($510+) Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI Movers
Moving from Newark, NJ, to Detroit, MI, runs anywhere from $466 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,624 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 605 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,426, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,624 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,050 - $3,183, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $466 - $1,340.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Newark, NJ, to Detroit, MI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,174 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI
Moving options from Newark to Detroit fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,174 - $5,464 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 605 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 605-mile route from Newark to Detroit, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,426 - $3,759 | $1,050 - $1,967 | $466 - $889 | $926 - $1,619 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,174 - $5,464 | $1,279 - $2,488 | $530 - $1,056 | $1,066 - $2,157 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,788 - $7,624 | $1,796 - $3,183 | $668 - $1,340 | $1,466 - $2,573 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI
Hiring full-service movers from Newark, New Jersey, to Detroit, Michigan, costs between $1,426 and $7,624. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 605-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $353 - $2,356, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Newark and Detroit. For a rough baseline, movers based in Newark tend to start around $260 plus $120/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Newark to Detroit:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,426 - $3,759
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,174 - $5,464
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,788 - $7,624
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Newark to Detroit.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New Jersey to Michigan. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Newark movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Detroit, 89% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing98% of local movers | $589 - $5,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $236 - $1,414/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $353 - $2,827 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage53% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs38% of local movers | $1,178 - $3,534 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,945 - $11,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $882 - $1,676 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items70% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Oz Moving & Storage, Inc. | $1,178 - $2,945 |
| Piano | Any piano type87% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving | $942 - $4,123 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling42% of local movers | $353 - $1,767 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect31% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Oz Moving & Storage, Inc. | $766 - $2,356 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $353 - $17,670+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $353 - $4,123+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Newark to Detroit?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Michigan Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Newark, NJ. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI
Moving containers from Newark, New Jersey, to Detroit, Michigan, cost between $1,050 and $3,183. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Newark runs about $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Newark to Detroit:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,050 - $1,967
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,279 - $2,488
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,796 - $3,183
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Newark, NJ and Detroit, MI. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $825 in Newark, NJ, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $88 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $177 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey to Michigan move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,050. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,279 - $2,488, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Newark to Detroit?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Newark to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Newark:
- Roadway Moving (4.9/5), 18 years in business
- Oz Moving & Storage, Inc. (4.8/5), 33 years in business
- Ample Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI
Renting a moving truck for the 605-mile move from Newark, New Jersey, to Detroit, Michigan, costs between $466 and $1,340, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $227 - $259
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- Newark daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Newark to Detroit based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $466 - $889
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $530 - $1,056
- 4+ bedrooms: $668 - $1,340
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Newark to Detroit starts at $466 - $1,340, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($227 - $259) , overnight lodging ($177/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $177 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Newark, New Jersey, usually costs about $825 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 605-mile drive falls between $227 and $259, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $59 and $353 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Newark to Detroit?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Newark, New Jersey, to Detroit, Michigan. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,066 and $2,157.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Newark to Detroit:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $926 - $1,619
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,066 - $2,157
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,466 - $2,573
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Newark, New Jersey, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $825.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $88 and $177 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Newark to Detroit?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Freehold Cartage, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Freehold Cartage, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Detroit fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Newark, NJ vs Detroit, MI
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Detroit, side by side with Newark on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Newark, NJ | Detroit, MI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 135 | 92 |
| Average rent | $2,300/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $335,418 | $79,675 |
| Average income | $48,416/yr | $39,575/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 13.0% | 9.06% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 4.25% |
| Walkability score | 76/100 | 51/100 |
| Safety index | 24.76/100 | 27.08/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Detroit, MI to Newark, NJ guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from New Jersey to Michigan, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 89 movers in New Jersey, so you have real options to compare for this 605-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Newark, NJ, to Detroit, MI, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,426 - $7,624 on the 605-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,050 - $3,183 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $466 - $1,340 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,174 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include General Motors and Henry Ford Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Newark, NJ, to Detroit, MI
What is the cheapest way to move from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $530 - $1,056. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Detroit a safe place to live?
Detroit has a safety index of 27.08 out of 100 and a crime index of 72.92, compared to 24.76 and 75.24 in Newark. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What is the best time of year to move from Newark, NJ to Detroit, MI?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Michigan?
The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts.
What percentage of Newark movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 87% of movers in Newark handle piano moves, and 70% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.