My Texas to Minnesota Move Cost $76 Less Than Quoted
Houston, TX → Maple Grove, MN
$2,428
Roughly a one-bedroom worth of belongings
$2,352
$76 less than my quote
1,295 mi
Long-distance, interstate
- I compared five quotes before I hired U-Pack for my Texas to Minnesota move.
- My final bill came in $76 under my $2,428 estimate, and nothing was lost or damaged along the way.
- I shared all of it, my quotes, my bills, and my ratings, as part of moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project.
See what your move really costs before a mover tells you.
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This account is based on a conversation with Sree A., who moved from Houston, Texas, to Maple Grove, Minnesota, in April 2024 using U-Pack. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
My move from Texas to Minnesota
In April 2024, I got an exciting new professional opportunity. The catch was that my wife and I had to move from Houston to Maple Grove, Minnesota, a cross-country move of 1,295 miles. I also wanted a change of scenery, so trading Houston’s sprawl for the tree-lined streets of suburban Minneapolis appealed to me, and I wanted my move to be as zen as my new surroundings.
We had to move most of the belongings in our one-bedroom apartment, which came to about 35 boxes, or an estimated 3,500 pounds of stuff. I was especially worried about my fragile TV and LCD screens, and because the trip was so long, I didn’t want to lose anything along the way. Finding a moving service with a solid reputation was my top priority.
I used moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator as part of my research. According to moveBuddha, users who compare movers this way save more than 30% versus taking the first quote they get.
My U-Pack experience at a glance
Here’s what stood out most about moving with U-Pack, and where my car shipper fell short.
- Communication: U-Pack’s communication was prompt and seamless from start to finish. The company contacted me several times before the move, just the right amount of checking in, and sent an email outlining the container moving process along with a video tutorial on loading a ReloCube to minimize shifting and prevent damage.
- Pricing accuracy and transparency: I was thrilled to find that I paid less than U-Pack’s initial quote. The quote was $2,428, and my actual cost was $2,352.
- Timeliness: My household goods arrived in Minnesota right on time, within U-Pack’s estimated delivery window.
- Professionalism: U-Pack’s customer service representatives and drivers were helpful, professional, and prompt.
- Flexibility: I had up to 72 hours to pack my ReloCube and could hire local moving labor if I wanted it. I also could have ordered a second container without being charged for it if I ended up not needing it.
- Loss and damage: Absolutely nothing was lost or damaged during my move.
- Would I use U-Pack again? Yes, I would use U-Pack on a future move, and I would recommend it to others.
under my original U-Pack quote
Find out what a move from Texas → Minnesota actually costs before a mover tells you.
Why I chose U-Pack
I chose U-Pack because of its competitive prices and variety of equipment. I wasn’t sure how much space I would need, so U-Pack’s “only pay for the space you use” policy appealed to me most. I could get a quote and do almost everything else directly online, speak with a knowledgeable customer service representative by phone when I had questions, and I found lots of positive online reviews. That easy quote process made me more confident that U-Pack wouldn’t make my move any more complicated than it had to be.
With car shipping costs on top, I could not spend thousands of dollars on full-service movers. 1-800-PACK-RAT gave me a lower price, but I was concerned about getting charged for space I might not use. The main drawback of a container is that you load it yourself or hire help, and the packing materials and loading help cost me another $650.
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
My move at a glance
Here are the basics of my relocation, including what I was quoted and what I actually paid for my Texas to Minnesota move.
| Move date | April 11, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Moved from | Houston, Texas |
| Moved to | Maple Grove, Minnesota |
| Distance | 1,295 miles |
| Move size | Roughly a one-bedroom worth of belongings |
| Moving company | U-Pack |
| Moving quote | $2,428 |
| Actual cost | $2,352 |
We found that when you use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator, you can save 30% on moving costs compared to customers who go with the first quote they receive.
Quotes I compared
I wanted the best price possible without driving a moving truck myself, so I weighed full-service movers against moving containers. Containers are a hybrid of full-service and DIY: you load and unload everything yourself (or hire third-party help), but the pros still do the driving and delivery.
I spent only two weeks researching, using Google searches, social media sites like Facebook, and free resources like moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator. I collected quotes from five full-service movers and moving container companies, including full-service movers like American Van Lines and moving container companies like U-Pack. U-Pack’s quote was the second lowest of the five, and the highest, from All My Sons, was $12,000.
Here’s how my five quotes stacked up for an estimated 3,500 pounds.
| Company | Estimated weight | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | 3,500 pounds | $2,221 |
| U-Pack | 3,500 pounds | $2,428 |
| PODS | 3,500 pounds | $2,487 |
| American Van Lines | 3,500 pounds | $3,450 |
| All My Sons | 3,500 pounds | $12,000 |
Car shipping quotes I compared
After I chose U-Pack, I decided not to drive my 2023 Mazda CX-50 to Minnesota, so I needed reliable auto transport. As with the move itself, I collected three quotes, from Top Auto Logistics, SGT Auto Transport, and Mr. Car Shipper. SGT gave me the lowest estimate and Mr. Car Shipper the highest, so I went with Top Auto Logistics, which was in the middle.
