The Cheapest Way to Ship a One-Bedroom Cross-Country: 6 Options & Costs
Quick answer: The cheapest way to ship a one-bedroom cross-country is a cargo trailer at $100 – $700, while full-service movers cost $1,500 – $4,500, according to moveBuddha pricing data. Your final price depends on distance, moving method, and how much you bring. Compare all six options below, or see our picks for the best interstate moving companies.
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How much does it cost to ship a one-bedroom cross-country?
Shipping a one-bedroom cross-country costs $100 – $4,500 on average, based on moveBuddha pricing data. The moving method you choose is the biggest factor in where you land. Here’s how the six main options compare:
| Option | Avg. cost | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Moving company | $1,500 – $4,500 | Convenient, but pricier in summer |
| Moving container | $1,500 – $3,780 | Great for moves with storage |
| Rental truck | $1,900 – $3,917 | Costly & labor-heavy |
| Cargo trailer | $100 – $700 | Needs a tow vehicle & towing experience |
| Pallet shipper | $900 – $2,100 | Affordable for small loads |
| Freight trailer | $1,000 – $3,900 | Affordable for large one-bedrooms |
Through our Better Moves Project, which has awarded over $50,000 to people who share their moving experiences, we’ve also tracked what real customers paid. These totals differ from our pricing averages because participants reported their final bills, including extras like packing, storage, permits, and specialty-item handling:
- Average costs: Most Better Moves participants with one-bedroom apartments paid $2,500 – $5,000 for long-distance moves. Full-service movers landed at the high end of that range.
- Container moves: Customers who used moving containers typically spent $2,500 – $4,000. Storage needs and moving distance drove most of the difference.
- Full-service movers: Participants who hired full-service movers paid $3,500 – $7,000. The higher end usually included packing services, long carry fees, or oversized furniture like sleeper sofas.
- DIY moves: Participants who rented trucks paid $1,200 – $3,000 after truck rental, fuel, insurance, and equipment. They saved money but noted the stress of driving, loading, and unloading themselves.
- Unexpected costs: Around 45% of participants with one-bedroom apartments hit a surprise expense. The most common were last-minute labor fees, elevator or parking permits in cities, and extended storage fees when plans changed.
- Specialty items: Pianos, large artwork, and aquariums added $500 – $1,000 to one-bedroom moves because they needed custom handling or crating.
For a number specific to your move, moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so your range reflects your actual move instead of a national average. Our guide to the cheapest ways to move cross-country covers every option in more detail.
What affects the cost of a one-bedroom move?
Distance, weight, add-on services, coverage, and timing set the price of a one-bedroom cross-country move. Gather these details before you request quotes:
- Distance: Long-distance movers price by weight and mileage, so the farther you move, the more you pay. A coast-to-coast move costs more than a move to a neighboring state with the same load.
- Estimate type: Cross-country moving companies price by weight or volume, and some offer binding estimates that lock in your price. Get free quotes from several companies to compare rates and services.
- Home size and weight: A one-bedroom typically measures 400 – 1,000 square feet, and long-distance movers price by weight or cubic feet. Decluttering before your move is the fastest way to shrink the bill.
- Add-ons: Professional packing adds $0.15 – $0.21 per pound on average, and furniture disassembly, storage, and fragile-item handling cost extra too. You may also pay for packing supplies like boxes and bubble wrap.
- Coverage: Professional moving companies include basic released value coverage, but Full Value Coverage costs extra. We recommend getting Full Value Coverage from your mover over third-party moving insurance, which is often limited in scope.
- Seasonality: Movers charge more during the summer peak season (April – September), when demand for small moves competes with full-home moves. The October – March off-season brings better deals, making it the best time to move on a budget.
Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average.
One-bedroom long-distance moving options
Six methods cover most one-bedroom cross-country moves, with average costs between $100 and $4,500. If you can tow, a cargo trailer is the cheapest option. If you can’t, pallet shipping or a moving container usually beats a rental truck once you add gas, hotels, and meals.
Full-service movers: Least effort
Full-service movers pack, load, ship, and unload for you at $1,500 – $4,500 for a one-bedroom. Safeway Moving and American Van Lines are both moveBuddha Certified, which adds $1,000 in move coverage and dispute mediation.
The moveBuddha Mover Marketplace collects up to five no-obligation quotes from one request, matched to movers’ real-time availability. Before you book, review the FMCSA’s tips on how to protect your move.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
rating
4.23 / 5
- Specialty packing services
- White-glove reputation
- 80+ years' experience
Moving containers: Flexible timing
Moving containers suit flexible schedules, since you load at your own pace and can store the container between homes. A one-bedroom costs $1,500 – $3,780 to ship cross-country in a moving container.
