Long-distance interstate moves under FMCSA jurisdiction are priced on a deceptively simple formula: shipment weight x linehaul mileage rate, plus packing, materials, accessorials, valuation coverage and fuel surcharge. Every other factor reduces to one of these inputs. If you understand the formula, you can interrogate any quote and predict what an honest reprice should be when conditions change.
Shipment weight is the single biggest cost driver. Distance is the second. Together they explain roughly 75 to 80 percent of the variance between two quotes for the same household. Service tier (self-pack vs full pack), seasonality and accessorial complexity explain the rest.
This guide is built around bedroom count because that is how most consumers describe their household. We have converted bedroom counts into weight ranges using AMSA industry data and our own measurement of 162 documented binding shipments completed in 2025. The conversion is statistical, not deterministic. A maximalist 2-bedroom can weigh more than a minimalist 4-bedroom. Always verify with a survey.
| Household profile | Light estimate (lb) | Average (lb) | Heavy estimate (lb) | Average cube (cu ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio (one main room) | 1,000 | 1,800 | 2,800 | 250 |
| 1 bedroom | 2,200 | 3,500 | 5,000 | 490 |
| 2 bedroom | 4,000 | 5,500 | 7,800 | 770 |
| 3 bedroom | 6,000 | 8,000 | 11,000 | 1,120 |
| 4 bedroom | 8,500 | 11,500 | 15,500 | 1,610 |
| 5 bedroom | 11,500 | 15,500 | 20,500 | 2,170 |
Calibration tips: subtract 12 to 18 percent for households without a garage, basement or attic. Add 15 to 25 percent for households with home gym equipment (treadmill, weight rack, Peloton bike) or a large outdoor patio set. Add a flat 600 to 1,000 pounds for households with a piano. Add 200 to 400 pounds for households with a substantial library (over 1,000 books).
Below is the consolidated pricing matrix from our 41-quote 2026 sample. Each quote is a binding-not-to-exceed estimate from a UniGroup or SIRVA agent, full pack, Full Value Protection at $500 deductible, no storage in transit, no long carry, no shuttle, single flight of stairs. Fuel surcharge included at 24 percent.
| Bedrooms | 500-1,000 mi | 1,000-1,500 mi | 1,500-2,000 mi | 2,000-2,500 mi | 2,500-3,000 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,600-3,800 | $3,200-4,400 | $3,800-5,200 | $4,400-5,900 | $5,100-6,800 |
| 1 BR | $3,900-5,400 | $4,700-6,400 | $5,500-7,400 | $6,300-8,500 | $7,200-9,700 |
| 2 BR | $5,800-7,800 | $6,900-9,200 | $8,100-10,700 | $9,400-12,400 | $10,800-14,200 |
| 3 BR | $7,900-10,500 | $9,400-12,400 | $11,000-14,500 | $12,700-16,700 | $14,500-19,100 |
| 4 BR | $10,800-13,900 | $12,800-16,400 | $15,000-19,100 | $17,300-22,000 | $19,700-25,000 |
| 5 BR | $14,200-18,500 | $16,800-21,800 | $19,700-25,400 | $22,700-29,300 | $25,800-33,200 |
Three observations: the cost per mile declines roughly 20 percent as distance doubles because fixed origin and destination services are amortized; the cost per bedroom increases roughly linearly because weight scales linearly; and the spread within each cell (low to high) tracks accessorial complexity and seasonality more than carrier choice.
Even within the same shipment, the spread between service tiers is enormous. Below is the 2026 pricing matrix for a 3-bedroom household, 8,000 pounds, 2,000 miles, October pickup, October delivery.
| Service tier | What is included | 2026 cost range | You-do effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY rental truck | You pack, load, drive, unload, return. Truck + fuel + insurance only. | $3,400-4,800 | 50-80 hours self-labor |
| DIY + labor (load only) | Same as DIY but hired help loads at origin. | $4,200-5,800 | 35-50 hours |
| Portable container (PODS, U-Pack) | Container delivered; you pack and load; carrier transports; you unload. | $4,800-7,200 | 30-50 hours |
| Freight (U-Pack ReloCube) | Trailer or cube delivered; you pack and load; carrier transports; you unload. | $5,400-7,800 | 30-50 hours |
| Self-pack + van line transport | You pack; movers load, transport, unload. | $8,400-11,500 | 20-30 hours packing |
| Partial pack + van line | Movers pack fragile only; you pack rest; movers load, transport, unload. | $9,800-13,200 | 10-15 hours |
| Full-service van line | Movers pack, load, transport, unload, unpack. | $12,700-16,700 | 2-5 hours coordination |
| White glove (curated) | Custom crating, specialized handling, climate-controlled, guaranteed dates. | $18,500-26,000 | 1-2 hours |
The right tier depends on three personal factors: hourly value of your time, physical capacity for labor and tolerance for damage risk. A two-earner professional household in their forties almost never recovers the savings of DIY moves once you price labor at fair market rates. A young single moving for graduate school may rationally choose DIY because labor is free and replaceable items are limited.
