Moving Cost Calculator
An interstate move typically costs between $1,800 and $10,000+, depending mainly on how much you're moving and how far it's traveling. A 1-bedroom apartment moving a few states away often lands near the low end; a 4-bedroom house moving coast-to-coast lands near the high end. Use the calculator below for an estimate based on your own home size, distance, and move date, or read the full cost breakdown underneath it.
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How interstate moving costs are calculated
Local movers usually bill by the hour. Interstate movers bill differently: the price is based mainly on the weight (or cubic feet) of your shipment and the distance it travels — this is called the linehaul charge. On top of that, movers add charges for fuel, labor at both ends, and any extra services you request.
Almost every interstate quote starts from four numbers:
- Weight or cubic feet — how much you're shipping
- Distance — miles between origin and destination
- Labor — crew size and hours to load and unload
- Service level — full packing vs. you-pack, and any specialty items
That's also why two movers can quote the same job 40% apart: one may be estimating weight conservatively to win the booking (then reweighing higher later), while the other priced accurately up front. A quote that's dramatically lower than the others is a reason to ask more questions, not necessarily a better deal.
Beyond those four numbers, price is also affected by:
- Time of year and day of the week (summer and month-end are the most expensive)
- Access at both ends — stairs, elevators, or a long carry from the truck
- Extra services: full packing, furniture disassembly, storage-in-transit
Average interstate moving cost by home size
These are typical U.S. ranges for a long-distance (500+ mile) move in 2026. Your actual price depends on the exact distance and the factors above — treat this as a starting point, not a quote.
| Home size | Typical weight | Typical interstate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 2,000–4,000 lbs | $1,800–$3,500 |
| 2 bedroom | 4,000–6,000 lbs | $3,000–$5,500 |
| 3 bedroom | 6,000–8,500 lbs | $4,500–$8,500 |
| 4+ bedroom | 8,500–12,000+ lbs | $7,000–$12,000+ |
Moving an office or small commercial space follows the same weight and distance math as a household move, but usually adds line items for equipment disconnect/reconnect, IT-sensitive handling, and after-hours or weekend scheduling to avoid business downtime.
Average interstate moving cost by distance
For a typical 2–3 bedroom household, distance moves the price roughly like this. Weight still matters as much as mileage — a short move of a full house can cost more than a long move of a studio.
| Distance | Typical cost, 2–3 bedroom home |
|---|---|
| Short interstate (under 250 miles) | $2,500–$4,500 |
| Medium (250–1,000 miles) | $3,500–$6,500 |
| Long / cross-country (1,000+ miles) | $5,000–$9,000+ |
Moving a specific route? See cost by popular interstate route for corridor-specific pricing instead of these general ranges.
Local vs. interstate pricing
- Local moves (same state, usually under ~100 miles)
- Billed hourly per crew — typically $25–$60 per mover per hour, with a 2–4 person crew and a 2–3 hour minimum.
- Interstate moves (crossing state lines)
- Billed on weight/cubic feet plus distance (the linehaul rate), not by the hour. Regulated at the federal level by the FMCSA rather than by individual states.
Types of moving estimates
Ask which type of estimate you're getting before you book — this is the single biggest predictor of a surprise final bill.
- Non-binding estimate — a projection only. Your final price is based on the actual weight and can come in higher (or lower) than quoted.
- Binding estimate — a fixed price based on the exact inventory and services listed. You pay that amount even if the actual weight differs, as long as nothing you're shipping changes.
- Binding-not-to-exceed estimate — the most consumer-friendly option: you pay less if the actual weight is lower, but never more than the quoted price.
To get the right one, ask directly: "Is this binding, non-binding, or not-to-exceed?" and get the answer in writing on the estimate itself, not just verbally from a sales rep.
Full-service movers vs. containers vs. truck rental vs. freight trailer
Four ways to move interstate, roughly ordered from most convenient and most expensive to most hands-on and least expensive:
| Method | You do | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service movers | Nothing — crew packs, loads, drives, unloads | Highest |
| Moving container (e.g. PODS, U-Pack) | Pack it yourself; a driver hauls it | Mid-high |
| Freight trailer / LTL | Load a shared trailer; carrier drives | Mid |
| DIY truck rental | Pack, load, drive, and unload it all yourself | Lowest |
For the full cost breakdown and specific providers, see our moving container cost guide and truck rental comparison.
