Cheapest way to move out of state
A DIY truck rental is the cheapest way to move out of state if you're willing to do all the loading and driving yourself. Moving containers and freight trailers cost more but shift some of the labor to a carrier. Full-service movers cost the most but require none of your own labor. Here's how the real trade-offs work.
Compare methods by what you do and what it costs
| Method | You do | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|
| DIY truck rental | Pack, load, drive, unload — everything | Lowest |
| Freight trailer / LTL | Load a shared trailer; carrier drives | Low-mid |
| Moving container | Pack and load it; a driver hauls it | Mid |
| Full-service movers | Nothing — a crew packs, loads, drives, unloads | Highest |
See our moving container cost guide and truck rental comparison for provider-level pricing.
Ways to lower the cost regardless of method
- Move off-season — October through April, avoiding month-end and weekends, is typically 20-30% cheaper across every method
- Downsize before you move — sell, donate, or discard anything you're not confident you'll use in the next year; you're paying by weight or cubic feet regardless of method
- Book several weeks ahead rather than last-minute, when prices and availability are both worse
- Pack yourself even if hiring full-service movers — packing labor is one of the largest add-on costs
- Compare at least three written quotes line by line, not just by the bottom-line total, since a low total can hide a non-binding estimate or missing services
When the cheapest option isn't actually the best deal
DIY driving a truck 1,000+ miles costs real time off work, fuel, possible lodging, and the physical toll of loading and unloading yourself — factor those in, not just the rental sticker price. For a large household or a move where your schedule is tight, the labor-inclusive options can end up being the better value even at a higher listed cost.
Combining methods to save more
You don't have to pick one method for the whole move. Common combinations that save money without taking on the full DIY load:
- Rent your own truck, hire local labor to load/unload — you cover the driving and fuel, moving-labor services (booked separately at each end) handle the heavy lifting
- Pack everything yourself, pay only for transport labor — packing is one of the largest full-service add-ons, and skipping it while still hiring a crew for loading/driving/unloading captures a meaningful chunk of the savings
- Ship only what's practical, sell or donate the rest — for some moves, especially shorter-term relocations, it's cheaper to replace furniture at the destination than to pay to move it 1,000+ miles
Rough cost snapshot by method
For a 2-bedroom household moving 500-1,000 miles, expect roughly:
| Method | Typical range |
|---|---|
| DIY truck rental | $800–$2,000 (truck, fuel, possible lodging) |
| Freight trailer / LTL | $1,200–$2,800 |
| Moving container | $1,600–$3,500 |
| Full-service movers | $3,000–$6,000 |
These are general ranges, not a quote — see the moving cost calculator for a number based on your exact distance and home size.
Frequently asked questions
What's the absolute cheapest way to move out of state?
A DIY truck rental with your own labor to load and unload is almost always the cheapest option, especially for a small household. It requires the most work and time from you, but avoids labor and linehaul charges entirely beyond the rental and fuel cost.
Are moving containers cheaper than full-service movers?
Usually yes, since you're paying for transport but not for a crew to pack and load. The trade-off is you do the loading and unloading yourself (or hire separate local labor to help), and delivery can take longer since the container travels on the carrier's schedule.
Does moving during a certain time of year save money?
Yes — moving October through April, and avoiding the last few days of any month and weekends, is typically 20-30% cheaper than peak summer dates across every method, not just full-service movers.
Is it cheaper to downsize before moving or pay to move everything?
For anything you're not confident you'll use in the next year, it's almost always cheaper to sell, donate, or discard it before the move — you're paying by weight or cubic feet either way, so moving less costs less regardless of which method you choose.
How much does each method actually cost for a 2-bedroom move?
Very roughly, for an out-of-state move of 500-1,000 miles: DIY truck rental runs $800-$2,000 (truck + fuel + lodging), a moving container runs $1,600-$3,500, and full-service movers run $3,000-$6,000. Exact pricing depends heavily on distance and season — see our moving cost calculator for a number specific to your move.
Can I combine methods to save money?
Yes — a common hybrid is renting a truck yourself but hiring local labor-only help (through a moving-labor service) to load and unload, which splits the difference between full DIY and full-service cost. Another is packing everything yourself and only paying for loading/transport/unloading labor.