Looking for cheap ways to move cross country? We don’t blame you. Given that the average cost of hiring professional movers for an interstate move is $4,890, (based on an average weight of 7,500 pounds and average distance of 1,000 miles) it’s understandable how you might be a tad concerned about the costs involved. Fortunately, there are less expensive ways to handle an out-of-state move. From hiring labor-only movers to renting a shipping container, it’s possible to move cross country without breaking the bank. The best way to move across country depends on your needs, but here are 11 ways you can save money on your next long distance move.

How To Move Across the Country and Save Money Doing It

1. Sell Your Stuff

   If you’re like most people, you’ve accumulated a lot of things that you don’t really need. By selling things before you move, you can make money to help pay for your move, reduce the amount of things you need to pack, it makes unpacking easier, and you can reduce costs for shipping such as by renting a smaller truck or paying movers less. Keep the essentials and anything of high sentimental value and sell anything else that you can. If you have the time and patience, you could throw a yard sale or rent a spot at a local flea market. Or you can sell your belongings online. Selling things online is much easier than you would think. Craigslist and the Facebook Marketplace is a great go-to option, especially for larger items like furniture and appliances and for smaller items, you can sell on eBay and Amazon. Think about specialty stores too. For example, if you have old clothes in good condition, you can sell them to sites like Buffalo Exchange or even local clothing stores in your area. There are specialty stores that will buy things like camera equipment, electronics, books, and CDs too.

2. Rent a portable moving container

   Renting a portable moving container is one of the most popular alternatives to using full-service movers. For starters, renting a portable moving container is much cheaper than hiring a professional moving company. Second, portable moving containers can also double as a storage container before and after the move. Costs will depend on the length of time you decide to rent the container and the size of the container. In general, renting a moving container for a long distance move tends to cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 per month. Compare that to the $4,000 to $6,000 that a professional cross country moving company will likely charge, and you’ll see the difference. To move using a moving container, all you have to do is load your boxes and belongings, and the container company will do the rest. Popular moving container companies include: PODS, ABF’s U-Pack ReloCubes, United Mayflower’s container, Go Mini’s, U-Haul’s U-Boxes, and 1-800-PACK-RAT – just to name a few.

3. Find free moving boxes and supplies

   One of the best ways to cut costs on long distance moving is by gathering and using as many free moving supplies as possible. This means seeking out boxes, bubble-wrap and newspaper from nearby retailers, online marketplaces and community groups. Several places to look for free moving supplies include: Craigslist, local liquor stores, U-Haul Box Exchange, Nextdoor.com, bookstores, friends and neighbors, offices, recycling drop-off points, grocery stores, Freecycle, local schools and big box retailers. I also recommend asking friends and family for any boxes that they may have lying around.

4. Rent a moving truck

   If you’re prepared to not only move but drive across the country, consider renting a moving truck from a reputable truck rental company. By embarking on a DIY move, you’ll be saving thousands of dollars. For example with U-Haul you could rent a truck for a one-way move which would have a set price for the truck rental, the distance traveled, as well as insurance costs. Additionally, you would have to pay for additional fuel costs for the distance traveled. Of course, keep in mind that truck rentals don’t get great gas mileage. In fact, a typical rental truck only gets around 10 mpg. If you’re moving cross country 2,000 miles away, that means it’ll take around 200 gallons of gas to get you to your destination. If the truck rental’s fuel capacity is around 30 gallons, you’ll need to stop at least 7 times for gas throughout the entire road trip. Several truck rental options include U-Haul, Budget, Enterprise and Penske.

   • U-Haul – Daily rates for U-Haul truck rentals are as follows: $19.95 for 10′ trucks, $29.95 for both 15′ and 17′ trucks, and $39.95 for 20′ and 26′ trucks. All trucks also have an added $0.79 per mile fee. U-Haul also offers additional options such as hand trucks dollies for $7, appliance dollies for $10, furniture dollies for $7, and a dozen furniture pads for $10. Learn more about U-Haul.
   • Budget – Budget’s 12-foot rental truck is priced at $19.99 per day while the 16-foot truck costs $29.99 per day and both options cost an additional $0.59 per mile. With the 16-foot truck, you’ll also get a loading ramp and a tow hitch if you need to tow a car. As for extras, you can get a car carrier for $65 per day, a car dolly for $55 per day, a dozen furniture pads for $17 per day, and a hand truck for $17 per day. Drivers under 24 might also incur an additional surcharge. Learn more about Budget.
   • Enterprise – Drivers must be 25 or older in most locations but some locations will allow drivers over 21, although if they are under 25, they may have to pay an additional charge. A 15″ truck costs $19.99 per day plus $0.69 per mile and a 16″ truck costs $80.99 per day with 500 free miles, then $0.69 per additional mile. If you need something bigger, you can get a 24″ box truck $39.99 per day + $0.99 per mile. A 26″ box truck costs $129.99 per day with 500 free miles then $0.69 per additional mile. Additional products such as straps, moving pads, stretch film, and hand trucks are also available, but prices aren’t listed on the site. Learn more about Enterprise.
   • Penske – Penske charges $29.99 per day for both the 12′ and 16′ trucks, while 26′ trucks are $99 per day. Round-trip truck rentals cost an additional $0.99 per mile while one-way trips come with free unlimited miles. Dollies are an extra $10 and furniture pads are $10 per dozen. Penske also offers military discounts and college discounts. Learn more about Penske.