Common fees movers add on
Ask for these to be itemized in writing before moving day:
- Stairs or elevator carry fees
- Long-carry fee (truck can't park close to the door)
- Shuttle fee, if a smaller truck is needed for a tight or restricted street
- Full-value protection / valuation coverage
- Packing materials and packing labor, if you're not packing yourself
- Storage-in-transit, if your move-in date isn't ready
- Bulky-item fees (piano, gun safe, pool table, hot tub)
- Expedited or guaranteed delivery window
What makes an estimate more accurate
In-home or video-walkthrough estimates are almost always more accurate than a phone quote based on room count alone. To get a number you can trust:
- Give a full, honest inventory — including closets, garage, and storage areas
- Mention stairs, elevators, and parking restrictions at both addresses
- Flag specialty items (piano, safe, pool table, artwork) up front
- Ask for a video or in-person walkthrough instead of a phone-only estimate for anything larger than a 1-bedroom
How to compare quotes and avoid red flags
Get at least three written estimates. Before comparing totals, normalize the inputs — confirm each company quoted the same estimate type (binding, non-binding, or not-to-exceed), the same services (packing included or not), and the same pricing method (weight vs. cubic feet). A low bottom-line total can simply be hiding a non-binding estimate or missing services that get added later.
Before you book, verify the company's USDOT and MC number directly with the FMCSA. Walk away from any mover that demands a large cash deposit up front, has no local address, or won't put the estimate in writing.
Ways to lower your moving cost
- Move during the off-season (October–April) and avoid month-end and weekends
- Downsize before the movers arrive — you're paying to move weight, not space
- Book 4–8 weeks ahead rather than last-minute
- Pack yourself if you're comfortable with it — packing labor is one of the largest add-ons
- Compare full-service pricing against a moving container or a DIY truck rental if you're able to load/unload yourself
- Ask about mid-week or mid-month dates, which are often discounted versus weekends and month-end
Tipping and moving-day etiquette
Tipping is optional but customary — a common guideline is $4–$6 per mover per hour, or $50–$100 per mover for a full interstate moving day, adjusted for how difficult the job was. Have water available for the crew, keep pathways clear, and do a walkthrough with the crew lead before they leave. See our full tipping guide for cash vs. per-item guidance and what to do if service was poor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an interstate move cost?
Most interstate moves run from about $1,800 for a studio or 1-bedroom apartment moving a short interstate distance, up to $10,000+ for a 4-bedroom home moving cross-country. The two biggest cost drivers are how much you're moving (weight or cubic feet) and how far it's traveling.
What's the difference between a binding and a non-binding estimate?
A binding estimate locks in a final price based on the items and services listed, and you pay that amount even if the actual weight differs. A non-binding estimate is only a projection — your final bill is based on the actual weight and can be higher or lower. A binding-not-to-exceed estimate combines both: you can pay less than quoted if the actual weight is lower, but never more than the binding price.
Why did my moving quote go up after booking?
Quotes usually increase when the mover reweighs the shipment and finds more weight than estimated, or when services weren't disclosed up front — stairs, a long carry from the truck to the door, bulky-item handling, or additional stops. Ask for a written, itemized estimate before you book so add-ons are agreed to in advance, not discovered on moving day.
How can I lower the cost of an interstate move?
Move during the off-season (October through April, avoiding month-end and weekends), get rid of items you don't need before the movers arrive so you're paying to move less weight, book several weeks ahead rather than last-minute, and compare at least three written estimates line by line rather than by the bottom-line total alone.
How much should I tip interstate movers?
A common guideline is $4–$6 per mover per hour for a local crew, or $50–$100 per mover for a full-day interstate move, adjusted for job difficulty and crew size. Tipping is appreciated but optional — it's never added to your bill automatically.
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
4–8 weeks ahead for most moves, and 8–12 weeks ahead if you're moving during peak season (May–September) or need a specific date. Booking last-minute usually means fewer available crews and higher prices.
Do interstate movers require a deposit?
Some legitimate movers ask for a small deposit (often under $500 or under 20% of the estimate) to hold your date. A demand for a large cash deposit, or payment in full before the truck is loaded, is one of the most common red flags for a moving scam or an unlicensed broker.
What's the difference between weight-based and cubic-feet pricing?
Weight-based pricing (the industry standard for full-service interstate movers) charges by the actual pounds shipped. Cubic-feet pricing, common with moving containers and some brokers, charges by the space your items occupy in the truck or container. Neither is inherently cheaper — ask which method a quote uses before comparing it to another company's.
Does moving insurance cost extra?
Movers are required to offer basic released-value protection (about 60 cents per pound per item) at no extra cost, but it rarely covers the real value of your belongings. Full-value protection, which covers repair or replacement at current value, is an add-on that typically costs 1–2% of your shipment's declared value.
Is a moving broker the same as a moving company?
No. A moving company owns trucks and employs the crew that moves you. A broker sells your job to a moving company (sometimes after re-shopping it to the lowest bidder) and never touches your belongings. Brokers aren't automatically bad, but you should know which one you're booking — see our full guide on moving companies vs. brokers.