Moving cost calculator: DIY truck vs. movers
Pick your home size and distance to see low-to-high cost ranges for both options, with every assumption shown.
Quick answer: by our model, a 2-bedroom move of about 1,000 miles costs roughly $1,570–$3,010 if you rent a truck and $3,000–$6,900 with full-service movers (packing not included). Across town, the same home is about $150–$300 DIY or $610–$1,650 with movers. A 3-bedroom cross-country move (2,500 miles) is about $3,970–$7,600 DIY or $8,100–$18,450 with movers. These are planning estimates, not quotes.
Moving cost estimator
Rent a truck (DIY)
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Full-service movers
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Example moving costs
Model output at $3.50 per gallon, without packing service or hired help.
| Move | Rent a truck | Full-service movers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom, across town (15 mi) | $130–$280 | $350–$910 |
| 2 bedrooms, across town (20 mi) | $150–$300 | $610–$1,650 |
| 2 bedrooms, 250 mi | $500–$990 | $1,800–$4,200 |
| 2 bedrooms, 1,000 mi | $1,570–$3,010 | $3,000–$6,900 |
| 3 bedrooms, 1,000 mi | $1,730–$3,350 | $4,500–$10,350 |
| 3 bedrooms, cross-country (2,500 mi) | $3,970–$7,600 | $8,100–$18,450 |
How this is calculated
Local moves (up to 100 miles) with movers are priced by the hour: the crew size for your home (2 to 4 movers) × estimated hours × $35–$60 per mover-hour, plus a $75–$200 truck or trip fee. DIY local moves use an in-town truck rate plus a per-mile charge for a round trip, and fuel.
Long-distance moves with movers are priced by weight and distance. We assume a typical shipment weight for your home (for example, 4,000–6,000 lbs for 2 bedrooms) and a cost per pound that rises with miles. DIY long-distance moves use a one-way truck rental estimate, fuel at 8–12 mpg for a mid-size truck, about 450 miles of driving a day, and motels and food on the road.
All of these rates are rounded planning assumptions, not quotes or averages from a survey of real moves. Prices vary a lot by city, season and company. The full list of assumptions is on our methodology page.
How to lower your moving cost
- Get rid of things before you move. Long-distance prices are driven by weight.
- Move mid-month and mid-week, outside summer, if you can.
- Pack yourself and pay movers only to load, drive and unload.
- Compare at least three written estimates, and check interstate movers' USDOT numbers with the FMCSA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a 2-bedroom apartment?
Across town, about $610–$1,650 with a full-service crew or $150–$300 if you rent a truck and do the work. For a 1,000-mile move, about $3,000–$6,900 with movers or $1,570–$3,010 DIY. These are planning ranges from our model, not quotes.
Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers?
Renting a truck is almost always cheaper in cash, often by half or more on long moves. Movers cost more but save you days of labor, the risk of injury, and the driving. Hiring loading help for a DIY move is a middle ground.
How do long-distance movers calculate the price?
Interstate movers price mainly by the weight of your shipment and the distance, then add services like packing, stairs, long carries and storage. Ask for a written binding or not-to-exceed estimate based on an in-home or video survey.
When is the cheapest time to move?
Weekdays in the middle of the month, from roughly October through April, are usually cheaper and easier to book than summer weekends or the end of a month, when leases turn over.
What is not included in this moving cost estimate?
Boxes and packing supplies, tips, tolls, car shipping, storage, cleaning, and costs at either home such as deposits or overlapping rent. Add those separately.
Plan the rest of your move
Moving Box Calculator
Box counts by size for your rooms and packing style.
Moving Day Countdown Checklist
Enter your move date and get dated tasks you can tick off.
Moving to another state? See our state-by-state moving guides.