The cost to move out of state in 2026 ranges from $2,200 to over $10,000, with the national average for a standard 2 to 3 bedroom interstate move around $4,300 to $5,000. Out-of-state moves are priced by shipment weight at roughly $0.55 to $0.70 per pound plus a line-haul mileage charge, so the size of your household and the distance between states are the two numbers that determine your price. A studio or one-bedroom may cost $1,500 to $3,000, while a four-bedroom home crossing the country can exceed $10,000.
This guide explains exactly how the cost to move out of state is calculated, gives real 2026 cost tables by home size and distance, and includes a free out-of-state moving cost estimator. Because interstate moves are federally regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), you also get specific protections — a written estimate and the right to verify your mover — that this guide shows you how to use.
The estimator uses 2026 national averages: a per-pound rate that falls with distance ($0.70 under 800 miles, $0.62 to 1,500 miles, $0.55 beyond) applied to typical per-bedroom shipment weights, plus a $0.45-per-mile line-haul component. Treat the result as a full-service planning baseline; DIY options cost less and packing services cost more.
According to interstate cost data from Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines, and several 2026 mover surveys, the national average for a full-service out-of-state move sits around $4,300 to $5,000 for a typical two-to-three-bedroom household, with the full range spanning $2,200 to over $15,000. The spread is wide because two variables dominate: how much you own (weight) and how far you are going (mileage).
| Move profile | Typical out-of-state cost 2026 |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom, short interstate (250-500 mi) | $1,500-$3,000 |
| 2 bedroom, medium interstate (500-1,000 mi) | $3,000-$5,500 |
| 3 bedroom, medium-to-long (1,000-1,500 mi) | $5,000-$8,000 |
| 3-4 bedroom, cross-country (1,500-3,000 mi) | $7,000-$12,000 |
| 4-5 bedroom, cross-country with packing | $10,000-$16,000 |
Shipment weight is the largest lever, and weight scales with home size. Movers estimate roughly 1,000 to 1,500 pounds per furnished room. Here is the cost to move out of state broken down by household, at a representative 1,000-mile interstate distance.
| Home size | Estimated weight | Out-of-state cost (1,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1,800 lbs | $1,500-$2,400 |
| 1 bedroom | 2,500 lbs | $2,200-$3,500 |
| 2 bedroom | 5,000 lbs | $3,500-$6,000 |
| 3 bedroom | 7,500 lbs | $5,000-$8,500 |
| 4 bedroom | 10,000 lbs | $6,500-$10,500 |
| 5+ bedroom | 12,500 lbs | $8,500-$13,000 |
The second lever is mileage. Per-pound rates fall as distance rises, but the line-haul (mileage) charge grows, so the all-in price still climbs with distance. Here is a three-bedroom home (about 7,500 pounds) at different interstate distances.
| Distance | Per-pound rate | 3BR out-of-state cost 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 250 miles | $0.70/lb | $4,500-$6,000 |
| 500 miles | $0.66/lb | $5,000-$6,800 |
| 1,000 miles | $0.62/lb | $5,500-$8,000 |
| 2,000 miles | $0.58/lb | $6,500-$9,500 |
| 3,000 miles | $0.55/lb | $7,500-$11,000 |
Every interstate quote is built from the same components. Understanding them lets you read a binding estimate and spot inflated line items.
| Method | 2BR out-of-state cost | 4BR out-of-state cost | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service van line | $3,500-$6,500 | $7,000-$16,000 | Lowest |
| Rental truck (one-way, you drive) | $1,400-$2,600 | $3,000-$5,500 | Highest |
| Portable container (PODS, U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT) | $1,800-$3,500 | $4,500-$8,500 | Medium |
| Freight trailer (U-Pack, you load space) | $1,600-$3,200 | $4,000-$7,500 | Medium |
| Hybrid (container/truck + labor-only loaders) | $2,200-$4,000 | $5,000-$8,500 | Medium |
Jordan is moving a two-bedroom from Columbus, OH to Charlotte, NC, about 430 miles. Estimated shipment weight 5,200 pounds. Full-service mover, self-packed.
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Weight charge | 5,200 lbs at $0.66/lb | $3,432 |
| Line-haul mileage + fuel | 430 miles | $280 |
| Full-value protection | declared $25,000 | $220 |
| Origin 2nd-floor carry | access surcharge | $90 |
| Total out-of-state 2BR move | $4,022 |
The Patels are moving a three-bedroom from Tampa, FL to San Diego, CA, about 2,500 miles. Estimated shipment weight 7,800 pounds. Full-service van line with partial packing.
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Weight charge | 7,800 lbs at $0.56/lb | $4,368 |
| Line-haul mileage + fuel | 2,500 miles | $1,150 |
| Partial packing (fragiles/electronics) | labor + materials | $680 |
| Full-value protection | declared $45,000 | $420 |
| Car shipping (1 sedan, open) | 2,500 miles | $1,100 |
| Total cross-country 3BR move | $7,718 |
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move), interstate household-goods movers must be registered with a USDOT number, provide you a written estimate, and give you two free booklets: "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" and "Ready to Move." You are entitled to a copy of the bill of lading and inventory, and you can choose between released-value protection ($0.60 per pound per article, included at no charge) and full-value protection. The FMCSA also operates a complaint database, so you can check a mover's history before you book.
The cost to move out of state in 2026 ranges from $2,200 to over $10,000, with the national average for a 2 to 3 bedroom interstate move around $4,300 to $5,000. Moves are priced by weight (about $0.55-$0.70 per pound) plus line-haul mileage, so a studio may run $1,500-$3,000 while a four-bedroom home can exceed $10,000.
About $3,000 to $6,500 in 2026 depending on distance. A two-bedroom weighs roughly 5,000 pounds; at $0.60-$0.65 per pound that is $3,000-$3,250 in weight charges plus mileage and fuel. A 250-mile interstate hop sits near the low end; a cross-country two-bedroom approaches the high end.
Yes. A rental truck you drive across state lines costs $1,400-$3,000 including one-way fees, mileage, and fuel, and a portable container runs $1,500-$4,000. Full-service interstate movers cost $3,500-$8,000+ for the same household. The trade-off is labor, driving time, and fatigue.
From shipment weight times a per-pound rate (about $0.55-$0.70 in 2026), plus a line-haul mileage charge, plus add-ons for packing, full-value protection, stairs, long carries, shuttles, and storage-in-transit. The carrier weighs the truck before and after loading to set the billable weight, and interstate carriers must provide a written estimate under FMCSA rules.
Book 4 to 8 weeks ahead, and 8 to 12 weeks for a summer move. Interstate van lines schedule trucks across long routes and popular month-end and summer dates fill quickly. Booking early also lets you gather three binding estimates and verify each mover's USDOT number.