck rental or personal vehicle): $300 to $700
- Lodging on the road (one to two nights): $100 to $300
- Meals during travel: $50 to $150
- Tolls: $50 to $200
- Insurance or valuation coverage: $100 to $500
- Temporary storage (if needed): $100 to $300 per month
- Long-carry, stair, or shuttle fees: $75 to $400
- Tips for movers: $80 to $300
- Utility setup at new home: $50 to $200
- Contingency fund (10 percent of total): varies
Total estimated range for a two- to three-bedroom cross-country move: $3,000 to $7,500+
Track every expense in a spreadsheet or budgeting app. Compare your actual spending against your estimates weekly as the move date approaches and adjust your plan if any category starts running over.
Next steps
A budget-friendly cross-country move is not about cutting corners. It is about making informed decisions at every stage: choosing the right service type, moving at the right time, negotiating assertively, shedding unnecessary weight, packing efficiently, and accounting for every cost before it surprises you.
Start with the numbers. Get a free moving quote to see what your specific move will cost, or request a long-distance estimate for a detailed breakdown tailored to your route, household size, and timeline. The sooner you plan, the more options you have and the more money you keep in your pocket.
