Top 7 Cheapest Ways to Move Across Country

When planning your move, it's essential to set a moving budget to effectively manage your finances. Finding low-cost interstate moving solutions is the right way to experience an affordable move.

There are several ways to move from one city to another, and people pick the one that suits their moving budget and moving needs. This article will provide insights into the cheapest ways to move across the country and help manage financial status. Here, we will discuss about different affordable modes of transition-

7 Cheapest Ways to Move Across Country

1. Rent a Moving Truck and DIY

Most people prefer to handle their move as per their flexibility and look for low-cost interstate moving solutions. Renting a moving truck is the cheapest way to move in the US. Several truck rental companies are offering affordable truck rental options for nationwide moving. These trucks are licensed and possess permits to move across the state borders. In the truck rental option, you will book a right-sized moving truck for your move, and the rental company will drop off the truck at the mentioned address.

It is an affordable option as you will be packing, loading, and unloading the truck by yourself. There will be no fees for hiring a professional driver as you will be driving it across the state border.

However, in Do-It-Yourself moves, you are responsible for the entire relocation process. In such moves, you will take control of your move without hiring any professionals. It is considered one of the most affordable moving options in the US. If you plan a DIY move, you will be handling packing, loading, and unloading, as well as transportation by yourself. Since you will be packing all your belongings, you can use old cartons, suitcases, free boxes from grocery stores, and delivery boxes as packing supplies and save money by using such inexpensive moving supplies. You can rent a moving truck or use your vehicle to transport the items and move on a budget.

If you opt for a DIY move while renting a moving truck as a cheap way to move across the country, you can consider renting a moving truck from companies like U-Haul, which offers extensive coverage of over 20,000 locations in the US. It has a variety of trucks and trailers of different sizes catering to different moving needs.

Another budget-friendly option is renting a moving truck from Budget, which offers the best rates for moves under 100 miles. They offer several discounts for students, military personnel, AAA, and AARP members.

Another option is renting a truck from Penske that has reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles. They offer discounted rates for AAA members, military personnel, and students.

There are several Pros and Cons of renting a moving truck and executing a DIY move-

Here is the cost breakdown for long-distance moves for renting a moving truck-

Here are some tips for a successful DIY move-

• Create a moving plan and a checklist to track your relocation process.
• Collect inexpensive moving and packing supplies like old boxes, newspapers, rugs, carpets, and more.
• Choose the right size truck for your move and book in advance.
• Ask your friends and family for help while packing and loading.

2. Use a Freight Trailer Service-

Using freight trailers for moving is an affordable option for cross-country moving. Using a freight trailer is similar to a moving container but is more economical. The freight trailer is dropped off at your location, where you will load it with packed boxes. While loading, remember that you will be charged based on the linear feet of the trailer you use. You can use bulkheads and partitions to separate and secure your belongings from the rest of the trailer space. Once loaded, the trailer will be picked up and transported to the destination.

This is a cost-effective way to move across the country as the freight trailers carry multiple customers’ shipments. The freight trailer will be delivered to the destination, and you can unload the belongings at your convenience. After that, you can inform the company to pick up the trailer.

There are a number of companies across the US that offer Freight Trailer Services. U-Pack is the ultimate brand for booking a freight trailer, as it only charges for the space you use on the trailer. They have nationwide availability as they serve in all 50 states. It is easy to book their service; however, the only challenge is you will have time limitations for loading and heavy lifting.

Using a freight trailer has some pros and cons, such as

Cost breakdown for using freight trailer

3. Ship Your Belongings

Another cheapest way to move across the country is by shipping your belongings to the destination. Several parcel carriers across the country offer affordable yet extensive shipping services. The most popular shipping companies include USPS, FedEx, and Amtrak Express Shipping. These companies offer shipping services for minimal boxes or belongings.

USPS (United States Postal Service) is the best shipping service for small, lightweight boxes, and it is considered the cheapest option for lighter boxes. It has extensive network coverage, and it provides Free Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express boxes/envelopes.

