How Much Do Movers Cost on Average for Local and Long-Distance Moves?

Movers price jobs with a blend of time, labor, distance, and risk. That’s the honest core of it. If you’ve ever watched a crew navigate a sofa up a spiral staircase without scuffing the newel post, you know why skilled labor commands real money. The trick is understanding the moving parts of pricing so you can plan a reasonable moving budget, decide when to pay for help, and avoid surprises that creep in after the truck door closes.

For local moves within the same metro area, most companies charge by the hour. The hourly rate typically includes a truck, basic equipment like dollies and blankets, and a set number of movers. In most markets, you’ll see rates between 100 and 200 dollars per hour for a two- or three-person crew. The total depends on how many people are on the job and how complex your home is.

A straightforward apartment move with an elevator and easy parking might take three to five hours with two movers, landing between 300 and 1,000 dollars. A small house with stairs, longer walks to the truck, or awkward furniture might take six or seven hours and a three-person crew, lifting the cost into the 900 to 1,600 dollar range.

What is a reasonable price for a local move? Reasonable means the crew size matches the load, the clock reflects active work time, and the company discloses all fees. For a typical one-bedroom apartment, 400 to 800 dollars is common. For a two- to three-bedroom home, 900 to 1,800 dollars is a realistic band in many cities. If you’re quoted substantially outside those ranges without a clear explanation, ask why.

How much should I expect to pay for a local move? Expect a minimum, often two to four hours, plus travel time to and from the warehouse. Expect a higher weekend rate and peak-season pricing in late spring through summer. Expect stairs, long carries from the door to the truck, or disassembly and reassembly to add time, not necessarily line-item fees, though some companies do add specific charges for these.

What are the hidden costs of 2 hour movers? The two-hour teaser rarely tells the whole story. Common add-ons include a truck or travel fee, fuel surcharge, extra charges for handling safes or pianos, fees for additional stops, and higher hourly rates for weekends. If the job runs over the minimum, you pay for partial hours, sometimes rounded up. The 2-hour “special” can easily become a 3.5-hour bill once the clock includes travel from their base and a long hallway at your building.

Cross-country or interstate moves switch from hourly to weight or volume plus distance. You’ll receive a linehaul estimate based on the shipment’s weight, then charges for origin and destination services. Depending on route, season, and services, the average family move lands between 3,000 and 8,000 dollars if you pack yourself, and 5,000 to 12,000 dollars if the movers pack everything.

For multi-room homes traveling coast to coast, 8,000 to 15,000 dollars is not unusual for full-service pack and move, especially with tight delivery windows. Warehouse handling, storage-in-transit, bulky item charges, and shuttles can push totals higher. If you split delivery or need guaranteed dates, expect premiums.

How much do movers cost for mid-range distances, say 300 to 700 miles? A two-bedroom apartment might come in at 2,500 to 5,000 dollars depending on volume and access. A larger home might run 6,000 to 10,000. If the route includes mountain passes in winter, narrow streets requiring a shuttle truck, or a delivery to a high-rise with a union dock, the bill reflects that complexity.

How far in advance should I book movers? In peak season, four to eight weeks ahead is smart for local moves, and six to ten weeks for long-distance. Off-season, two to four weeks can work. If you need a specific date or elevator reservation, book as soon as you know you’re moving. The cheapest day for movers tends to be weekdays, especially Tuesday through Thursday, since demand is softer.

How much does it cost to move from a 2000 sq ft house? It depends on how full the house is and how many stairs, not just the square footage. As a rough guide, a well-furnished 2,000-square-foot home often translates to 8,000 to 12,000 pounds of household goods. Locally, that might take a four-person crew eight to ten hours, landing between 1,400 and 3,000 dollars depending on your market. Long-distance, the same home could cost 6,000 to 12,000 dollars based on weight and mileage. If you add full packing, tack on another 1,000 to 3,000 dollars in labor and materials. Homes with heavy shop gear, lots of books, or a packed garage trend to the high end.

Is it cheaper to hire a moving company or use pods? Containers sit in the middle. A full-service mover is easiest, usually the most expensive. Renting a truck and doing everything yourself is cheapest on paper but costs more in time, effort, and the occasional strained back. Portable storage containers reduce the driving burden and can be more affordable than full service, especially for flexible timelines.

For a two-bedroom move across several states, a container might run 2,000 to 4,000 dollars including delivery, pickup, and a month of storage. A comparable full-service move could be 4,500 to 7,500 dollars. DIY with a rental truck might be 1,200 to 2,500 dollars, depending on mileage and fuel. The gap narrows when you add insurance, hotel nights, and missed workdays.

