Average Cost of Moving Coast to Coast

Also commonly referred to as an interstate or cross-country move, moving coast to coast involves literally relocation all the way from the Pacific coastline to the Atlantic shore (or vice versa). This journey spans nearly 3,000 miles and should not be taken with a grain of salt. These types of moves are nothing compared to moving locally and can present some serious challenges in your life. You not only have to plan and organize an incredibly complex logistical process and ensure safe transport for your belongings, but you also have to fork over quite a bit of cash.

In order to overcome all the possible difficulties and ensure that your coast to coast relocation goes as smoothly as possible, you must prepare well in advance. Every little detail must be considered and addressed, including how to organize the logistics, how to budget for the moving costs, how to guarantee dependable moving help, and even how to prepare yourself for life on the opposite coast. Fortunately, in this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about moving coast to coast.

Considerations When Moving Coast to Coast

As the U.S. spans an entire continent, expect things to be very different when moving from one coast to another. Prior to your move, it is highly recommended that you do extensive research on your new area. That way, you can prepare for the challenges ahead and know how to overcome them. Before you start planning your coast to coast move, you need to know what to expect:

1. Finding housing in your new area.

When moving to the other side of the country, house hunting can be a challenge. If you have the option to visit your new city before the move to look for an appropriate new home, that is ideal. Though, it may be best to secure a temporary housing situation first. That way, you can take your time learning about your new city and getting to know the different neighborhoods, to find a place that fits your budget and you’ll feel most at home.

2. The cost of living.

Regardless of where you’re headed, it’s important to be aware of what you can expect in terms of daily expenses like food, transportation, utilities, and more. After all, in order to live comfortably, you need to be able to cover the living costs in your new city.

3. Employment opportunities.

Job markets vary quite a bit from city to city – and especially from one coast to the other. Unless you already have a job lined up for when you arrive, you’re going to need to do extensive research on what employment opportunities are available to you on your new coast. If you’re moving to the West Coast, you’ll enjoy the benefit of having a number of the country’s largest and most prosperous companies to choose from.

4. Weather and climate.

When moving to a completely different coast, weather in your destination location can also pose a significant challenge. You’re likely going to experience some sort of the change in humidity, temperature or air pressure. This can result in a number of unexpected difficulties and potential health concerns. Depending on where you’re headed, you may have to get a new wardrobe, purchase new equipment to prepare for certain weather conditions, and properly prepare for things like hurricanes on the East Coast or earthquakes on the West Coast.

5. Cultural concerns.

Demographics and cultural backgrounds differ substantially between the East Coast and the West Coast. After you’ve moved, it’s possible that you may experience some culture shock and have difficulty connecting with the locals or finding your place in the community. Overall, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit overwhelmed in the beginning.

6. Your belongings will need maximum protection.

Since your belongings must travel a great distance on the road to reach their final destination, they will be very vulnerable to damage. For this reason, it is crucial that your items are packed as safely as possible, properly cushioned, and secured inside their containers. They also need to be protected from extreme temperatures, excess moisture, and impact from the outside.

When moving from coast to coast, it is highly advised to opt for professional packing services and purchase the maximum insurance coverage. This will not only ensure the safety of your stuff and give you peace of mind, but it will also make the entire process easier and less time consuming.

7. Expect your shipment to take a while to arrive.

With such a massive distance between coasts and the fact that the moving truck will likely have to make several stops along the way, it may take a week or longer until your shipment is delivered. Not to mention, the physical loading of the truck can take several days. This means that you will have to survive without your belongings for quite some time. For this reason, make sure that you keep your important documents and essentials with you at all times during the move.

8. Coast to coast moving costs.

No matter the specific circumstances surrounding your coast to coast move, it’s still going to cost you a lot. While you can lower some of the expenses by handling a few of the moving tasks yourself, you’re still looking at several thousands of dollars in coast to coast moving costs.

Average Cost of Moving Coast to Coast

With these considerations in mind, what exactly is the average cost of moving coast to coast. On average, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the method you choose. Moving costs also vary considerably based on the weight of your shipment, the time of year, and the specific distance your belongings must travel.

• DIY Moving Costs: Although renting a moving truck and handling a coast to coast move by yourself may not be ideal, it is the most affordable option. Despite the relatively cheap truck rental cost of between $40 and $80 a day, the average cost of a DIY coast to coast move is just over $3,000. Though, they can easily be as expensive as $5,000, depending on the size of the truck and additional expenses like fuel, taxes, tolls, parking fees, insurance, and more.
• Portable Moving Container Costs: Portable storage containers is another affordable way to move coast to coast. With this option, a container (or pod) is dropped off at your home and you are left to load it up with your belongings. Then, the moving company picks up the container and transports it to your destination of choice. This method is convenient, safe, secure, and cost effective – ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 for coast to coast relocations. They typically charge by the month, so you must finish your relocation in a month to enjoy the lowest costs possible.
• You Pack, We Ship Costs: Some long-distance moving companies offer this flexible solution that may result in coast to coast moving cost savings of up to 25%. With this method, you pack and load the moving truck and a professional driver delivers your shipment to the final destination. Then, you are responsible for the unloading and unpacking processes.
• Full Service Movers Costs: With a full service move, your mover will handle your move from start to finish. They will take care of packing, loading, transport, unloading, and even unpacking. This is the easiest and most convenient way to move coast to coast, but also the most expensive. You can expect to pay between $6,000 and $10,000 (and sometimes more) for full service coast to coast movers.

Again, prices vary quite a bit based on the unique circumstances surrounding your move. So, in order to understand exactly how much your coast to coast move will cost you is to collect estimates from reputable movers.

Coast to Coast Moving Companies

While hiring a professional moving company may not be the most cost-effective way to move coast to coast, it is certainly the best method. You will receive the benefit of working with experts that have all the necessary equipment, experience, and know-how to ensure the safety of your belongings and the utmost success of your move.

Though, it’s important to keep in mind that not all coast-to-coast moving companies are the same. Some have years of experience and advanced equipment, while others do not. Additionally, some movers are reliable, and honest, while others are not. So, if you’re looking for a reputable coast-to-coast moving company that you can trust, your search ends here. Look no further than Three Movers for all your coast to coast moving needs.

Call now or fill out our online request form to receive your free moving cost estimate and find out how you could save up to 20% when you choose Three Movers as your coast-to-coast movers.