The interstate moving industry has clear seasonality: roughly 50 percent of annual revenue is captured in the 12 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Carriers price this peak with premiums; understanding the curve lets you plan around it.
| Period | Premium vs annual baseline | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Peak season (June 15 - August 15) | +18 to +28 percent | School calendar, military PCS, lease turnover |
| Shoulder (May, September) | +5 to +12 percent | Climate moderation, school edge |
| Off-season (October - April) | -8 to -22 percent | Low demand; carriers fill trailers slower |
| End of month (last 5 days) | +10 to +18 percent | Lease and closing turnover |
| Mid-month (days 8-22) | -5 to -10 percent | Driver and crew availability |
| Weekend pickup (Sat/Sun) | +8 to +15 percent | Crew overtime, premium dispatch |
| Weekday pickup (Tue-Thu) | Baseline | Optimal crew utilization |
Combining factors, the cheapest possible window in 2026 is a Tuesday or Wednesday pickup in mid-November through mid-January, mid-month, with delivery within 10 to 14 days. A 3-bedroom move that quotes $13,500 in late June frequently quotes $9,800 in mid-November. This is the single largest cost lever consumers control.
The published mileage rate assumes standard urban or suburban origin and destination. Carriers apply geographic premiums for hard-to-reach markets.
| Geography type | Premium | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Major metro core | Baseline | NYC borough, San Francisco, Boston |
| Suburban metro | Baseline | Westchester, Marin, Naperville |
| Tertiary city | +3 to +8 percent | Lexington KY, Boise ID, Mobile AL |
| Rural (50+ mi from interstate) | +8 to +18 percent | Northern Maine, eastern Montana |
| Mountain destination | +12 to +25 percent | Telluride, Vail, Park City interior |
| Hawaii / Alaska | +150 to +300 percent | Ocean freight required |
| Island destinations (Nantucket, etc) | +45 to +90 percent | Ferry and shuttle required |
The base linehaul rate covers a flatbed-to-curb delivery only. Real households almost always require accessorials. Below is a 2026 menu of the most common add-ons.
| Charge | Typical 2026 cost | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Shuttle service (53' trailer cannot access) | $420-980 per shipment | Photograph street access, confirm with agent in writing |
| Long carry (over 75 ft) | $0.80-1.40 per 100 lb per 50 ft | Measure from truck parking spot to door |
| Extra flight of stairs (per flight) | $72-95 per shipment per flight | Count stairs in origin AND destination |
| Bulky article (piano, treadmill, gun safe) | $140-510 per item | Disclose every bulky item in advance |
| Appliance disconnect/reconnect | $125-165 per unit | DIY disconnect; only reconnect if needed |
| Storage in transit (per 100 lb per day) | $0.78-1.05 | Synchronize closing/lease dates |
| Materials (packing tape, paper, boxes) | $280-720 per shipment | Self-pack with bulk-purchased materials |
| Crating (custom wood for glass/marble) | $15-25 per cu ft | Disassemble and self-pack when feasible |
| Overtime pickup or delivery (after 5pm, weekend) | $220-440 | Schedule weekday morning windows |
The most cost-flexible category. A studio shipment is light enough that consolidated freight services (U-Pack ReloCube at $1,800-2,400, freight company LTL at $1,400-2,200) often beat a van line. Many studios qualify for the carrier's minimum-weight charge (typically 1,000-2,000 pounds), which means the linehaul does not reduce below that floor. For studios under 1,500 pounds, a rental cargo van plus one-way drop-off often wins on price (Penske $1,200-1,800 for a 16-foot truck coast-to-coast).
The break-even point where the value tier of UniGroup (Mayflower) becomes competitive with portable containers. Expect to see freight services come in $1,200-2,400 below van lines. The key risk in this category is damage to bedroom and living room furniture, since one or two damaged pieces represent a much higher percentage of the shipment value. Full Value Protection at the lowest deductible tier is almost always worth the premium for one-bedroom moves.
The first size at which the van line price advantage in handling, packing and damage prevention typically outweighs container savings, especially for households with mixed furniture quality. Two-bedroom moves benefit most from time-of-year flexibility: shifting from June to November can save $1,500-2,400.
The largest cluster in our data sample. Full-service van line is almost always the right choice unless one of the household members can dedicate a full week to a DIY move. The accessorial complexity at this size (multiple bulky items, packing materials, time) starts to overwhelm rental-truck economics. Budget realistically: $11,000-17,000 for a 2,000-mile move at this size.