What is the monthly fee for a pod? Expect roughly 150 to 300 dollars per month for a standard container, plus delivery and pickup fees. Rates vary by region, container size, and season. What cannot be stored in a pod? Hazardous materials like gasoline, propane, paints, and solvents are prohibited. Also avoid perishable food, living plants, firearms in some jurisdictions, and anything that can melt, leak, or explode under heat.

A typical local invoice lists an hourly rate for the crew and truck, a minimum number of hours, and a travel charge. You might see extra charges for packing materials, wardrobe boxes used on the day, mattress bags, TV crates, or heavy item handling. Long-distance estimates break out linehaul, fuel, valuation coverage, packing labor, materials, and accessorials like shuttles or crating.

How much do movers cost for valuation coverage? Basic coverage, sometimes called Released Value, covers about 60 cents per pound per item, which is thin protection. Upgrading to Full Value Protection generally runs 1 to 2 percent of the declared value of your goods with a deductible. If you declare 60,000 dollars in value, expect 600 to 1,200 dollars for robust coverage. Read the policy exclusions, especially for pairs and sets, high-value articles, and owner-packed boxes.

Is 20 dollars enough to tip movers? For a small, half-day job, 20 dollars per mover is a decent thank-you if the crew worked hard and took care. For a full-day local move, 30 to 60 dollars per mover is common. Multi-day or long-distance deliveries can justify 50 to 100 dollars per person if service is excellent. Offer water, a clear path to a restroom, and a simple lunch if the job runs long. You’ll get better work when crews feel respected.

How much should you pay someone that helps you move? For a friend, cover food, fuel, and a cash thank-you in the 40 to 100 dollar range depending on hours and effort. For hired labor only, expect 40 to 60 dollars per hour for a two-person team if you supply the truck. Independent labor crews often charge minimums and may not include insurance.

Movers pack almost anything safe and legal, but there are limits. What to not let movers pack? Keep personal documents, passports, medications, jewelry, heirlooms, guns, and high-value electronics in your own custody. Also anything you will need within the first 24 hours at the new place: a change of clothes, basic toiletries, chargers, a few tools, and your coffee setup. Even the most careful crew occasionally mislabels a box, and you don’t want to tear through 30 boxes for a toothbrush.

On the prohibited list, flammables are out. That includes propane tanks, charcoal, gasoline, lighter fluid, aerosol cans, some cleaners, and certain batteries. Plants rarely survive a long move and many carriers refuse them. Perishables invite pests and spoil under heat. If you’re packing yourself, label liquids clearly and consider double-bagging toiletries in case of leaks.

How much does Lowes charge for moving trucks? Home improvement chains sometimes offer on-site truck rentals by the hour for store runs, but these are not intended for interstate moves. You’ll typically see rates around 20 to 30 dollars per hour with a mileage component, often with a local-use limit and a requirement to return the truck to the same store. For actual residential moves, you’ll likely use a dedicated rental company with day rates and per-mile charges. For a local day, a 15- to 20-foot truck might run 90 to 150 dollars plus mileage and fuel. For one-way long-distance, base rates vary widely by route and season, from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, plus insurance.

If you’re driving a loaded truck, plan fuel at 8 to 12 miles per gallon, depending on size and hills. In mountain corridors and wind, you’ll feel every incline on the gas card.

What is a reasonable moving budget? Start with the core service, then add the soft costs that sneak up. For a local apartment move, build a base of 500 to 1,200 dollars. For a local family home, 1,200 to 2,500. For a long-distance two-bedroom, 3,000 to 7,000. For a larger home crossing multiple states, 7,000 to 15,000 with full pack.

Then layer in packing materials, tips, utility deposits, cleaning, childcare or pet boarding, hotel nights, storage, and eating out while your kitchen is in boxes. If your building requires a certificate of insurance for the elevator, some movers charge a small admin fee to issue it. If you need a parking permit for the truck, apply early and include the fee in your plan. Add a 10 to 15 percent contingency for hiccups, especially during peak season.

How can I save money when hiring movers? Pack yourself and be ready. Disassemble beds, clear surfaces, and stage boxes near the exit if safe. Purge heavy, low-value items like old textbooks or worn-out furniture. Hit a moving supply recycler for used boxes. Avoid the last five boxes syndrome on move day, when the crew waits while you toss a junk drawer into random bags. That chaos costs more than people realize.

Parking and access matter. A long carry from truck to apartment can add 30 to 60 minutes per trip. If the truck can’t fit in the alley or loading dock, the company may have to use a smaller shuttle truck, which adds cost and time. Elevators, especially shared ones, slow the flow. Booking an elevator window with your building avoids crews waiting for access.