PODS and U-Pack are popular picks, but some cities require a permit to park a container on the street. See our cheapest moving containers for more options.
rating
4.8 / 5
- Unlimited storage
- 3 container sizes
- 10% discount
rating
5 / 5
- Fast delivery
- Nationwide
- 100+ mile moves
rating
4.5 / 5
- Affordable pricing
- Offers car shipping
- No hidden fees
Rental trucks: Full DIY control
A rental truck costs $1,900 – $3,917 for a one-bedroom cross-country move, before gas, hotels, and meals. You handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself.
Budget, Penske, and U-Haul all rent one-way trucks. Compare them in our best rental trucks rankings.
rating
4.3 / 5
- Affordable pricing
- Online pricing
- Several discounts
rating
4 / 5
- Most expensive
- 4 truck sizes
- Unlimited mileage
rating
4.15 / 5
- Greatest coverage
- 7 truck sizes
- One way rentals
Cargo trailers: Lowest cost
A cargo trailer is the cheapest way to ship a one-bedroom cross-country, at $100 – $700 before fuel. You’ll need a vehicle with enough towing capacity, and some towing practice before a long drive.
U-Haul rents enclosed cargo trailers up to 6 feet x 12 feet for one-way moves. Penske only rents car-towing equipment.
rating
4.15 / 5
Pallet shipping: Small loads
Pallet shipping fits a few pieces of furniture and 20 – 30 boxes, at $900 – $2,100 for most small one-bedrooms. You get commercial shipping rates without paying for a whole truck.
Ship Smart is one of the best pallet shippers. Call Ship Smart at 866-333-8018 and mention moveBuddha for 10% off.
rating
4.2 / 5
Freight trailers: Large loads
A freight trailer suits a large one-bedroom at $1,000 – $3,900. U-Pack drops off a 28-foot trailer, you load it, and you only pay for the space you use.
U-Pack shipments average 4 – 6 business days in transit. Make sure you have room to park the trailer at both ends.
rating
5 / 5
How can you save on a one-bedroom move?
A one-bedroom move is small enough that a few changes can cut your costs significantly.
Here are a few pointers:
- Downsize first. Sell bulky furniture you can replace cheaply, since weight drives long-distance pricing.
- Compare quotes. moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator runs on 1,000+ live price points collected monthly, giving you a benchmark for each quote.
- Move off-season. October – March and midweek dates get you better rates on small moves.
- Skip the full truck. Pallet shipping or a container often costs less than a truck for a one-bedroom load.
- Get free boxes. Ask local stores and community groups for free moving boxes.
FAQs
When is the cheapest time to move cross-country?
The cheapest time to move cross-country is October – March, when demand for movers drops. Many companies offer better deals on small moves during these months. April – September is the most expensive stretch because of peak demand.
How far in advance should I book movers for a cross-country move?
Book movers for a cross-country move at least 4 – 8 weeks in advance. Push that to 8 – 12 weeks if you’re moving April – September. Last-minute summer bookings usually cost more.
How long does a cross-country move take?
A cross-country move takes about 5 – 14 business days with a full-service mover, and small shared loads can take longer. U-Pack shipments average 4 – 6 business days in transit. A rental truck lets you set your own pace, but plan for several days of driving coast-to-coast.
What size moving truck do I need for a one-bedroom apartment?
Most one-bedroom apartments need a 10- or 15-foot moving truck. U-Haul’s 10-foot truck holds 402 cubic feet and fits a small one-bedroom. Choose a 15-foot truck, which holds 764 cubic feet, if you have bulky furniture like a sectional or king bed.
Which moving companies specialize in small long-distance moves?
MiniMoves, U-Pack, TSI, Ship Smart, and uShip specialize in small long-distance moves. For loading or unloading help only, book a labor-only service like HireAHelper. Compare at least three quotes before you book.
Can I ship boxes through USPS instead of hiring movers?
You can ship boxes through USPS Ground Advantage if each box weighs 70 pounds or less and measures 130 inches or less in combined length and girth. Delivery usually takes 2 – 5 business days. For more than a handful of boxes, compare the cheapest ways to ship moving boxes.
Is it cheaper to sell my furniture & buy new instead of moving it?
Selling furniture and buying new is often cheaper for a one-bedroom cross-country move, since furniture is the heaviest and bulkiest part of most loads. Sell older or low-value pieces before you move, especially if you’re hiring full-service movers. Keep anything that would cost more to replace than to ship.
Our research & review process
- We respect your privacy and only connect you with the movers you choose.
- We also police the moving companies to ensure their outreach efforts are reasonable and respectful.
- We mystery shop movers to get firsthand data.
- We interview moving customers through the Better Moves Project.
- We review movers’ licensing, insurance, and service history through moveBuddha Certified, and we do not recommend working with a broker.
- We compare quotes and track market trends to provide accurate pricing guidance.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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