How Much Does it Cost to Move Across the Country?
Moving across the country provides an even mixture of excitement and stress. That’s because it’s a huge commitment, both practically and financially. So, what is the average cost to move across the country?
The average cost to move across the country is $4,500, but it varies based on distance and shipping weight. For example, moving from the East Coast to California typically costs between $6,500 and $12,000 for a home with 2 or more bedrooms. Additional costs like insurance, moving services, and the time of year affect the cost of your cross-country move.
You may also need to pay extra for storage or shipping your car if you don’t plan to drive to your destination. Ideally, you should move during fall and winter to save at least 20% on your long-distance move. Follow along as we explore how much it costs to move across the country.
How Much Does it Cost to Move Across the Country?
Moving across the country typically costs between $2,000 and $15,000. There is no ironclad rule and price for how much cross-country moves. That’s because moving companies use several key factors to determine the cost of a long-distance move, such as:
Location
The distance between where you are, and your future location is critical when budgeting a cross-country move. A cross-country move entails traveling hundreds of miles with thousands of pounds of items. Factors such as mileage, fuel, labor, and travel expenses affect the cost of your long-distance move.
For example, moving from New Jersey to California entails traveling thousands of miles and costs roughly $6,500 to $12,000. Cross-country moves sometimes entail paying tolls and room and board for the moving crew. It depends on the distance and how long the move takes.
| Distance | Price Range |
| New Jersey to California | $6,500-$12,00 |
| New Jersey to Utah | $4,500-$11,000 |
| New Jersey to Florida | $2,000-$8,500 |
| New Jersey to Nebraska | $3,500-$15,000 |
Shipping Weight
A moving company cannot provide an accurate price estimate until they approximate the shipping weight. Moving companies typically calculate shipping weight based on home size and the volume of your belongings. For example, a studio apartment may weigh 1,800 pounds, whereas a 3-bedroom house weighs 4,000 to $8,000.
Keep in mind that there is no ironclad rule, and the type of belongings you have also play a role. A piano naturally weighs more than the average coffee table. Larger items add to shipping weight and may require special services.
For example, you may need to pay extra for white-glove service if you have a large, delicate piano. Some people put items in storage to lower the shipping weight and save money. You can also transport some of your belongings without help to reduce the shipping weight.
Home Size
The size of your home is one of the biggest cost factors for your cross-country move. That’s because the bigger your home is, the more belongings you are likely to have. For example, a cross-country move rarely exceeds $3,000 if you’re moving from a 1-bedroom house because of the low shipping weight.
Moving from a larger home also takes longer than moving from a 1-bedroom apartment, which adds to the cost. The moving crew must likely spend more time laying out floor and wall protection. It also takes much longer to pack all your belongings if you pay extra for a full packing service.
This adds to the cost of labor, and in some cases, packing materials. Moving company consultants factor your home size into the cost estimate they provide during the consultation.
| Home Size | Price Range |
| 1 Bedroom | $700-$3,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,000-$6,500+ |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,500-$8,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,750-$10,000+ |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,000-$15,000+ |
Insurance
Moving companies often cover $0.60 to $1 per pound of damaged and lost items. They also offer premium insurance options that cover the full value of damaged items. Granted, this comes at a premium price based on the value of your belongings.
This is typically determined during the consultation process. The premium rate for full-value coverage typically costs 2% of the value of your belongings. You can forego premium coverage to save money, but it’s worth the extra cost.
Time of Year
The time of year has more to do with how much your cross-country move costs than you may think. Summer is typically the most expensive time to move across the country because of how many people are scheduled to move. If you book it between June and August, prepare to spend up to 20% to 50% more on your cross-country move.
That’s especially true for a last-minute move, which sometimes incurs expedition fees. Fall and winter are the best times to schedule a long-distance move. Call a moving company 2-3 months before moving to get the best deal.
Special Services
The services you choose can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your move. Cross-country moves sometimes require special services, like white glove service and full packing. Such services can increase the cost of your cross-country move by 20% or more.
Additional Costs
Cross-country moves come with more miscellaneous costs than the average local move. For example, you may need to pay to ship your car when you move across the country. Not all moving companies ship cars, but they can often help arrange it for you.
Car shipping companies often charge up to $0.60 per mile. You can expect to spend at least $1,300 to ship a car across the country. Some people also pay extra for storage when moving cross-country to reduce the shipping weight.
Storage units cost as little as $30 to $100 per month, depending on the size of the unit. However, portable storage units are more expensive and cost $800 to $4,000 or more for long-distance moves.
Call Optimum Moving for Your Cross-Country Move
Moving across the country is a huge commitment, and we don’t take that lightly at Optimum Moving. That’s why we work closely with our customers to make their moves as easy, practical, and fast as possible. Call Optimum Moving at (855) 315-6683 and talk to a consultant to get a quote for your cross-country move.
