How To Save Money Moving Across The Country (2024)

Choosing to hire a full-service professional moving company, in which the movers also pack and unpack your things, is the easiest but most expensive way to move. However, if you are willing to sacrifice some convenience, there are many budget-friendly ways to get across the country with your stuff.

1. Do It Yourself

By far the cheapest way to move is to use your own vehicle and do it all yourself. Of course, this only works if you have a large van and you’re the world’s biggest Tetris expert. This is a good option, however, when moving out of a small apartment or if you’ve been downsizing. Remember. You can always buy furniture and other big-ticket items after the move.

2. Rent a Truck

A slightly more expensive way to DIY a move is to rent a moving truck. These come in all kinds of sizes to accommodate different needs. Reputable moving truck companies often rent them out with a fixed rate that includes fuel costs and additional insurance. However, moving trucks get terrible mileage, so count on spending a lot of time at the gas pump.

3. Go For a Hybrid Move

There’s a way to hire professional movers and still save money. Hybrid moves involve giving some objects to the movers and taking some yourself, via a rental truck or in your car. Another way to do it is to do all of the packing and unpacking yourself, so the movers just show up, load and drive. You can outsource just about any part of your move, depending on your budget.

4. Use Moving Containers

A popular budget-friendly option is a moving container. These containers come in various sizes to suit different moves and are a great alternative to full-service movers. Not only is renting a container cheaper than hiring a team of movers, but the containers can double as storage before and after the move. This way, you can take your time setting up the new place. There are plenty of moving container companies out there to choose from. On average, the cost to rent a moving container is around $3,000 for a cross-country project.

5. Try a Freight Trailer

If you have too much stuff for a DIY move, but don’t want to splurge on movers, go with a freight trailer. This is a great middle-ground option. Here’s how it works. The company drops the trailer off at your house and you have around three days to load it. Once you’re finished packing, the company picks up the trailer and delivers it to your new home.

The cost of renting a freight trailer is usually several thousand dollars cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company. Pricing is based on the amount of space used in the trailer, and any remaining space will be sold to another customer.

6. Ship Your Stuff

If you don’t have much to move, shipping your stuff across the country is a viable and relatively budget-friendly option. This is especially true if you opt for ground shipping, as that’s the cheapest transport choice. There are even specialized shipping companies out there that handle unique items, like cars and pianos.

7. Consider Shared Load Moving

Shared load moving, or just shared moving, is exactly what it sounds like. You split the costs of a professional move with another customer heading in the same general direction. You don’t even have to post on Craigslist to find a willing participant, as many companies offer this as a service. You’ll save a fair amount here, but make sure to pony up for the premium moving insurance. With multiple stops along the route, issues can arise.

Now that you’ve settled on your preferred type of move, you can start to think about other ways to save money. Here are some other ways to save on your move.

1. Gather Multiple Quotes

This is true of nearly every home-related project, but you should gather multiple quotes instead of settling on the first one you come across. This doesn’t mean you should look for the cheapest estimate. Rather, you should look for the cheapest quote that still meets all of your needs and one that comes from a reputable company. This lets you find the best value. Additionally some companies will price match their competition, so it doesn’t hurt to negotiate with your preferred company using quotes from other providers.

2. Get Creative With Moving Supplies

Moving supplies quickly adds up, as boxes, paper and bubble wrap aren’t cheap, especially when you are buying in bulk for a large move. However, you can cut down some of these costs by getting creative with how you source moving supplies. Call up friends and family who have recently moved, as they could still have plenty of boxes and bubble wrap lying around. Also, visit retail stores and ask for excess cardboard boxes.

Liquor stores tend to have plenty, as do furniture and appliance stores. You can also repurpose what you already have. For instance, use socks, towels and sweaters to wrap up glassware instead of bubble wrap.

3. Organize a Moving Sale

This tip doesn’t exactly save money, but it’s a good way to specifically set aside funds for moving. Raise money while downsizing by selling your unwanted things. Hold a yard sale and put up big-ticket items on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. You can even head back into the world of eBay and put up a bunch of listings. As a bonus, this will help you figure out must-have items to take with you when you move.

4. Ship Books via the USPS

Moving one or two books is easy, but a whole library is a different story. Luckily, you can make use of the USPS’s Media Mail shipping option to transport those books, instead of forcing them to take up precious space in the truck. With Media Mail shipping, you should be able to send 70 pounds of books for around $55.

5. Move During the Off-Season

The off-season is a great time to move, as rates are more competitive than the busy season. The peak moving season is May through September, so avoiding these months will save some money. Of course, nobody wants to move in the dead of winter, so going with early spring or fall will offer a fairly convenient and budget-friendly move. You can also offer a flexible move date to save even more.

6. Look for Discounts (and Ask for Them)

You never know when you’ll find a good discount from your preferred moving company. Keep an eye on company websites, social media accounts and dedicated coupon pages. Even a discount of as little as five percent makes a huge difference when considering a cross-country move. Don’t be afraid to call your moving company and ask if there are any promotions or discounts available. You never know until you try. The company could have some tricks up its sleeve, like offering a significant discount with a flexible move date.

It costs an average of $4,600 to move across the country, with prices ranging from $2,400 to $15,000. This price range includes both DIY options and professional movers, with DIY moves falling on the lower end of the spectrum.

Factors That Increase the Cost of Moving Across the Country

Several factors impact the cost of moving across the country. Here’s everything you need to know.