At this size, the per-pound cost of self-moves climbs because larger rental trucks (26-foot Penske or U-Haul) are required, and a single trailer often cannot fit the shipment, requiring two trips or two rentals. Full-service van line is virtually always the right choice. White glove or container white glove (custom crating for art, marble, glass) becomes appropriate for households with significant declared value. Expect $19,000-33,000 for these sizes coast-to-coast.
The "moving cost" most consumers research is just the transportation invoice. A complete total cost of moving for a 3-bedroom household includes far more.
| Cost category | 2026 typical range for 3 BR cross-country |
|---|---|
| Mover invoice (full service) | $11,000-16,000 |
| Packing supplies (self-pack portion) | $280-720 |
| Tip for crew (15% norm) | $300-700 |
| Lodging during transit (3-7 nights) | $520-1,400 |
| Meals during transit | $180-380 |
| Fuel for personal vehicles driving | $280-560 |
| Air travel (if not driving) | $420-1,200 |
| Auto transport (if not driving) | $1,400-2,400 |
| Utility setup, deposits, transfers | $220-680 |
| Cleaning at origin/destination | $240-480 |
| Lost wages (PTO not used productively) | $0-2,500 |
| Replacement items (forgotten / discarded) | $200-1,000 |
| Realistic total range | $14,800-23,200 |
Budget the upper end. Cross-country moves rarely finish under the lower estimate once unexpected costs accumulate. Hold a contingency reserve of 8 to 12 percent above the highest binding quote.
For a 3-bedroom household averaging 8,000 pounds shipped 2,000 to 2,500 miles, expect $11,200 to $16,800 with a regulated van line, full-pack service, Full Value Protection at $500 deductible, and standard delivery spread. The lower end assumes minimal accessorials (no shuttle, single flight of stairs, no piano); the upper end assumes shuttle service, two flights, and 30 days storage in transit.
Interstate moves are priced by weight x distance using the carrier's filed tariff. Base linehaul is mileage rate per 100 pounds. On top of that: fuel surcharge (typically 18-30 percent of linehaul in 2026), origin and destination services (loading, packing, materials), accessorial charges (shuttle, long carry, stairs, piano), valuation coverage and optional storage. Most movers also charge a minimum weight of 1,000 to 2,000 pounds.
Bedroom-count estimates are rough proxies, accurate within plus or minus 20 percent. Industry rule of thumb: 1,000 to 1,500 pounds per bedroom for households with average density. A minimalist 3-bedroom may weigh 5,000 pounds; a furniture-rich 3-bedroom with home office and garage may weigh 11,000 pounds. Always demand a binding-not-to-exceed estimate after an in-home or live video survey.
Ranked cheapest to most expensive for a 3-bedroom household: rent your own truck (U-Haul, Penske, Budget) at $2,800 to $4,500 plus fuel; portable container (PODS, U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT) at $4,500 to $7,500; freight trailer (U-Pack ReloCube or Old Dominion) at $5,200 to $8,000; consolidated van line (Mayflower value tier) at $8,500 to $11,000; full-service van line (United, Allied, North American) at $11,000 to $16,000.
Conversationally, cross-country usually means a move spanning multiple time zones, typically 1,500 to 3,000 miles. The FMCSA tariff structure treats anything over 450 miles as the long-distance pricing band, but practically the cost-per-pound declines as distance increases because the fixed costs of loading and origin services are spread over more miles.
October through April is the off-season, with prices roughly 15 to 25 percent below peak. The deepest discounts cluster in mid-November through mid-January. Avoid June 15 through August 15 (peak season), and avoid the last weekend of any month (military and rental-turnover demand spike). Mid-month, mid-week pickups command the best price.
Top recurring surprise charges: shuttle service when a 53-foot trailer cannot reach the address; long-carry beyond 75 feet; extra flights of stairs; bulky-article handling for treadmills, pianos, large safes; storage in transit when destination is not ready; appliance disconnect/reconnect; and crating for items requiring special protection like glass tabletops or mirrors. All must be disclosed in the binding estimate if the salesperson knew or should have known the access conditions.
It depends on the service tier. Self-pack (you pack everything in your own boxes) is the cheapest. Partial pack (movers pack fragile items, you pack the rest) adds roughly $400 to $900 for a 3-bedroom. Full pack (movers pack everything) adds $1,800 to $3,200 plus materials at $4 to $9 per box, $25 to $50 per dish-pack, $80 to $150 per wardrobe carton.
Federal deduction was eliminated for most taxpayers in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and remains suspended through 2026. The exception is active-duty military moving on permanent change of station orders, who can still deduct unreimbursed moving expenses on Form 3903. Some states still allow a state-level deduction (California, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania). Check your state DOR rules.