The Cost to Move a Two-Bedroom Home Cross-Country: Your Cheapest Options
The short answer: The average cost to move a two bedroom house cross-country can range from $381 to $7,560. However, your costs can vary dramatically based on the type of move services you use. After all, it’s a lot cheaper to use a rental truck than full-service movers.
Understanding which of the best long-distance moving companies fit your budget (and the factors that affect their quotes) can help you plan effectively and find the cheapest way to get to your new home.
The cost to move a two-bedroom home cross-country
| Move Distance< | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| <250 miles | $1,830 – $4,970 | $1,311 – $2,111 | $381 – $664 |
| 1,000 miles | $3,020 – $6,825 | $1,829 – $3,060 | $$873 – $1,594 |
| 2,500 miles | $4,230 – $7,560> | $2,865 – $4,958 | $1,858 – $3,454 |
As this table illustrates, your pricing will mainly depend on how you choose to move. If you hire one of the best moving companies, expect to pay up to $7,500 (and sometimes even more) for your cross-country move. Renting a truck from U-Haul or U-Haul competitors — or going with one of the best moving container companies will require more work on your end, but it can help you save several thousand dollars on your move.
Here’s a closer look at how some of our favorite companies compare in terms of average moving costs for a two-bedroom move:
| Company | Local moves (≤50 miles) | Long-distance moves (250 miles) | Cross-country moves (2,000 miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safeway Moving | Not available for local moves | $3,000–$7,000 | $4,700–$5,300 |
| Mayzlin Relocation | No pricing info | $3,600–$8,000 | $10,000 |
| U-Pack | Not available for local moves | $1,100–$1,700 | $2,400–$3,900 |
| PODS | $225–$850 | $759–$1,900 | $3,000–$4,900 |
| Budget Truck Rental | $29.99 per day, plus mileage (varies by location) | $1,154 | $3,509 |
| Penske Truck Rental | $79.99 per day, plus mileage (varies by location) | $1,199–$1,750 | $2,700–4,300 |
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Factors that affect the cost to move a two-bedroom home cross-country
Regardless of the type of move you decide on, there are several factors that will influence just how much your move will actually cost.
Here are a few things that will influence moving costs regardless of whether you use full-service movers, a moving container, or a rental truck:
- The size of your move: Not all two-bedroom homes are created equal. If you have a lot of stuff, you’ll need a larger truck or moving container, which will increase the price for your move.
- The time of year: Summer tends to be the busy season for moving, and prices are higher as a result. Moving during the off-season can be cheaper.
- Location: Certain locations can be more or less expensive due to demand, distance from a company’s main warehouse, and other logistics-related factors.
- Insurance: Even truck rentals and moving containers often offer additional insurance coverage for your items.
When hiring full-service movers, a few other factors may come into play:
- Additional services: Packing, vehicle towing, and other specialty services are often available, but for an added cost.
- Complex moves: Moving companies will often charge extra if they have to navigate multiple flights of stairs, use a shuttle to access your home, or deal with specialty items like a piano or pool table.
How to move a two-bedroom home cross-country
There’s no shortage of options for you to move a two-bedroom home cross-country. Of course, the most cost-effective way isn’t always the best way for your specific situation. Here’s a breakdown of what you should consider when deciding between full-service movers, moving containers, or moving truck rentals.
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Full-service movers
If you’re willing to pay extra for convenience, a professional moving company is the way to go. Full-service movers can help with pretty much everything, from packing and loading to unloading and unpacking. They provide the moving truck and the labor to get everything to your new home.
Many full-service movers also provide value-added services, such as furniture assembly and disassembly, crating for specialty items like pianos, full value insurance coverage, and packing supplies. Not all these services are included in the initial free quote, so be sure to confirm which services are included and which require an additional fee.
While using full-service movers is certainly convenient, they are much more expensive than the other cross-country moving options. Prices can be twice as much (or higher) than renting a moving container or moving truck, with average prices often reaching $7,500. Costs may be even higher if you move during the peak season, so try to move on weekdays and away from the summer months.
- Less physical labor and stress
- Full-service movers are experienced at handling fragile and bulky items
- You don’t have to do any driving
- Additional services may include packing and unpacking, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and even cleanup at your old house
- Much more expensive than DIY moves and moving containers
- Scheduling conflicts with the moving company could keep you from getting your preferred moving date
- You’re subject to the moving company’s timeline for pickup, transportation, and delivery
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Moving containers
If you’re looking for a middle-ground option between full-service and DIY moves, renting a moving container could be a good option. With moving container rentals, you are responsible for packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking the container. You’ll also need to provide your own packing materials. However, the moving container company will handle the transportation to your new home.
Most moving container companies give you a limited amount of time (usually three days) to load and unload the container after the drop-off, so you’ll need to build out room in your schedule for these tasks. You could also pair a moving container rental with labor-only services, which provide the manpower to load and unload everything for you.
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Moving container companies offer several different container sizes, and a 16-foot container (or two eight-foot containers) are usually recommended for two-bedroom homes.
Price-wise, cross-country moving container rentals are slightly more expensive than a truck rental, with costs typically ranging between $3,000 and $5,000. For many, the convenience of not having to worry about driving a moving truck is well worth the extra expense. As with professional movers, scheduling with a moving container company during the off-season can help you get lower prices.
