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Interstate Movers Cost

Published by Chris Townsend

Interstate Movers Cost

Quick Answer

For a local move: The average cost of interstate movers is $30 to $45 per hour for two men and a truck.

For long-distance moves: The cost of long-distance interstate movers is $1,300 to $8,400 (under 2500 miles).

As you’re planning for your impending relocation, one of the first questions that are likely going to come to mind is: What is the average cost of moving interstate? We understand your reason for wondering. After all, moving can be a major expense, and keeping moving costs low is often a priority for many people.

While there are a number of factors that go into the cost of moving, experts suggest that the average cost of moving a household interstate (or long distance) is roughly $4,300. This estimation is based on a move that occurs over an average distance of 1,225 miles and with the household items weighing in at about 7,400 pounds. Of course, the actual interstate moving cost will vary considerably based on the distance and the weight of your goods.

So, what is the average cost of moving interstate? Continue reading for the answer.

What is the average cost of hiring a full-service moving company?

If you’ve decided to go with the most convenient option possible – hiring full-service movers – you’re likely going to spend the most money. For moves that occur from one state to another (interstate), the cost of your relocation will be determined based on the total weight of your stuff to be moved and the distance between the origin location and your final destination.

Though the average cost of moving interstate is also impacted by additional services that you may have selected from your movers. For example, if you’ve chosen to have your items packed and unpacked by professionals, you can expect to spend more on this additional service. Examine the table below for a brief overview of the average cost of hiring a full-service moving company for an interstate move:

Basic relocation (with no additional services) Between $2,000 and $7,000 on average
Packing services Between $500 and $4,000 on average

In addition to packing services, your full-service moving company will likely offer a number of other extra services that you may desire and may incur an additional cost:

  • Temporary storage until your new home is ready to be moved in.
  • Disassembly and re-assembly of some of your furniture items.
  • Custom crating or hoisting for heavy or fragile specialty items.

When requesting quotes from your professional movers, ensure you receive an accurate cost estimate that includes all the additional services you are paying for.

What Is the Average Cost of Moving Interstate?

For interstate moves, long-distance moves, or cross-country moves, the interstate moving costs are calculated a bit differently than for local moves. Instead of being charged by the hour, there are numerous factors that go into the average cost of moving interstate. The following three factors are the most important ones to consider:

  • Weight of your belongings: As you might expect, the more household goods that you have to move to your new home, the more your shipment is going to weigh and, thus, the more you’re going to pay for your move. As one of the major determining factors in the cost of moving interstate, reducing the number of belongings you have to move can actually end up saving you thousands of dollars.
  • Distance: The longer the distance between your current residence and your new home, the higher the cost to move interstate will be. Unfortunately, this price factor is one that you cannot control.
  • Additional services: The moving estimates that you receive from reputable interstate movers should include all the basic move considerations and any extra services you’ve selected. This includes packing, unpacking, specialty item handling, and furniture disassembly and re-assembly. Expect to pay more for accessorial services that you request or need for your move to be completed effectively.

Interstate Move Cost Estimates

It’s important to keep in mind that the following interstate moving cost estimates are just that-estimates. They should only serve to provide a general view of what a cross-country relocation will cost you. It’s impossible to give you exact values, as each move is unique. For this reason, at Three Movers, we calculate and customize all of our moving quotes on a case-by-case basis.

Though, in order to give you a general idea for convenience and budgeting purposes, let’s assume that you’re relocating to a city that is 1,000 miles away from your current home. With this in mind, you can expect the following average cost of moving interstate:

Home Size Average Cost
Studio apartment (1,800 to 2,000 pounds) $1,500
One-bedroom apartment (2,500 to 3,500 pounds) $1,800 to $2,500
Two-bedroom home (5,000 to 6,000 pounds) $3,500 to $4,200

These estimates do not include any additional services and again, they will vary based on the actual distance of your move and the weight of your belongings.

Best Ways to Reduce the Average Cost of Moving Interstate

If you’re trying to find out the average cost of moving interstate, you probably want to know how you can save money on your upcoming move. Here are some of the best ways that you can lower the cost of your cross-country move:

1. Only take what you need.

Depending on your specific situation, it is possible to move far below the average cost of moving interstate. To do this, simply don’t take as much stuff with you. Go through your home, take inventory of your belongings, declutter, and only take what you absolutely need. The items that you decide to part with can be donated, sold for extra moving cash, or gifted to a friend or family member.

After all, a few items to pack and load into the moving truck means a cheaper overall move and more space in your new home!

2. Handle the packing yourself.

Fortunately, you can significantly reduce the cost of your interstate move by simply packing your stuff yourself. So long as you have enough time, energy, supplies, and possibly extra volunteers, you should have no problem safely packing up your belongings for the long haul. Though, you may want to leave any of your ultra-fragile or heavy items to the experts.

3. Negotiate with your moving company.

The quotes that you receive from movers are negotiable. There are a number of negotiation tactics you can try, with the most popular being inquiring about discounts, ongoing promotions, or special offers. Odds are that qualify for at least one! You can also try telling them that you received a better deal from another company and ask if they’re willing to match or possibly beat the competitor’s price.

4. Choose your moving date wisely.

The specific day that you move plays a crucial, underestimated role, in the average cost of moving. When it comes to saving money, the best deals usually come during off-peak season. So, try to aim for a moving day that is not in the summer, on a weekend, on a national holiday, or during the first or last days of a month.

5. Hire low-cost movers.

Of course, some professional moving companies are more affordable than others, and the only way to find the best deal is to compare quotes. Though, keep in mind that the lowest bid may not always be the best. The goal is to hire a long-distance moving company that is both reasonably priced and reputable.

Tips to Cut Cost to Move Interstate

Do it Yourself

Pack and unpack all your stuff safely yourself and use free packing materials. You can find free packing material from those who have recently moved n your locality. This may save thousands of dollars you spent on packing materials.

Get insurance

When moving, it's wise only to insure valuable and expensive items. This way, if any of these items are damaged during the move, the moving company will be responsible for compensating you. By taking this approach, you can save on insurance costs while still protecting your most valuable belongings.

Request multiple quotes

List quotes from several companies to find the best moving company for your requirements. Then, compare the costs, benefits, and services offered by each company to determine which one is the most budget-friendly while still providing the services you need. Ensure that you hire a moving company that is both affordable and equipped to handle your move efficiently.

Research

To keep moving costs low, it's essential to research and explore alternative options that will have a minimal impact on the budget. Moving by ship, bus, freight, USPS, FedEx, and UPS are all viable options.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an excellent, affordable interstate moving company for your upcoming move, look no further than Three Movers for the job. Contact us today and we’ll answer all your questions, address any concerns you may have, provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate, and get your interstate relocation started off on the right foot!

Frequently Asked Questions

Chris Townsend is a moving professional and relocation expert that has more than 10 years of experience in the moving industry. With a background that includes working in virtually every aspect of the company, he has distinguished himself as an integral part of our operations with expertise in all things related to moving. Chris has a keen eye for detail and brings intelligence and passion to every project he’s involved with.

While getting his degree in communications from Santa Clara University, Chris started out with the company working in the field as part of our team of professional moving associates. Following graduation, he was promoted to our main office, where he has thrived in a role that involves increasing responsibility and requires him to wear many different hats. Some days, you may find him answering the phone and providing moving estimates, others he may be writing for our moving blog, and another day he may be coordinating a large corporate moving job or helping us with our marketing efforts. Chris has authored many of our in-depth moving guides, as well as provided our clients with information and advice to handle the complexities of their upcoming moving plans. Simply put, there’s nothing he can’t do and we wouldn’t be where we are today without him.

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