Planning ranges for a 2,000-mile move
| Home | Typical weight | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Few items | about 1,200 lb | $1,100 to $1,750 | $1,100 to $1,750 |
| Studio | about 2,000 lb | $1,100 to $1,750 | $1,400 to $2,250 |
| 1 bedroom | about 3,000 lb | $1,550 to $2,500 | $2,100 to $3,350 |
| 2 bedroom | about 5,500 lb | $2,850 to $4,600 | $3,850 to $6,150 |
| 3 bedroom | about 8,500 lb | $4,400 to $7,050 | $5,950 to $9,500 |
| 4 bedroom | about 12,000 lb | $6,250 to $10,000 | $8,400 to $13,450 |
| 5+ bedroom | about 15,500 lb | $8,050 to $12,900 | $10,850 to $17,350 |
Moves from Chicago to California or Washington sit at about this distance. For your cities, use the form above.
Your options compared
| Option | You do | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Little or nothing | Larger homes, tight schedules | Higher cost, delivery windows |
| Moving container | Packing and loading | Flexible people on a budget | Parking and permits for the container |
| Rental truck | Everything | Small loads, people happy to drive | Fuel, lodging, risk, lifting |
| Selling and rebuying | Sell, rebuy | Small homes with cheap furniture | Replacement cost, time |
When comparing a rental truck, count fuel, lodging, insurance, parking, equipment rental and days off work.
What to think about before shipping everything
At this distance, each 1,000 pounds costs real money in our ranges. Ask of every big item: would I buy this again at its share of the shipping bill?
- Usually worth moving: good solid wood, family pieces, quality mattresses, items you can't replace.
- Often not worth moving: flat-pack furniture, old appliances, worn sofas, books you won't read again.
Other costs of a cross-country move
Your budget should include more than the mover's bill:
- Your own travel: flights or driving, hotels, meals.
- Vehicles: driving your car or shipping it through a separate auto transporter. We don't ship cars.
- Temporary housing: your shipment often arrives after you do.
- Setup costs: deposits, utilities, license and registration fees.
- Coverage: Full Value Protection or other valuation.
How long your budget has to last
Some people wait days or weeks for their shipment on a shared load. Keep an essentials kit and budget for the gap. How to move across the country has a full planning sequence.