Other than this, there is FedEx, which is best for mid-sized boxes and valuables, and they offer robust tracking for the packages. Various levels of service depend on budget and urgency. They can handle heavier and larger individual packages than USPS for ground services. They impose surcharges for residential delivery, peak seasons, and special handling.

Tips to reduce shipping costs-

• Declutter your belongings as it will reduce the size of the shipment and ultimately reduce the shipping cost.
• Choose the slowest service, which is economy service like USPS Ground Advantage, FedEx Ground, or Amtrak Express, as they offer cheaper solutions.
• Compare moving quotes from different carrier services, as the price varies based on weight, dimension, and destination.
• Pack boxes completely and avoid space. This can lead to higher dimensional weight charges.
• If you use FedEx or UPS, picking up and dropping off at a local FedEx Office can sometimes avoid residential delivery surcharges.

4. Hire Moving Labor Only (Load/Unload Help)

When you explore the cheapest ways to move around the US, you will find hybrid moving is one of the highly preferred methods. Hybrid moving, as the term defines, is a combination of DIY moving and hiring moving labor. In hybrid moving, you are responsible for packing and driving the moving truck. Here, you will gather packing supplies and pack the items. Later, professional moving labor will load them in the rented moving truck, moving container, or freight trailer. However, some companies provide labor services where professionals can carry heavy items while loading and unloading. Transportation or driving is handled by professional movers or transport companies. You can relax after loading as you will not drive a large truck across state borders.

There are platforms like HireAHelper and TaskRabbit that are considered excellent resources for “labor-only” moving help. HireAHelper is an online marketplace that connects you with professional local moving companies. They provide a layer of professionalism, transparent pricing, and guaranteed service.

TaskRabbit is a marketplace that connects you with freelancers offering help in moving, cleaning, and handyman services. Beyond loading/unloading, Taskers connect you with service providers for packing, unpacking, furniture assembly/disassembly, junk removal, single-item moves, and even local moves with a truck. This is the best option for small, local tasks and last-minute help.

Budget Advantages for Hiring Moving Labor only

• This is significantly cheaper than the full-service movers, as you will only pay for the hands-on labor.
• You can control the truck or container cost by picking the right type of rental truck, moving container, or freight trailer.
• Since you are only hiring labor, there will be no hidden charges associated with transportation.
• The labor pricing is flexible, and hire help can be booked for very short and specific tasks.

Hiring Moving Labor Only for moving is one of the cheapest ways to move across the country, and it has some advantages and disadvantages.

Cost breakdown for Hiring Moving Labor Only for long-distance moving

5. Use Portable Moving Containers

Moving containers is considered a convenient and flexible option for moving to a new state in the US. This is different from renting a moving truck, as here, the container is driven by a certified professional truck driver. Once you pick the containers of suitable size, the moving container company will drop off the container at the address you provide.

You will pack, load, and secure your belongings and inform the moving container company. They will then pick up the container from the current location and transport it to the new address through ground transport or with a combination of ground and rail. The moving container will be delivered on the agreed-upon date and drop-off at your doorstep. You can unload the belongings at your convenience, and later, the moving container will be picked up. This is an affordable option compared to hiring a moving company.

There are several pros and cons of moving containers-

Cost breakdown for moving container for a long-distance move-

There are two leading container providers across the US, including- PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT.

PODS has the largest network with its reach in different locations in 46 states and offers flexible scheduling. There are different-sized containers, such as 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot. PODS generally receives better customer reviews and often provides discounts and promotions. 1-800-PACK-RAT provides weatherproof portable storage containers that focus on providing secure transportation. They provide three container sizes (8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot), similar to PODS.

6. Move with a Bus or Train (for personal travel + boxes)

If you are moving with fewer boxes, then traveling via bus or train for personal travel is a well-suited and budget-friendly option. There are several service providers, including Greyhound Package Express, that will be a perfect fit for this type of commute.