• Distance: This is the big one. The further the move, the more it costs. Many movers will offer flat rates for cross-country moves, while others will charge by the mile.
• Move size: The size of your home indicates the number of items that require transport, which translates to increased labor costs. Most moving companies calculate estimates based on the number of bedrooms. In some cases, pros charge by weight.
• Transportation type: Self-service truck rentals and portable storage containers are the most budget-friendly options. Prices start to increase once you bring in full-service movers with larger-than-average trucks. Also, shipping items via air or sea is much more expensive than a land-based vehicle.
• Labor: Besides a vehicle, you don’t need much to move. That makes labor the predominant cost factor. You can eliminate this completely by going the DIY route, but this is risky if you’re moving an entire home’s worth of items.
• Time of the year: When you move impacts the cost, as most companies charge more during the busy months. Generally speaking, these peak months are from May until September. You can save a few bucks by moving in the fall or early spring. Even if it’s cheaper, you should still stay away from a winter move since roads and weather tend to be more volatile.

Completing a moving checklist will ensure you don’t miss important preparatory steps, so you can settle into your new home instead of racing around town trying to get stuff done.

• Confirm the move: Whether you’re going it alone or hiring a team of pros, shore up moving plans as soon as you can. This includes gathering estimates, hiring your movers and putting aside the money. You should also get an exact moving date.
• Have your car looked at: If you’re driving across the country, take it in for some maintenance to make sure it’ll complete the journey.
• Pack a move bag: Make sure to pack a bag of necessities for the move. Having access to things like clothes and toothpaste is essential since everything else will be on the truck. Be sure to carry important personal documents with you as well.
• Make a plan for pets: Some pets will enjoy a leisurely cross-country trip, but many will not. Make pet-specific travel plans ahead of time so it doesn’t slip your mind.
• Inventory belongings and declutter: Make a list of everything that’s going with you and declutter everything else. Don’t hesitate to donate unnecessary items or sell them at a yard sale.
• Cancel and set up utilities: Take some time to cancel all of your various utilities from the current home and set up new plans at the destination location. You can usually do this online or on the phone, so you don’t have to make a special trip.
• Change your address: You know the drill. Head to the post office and fill out the appropriate form. It’s also not a bad idea to change your address with the bank.
• Purchase supplies: Movers come equipped with everything they need to get the job done. If you’re doing it yourself, however, make sure to purchase plenty of supplies ahead of time, including boxes, packing tape, rope and more.
• Cancel subscriptions: Don’t forget to cancel or change the address for all your subscriptions.
• Transfer prescriptions: This one’s easy to forget. Call up your current pharmacy and ask if they have a branch in your new location. If not, do some research and to set up your prescriptions. Make sure you have an adequate supply of medications for the move itself.
• Empty the refrigerator: Empty, clean and defrost the refrigerator and freezer around 48 hours before loading up to move.

There’s plenty to look forward to when moving across the country, from the grandeur of the open road to unique roadside attractions. However, you’ll also encounter some obstacles. Here are some things to expect when moving across the country.

• Tolls: You’ll be driving on plenty of highways to reach the final destination, so those tolls will add up. Make sure to have an ample supply of coins and paper bills to make payment.
• Different fuel prices: Gas prices are not created equal, so when you spot a cheap refilling station, don’t hesitate to fill up.
• Weather delays: At some point, you’ll likely run into some foul weather. When this happens, don’t push through it. Instead, pull off the road and wait for the storm to pass.
• Vehicle delays: You may encounter a vehicle-based delay at some point during your trip. Whether you’re driving yourself or you hired a team of pros, vehicles break down.

Just like when you’re searching for the best local moving companies, there are some tricks to finding the perfect cross-country movers for your project.

• Start online: Like most things in the modern world, you can start the research process online. There are many lists of the best long-distance movers, and you can follow that up with Yelp reviews and Google reviews.
• Call a few companies: While calling for estimates is an essential part of the moving process, you’ll also want to find out if the companies actually travel to both the origin and destination locations if they’re insured, what types of moves they handle, how much is outsourced and more.
• Contact previous customers: If you have the time, reach out to some previous customers and ask them how the move went. You can find these people on Yelp or get some phone numbers from the moving company.
• Compare quotes: Gather multiple estimates and compare quotes. Don’t just glance at the final cost. Look at the breakdown of charges and pay special attention to extra fees. Cheaper isn’t always better, so look for the company that offers the best value for your money.
• Examine credentials: Before signing anything, research your company’s credentials. This includes their U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number for interstate moves and related state-specific licenses. You should also verify the exact status of the company’s insurance.
• Read the fine print: Always read the documentation provided by the movers. This will inform you of any terms and conditions, in addition to the delivery window, insurance options and how the company handles disputes and claims.

People move by themselves all of the time, and it’s certainly worth considering. Doing it yourself eliminates labor costs, and since moving cross country is primarily a labor-focused affair, there’s potential for some significant savings. DIY moves also offer more control, so you can set your own schedule, but there are some downsides.

Moving across the country is a lot of work and it can be overwhelming to deal with all of that preparation and complexity, especially when you’re dealing with problems to solve at the destination location. There are also certain risks inherent to moving by yourself. Stuff can break and vehicles can stop working. These things can happen to pros, of course, but that’s why insurance exists. The higher upfront costs of hiring a moving company are certainly frustrating but provide more convenience and reduced stress.

There’s also the specter of hidden expenses, many of which are folded up in the estimates provided by your pros. There’s fuel, tolls, lodging, equipment rentals and more. Also, going with professional movers is a great idea for those with limited mobility that would be compromised by physical labor.