Moving Cost Calculator

Estimate your cross-country move in seconds — based on 2026 published prices from PODS, U-Pack and U-Haul.

Moving from (state) Moving to (state) Home size Move method

Moving container
PODS / U-Pack / U-Box Rental truck (DIY)
U-Haul / Penske / Budget Full-service movers
They pack & drive

Estimated cost range

Please note: This is an estimate range based on publicly published 2026 brand prices (see sources below), not a binding quote. Exact long-distance quotes require your addresses and dates. Once you have a quote, read our guide on how movers actually pay less before you book.

How movers actually pay less →

3 ways to lower this estimate

Move off-peak: mid-month and winter moves are typically 20–30% cheaper than summer weekends.
Declutter first: container and truck pricing scales with space — every room you clear can save a container.
Compare all three methods: for 1,000+ mile moves, containers often beat full-service movers by 30–50%.

How this calculator works

We combine published 2026 prices from the major brands with your route distance and home size. Outputs are estimate ranges (not quotes): the low end reflects off-peak/shorter moves, the high end reflects peak-season/longer moves. Home-size multipliers: studio ×0.65, 1BR ×0.85, 2BR ×1.0, 3BR ×1.35, 4BR+ ×1.7. Distance is approximated from state capitals (great-circle × 1.3 driving factor) — adjust if you know your exact mileage.

Data last updated: October 17, 2026. We re-check brand prices periodically; our research standards are on the about page.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this estimate?

It's a planning range built from real published 2026 prices (PODS, U-Pack, U-Haul comparisons). Real quotes vary by exact addresses, dates, and how much you move. Use it to compare methods, then get exact quotes before booking.

What's included in container pricing?

Typically: container rental, delivery to your old home, transportation, and delivery to your new home. Fuel surcharges, insurance/contents protection, and locks are usually extra.

Why a range instead of one number?

Moving prices swing with season, route popularity, and timing. A range is more honest than a single number that will be wrong for half of all moves.

Container vs. rental truck — which is cheaper?

For long distances, containers usually win once you add truck rental + fuel (~$1/mile overage) + hotels + your time. For short local moves, a DIY truck is often cheapest.

Do I need to enter personal info?

No. This calculator runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is sent anywhere or stored.

Data sources

PODS, "Cross-Country Moving Costs, Explained" (Dec 2025) & "How Much Does a Storage Container Cost?" (Jul 2025), pods.com/blog — container monthly $139–$239, cross-country averages $3,100–$7,300, route examples (NY→LA $3,138–$4,708, etc.)
U-Pack, "How Much Does a ReloCube Cost?" (Jul 2026), upack.com/articles — avg ReloCube move $2,100; route examples: SLC→Memphis $2,010, Norfolk→Little Rock $3,700, Boise→Pensacola $6,219
U-Pack, "How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Moving Truck One Way?" (Aug 2026) — truck totals: Budget $6,437 / Penske $5,253 / U-Haul $5,112 (SLC→Nashville); U-Box comparisons: 1 box $2,143 / 3 boxes $3,802 / 4 boxes $9,109
PODS local-moving FAQ (pods.com) — local container $299–$499; full-service local ~$1,250; truck ~$155

U-Box figures above are as published in U-Pack's comparison articles (Aug 2026); U-Haul's own site figures will replace them once verified.