Long-distance moving quotes, the easy way.

The average professional move in the US costs $1,400–$2,300 for a local move and $4,800–$8,200 for a long-distance move, based on AMSA industry data and quotes processed through MovingCost.net. The biggest variables are home size, distance, and time of year — peak summer rates run 15–25% above winter rates. Use our calculator to see a specific estimate for your origin, destination, and home size in under 60 seconds.

A long-distance move (over ~50 miles, typically across state lines) usually costs $3,000–$10,000 for a 2-bedroom home, depending on distance and services. Long-distance movers price primarily by weight × distance — the formula is approximately weight in pounds × (distance in miles ÷ 1,000) × the corridor rate. A 5,000 lb load moving 1,500 miles at $0.70 per pound per 1,000 miles works out to about $5,250 before add-ons.

Local moves (within ~50 miles) are typically priced hourly: $90–$150 per mover per hour, plus a truck/fuel fee. A 2-bedroom local move usually takes 2 movers and 4–6 hours, working out to $720–$1,800 all-in. Add 25–40% if you want full packing service. Hourly pricing rewards a well-prepped move — the more you've packed before they arrive, the lower the total.

Interstate moves (crossing state lines) average $4,800–$8,200 according to FMCSA carrier data. Federal regulation requires interstate movers to be licensed (USDOT and MC numbers) and to provide a written binding or non-binding estimate. Cost is driven by weight and distance, plus accessorial fees for stairs, long carries, and shuttle service. Always verify your mover's USDOT number at fmcsa.dot.gov before booking.

Long-distance moving costs are calculated using four main factors: weight of your goods (estimated by home size — a 2-bedroom averages 5,000 lbs), distance traveled, time of year (summer is 15–25% higher), and add-on services (full packing adds ~18%, storage in transit adds ~10%). Local moves use hourly pricing instead. MovingCost.net combines these into a transparent estimate and shows you the math, so you can sanity-check a quote from any mover.

Moving is cheapest from late September through April, when demand drops sharply and movers offer 15–25% discounts to fill schedules. The most expensive period is mid-May through August, when 60–70% of US household moves happen. Mid-month and mid-week moves are also cheaper than first-of-month or weekend moves — most leases turn over on the 1st, so the 10th–20th of any month is a soft window with better availability and lower rates.

A 2-bedroom apartment averages about 5,000 lbs of goods. A local 2-bedroom move typically costs $720–$1,800 (2 movers, 4–6 hours). A long-distance 2-bedroom move runs $3,200–$7,500 depending on distance: ~$3,200 for 500 miles, ~$5,200 for 1,500 miles, ~$7,500 for 2,500+ miles. Adding full packing, storage in transit, and full-value insurance can push the total 30–40% higher than these baseline ranges.

Local moving labor costs $90–$150 per mover per hour, with most companies requiring a 2-mover, 3-hour minimum. Major metros (NYC, San Francisco, Boston) run at the high end — $130–$160 per mover per hour. Smaller markets run $80–$110. Most companies also charge a 'truck fee' or 'fuel fee' of $50–$150 added to the hourly total, plus tax. Tip: a 2-mover team usually finishes a 2-bedroom move in 4–6 hours.

Full-service movers — who pack, load, transport, and unpack — typically cost 25–45% more than a standard professional move. They're worth it when your time is valuable, when you have specialty items (piano, art, equipment), or when you're moving cross-country with no help on either end. They're rarely worth it for moves under ~500 miles where you can do most of the packing yourself and hire local labor for loading.

Budget $5,000–$12,000 for a typical cross-country move (over 1,500 miles), depending on home size and services. A 1-bedroom averages $4,500–$7,000; a 3-bedroom averages $7,500–$11,500. Add $1,500–$3,500 for full packing service, $400–$1,200 for car shipping if you don't want to drive your vehicle, and 10% buffer for accessorials (stairs, long carries, shuttle service). Get at least three written estimates and verify each mover's USDOT number.