How Much Does a Long-Distance Move Cost in 2026?

What a long-distance move really costs

There is no single honest "average" price for a long-distance move, because two moves of the same distance can be very different jobs. A studio with no stairs and a four-bedroom house with a piano are not the same move. That is why our calculator gives a range, not one number, and why you should always get written estimates from real movers before you decide.

How interstate movers set the price

When you move from one state to another, the mover is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Interstate movers publish their prices in a document called a tariff, and most of them charge by the weight of your things and the distance they travel. On top of that come extra services you choose or need.

• Weight is the biggest lever. Fewer things means a lower bill.
• Distance matters, but price per mile usually drops on longer hauls.
• Packing by the crew, and the boxes they bring, is charged separately.
• Access problems add cost: stairs, elevators, long walks from the truck, or a smaller shuttle truck when the big one can't reach your door.
• Storage costs extra if your new place isn't ready on delivery day.
• Season matters. Summer is the busiest time for movers, so prices and wait times often go up.

How to check the price you are given

Ask each mover for a written estimate after they have seen your things, in person or by video. Federal rules require movers to give you a written estimate, and to tell you whether it is binding or non-binding.

Binding or non-binding: why it changes your bill

A binding estimate is a fixed price for the things and services listed. A non-binding estimate is the mover's best guess, and the final bill is based on the actual weight. With a non-binding estimate, federal rules say you only have to pay 110% of the estimate at delivery to get your things. Any amount above that can be billed later, and you get at least 30 days to pay it. A binding not-to-exceed estimate caps the price: if the weight comes in lower, you pay less, but never more than the quote.

Ways to lower the cost that really work

• Move less. Sell, give away or recycle what you won't use. Heavy items like old dressers, books and exercise gear cost the most to ship.
• Pack yourself. Ask what the price is with and without crew packing.
• Be flexible. If you can choose your dates, ask whether a weekday or a date outside summer is cheaper.
• Fix access problems ahead of time. Reserve the elevator, get a parking permit if your city needs one, and tell the mover about stairs, so there are no surprise fees.
• Compare like with like. Line up three written estimates side by side and check that each one lists the same inventory and services.

Protection for your things

By law, interstate movers must offer Full Value Protection, which makes the mover responsible for repairing, replacing or paying for lost or damaged items. You can choose a cheaper option called Released Value, but it only pays 60 cents per pound per item. A 10-pound TV worth $500 would get just $6. Read this part of the paperwork carefully before you sign.

Price is not the only number to check

Before you book, look up the mover's USDOT number on the FMCSA website to make sure it is registered for interstate moves, and read its complaint history. A low price from an unregistered company is not a deal.

Watch for these extra charges

Extra fees are legal when they're listed in the mover's tariff and in your paperwork. Ask about each one before you sign: shuttle trucks, stairs and elevators, long carries, bulky items like pianos or hot tubs, storage-in-transit, and waiting time if you aren't ready.