The Cost to Move a Two-Bedroom Home Cross-Country: Your Cheapest Options
The short answer: The average cost to move a two-bedroom house cross-country can range from $381 to $7,560. However, your costs can vary dramatically based on the type of moving services you use. After all, it’s a lot cheaper to book a rental truck than full-service movers.
Understanding which of the best long-distance moving companies fits your budget (and the factors that affect their quotes) can help you plan effectively and find the cheapest way to move to your new home.
The cost to move a two-bedroom home cross-country
| Move Distance< | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| <250 miles | $1,830 – $4,970 | $1,311 – $2,111 | $381 – $664 |
| 1,000 miles | $3,020 – $6,825 | $1,829 – $3,060 | $$873 – $1,594 |
| 2,500 miles | $4,230 – $7,560> | $2,865 – $4,958 | $1,858 – $3,454 |
As this table illustrates, your pricing will mainly depend on how you choose to move. If you hire one of the best moving companies, you can expect to pay up to $7,500 (sometimes more) for your move across the country.
Renting a truck from U-Haul or U-Haul competitors—or going with one of the best moving container companies will require more work on your end, but it can help you save several thousand dollars on your move.
We’ve gathered quotes from the nation’s top movers. Here’s a closer look at how some of our favorite professional moving companies compare in terms of their average moving costs for a two-bedroom move:
| Company | Local moves (≤50 miles) | Long-distance moves (250 miles) | Cross-country moves (2,000 miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safeway Moving | Not available for local moves | $3,000–$7,000 | $4,700–$5,300 |
| Mayzlin Relocation | No pricing info | $3,600–$8,000 | $10,000 |
| U-Pack | Not available for local moves | $1,100–$1,700 | $2,400–$3,900 |
| PODS | $225–$850 | $759–$1,900 | $3,000–$4,900 |
| Budget Truck Rental | $29.99 per day, plus mileage (varies by location) | $1,154 | $3,509 |
| Penske Truck Rental | $79.99 per day, plus mileage (varies by location) | $1,199–$1,750 | $2,700–4,300 |
Factors that affect the cost to move a two-bedroom home cross-country
Regardless of the type of move you decide on, several factors can influence how much it costs to move across the country.
- The size of your move: Not all two-bedroom apartments and houses are the same. If you have a lot of stuff, you’ll need a larger truck or moving container, which will increase the price of your move.
- The time of year: Summer tends to be the busy season for moving, and prices are higher as a result. Moving during the off-season can be cheaper.
- Location: Certain locations can be more or less expensive due to demand, distance from a company’s main warehouse, and other logistics-related factors.
- Insurance: Traditional moving companies, truck rentals, and moving containers often offer additional insurance coverage for your belongings.
- Additional services: If you opt for packing, vehicle shipping, and other specialty services, you can expect to pay more for your move.
- Complex moves: Moving companies will often charge extra if they have to navigate multiple flights of stairs, use a shuttle to access your home, or deal with specialty items like a piano or pool table.
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How to move a two-bedroom home cross-country
There’s no shortage of options for you to move a two-bedroom apartment or house cross-country. Of course, the most cost-effective way isn’t always the best for your specific situation.
Here’s a breakdown of some of your options, from full-service movers to moving containers and moving truck rentals.
Full-service movers
If you’re willing to pay extra for convenience, consider a professional moving company. Full-service movers can help with everything from packing and loading to unloading and unpacking. They provide the moving truck and the labor to get everything to your new home.
Many white glove movers also provide value-added services, such as furniture assembly and disassembly, crating for specialty items like pianos, full-value insurance coverage, and packing supplies. Be sure to confirm which services are included in your free quote and which require an additional fee.
While using full-service movers is convenient, they’re much more expensive than the other cross-country moving options, with average prices often reaching $7,500. Costs may be even higher if you move during the peak season, so try to move on weekdays and away from the summer months.
Pros and cons
- Less physical labor and stress
- Experience handling fragile and bulky items
- You don’t have to do any driving
- Additional services like packing, furniture assembly, and cleanup
- More expensive than DIY moves and moving containers
- Scheduling conflicts could interfere with your preferred moving date
- Subject to the company’s timeline for pickup, transport, and delivery
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Moving containers
With moving container rentals, you’re responsible for packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking the container, and providing packing materials. The moving container company handles the transportation to your new home.
Most moving container companies give you a limited amount of time (usually three days) to load and unload the container after the drop-off. You could also hire a labor-only company to load and unload everything for you.
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Moving container companies offer several different container sizes. We usually recommend a 16-foot container for two-bedroom homes. Price-wise, cross-country moving container rentals are slightly more expensive than a truck rental, with costs typically ranging between $3,000 and $5,000. Scheduling during the off-season can help you get lower prices.
