Moving cross-country is so exciting… and nerve-wracking!There's a lot to look forward to, from the overall journey to your final destination and every detail in between. But it’s also different from any other move you’ll make. The amount of upfront work needed to make it happen without hiccups is extensive. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. In fact, it’s anything but. All you need is some prep work, a few tried-and-true tips for moving cross-country, and a bit of good luck, and you’ll be unpacking your boxes in your new home in no time.
You probably have so many questions swirling in your head about moving cross-country — especially if it's your first time. And I’m betting a lot of those questions are about money. Well, the hard truth is that moving requires plenty of money, and the cost of moving cross-country is real, so you must carefully plan to maximize your savings.
Wondering, “How do I start moving across the country?” Start by using one of the best tools for moving — a cost calculator like MoveBudda.com. It will help you decide how much money you should save for moving services. You can plug in your departure and destination cities and the size of your home, and it will pop out price ranges for professional movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Then, you can get to work on your moving plan.
Before you pack up your car and head out, though, learn a few lessons about how to move cross-country from someone who’s done it before. Me — when I moved from Vermont to San Diego. Here are12 of my top moving across-country tips.
1. Do Your Career Homework.
We’re sure you’ve already done this (it may be your reason for moving in the first place!), but it can be easy to forget important details like whether or not your desired location supports your career industry. For example, if you're moving to California, you may want to read up on the fastest-growing industries in California.
If you already have a set career path, now’s a good time to reach out to recruiters. It can be challenging to secure interviews when you’re still out of the state, but a recruiter will know how to navigate this obstacle and help you secure a position before arriving, if that’s important for you.
Keep in mind, some companies include a relocation package as part of their hiring or recruiting process. Moving is expensive, and choosing a company willing to move you on their dime could alleviate the stress and financial burden associated with moving cross-country.
2. Get Your Finances in Check.
When was the last time you seriously looked at your finances or even checked your credit score? Upon moving to your new home state, your cost of living is guaranteed to change. What you’re used to paying for groceries, rent, gas, and healthcare will likely be drastically different — good or bad.
For example, rent prices were 115 percent higher in San Diego than in Burlington, Vermont, (where I was coming from) when I made the move. So here’s one of the best tips for moving across the country: You can find the same data (for your own move) by comparing costs of living with Numbeo’s Cost of Living Comparison calculator. This change was something I wasn't fully prepared for, and it made the first few months challenging.
It’s important to consider your credit score at this point, as well, in preparation for renting or buying a home in your new state. Check out myFICO’s guide for tips on improving your credit score before making any major moving decisions.
Q: Why is it so expensive to move cross-country? A: It’s no secret that the cost of moving cross-country is high — from booking a long-distance moving service to shipping your car (or even driving it to your new home!). Here are a few stats to help you estimate the fees for your own move:
Moving Route
Miles
PODS (includes transport and 1-month storage)
Full-Service Movers (includes transport and loading/unloading)
Rental Truck (plus fuel costs)
NYC to L.A.
2,790
$3,456 - $5,183
$4,160–$7,784
$1,897–$4,292
NYC to San Francisco
2,900
$4,925 - $6,567
$4,070–$8,255
$1,913–$4,081
Miami to L.A.
2,730
$3,503 - $5,371
$3,940 – $8,091
$1,829–$3,897
Miami to San Francisco
3,050
$4,371 - $5,913
$4,619–$8,655
$1,994–$4,475
*Based on estimates from PODS and MoveBuddha for a 2-3 bedroom household (800-1,200 sf) as of March 2024. Costs don’t include insurance or taxes. Prices will vary based on specific locations, dates, size of household to be moved, and available discounts. For a detailed quote, call PODS at 877-350-7637.
Normal range: $2,419 - $6,863. Moving across the country costs an average of $4,583 or between $2,419 to $6,863 , depending on factors like home size, weight, and distance. The average cost to move cross-country is about $4,583 , but prices can range between $2,419 to $6,863 .
The average cost to move across the country is around $4,600, with costs ranging anywhere from $2,400 to upwards of $15,000. The biggest cost factors are the distance of the move, the number of belongings and whether you hire movers or DIY.
Q: What is the cheapest month to move cross-country? A: Your most cost-effective months to move are November and December. But if the holidays are too important to mess with, there's actually a less-expensive moving season that traditionally runs from late September through April.
This includes driver lodging and breaks for gas and food. When factoring in end-to-end services such as packing and unpacking, the entire cross-country moving process can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks. While this may be a stressful period, you'll be thankful for professional assistance once your move is completed.
Peak moving season is May through September, so if you have some flexibility, aim to move during fall or winter Since summer is the busiest season for cross-country moving companies due to nicer weather and kids being out of school, moving prices are higher.
A general rule of thumb for most moving companies is that if a move is over 400 miles, it is considered long-distance. A long-distance move can also be called long-haul moving or interstate moving if you are moving out of one state and into another.
We don't need to tell you: Moving is hard, and moving across the country can seem even more daunting. From packing belongings and finding a place to live to considering moving options and making new friends, moving across state lines is a time-consuming process that takes patience and planning.
The cheapest way to move between states is to rent a truck and do the move yourself. Renting a truck can be more cost-effective than hiring cheap long-distance movers, as you will only pay for the time and distance of your trip.
This includes driver lodging and breaks for gas and food. When factoring in end-to-end services such as packing and unpacking, the entire cross-country moving process can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks. While this may be a stressful period, you'll be thankful for professional assistance once your move is completed.
Peak moving season is May through September, so if you have some flexibility, aim to move during fall or winter Since summer is the busiest season for cross-country moving companies due to nicer weather and kids being out of school, moving prices are higher.
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