Here’s a breakdown of the car shipping estimates.
| Car shipping company | Make/Model | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| SGT Auto Transport | 2023 Mazda CX-50 | $807 |
| Top Auto Logistics | 2023 Mazda CX-50 | $850 |
| Mr. Car Shipper | 2023 Mazda CX-50 | $1,100 |
Pickup day
Pickup day went as planned. U-Pack dropped off my ReloCube on April 11, and Top Auto Logistics picked up my car that same day. I had up to 72 hours to load the container, which let me break the work into smaller doses, and my movers arrived the following day.
I booked loading help from Roland & Co., a lesser-known mover I found on Facebook Marketplace. On April 12, the crew took three hours to pack up my belongings, and I was pleased with the care they showed with my TVs, LCD screens, and everything else.
I paid $200 for packing materials and another $450 for loading and unloading services. I’ve since learned that one of U-Pack’s perks is that it works with HireAHelper, a service that connects busy professionals like me with qualified local movers. I didn’t go that route, and HireAHelper might have found me a better price.
Despite the added cost, the loading help made moving day much more manageable. On April 13, a U-Pack driver picked up my container, and I paid U-Pack by credit card. Top Auto Logistics charged me a partial deposit by credit card, with the rest due on delivery.
Delivery day
U-Pack delivered my container to my new apartment in Maple Grove, Minnesota, seven days after pickup, well within its estimated delivery window. I liked that I could use GPS tracking to check on the container while it was en route, and that extra customer support was available whenever I needed it. U-Pack also didn’t inundate me with unnecessary updates.
My car shipper did not match that communication. Top Auto Logistics didn’t provide any online tracking, though I could call customer service for updates on my Mazda. The company estimated that my car would arrive within three to four days, and it took five.
I’ve since learned that this isn’t uncommon in the auto transportation industry. Companies usually give you a delivery window, unless you pay for a guaranteed date, to allow for unforeseen logistical and weather-related delays.
My car was a little dirty from open transport, but it was returned safely and without damage. I paid my remaining balance in cash after the car was parked at my new home.
Final thoughts
My move with U-Pack was a massive success, from pricing accuracy and customer service to on-time pickup and delivery. I paid $2,352 against a $2,428 quote, and nothing was lost or damaged.
I was initially concerned about my car and expensive electronics getting damaged along the way. In the end, my belongings were packed and handled with professionalism and care, and I’d consider using U-Pack and Top Auto Logistics again in the future.
I was worried about moving costs going in, but in retrospect, paying for a quality moving container company and local movers was absolutely worth it.
One thing to know before you book: U-Pack doesn’t handle local moves. If you’re moving 100 miles or more, you can use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to see what a U-Pack move might cost. moveBuddha rates U-Pack among the top moving container companies, and other Better Moves Project participants like Chloe and Ryan also had positive experiences with U-Pack.
rating
5 / 5
If, like me, you need vehicle transport as part of your relocation, check out moveBuddha’s picks for the best car shipping companies, then compare quotes with the car shipping calculator.
Planning a long-distance move? Use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to compare quotes from vetted movers before you book.
My ratings
Here’s how I rated U-Pack on a scale of 1 to 5.
- Pricing accuracy: 5. My final cost was lower than the quote, so there were no surprises at the end.
- Timeliness: 5. U-Pack delivered my container on time and well within its estimated window.
- Communication: 5. I heard from U-Pack the right amount before the move, and customer support was there whenever I needed it.
- Overall experience: 5. From the easy quote to delivery, the move was simple and my belongings arrived intact.
I also gave Top Auto Logistics an overall score of 5 out of 5, though I’d note that its tracking and communication could be improved. With all the things that can go wrong in a cross-country move, I don’t consider that a big deal.
More moving resources
Tips for future movers
These are the practical steps we recommend based on Sree A.’s experience:
- Compare quotes across mover types: Quotes for the same estimated 3,500 pounds ranged from $2,221 to $12,000, so getting quotes from both full-service movers and container companies pays off. Start with moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator.
- Pick a container policy that fits your uncertainty: If you aren’t sure how much space you need, a company that charges only for the space you use, as U-Pack does, keeps you from paying for empty room. How much you can fit in a ReloCube is worth checking first.
- Plan ahead and research your options: Give yourself time to compare companies and to avoid common moving scams before you commit to anyone.
- Book loading help through a vetted service: We don’t typically recommend sourcing local movers from Facebook Marketplace. U-Pack works with HireAHelper, which connects customers with qualified local movers and may find you a better price.
- Get at least three car shipping quotes: As with moving, quotes from three or more car shipping companies show you what a fair price looks like for your vehicle.
- Expect a delivery window for your car: Car shippers usually give a range of days rather than a set date unless you pay for a guaranteed date. Ask about online tracking before you book, since Top Auto Logistics offered updates only by phone.
- Don’t be afraid of a hybrid move: A move that combines a container company, local movers, and a car shipper can seem overwhelming on paper, but it can be both cost-effective and stress-free.
Moving soon? We’ll pay you $500 to tell it like Sree A. did.
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