Costs for Moving Cross Country

Last Updated: August 20, 2025

Even moving down the street can be expensive and time consuming, but what about when you choose to move across the country? Many folks want to explore life outside of their home state, but it takes planning, budgeting, and most of all—work! And while you can expect to spend a large chunk of change when moving cross country, there are ways to save.

There isn’t a universal total that can be pointed to, as it can change based on various factors. Typically, most people will spend anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000 based on their method of moving. That’s a wide range! Let’s break down the factors that go into the price of moving across the country.

Renting a Moving Truck

If you’re planning on doing a long-distance move, a moving truck will cost you from a range of $1,500 to $7,000. The price of renting a truck, trailer, or van mostly depends on the size of the vehicle, your total mileage, and the company you go with. Don’t forget about allotting some money for gas!

A moving truck, on average, will range from 6-13 miles per gallon. This depends on fuel, engine type, loaded vs. unloaded, and if anything is being towed. How to calculate your expected gas money is to take the total number of miles being driven, divide by 8 (average miles per gallon of a moving truck), and multiply that by $3.20 (the average price for gas in the United States). So, if you're moving 700 miles, expect to pay around $280 on gas.

To and From Destination	U-Haul 26-foot truck	Penske 26-foot truck	Budget Truck 26-foot truck
Los Angeles, California 91317 to Austin, Texas 78701	$3,932.34	$5,182.41	$5,796.77

*Quotes were made for November 2025 and do not include any insurance costs or moving labor assistance. Quotes include truck only.

Moving with a Portable Moving Container:

If you need more flexibility with your move, or are unable to drive, maybe shipping your items is the choice for you! Thousands of Americans are using portable moving and storage containers to move their belongings across the country. When using a portable moving container, for most companies, a moving container is dropped off at your home, you pack it up, and then the company will swing by to pick it back up. From there, they’ll ship it to most addresses across the United States. However, only U-Box by U-Haul ships to all 50 states, all Canadian provinces, and even around the world.

Depending on the size of your home, you could need anywhere from 700 to 1500 cubic feet of space to move your home.

Here are the estimated costs for using a portable moving container to move across the country from the top three moving container companies:

To and From Destination	U-Box by U-Haul 6 Containers	PODS: One 16' container and one 8' container	U-Pack 26’ of Truck Space
Los Angeles, CA (91306) to Chicago, IL (60616)	$4,998.65	$12,129.42	$6,958
Los Angeles, Ca (91306) to Houston, TX (77007)	$4,565.60	$8,385.22	$7,188
Los Angeles, Ca (91306) to Charlotte, NC (28205)	$7,086.65	$11,989.82	$9,944

*Quotes were made for November 2025 and do not include any insurance costs or moving labor assistance. For U-Box quotes, the truck delivery option was used as standard. All container/truck sizes are within 150 cubic feet of each other.

One thing that makes U-Box by U-Haul special is that it does it all. If you need Moving Help, adding it to an order is easy! Unsure how many U-Box containers you need? We’ll refund you for the U-Box containers you don’t use.

When it comes to affordability, availability, and flexibility, you’ll never be able to get a better deal than U-Box by U-Haul. So, what are you waiting for? Get a quote today!

Moving Supplies

Before you even start packing, consider how much you’re spending on supplies. Between tape, boxes, and bubble wrap, moving supplies can really start to add up! Depending on how much you need to pack, the total could run upwards of a few hundred dollars.

Going the complete DIY route can serve as a good money saving option; however, alternatives to durable boxes made for moving won't offer the same level of protection during a cross-country move. Plus U-Haul moving boxes are extremely affordable, starting at just $1.63, and they are safer too. Stacking oddly shaped boxes high up in a moving truck or portable moving container could result in injury and permanent damage or loss of your belongings, but U-Haul boxes are built to stack.

Just one small moving box can withstand up to 731 pounds of force!

A one-bedroom apartment around 700 square feet will most likely cost around $150 to $200 just in moving supplies; for every additional bedroom, increase the amount by $100. A three to four-bedroom house with a backyard and garage will cost between $400 and $600.

The U-Haul Moving Supply Calculator is a great way to visualize just how many boxes, rolls of tape, and bubble packing wrap you’ll end up using.

How to Save on Moving Supplies

Instead of buying a whole bunch of supplies, try using what you have! If you’re packing blankets, towels, and rags, they can double as protective covers for your items. Utilizing luggage and suitcases can also help you save, not to mention make it easier to haul your items.

If you want to save on boxes, U-Haul has the Take-a-Box, Leave-a-Box program. Instead of tossing or recycling used boxes, anyone can leave their moving boxes at almost any U-Haul Center, allowing other customers to save. You can walk in and pick up some recycled boxes for free! U-Haul also hosts a Box Exchange program.

However, if you need a specific box for a specialty item, a TV, a lamp, or precious golf clubs, going the kit route will serve you best.

