How Much Does It Really Cost to Move a 2-Bedroom Apartment Cross Country?

We understand that moving involves various steps to ensure a secure transition, and this comes with a cost. Each stage of moving has different costs, and each parameter affects the cost of moving. If you are moving a 2-bedroom, this article will help you understand how much it Costs to Move a 2-Bedroom Apartment Cross Country.

Factors That Influence the Cost

The cost of moving includes various costs that are based on distinct moving parameters. Any change in the parameter can alter the moving cost by thousands of dollars. Let us explore the factors that can affect the cost of moving a 2-bedroom apartment cross country.

• Distance to be covered- The total distance between the current location and the new house is one of the prime factors that decides the moving cost. In long-distance moving the moving is based on mileage, the moving cost is higher for cross-country moves due to increased fuel consumption, more manual labor, and larger trucks. In most cases, there are overnight stays for the moving crew, which will be an additional cost.
• Total weight or volume of belongings- In cross-country moves, moving companies evaluate the moving cost based on the weight of the shipment. More household items mean more weight and this requires more labor, more fuel, and a larger truck. Local moving costs are calculated by considering the volume of the shipment. The more items you have, the more space they will take on the truck and hence higher cost for larger shipments.
• Type of moving service (DIY vs. Full-Service)- DIY movers are considered less expensive than the full-service move, these are the cheapest mode of moving. In DIY move, you rent a moving truck and pack and load items by yourself. However, this requires more physical input compared to a full-service move. In full-service moving, a team of professionals will handle everything- packing, loading, unloading, and transportation. This is expensive as you have nothing to do and professionals will manage everything from packing supplies to moving tools.
• Time of year (peak vs. off-season)- The time of year greatly affects the cost of your move. Like if you move during the late spring (May to September) and at the end of the move, you will be moving during the peak moving season and the moving costs will be skyrocketing. If you move during the off-season, during fall and winter (October to April), and mid-month, the demand for movers will be less and you will get moving rates. This time, moving companies also offer discounts during this period.
• Insurance and additional services- Most moving companies offer a basic level of coverage that is included in the moving price. However, this will only provide minimal reimbursement for any loss or damage. If you buy third-party insurance or full-value protection, it will be additional to the moving cost.
• For any additional moving service, you will be paying extra and that will be an additional cost. Additional services include disassembly and reassembly of furniture, appliance services, shuttle service, and storage.
• Access conditions (stairs, elevator, parking)- The moving is affected by one of the important factors which is accessibility. The ease of reach is facilitated by stairs, elevators, and parking. If there is no elevator then more manual labor would be required and additional costs with incur. Parking spots are generally available in most neighborhoods, but in some neighborhoods, you need to obtain a permit and paid parking to park a moving truck.

Cost to Move a 2-Bedroom Apartment Cross Country With Different Moving Options

1. Full-Service Movers

• What’s included
  • Full-service moving includes various services that are handled by professionals. Here are the services included in full-service moving
  • Packing- A trained and experienced packing professional will pack all your belongings. They use high-quality packing material to pack all items, like fragile items, clothing, furniture, and more. Various packing supplies used are boxes, bubble wraps, packing wraps, and packing tape.
  • Loading and unloading- The heavy boxes and packages are loaded and unloaded by the movers on the moving truck. They will use different moving equipment and tools to carry furniture and items on and from the moving truck.
  • Transportation- In full-service moving, transportation is included where a right-sized moving truck will be driven by a licensed and certified driver.
  • Basic liability coverage- In full-service moving, moving companies offer a basic level of insurance coverage for the belongings in transit.
  • Disassembling and Reassembling- In full-service moving, some movers disassemble and reassemble furniture and electronic appliances.
  • Additional services- In some moves, additional services are needed, like storage service, shuttle service, and custom crating.
• Average cost
  • The average cost for a full-service move varies significantly depending on various factors, like distance, services included, the weight of the shipment, and additional services. The average cost of a long-distance move varies depending on the size of the house and the distance to be traveled.
  • For a 1-bedroom apartment, moving 1,000 miles might cost between $2,300 - $5,000.
  • For a 2-3-bedroom apartment, moving 1000 miles could range from $3,500 - $6,200.

