So you’re relocating across the country. Or at least a considerable portion of it.
Maybe you’re excited about a new job, a different climate or improved schools for your children. Or perhaps the move is less welcome and you’d rather stay put. Either way, you need to figure out the most affordable way to transport your possessions from one place to another. Sounds easy, right?
Not always.
Arranging a rental truck or hiring movers can be complex and bewildering. You can easily make costly decisions if you don’t weigh all the factors involved in a long-distance relocation.
You can simplify the process by researching and keeping a few basic guidelines in mind. We’re here to assist. Read on for tips on choosing truck-rental companies or moving firms, steering clear of expensive services you probably don’t need, and other strategies to save money on a coast-to-coast move.
Moving? You’re in Good Company
The U.S. is seeing notable migration patterns. Partly driven by the rise of full-time remote work and shifts in climate, many people are relocating from one area to another — often from one state or region to another.
Per the 2020 census, the fastest-growing states were those embracing remote lifestyles. Utah (18.37% growth) and Idaho (17.32%) led the pack since 2010. North Dakota and Nevada also ranked high, with Texas rounding out the top five.
Among metro areas, nine of the ten fastest-growing cities between censuses were in Florida (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was the exception). Six of those Florida metros were coastal communities — expected, yet striking given climate concerns and rising seas.
Data from 2022 showed renewed interest in more offbeat destinations like Alaska, Maine, Montana and Vermont. Picture the logistics of moving to Alaska!
That said, you’re the one moving now, and you’ll want to do it as cost-effectively as possible. Here are the key considerations.
Should You Rent a Truck and Do It Yourself?
Maybe you don’t trust others with your belongings, or you’d rather avoid paying labor. So you’re planning a DIY long-distance move.
According to move.org, the typical cost for a local rental truck as of late 2022 was about $130, while a long-distance rental averaged $1,780. Expect fuel costs to push those figures higher.
Before you shop rental rates and build a budget, consider these points.
Things to Know About Moving Yourself
- If you’re driving a personal car to the destination in addition to a rental truck, load as much as you can into the car. Rental trucks come in different sizes, and choosing the smallest suitable unit saves money.
- Include the cost of packing supplies — bubble wrap, moving boxes, furniture pads, mattress covers and furniture dollies — in your budget.
- Rental fees depend on mileage and truck size.
- Some companies cap mileage, others include unlimited miles, and some use hybrid pricing. But remember you’ll still pay for gas.
- Factor in food expenses, which depend on what you bring and whether you prefer to stop for fast food.
- Can’t make the trip in a single day? Add lodging costs or find a friend to split the travel and offer a place to stay.
Which Rental Company Should You Pick?
Let’s review some options. We compared rates at four common rental firms for someone moving a one-bedroom apartment from Chicago to Boston (roughly 1,000 miles) on April 27, 2022. (These figures exclude vehicle transport — hauling a car adds additional costs and logistics.)
Budget Truck Rental: $777
An estimated charge for a cargo van from Budget came to $1,341. These vans are usually easy to drive (automatic, carlike steering) and fit a mattress, box spring, sofa and dresser.
Budget often provides unlimited miles, which is a major advantage.
Upgrading to a 12-foot truck that holds two rooms’ worth of furniture raises the price by around $300.
At the time of this check, Budget offered a 20% discount on a first rental. If you’re new to Budget, that can be a useful saving.
Enterprise Truck Rental: $100 per day
Enterprise often posts lower base rates but doesn’t provide instant online quotes. This price was obtained via phone.
There’s a catch: Enterprise typically requires the truck to be returned to the pickup location. That could mean driving another 1,000 miles back yourself.
Enterprise sometimes has limited cargo-van availability. Booking far ahead improves your odds.
Enterprise quoted $100 per day from Boston on April 27, 2023 returning April 30, 2023, with 300 miles included and $0.19 per mile after that. For a 2,000-mile round trip, excess mileage charges could add $323 (for 1,700 extra miles), bringing the total to about $623. That’s an attractive price if you’re willing to spend the time (and associated costs) returning the vehicle.
Penske Truck Rental: $1,321
Penske listed a 12-foot cargo van with unlimited miles for $1,321.
Penske rates often drop the earlier you reserve, sometimes saving hundreds. Peak times like summer can drive prices up, so book early to lock in better deals.
U-Haul Truck Rental: $1,016
The U-Haul quote for a 10-foot cargo van included five days of use and up to 1,166 miles; after that, a mileage fee of $0.49 per mile applies.
U-Haul’s fleet ranges from an 8-foot pickup to a 26-foot moving van, and the company operates about 20,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
Relo-Cube Moving Containers
Instead of driving yourself, you can have a company deliver a moving container to your home. You load it, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address for you to unload. Most services give you about three days to pack and three days to unpack.
This option is typically cheaper than full-service movers and saves you from the stress of long-haul driving and frequent fuel stops.
U-Pack: $1,735
The well-known U-Pack quoted $1,735 for a cube that fits a one-bedroom apartment’s furniture. Their quote was all-inclusive with no extra mileage fees.