Grocery stores are also a great place for finding free boxes. Boxes for eggs, boxes for half-gallon milk cartons, juice, and chip boxes are great for packing; just make sure they are free of moisture and are secure. Arrive at the grocery store the second it opens to catch the night crew boxes, or around 1 pm to catch the day stock boxes.

Moving Help

If you’re packing up an entire house, you might need some help, especially if you have heavy furniture! Depending on where you live, the hourly price of movers can fluctuate. You can usually expect to spend around $270 ($280 CAD) for two helpers for 2 hours of loading or unloading.

If you want full-service movers, you can expect to pay more. Instead of just moving boxes and furniture, full-service movers may even pack and drive your items for you. Services like this could cost a few thousand dollars, and for long-distance moves, it could even cost up to $10,000. It’s a great way to take some work off your plate, but it definitely isn’t the most cost-effective option.

How to Save on Moving Help

You can always ask friends and family to donate their time, but if that doesn’t work, try using Moving Help powered by U-Haul! Moving Help connects you with local Service Providers in your area. They provide high-quality labor for a fraction of the price of a full-service moving company deal. With U-Haul, you’ll always be able to DIY your own full-service move.

What Moving Method is Right for You?

How do you know what moving method is the right choice for you? Different factors influence the price of the move that you’re making. Is it an immediate move, a move a couple of months out, or a move where accessibility is a top priority?

For immediate moving, a moving truck is the best option, as it allows for a quick turnaround at an affordable price. It is also the best option if you need to bring your car across the country.

Moving trucks and portable moving and storage containers work best when planning out a move from a few weeks to a few months in advance. Allowing time to analyze your belongings and being realistic about what you need to pack will have you renting a smaller truck and needing fewer portable storage containers.

Need to be out of your current home at a certain date but your new home won't be ready right away? Moving containers could be a better option since you can load up your items and have the containers stored until you're ready.

The best part about both methods is being able to hire Moving Help with either method, saving money, rather than going with a full-service mover.

If you have the money, a full-service move will no doubt cost the most, and you're leaving the entire move to them, including packing, loading, unloading, and driving. The unfortunate part about leaving that much control is the inability to be present for every item that is being wrapped and moved.

Distance

This is probably going to be the biggest factor when it comes to the price of your move. While moving locally can be expensive, travelling over 400 miles will hike up that price dramatically. If you’re planning a coast-to-coast move, you’ll be spending much more than if you were moving only a few states over.

Typically, coast-to-coast moves could run you up to $15,000. Slightly shorter moves usually will be around $4,000 to $8,000.

How to Save While Moving Across the Country

Consider what time of year you’re moving: many people use the summer as an opportunity to pull off a cross-country move, so prices tend to rise in the warmer months. Moving in the fall or winter can earn you better deals, but it could be more of a challenge if inclement weather is a concern, like moving f you’re moving to a warmer state, this may be a good option for you. If you’re moving to a warmer state, this may be a good option for you.

Another way to save is to look at the potential costs after the move: try to cook at home instead of going out to eat, and unpack the kitchen as soon as possible.

Packing, Loading, and Unloading

The cheapest way to move across the country is to move as little as possible. Packing up all your belongings in your car and driving will be the cheapest option. However, this isn’t recommended because of rising costs around the country; you may end up spending much more getting all new essentials.

Using your blankets to cushion items and your plastic bins to pack will save on moving supplies; however, how much you can take is much more limited. Loading and unloading everything yourself will also be cheaper than hiring moving laborers. The unfortunate part about doing everything yourself is that it can lead to biting off more than you can chew. For a time-sensitive move, one thing to never forget is to realistically understand how much time a move can take and plan accordingly.

More Tips on Saving Money While Moving

Declutter

If you are using a full-service moving company to transport your belongings, they usually charge anywhere from .50-.80 cents per pound. While this sounds affordable, that adds up if you’re moving a whole house's worth of stuff! Decluttering items and furniture that you don’t need can help eliminate those extra pounds.

This is also a lifesaver if you choose to move with a rental truck or portable storage container. There’s only so much room you can work with there! Be picky about what furniture and items you bring with you on your move. Who knows, maybe you’ll find something even better at the next place!

Schedule Early and Plan Ahead

You’ll get the best rates on rental vehicles and moving labor if you book months in advance. On the other hand, waiting until the last minute could even leave you with no options at all. If you’re looking to save money and avoid stress, plan and book early!

Get Ready for the Long Haul

Moving cross-country can vary in cost, but when you consider the moving truck or moving container cost, moving supplies, and the potential for moving labor, the cost can range from $2,000 to $15,000.

Now, with the necessary information taken care of for how to move across the country, get out your budgeting tool and make your moving plan easier and more realistic. With a move across the country, you can now narrow down the costs by getting quotes, exploring your moving options, and getting reliable, affordable moving supplies.