Instant moving quote — free, online, in about a minute
Enter your move and see a realistic cost range straight away. Then compare written estimates from licensed movers who actually cover your route — long distance or local.
- Free, with no obligation to book
- Licensed and insured movers only
- Written estimates you can compare side by side
- No phone tag to find out roughly what it costs
What an instant moving quote can and can't tell you
An instant quote is calculated from the two things that drive most of the cost of a move: how far your belongings are going, and how much of them there is. That covers enough to give you a realistic budgeting range in seconds, which is exactly what you need when you're deciding whether a move is affordable at all.
What it can't see is your third-floor walk-up, the piano in the living room, or the fact that a 40-foot truck can't turn into your street. Those details move the final number, which is why every legitimate mover follows an instant estimate with a video or in-person survey before committing to a binding price.
So use an instant quote for what it's good at — knowing the range, comparing movers quickly, and spotting a quote that's suspiciously far below the others. Then get the binding number in writing before you book.
What moves typically cost
Ranges by home size, before packing services and valuation coverage. Long distance covers interstate moves; local covers moves within the same state, usually billed hourly.
| Home size | Local move | Long-distance move |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $300 – $500 | $800 – $1,500 |
| 1 bedroom | $450 – $700 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| 2 bedrooms | $600 – $900 | $2,000 – $3,500 |
| 3 bedrooms | $850 – $1,300 | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,200 – $1,800 | $4,500 – $7,500 |
Long-distance figures assume a typical cross-state move. For route-specific pricing, see our state-by-state long-distance guides or the long-distance cost breakdown.
Six things that decide your price
Understanding these is what turns three quotes into a decision instead of a guess.
Weight or volume
Long-distance moves are usually priced on the weight of your shipment; local moves on the hours it takes. Either way, the single biggest lever you control is how much you actually take. Decluttering before the estimate lowers the number more reliably than negotiating does.
Distance and route
Cost per mile falls as distance rises, so a 400-mile move rarely costs half a 800-mile one. Routes between major metros are cheaper than routes into rural areas, because carriers can fill the truck in both directions.
Timing
Late May through early September is peak season, and the end of any month is peak within it. The same move can differ substantially between a mid-month weekday in October and the last Saturday in July.
Packing
Full packing service is convenience priced by the hour plus materials. Partial packing — where the movers handle only the kitchen and fragile items — is usually the best value if you want help without paying for everything to be boxed for you.
Access at both ends
Stairs, elevator reservations, long carries from door to truck, and streets a full-size truck can't enter all add cost — sometimes as a shuttle fee for a smaller vehicle. Describe both addresses honestly and the quote you compare will be the quote you pay.
Valuation coverage
The included protection is minimal by default. Fuller coverage costs extra and is quoted separately, so two estimates can look different purely because one includes it and one doesn't.
The three kinds of moving estimate
Most moving-day disputes start here. Two quotes with the same number can behave completely differently, and the difference is written inside the document rather than on the price line.
Non-binding estimate
The mover's best guess. The final bill is based on the actual weight or hours, so it can go up — and by law on interstate moves you can be asked for up to 110% of the estimate at delivery, with the balance billed later. Fine when your inventory is genuinely uncertain; risky if you're budgeting tightly.
Binding estimate
A fixed price for the inventory listed. If it turns out you have more than you declared, the mover can revise it before loading — but they can't raise it afterwards. Get the inventory list attached to the estimate, because that list is what the price is bound to.
Binding not-to-exceed
The best of both: the price is capped, but if your shipment weighs less than estimated you pay the lower amount. Not every mover offers it. It's worth asking for by name — the question itself signals you know how estimates work.
Seven questions that make quotes comparable
Ask every mover the same seven questions and the cheapest quote often stops being the cheapest move.
- Is this binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed?
- What inventory is the price based on, and is that list attached in writing?
- Does it include packing materials, or are those billed separately?
- What valuation coverage is included, and what does upgrading cost?
- Are there extra charges for stairs, long carries, elevators or a shuttle truck?
- What is the delivery window — and what happens if it's missed?
- What deposit is required, and how is it refunded if plans change?
Quote red flags worth walking away from
- A large deposit demanded up front, especially in cash or by wire.
- A quote given over the phone with no questions about your inventory or access.
- No written estimate, or a blank document you're asked to sign.
- No USDOT number for an interstate move — you can check any mover's registration yourself.
- A price dramatically below every other quote. On moving day, that gap has to come from somewhere.
You can check any interstate mover's USDOT registration yourself in a few seconds, and our guide to long-distance moving scams covers what happens when these warnings get ignored.
Instant moving quote questions
How accurate is an instant moving quote?
An instant quote is an informed estimate, not a final price. It's calculated from distance and the size of your home, which covers most of what drives cost — but it can't see your staircase, your piano, or the fact that a 40-foot truck can't park on your street. Treat it as a realistic budgeting range, and expect the binding number after a mover reviews your inventory by video survey or in person.
Is a free moving quote really free?
Yes. Estimates are free and non-binding until you sign a mover's contract. Requesting quotes creates no obligation to book, and comparing several is the normal way to buy a move.
How many moving quotes should I get?
Three is the practical number. One gives you no reference point, two tells you which is cheaper but not whether either is reasonable, and beyond three or four the returns fall off quickly while the phone calls multiply.
How far in advance should I get a quote?
For a long-distance move, four to eight weeks ahead is comfortable and gives you room to compare. Local moves book faster and same-week availability is common. Summer dates and month-ends fill first, so earlier is better in peak season.
Will I get spam calls after requesting a quote?
You'll hear from the movers matched to your move — typically two to four of them — and nobody else. Your request isn't broadcast beyond the licensed movers who actually cover your route.
What's the difference between a quote and an estimate?
In moving, the words are used interchangeably, and neither is automatically a fixed price. What matters isn't the label on the document but the estimate type written inside it: binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed.
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