PODS
PODS doesn’t provide instant online pricing — you need a short call so they can size the cube correctly. PODS can also offer off-site storage if your new home isn’t immediately available.
Pack-Rat
Pack-Rat likewise requires a phone consult to determine cube size and can sometimes offer lower rates if you’re flexible with dates and cube availability.
Hiring Full-Service Movers
If you’ve chosen to hire professional movers to transport your belongings from Chicago to Boston, congratulations — you’ve eliminated many hassles (who will lift that couch, how do we back up a truck, etc.).
But you’ve also introduced an extra layer of research because you must select a reputable moving company.
You can still lower costs and reduce the risk of damage. There are important steps to take before contacting movers.
Step 1: How Much Are the Movers Transporting?
Movers often charge based on item count and total weight. To lower costs, reduce both where possible.
If feasible, move as much as you can in your personal vehicle, especially for shorter moves. You might store some items temporarily until your new place is ready.
Another cost-saver: get rid of things you don’t need. It may be cheaper to replace bulky or worn furniture than to ship it — that old sectional from college, for instance.
Online marketplaces make selling unwanted items easier than hosting a garage sale.
Enjoy the purge!
Step 2: Do a Thorough Inventory
Once you’ve decided what you’ll entrust to professionals, this next part is tedious but crucial.
Make an inventory list.
Document every item you’re shipping and estimate its replacement value. Even reputable movers can break or misplace things.
Movers will want to know what furniture and how many boxes they’re moving. They won’t know what’s inside the boxes — you will. Taking careful inventory protects you financially if anything is damaged or lost.
If you can transport your most valuable items in your own car, do so. Murphy’s law suggests high-value items have a way of getting lost or damaged in transit.
If you won’t have a personal vehicle for the trip, pack carefully or pay movers for professional packing services.
Step 3: Be Selective About Your Mover
There are ways to gauge whether a moving company respects your business and your possessions.
- Do they perform a detailed inventory? The mover should conduct their own inventory to understand liability for the value of the goods they’re handling.
- Is it a familiar name? Stick with well-known companies. Using a firm you’ve never heard of, or one that lists different contact details, can be risky.
- What do rating services indicate? The Better Business Bureau and Yelp! are helpful starting points. The American Moving and Storage Association dissolved in 2020, but many members migrated to the American Trucking Association and its ProMover certification. The site move.org is an impartial resource.
- What do customer reviews say? Read reviews to gauge common complaints and praises. Reviews skew toward dissatisfied customers but still provide insight.
- What do friends and family recommend? Ask acquaintances who’ve moved long distance about their experiences and apply that feedback to your choice.
- Can you obtain everything in writing? The mover’s contract should spell out services and potential extra fees (e.g., stairs or lack of elevator access).
- Can you get a binding estimate? Seek binding estimates that can’t be altered without mutual consent. Non-binding estimates can sometimes exceed your expected cost.
Step 4: Estimate Your Moving Expenses
Some movers provide online estimators to give a ballpark cost for your move. Others collect basic online data then have an agent follow up for a more detailed estimate, sometimes via a phone call or in-home visit.
United Van Lines, for example, asks whether you:
- Want them to pack items
- Are shipping a car
- Want unpacking included
- Want them to remove packing material
- Need storage services
Online quotes are usually starting points and not final until an estimator reviews the job.
Here are sample ranges from companies for a move from Chicago to Boston on Aug. 30, 2021, with a one-bedroom apartment’s worth of items (quotes gathered about a month beforehand):
Allied Van Lines: $2,043–$2,679
Allied asks if you’re moving “not much,” an “average” amount or “a lot,” which explains the roughly $700 spread in estimates.
International Van Lines: Quote not provided online
Rated highly by move.org, International Van Lines requires speaking to an agent for a quote. They sometimes offer 15–20% discounts if you’re flexible with dates or opt for a “consolidation move” (sharing trailer space with another customer).
North American Moving Services: $2,037–$2,670
North American gives price bands based on how much stuff you have:
- Small: $1,668–$2,027
- Medium: $2,037–$2,670
- Large: $2,725 and up
U-Pack: $2,541
U-Pack adds an expected delivery timeframe of five to seven days — useful information to compare with other movers. (Note: U-Pack doesn’t offer packing services.)
Start Packing
Your cross-country move won’t become easier the longer you delay. The sooner you begin, the better chance you have of saving on rentals or moving services.
To find the cheapest way to move across the country, weigh all your options and preferences. Do you want to handle the move yourself? Can you physically and logistically do it? How much do you want movers to be responsible for?
Grab a legal pad, list your needs, complete your inventory, set a budget, and begin online research. Have your phone charged — once you request quotes, expect lots of calls.
Alex Reynolds is an experienced journalist who has covered personal finance topics since 2013. He contributes to Savinly.
Related resources: consider the cheapest way to build a house if you’re planning long-term relocation costs, and tips to save on moving expenses when budgeting your move.