- You don’t have to worry about driving a moving truck
- Much cheaper than using full-service movers
- You have more control over when the company delivers your container
- Some moving containers can also be used for temporary storage
- Typically more expensive than a rental truck
- You have to do all of the heavy lifting yourself
- Greater risk of damage if you don’t pack items properly
Moving truck rentals
If money is your main concern, a full DIY move with a moving truck rental is the way to go. With a moving truck rental, you’re responsible for everything from picking up and dropping off the truck to packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading. It’s all on you.
Because of this, it’s a good idea to declutter before your move. This will allow you to rent a smaller (and cheaper) moving truck, and it will mean less time spent packing and loading later. Moving truck rentals generally provide more flexible moving dates, making it easier to adjust your schedule as needed.
While the average cost of moving with a truck rental is by far the cheapest, don’t just focus on the cost of the truck rental itself (which usually ranges from around $1,800–$3,500). For a cross-country move, you’ll also rack up expenses for gas, food, and lodging as you drive. This could easily result in costs getting closer to a moving container rental.
- Generally the cheapest option for cross-country moves
- You have more control over the timeline for your moving date and transportation
- Large moving trucks have plenty of space for a two-bedroom home
- Some moving trucks can also be used to tow your personal vehicle
- Driving a moving truck across the country can be stressful and time-consuming
- You’ll be responsible for all physical labor
- Gas, food, and lodging costs can add up faster than expected
How to move a two-bedroom home locally
Local moves are usually defined as moves of 50 miles or less. Professional local movers will charge an hourly rate for each mover. The more stuff you have, the higher the price will be. It’s also worth noting that moving container availability can be somewhat limited for local moves. Some moving container companies (like U-Pack) don’t service local moves at all.
As with cross-country moves, local full-service movers cost much more than DIY moves. Ultimately, choosing between professional moving services and a DIY move depends on your budget, preferences, and the complexity of your move. Weigh the pros and cons and get multiple moving estimates to determine which option best aligns with your needs and resources.
If you prefer to go the DIY route for your local move, we recommend Budget Truck Rental, as their rates are cheaper than other moving truck providers and they have good availability. For a full-service move, Mayzlin Relocation is a great option that offers a flexible cancellation policy, packing services, and more.
How to move a two-bedroom home long-distance
A long-distance move isn’t the same as a cross-country move. Long-distance moves are usually at least 250 miles (and often across state lines). However, they aren’t as far as cross-country moves, which are 2,000 miles or more.
Long-distance moving costs may not be as expensive as a cross-country move, but your options are more comparable. The best long-distance moving companies charge a flat rate based on the weight of your belongings and other cost factors like the time of year. You’ll also need to work with professional movers who are properly licensed to transport your household goods across state lines.
Rental trucks and moving containers are also readily available for long-distance moves, and can offer more flexible moving dates to better fit your schedule. Keep in mind that pricing can vary significantly based on your starting point and destination city, with rural areas generally having higher costs.
If you need full-service help for a long-distance move, we recommend American Van Lines or Safeway Moving, as they both provide nationwide service (American isn’t available in Alaska or Hawaii,, have extremely competitive pricing, and some of the best reputations in the industry. For the DIY route, U-Pack offers transparent upfront pricing for their moving containers, and you only pay for the space you actually use.
How to choose the right mover for your two-bedroom home
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Whether you’re looking to decrease your moving expenses with a DIY move or prefer to leave the heavy lifting to the professionals, planning ahead can help you manage the cost of the move.
Shop around for quotes using our moving costs calculator to get an idea of the cost of your move. Keep in mind that add-ons and additional services like packing services, unpacking, and disassembly can increase the cost of moving.
Essentially, the more help you want for your move, the more it will cost. While you’ll likely spend several thousand dollars for any type of cross-country move, getting multiple quotes and considering your budget and moving preferences will help you find the right fit.
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move cross-country so you can save money, you’ll want to rent a moving truck from rental providers like Budget Truck Rental or Penske.
If you want to save money but aren’t comfortable driving a rental truck across the country, moving containers are a viable option. U-Pack and PODS both offer wide availability and multiple container options that are well-suited for two-bedroom homes.
If you want or need help with loading and unloading (and even other tasks like furniture disassembly or packing), you’ll need to go with a full-service moving company. Companies like Safeway Moving and Mayzlin Relocation provide great communication and streamlined service so you can take more of a hands-off approach to your move.
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FAQs about how to move a two-bedroom home cross-country
How much money should you save to move cross-country?
Due to their distance, cross-country moves tend to be much more expensive than local moves or long-distance moves. You may need to save anywhere from $2,000–$7,500, depending on whether you’re renting a moving truck or using professional movers.
How do you calculate moving costs?
Our moving cost calculator is a great way to get an accurate range for how much your move will cost. This handy tool accounts for factors like the size of your home, move locations, and the type of move you have planned so you can get a good idea of what your quotes will look like.
What factors affect the cost of moving a two-bedroom home cross-country?
Aside from the distance of the move, your total cost can vary based on the start and end destinations of your move, the time of year, and the total amount of household goods you need to move. You may also need to pay extra for moving specialty items, adding full value protection coverage, or having movers go up and down multiple flights of stairs.
Is it worth hiring a moving company to move a two-bedroom home?
This ultimately comes down to your unique situation. If you’re physically unable (or uncomfortable) with packing and loading your possessions, a full-service moving company will be a better option. This is especially true if you have bulky, heavy, or fragile items that require extra care and handling. A full-service moving company can offer much-needed peace of mind by taking on the bulk of the work for your move.
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