What is the cheapest day for movers? Midweek days cost less because demand dips and traffic can be lighter. Early morning starts keep crews fresh and help you beat afternoon elevator bottlenecks. End-of-month and Friday moves, especially in summer, cost more and sell out fast.

Containers fit best when you have a gap between homes or want to load over several days. They also shine when you’re moving to a dense neighborhood where the container can sit curbside under a permit. The cost calculus includes delivery and pickup fees, storage monthly, and city permits if required. Ask the provider about surface requirements. Some won’t set a container on soft ground. storage company Others need a clear 40-foot approach for the lift system.

What cannot be stored in a pod remains the same list as a truck: no hazardous materials, perishables, or live plants. Moisture and temperature swings can be more pronounced in containers, so pack electronics and artwork carefully with desiccant packs and rigid protection.

How much does it cost for someone to move your house? If you mean physically lifting a structure and transporting it to a new lot, that’s a different industry: structural moving. The cost varies wildly based on size, route, and utility coordination. You might see 15 to 60 dollars per square foot, often landing from 30,000 to well over 200,000 dollars once you include permits, new foundation, utility drops, route surveys, tree trimming, and police escorts. The cheapest way to move a house is not to move it, but to move the contents. When people discover the true cost of structural relocation, they usually choose to sell or demolish.

A reasonable price is only half the equation. The other half is reliability. Verify licensing for interstate movers through the FMCSA database. For local moves, check your state’s consumer protection or transportation agency. Ask about valuation coverage, claim rates, and dispute resolution. Beware of large deposits, cash-only demands, vague weight estimates, or brokers who will not name the carrier. Read reviews with an eye for patterns: damage denial, late arrivals, surprise fees.

I’ve walked into a lot of moves where the client tried to save money with the absolute cheapest quote, then called us to fix the fallout. The cheapest bid can be the most expensive lesson if your belongings show up late or dented.

Underestimating volume is the classic error. If a company asks for a full item list or offers a video survey, take the time. A quick phone call that skips the garage, basement, or storage cage leads to a smaller truck and an extra trip. On long-distance moves, it can kick the shipment to a different carrier or cause delivery delays.

Another common mistake is packing last minute. Open boxes bleed time. Unlabeled boxes create confusion in the new home. Tape your boxes well, label the room and a brief contents list on two sides, and keep hardware from disassembled furniture in taped, labeled baggies.

Plan your utilities and elevator reservations with a cushion. If the crew shows up to a dark apartment or a blocked loading dock, those hours still run. If it’s winter, clear and salt paths. If it’s summer, run the AC or set up fans and water. Crews move faster and safer when they aren’t overheating.

A clear estimate should specify crew size, hourly rate or weight/volume method, minimum hours, travel or fuel fees, packing rates, valuation options, and any expected accessorials. For interstate moves, you’ll receive a written estimate that is binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed. Binding not-to-exceed gives you a cap if weight goes up, while allowing a lower final bill if weight comes in under the estimate. If you’re comparing bids, align the service levels. One company might include packing paper and mattress bags, another might charge separately. Ask for apples-to-apples.

You can overspend on movers. You can also underspend in a way that creates more stress than the savings justify. If you have a short timeline, tight access, high-value items, and a full schedule, pay for a reputable crew and full packing. Your back and your calendar will thank you. If you have time, a simple layout, and friends willing to help, rent a truck or a container and put the savings toward new furniture or a few nice dinners in your new neighborhood.

How much do movers cost is the headline, but the subtext is control, risk, and time. The price is a translation of those factors into dollars.

How much should you pay someone that helps you move? For casual help over a few hours, 40 to 100 dollars per person is courteous. For professional labor-only, 80 to 120 dollars per person for a two-hour minimum is common, often rising with demand.

What is the cheapest day for movers? Midweek days outside of month-end. The first half of the month tends to be less busy than the last week.

How far in advance should I book movers? Four to eight weeks in summer, two to four weeks in off-peak. For interstate, aim for six to ten weeks, especially if you need set dates.

Is 20 dollars enough to tip movers? It’s fine for a small, quick job with good service. Scale up for full-day or complex moves.

What is a reasonable price for a local move? For a one-bedroom, 400 to 800 dollars. For a two- to three-bedroom, 900 to 1,800 dollars, with regional variation.

How can I save money when hiring movers? Purge, pack well, be fully ready, choose midweek dates, and get a binding not-to-exceed estimate when available.

Moving tends to magnify small decisions. A little planning reduces hours on the clock, and hours on the clock are what you pay for in local moves. For long-distance, accurate inventory and realistic delivery expectations keep your estimate steady. Whether you hire full-service movers, go with a pod, or drive the truck yourself, the right choice is the one that fits your timeline, your tolerance for heavy lifting, and the value you place on a low-drama move day.