It’s no secret that moving is expensive. But just how expensive it can be vary depending on several factors. One of the most important factors is distance. The farther you move, the more it will cost.
On average it will cost you between $3,000 and $5,000 1000 miles, but there are other factors to consider as well, such as the weight and size of your belongings. Here we’ll take a look at some of the things that affect the price of a long-distance move and provide an estimate for how much it would cost to move 1000 miles.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Long-Distance Move
1. Distance
The first and most important factor that affects the cost of a long-distance move is just how far you’re moving. The further away you go, the more it costs to transport your belongings to their new destination.
For example, if you moved from New York City to Los Angeles, it would take nine days for your stuff to arrive after being picked up from your home. But if you moved that same stuff from New York City to Beijing, China, it would take a full 22 days for it to arrive at its final destination.
Moving 1000 miles will cost anywhere from $3,000-$5,000, depending on the distance.
Not only is it important to consider how far you’re moving, but also what you’re moving. The total weight of your stuff will affect the price of your move, simply because there are fixed costs involved in transporting each item.
For example, say you’re planning on moving 10 miles away from where you live and all your belongings packed into two 10-pound boxes. That’s only 20 pounds total, and it will probably be much cheaper than moving a 500-pound grand piano.
The weight of your stuff won’t necessarily determine the price, but it does affect how much things like gas and transportation costs add to the overall bill.
On top of distance and weight, another factor that affects the cost of a long-distance move is how much stuff you have to pack up. The more boxes you have containing the same items (kitchen items in one box, bedroom items in another), the more it will cost.
It doesn’t matter how big or small each item is; what’s important here is how many of them there are. The more items you have, the longer it will take to pack them all up, which means more time on the clock for your movers. And if they’re packing all of your stuff into boxes instead of just throwing it in a truck, that takes time too.
4. When Are You Moving?
The time of year you choose to move can also affect the price. Moving in the summer will be much more expensive than moving in the winter, simply because it’s a busier time for movers, and hiring them will cost more money. Rates tend to go up during these periods even if you’re just looking for a portion of a company’s fleet (rather than their full team), and they may not even be able to help you.
Moving companies have different levels of service when it comes to long-distance moves. And the type of service you choose will affect the price.
For example, a moving company’s “basic” level of service may only include packing your belongings and transporting them in a truck from Point A to Point B. But if you want them to unpack your stuff, put it in your new home, and take away all the trash once they’re done, you’ll need to pay more for their “full” level of service.
6. Additional Services
The final factor that affects the cost of a long-distance move is any additional services you may need during the process. For example, if you need them to store your belongings for a certain amount of time or things like stairs involved in the move, these will all cost extra.
If you want movers to do anything beyond packing up your boxes and driving them from Point A to Point B, make sure you account for any additional fees when comparing quotes.
Although there are many moving companies out there, it doesn’t mean that they’re all offering similar prices. You can usually find a significant difference in pricing between companies, especially those that operate at the local and long-distance levels.
If you’re looking to save some money on your move, it pays off in the long run if you pack your belongings instead of hiring professional movers to do it for you. Of course, this requires a lot more time and effort on your part, but it usually saves you a ton of money.
Packing your items means less time moving, which means fewer hours to pay the movers for. Plus, you don’t have to pay extra fees for packing materials or labor!
3. Move in the Off-Season
Moving in peak moving season (summer) will cost you much more than if you were to move during a slower time of year. It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend or a weekday; high-season rates will always affect your budget.
Downsizing your belongings is another way to cut costs. Getting rid of furniture and several boxes will help reduce the time it takes for movers to pack up your stuff and transport it, which in turn reduces how much you’ll pay them.
Just be aware that disregarding this step may result in an additional charge from the moving company since they’ll have to bring extra materials with them to pack up what you have left!
5. Minimize the Number of Stops Along the Way
Hiring movers to transport your belongings on more than one trip can be costly. If it makes sense, you’re better off packing up everything and letting them drop it all off at your new home before coming back for another round with additional boxes or furniture.
When it comes to long-distance moving, time is money. The more time it takes for movers to pack up your belongings and transport them, the higher the cost tends to be. Thus, anything you can do during the move (i.e., packing inventory yourself, moving in low season) will help cut expenses.
However, if you don’t want to go through all that trouble, keep in mind that the only way to avoid spending more money on a long-distance move is to research several pricing options beforehand. If you’re looking for help with how much it costs to move 1000 miles, check out our moving cost calculator. The more estimates you get, you can choose the best deal for you.
Overall, preparation is the most important factor in determining how much your move will cost. The more prepared you are with inventory and packing needs, the better your chances of saving money on long-distance moving services.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to come closer to knowing exactly what type of budget you’re working with before you even get started.
Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers
What is the average hourly cost for movers?
On average, a mover will charge around $25 to $30 per hour. This price may change depending on the size of your home and how many items you have to pack up or unload.
What is the average cost of long-distance moving?
A typical long-distance move costs anywhere between $0.50 per mile to $0.80 per mile, depending on how far the move is and the size of your home.
The majority of moving companies will provide either a 26-foot truck or a 28-foot truck. It’s important to note that the size of your moving van may be smaller than what you initially thought!
What does it cost to move my pets with me?
If you need to move your pets, this will likely cost extra. You may be able to avoid the fee altogether if your furry friends are small enough to travel in a cage or box.
What should I wear while moving?
If you plan on helping out during the move, comfortable clothing is essential! Depending on how heavy some of the items are or how much you need to lift, you may want to opt for clothes that don’t restrict your mobility. Just make sure they’re appropriate (no sandals)!
What is included in the cost of moving?
The price of any move typically includes labor costs, moving supplies, packing materials, and protective wrap. Additional fees can consist of items that are too large to fit on the truck or fragile pieces of furniture.
How much does it cost to move a refrigerator?
Depending on the size and weight of your refrigerator, this will typically cost between $150 – $200. You may be able to save money if you use recycled packing materials instead of buying them new!
What types of appliances will the movers pack up for me?
Most moving companies provide packing services for fragile items like TVs and large electronics (i.e., washers, dryers, etc.). Keep in mind that if you pack these items yourself, the move may take a little longer and increase costs.
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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