Pros and cons
- No need to drive a moving truck
- Much cheaper than using full-service movers
- More control over when the company delivers your container
- Some moving containers can also be used as temporary storage units
- Typically more expensive than a rental truck
- You have to do all of the heavy lifting yourself
- Greater risk of damage if you don’t pack items properly
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Moving truck rentals
If money is your main concern, a full DIY move with a moving truck rental is a solid choice. You’re responsible for everything from picking up and dropping off the truck to packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading.
Moving truck rentals generally provide more flexible moving dates, making it easier to adjust your schedule as needed.
While the average cost of moving with a truck rental is by far the cheapest option (usually ranging from around $1,800–$3,500), remember that you’ll also rack up expenses for gas, food, and lodging with a cross-country move.
Pros and cons
- Generally the cheapest option for cross-country moves
- More control over the timeline for your moving date and transportation
- Large moving trucks have ample space for a two-bedroom home
- Some moving trucks can also be used for personal vehicle towing
- Can be stressful and time-consuming for cross-country moves
- You’ll be responsible for all physical labor
- Gas, food, and lodging costs can add up faster than expected
How to move a two-bedroom home locally
Local moves are usually defined as moves of 50 miles or less. Professional local movers will charge an hourly rate for each mover. The more stuff you have, the higher the price will be.
It’s also worth noting that moving container availability can be somewhat limited for a local move. Some moving container companies like U-Pack don’t service local moves at all.
As with cross-country moves, local full-service movers cost more than DIY moves. Ultimately, choosing between professional moving services and a DIY move depends on your budget, preferences, and the complexity of your move.
Our recommendation: If you prefer the DIY route, we recommend Budget Truck Rental, as their rates and availability are better than other moving truck providers. For a full-service move, Mayzlin Relocation is a great option with a flexible cancellation policy, packing services, and more.
How to move a two-bedroom home long-distance
A long-distance move is usually at least 250 miles (and often across state lines). However, it isn’t as far as cross-country moves, which are 2,000 miles or more.
The best long-distance moving companies charge a flat rate based on the weight of your belongings and other cost factors like the time of year. You’ll also need to prioritize hiring professional movers who are properly licensed to transport your household goods across state lines.
Rental trucks and moving containers are also readily available for long-distance moves, and can offer more flexible moving dates to better fit your schedule.
Our recommendation: For full-service long-distance moves, we recommend American Van Lines or Safeway Moving, as they both have widespread availability and excellent reputations. For DIY moves, we recommend U-Pack due to its transparent upfront pricing and the fact that you only pay for the space you use.
How to choose the right mover for your two-bedroom home
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Whether you’re looking to decrease your moving expenses with a DIY move or prefer to leave the heavy lifting to the professionals, planning ahead can help you manage the cost of the move.
Shop around for quotes using our moving costs calculator to get an idea of the cost of your move. Keep in mind that add-ons like packing services, unpacking, and furniture disassembly can increase the cost of moving.
While you’ll likely spend several thousand dollars for any type of cross-country move, getting multiple quotes and considering your budget and moving preferences will help you find the most affordable option.
Here are a few recommendations:
- Truck rental: If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move cross-country, you’ll want to rent a moving truck from rental providers like Budget Truck Rental or Penske.
- Container: If you want to save money but aren’t comfortable driving a rental truck across the country, opt for a company like U-Pack or PODS, with widespread availability and multiple container options.
- Full-service: If you want help with loading and unloading or more involved tasks, go with a full-service moving company like Safeway Moving or Mayzlin Relocation. This will allow you to take a more hands-off approach to your move.
FAQs about how to move a two-bedroom home cross-country
How much money should you save to move cross-country?
Due to their distance, cross-country moving costs tend to be much more expensive than local moves or long-distance moves. You may need to save anywhere from $2,000–$7,500, depending on whether you’re renting a moving truck or using professional movers.
How do you calculate moving costs?
Our moving cost calculator is a great way to get an accurate range for how much your move will cost. This handy tool accounts for factors like the size of your home, move locations, and the type of move you have planned to give you a good idea of what your quotes will look like.
What factors affect the cost of moving a two-bedroom home cross-country?
Aside from the distance of the move, your total cost can vary based on the start and end destinations of your move, the time of year, and the total amount of household goods you need to move.
You may also need to pay extra for moving specialty items, adding full value protection coverage, or having movers climb multiple flights of stairs.
What is the average size of a two-bedroom apartment?
The average two-bedroom apartment in the US is between 900 and 1,200 square feet. That being said, your apartment could be smaller or significantly larger than this range, which can affect the cost to move your two-bedroom apartment cross-country.
We recommend getting quotes based on the size of your apartment and the amount of belongings you need to move for an accurate estimate.
Is it worth hiring a moving company to move a two-bedroom home?
It depends on your unique situation. If you’re physically unable (or uncomfortable) to pack and load your possessions, a full-service moving company is a better option.
This is especially true if you have bulky, heavy, or fragile items that require extra care and handling. A full-service moving company can offer much-needed peace of mind by taking on the bulk of the work for your move.
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