5. Use a freight trailer

   One of the best ways to haul your belongings across the country is to use a large freight moving trailer instead of a moving company. How it works: a freight moving trailer company will drop off a large trailer (28 ft.) and give you three days to load it. After three days, the company will pick it up and drive it to your new home. Several freight trailer companies to look into include U-Pack, Estes SureMove and Old Dominion Household Services. The cost of renting a freight trailer is usually several thousand dollars cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company. For reference, HireAHelper states that the average cost of a long distance move with a U-Pack moving trailer is $3,015.

6. Choose a better moving date

   Believe it or not – when you move can make a big impact on the cost of your relocation. Avoiding peak moving days and times could potentially save you money on truck rentals, moving companies and more. A few peak moving dates to avoid (if possible) include weekends, the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and the first and last weeks of the month. Aim for a mid-day, mid-month move between the months of October to April. For more information on the best times to move, check here.

7. Ship your stuff

   Shipping your belongings is a great way to move cross country and might be one of the most convenient moving options you haven’t considered – especially if you don’t have many household belongings. In addition to shipping items via USPS, you can also ship larger objects through various service providers online, such as uShip.com.

8. Have your company pay for the move

   Land a new job? Congrats! If you’re moving for work, I highly recommend inquiring about the company’s relocation policies. Many companies will pay for all or part of the move, so it’s certainly worth asking the HR department. They may even have their own preferred company of cross country movers. If your company does pay for the relocation, be sure to save all moving receipts (even your receipts for moving supplies). This way you’ll be able to document your expenses and get properly reimbursed for the move.

9. Hire moving labor

   Looking for someone to help you load and unload your truck rental? Fortunately, there are plenty of moving labor alternatives to hiring a full-service moving company. Several labor-only options include HireAHelper and College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving. These services may also include junk removal services, donation pickups, and packing help. In addition, you can check out Moving Help, an online marketplace that will help you search and locate local moving services in your area. By hiring labor only instead of a full-service moving company, you’ll be saving thousands of dollars.

10. Enlist friends and family

    Of course, besides hiring moving labor, you can always ask friends and family to help. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move cross country, this is probably it. However, you may have to work around other people’s schedules, and you may want to pay your friends back in some other way, such as pizza, wine or a gift card.

11. Look for discounts

    Before you move, do your research on moving companies, moving containers, truck rentals and moving supply retailers that offer deals and discounts. Some of these discounts are so big that it can make a previously expensive moving company the most cost-effective and cheapest option. For those who serve or have served in the military, you can find various military discounts offered at several companies, including PODS, U-Pack, Budget, Penske, North American Van Lines and more. Member of AAA? You can save on moving services at Atlas Van Lines, Extra Space Storage, and Penske. Those looking for moving supplies can also find deals and discounts through our box center.

Bonus Tips to Cut Costs on a Long Distance Move

• Donate or sell large items that will cost more to ship like furniture. Many long distance movers charge by weight so it’s worth getting rid of these things before moving. Large items also take up a lot of space and might require a larger, more expensive truck to move.
• Get insurance if you’re shipping expensive items. There are upfront costs to buying insurance but this will save a lot of money if something very expensive gets broken. 
• Ask about deductibles. Some movers have a deductible, such as $500, before they pay an insurance claim. If they break something worth less than $500, you might be out of pocket to fix it.
• Get moving quotes and give yourself enough time to wait for the best one. Moving companies are usually booked 6-8 weeks out, so try to plan your move out further than that. You’ll get the best offers the further out you plan.

Prefer to hire a professional moving company?

Few things beat the ease and convenience of full-service movers when it comes to moving across country. Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to find and book the best cross country moving companies for your upcoming relocation. Get a quote for a long distance mover here. All moving companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!