In traveling with Greyhound, you will enjoy their passenger bus service, and here you can drop off your package at Greyhound station, and you can either travel on the same bus or in a different one. They will transport the boxes to the next station as per the booking made by you. This package service is cheaper than the airline baggage fees for extra luggage, and it is best for clothes, books, and non-fragile items. These packages have dimensional as well as weight restrictions (75-100 lbs per piece). It is not a door-to-door service, and no tracking service is available.

Amtrak Express Shipping is largely suspended; however, you can opt to travel as a passenger on Amtrak and check your luggage for transport. This is the best-suited method for long-distance personal travel and when you are traveling with a few suitcases or boxes.

Creative Workarounds while Moving with a Bus or Train

• Plan your baggage by maximizing the allowed checked-in bags, and it is recommended to use sturdy suitcases.
• Ship your fragile and high-value items separately via dedicated parcel carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS. These are expensive options, but they are much safer.
• Pack your essentials and lighter valuable items in your carry-on bags.
• Confirm the departure and arrival stations for the checked baggage services before you plan your move.

7. Sell Most of Your Stuff and Start Fresh

Getting rid of the belongings while relocating is one of the first and best ways to reduce the moving cost. A digital nomad is a less traditional method, and its goal is to maximize freedom and minimize the burden of possessions. Decluttering is the foundation for a successful and well-organized move. It will reduce the number of belongings while you focus on several aspects, such as moving budget and moving truck size.

The right approach for digital nomads or minimalist movers is to embrace the thought- “Buy New, Donate/Sell Later). It will be cheaper to buy the items locally at the destination and then sell the items before you move. You can cloud everything, like photos, music, documents, and more.

Selling items can be difficult if you plan a traditional sellout, but with trending methods, you can sell your belongings from the comfort of your home. Several online platforms are available, including Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and more.

Facebook Marketplace is an online platform for buying and selling goods in different communities. You can post the images and details of the items on the marketplace, and prospective buyers can reach out. However, on OfferUp, you can sell items including furniture, appliances, electronics, and even large, bulky items. You can easily communicate with the buyers via mobile and sell your items easily.

A garage sale is a traditional mode of selling household and office items while moving out. In this, you can arrange a yard sale and sell all the items you are planning to get rid of during the move.

For a fresh start, you can explore essential-only checklists and rent a furnished space. It will help you save money, and you can buy new furniture if only required. There are various fully-furnished spaces in your new location where you only have to settle your belongings and no need to buy new things every time you move.

Mistakes to Avoid When Moving on a Budget

Moving is a complicated process, and even if you are moving for the tenth time, you will make some mistakes. Here are details about some mistakes you need to avoid when moving on a budget.

• Most people connect with one or two movers and book the cheaper one. However, comparing more than 3 moving quotes will give a clear picture of the moving cost. So, compare more than 3 moving estimates and find the best option.
• Insurance is essential when you move, and buying insurance will ensure the security of your belongings. Most people avoid buying insurance and end up suffering.
• Some people forget about hidden charges, and on the moving day, they are surprised. Don’t miss learning about these hidden costs before the moving day.
• Be careful while packing, as poor packing strategies can result in damage.

Conclusion

Finding the cheapest way to the long-distance moves can be challenging. But we hope this article helped you explore multiple options. These moving methods are affordable in different ways and you can pick the mode as per your moving distance and number of belongings. Avoid making mistakes while moving and save a lot of money on every move.

FAQs

What is the least expensive way to move across the country?

The least expensive way to move across the country is The "Extreme Minimalist / Digital Nomad" Approach.

What is the cheapest long-distance moving option?

The cheapest long-distance moving option includes a DIY rental truck, freight trailer services, and shipping boxes.

What is the cheapest way to travel across the country?

The cheapest ways to travel across the country include bus travel, ridesharing, flying, and train travel.

How to move across the country with little money?

The best way to move across the country with little money is by bus travel ($100 - $300 if booked far in advance) and carpooling ($50 - $200 for a long segment).