Pros and cons

2. DIY Truck Rental

• This is one of the affordable options for moving, where you rent a truck and handle everything else, including packing, loading, unloading, driving, and unpacking.
• Truck rental cost- The cost of renting a truck depends on various factors, like truck size, distance traveled, moving date, insurance, and availability. The truck rental cost is also affected by additional requirements like moving dollies, blankets, hand trucks, and more.
• Fuel, tolls, lodging- Renting a truck from companies like U-Haul, Penske, Ryder, etc. will have different regulations regarding costs, including fuel, tolls, lodging, and more. For cross-country moves, fuel consumption is higher, and lodging charges will be higher. Other costs will be the cost of meals on the way.

Pros and cons

• Average cost- The average cost for renting a truck ranges from $1,500 to $3,500. For a long-distance DIY move, the average distance will be around 1,000 miles. The cost breakdown is as follows-
  • Truck Rental- $600 - $1,500
  • Fuel- $300 - $800+
  • Tolls- $50 - $200+
  • Lodging- $100 - $250+
  • Additional Equipment/Insurance- $50 - $200+

3. Moving Container Services

• Several container service providers across the US offer container services for relocation purposes. Companies like PODS, U-Pack, and 1-800-PACK-RAT provide moving container services.
• Drop-off/pick-up container services- If you book a moving container for your cross-country move, its drop-off and pick-up service will be offered by the company. Packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking are handled by you and the company will transport the container to the destination. Some container companies offer storage services on request.
• Flexible loading time- Since loading and unloading are not handled by the container company, then it will be easy for you to load it at your convenience. The loading time is highly flexible.
• Average cost- The average cost of renting a moving container depends on various factors, including distance, container size, location, rental period, storage, insurance, and more. The average cost of moving container service for a long-distance move is around $2,500-$5,000.

4. Freight Trailer Services

If you are planning to transport your household belongings to the new state via freight trailer service, then you can consider companies like U-Pack, Old Dominion, etc.

• Pay for space used in trailer- The benefit of opting for freight trailer service is you only pay for the space your items occupy on the trailer.
• U-Pack- They provide a 28-foot which will be delivered to your doorstep and you can load your belongings. Once your boxes are settled, they will add a bulkhead which acts as a divider wall and you only have to pay for the space your items occupy on the trailer.
• Old Dominion Household Services (ODHS)- They also deliver the trailer to your doorstep, where you can load it and they will secure your belongings. You have to pay based on the linear feet used on the trailer.
• Cost-effective for mid-size moves- If you are moving 1-3-bedroom apartment, freight trailer services are considered an affordable option. Compared to full-service moving, it is a cheaper option as you will handle packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. This is a better option if you are moving to a medium-sized house and you are not willing to pay for a full-sized truck that will remain empty.
• Average cost- The average cost of freight trailer services typically falls within the range of $2,000-$4,000 for a long-distance move. The cost of a freight trailer depends on various factors including distance, moving date, amount of space used, accessibility, liability coverage, and storage.

Hidden or Additional Costs to Consider

When you move, irrespective of the size of the house, there are several other factors that you need to consider while evaluating the moving cost. Here are some additional costs to consider while moving-

• Packing supplies- The most important thing to ensure the safety and security of your valuable items when they are in transit is packing supplies. High-quality packing supplies ensure that all the items are safe and they will reach damage-free at the new house. There are a few essential packing supplies that you might need while moving a house- bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, tape, plastic sheets, and more.
• Moving insurance- Moving companies provide basic liability coverage, but this will only provide reimbursement for damaged items, like $0.60 per pound per article. This will not cover the damage to expensive belongings, and thus, you need full coverage for your belongings. You can buy third-party insurance that will provide exclusive coverage for any damage or loss to the belongings.
• Temporary storage- Storage service is not included in the full-service moving, but it can be availed at additional cost. If you have some delay in the move to store extra items, you can get storage service at extra expense.
• Vehicle shipping- Moving companies do not take vehicles on the moving truck, and if you are planning to take your car or bike to a new state, then you need to transport it separately. You can book a vehicle shipping service with your moving company or from a transport company.
• Hotel & food during transit- When you move cross-country, you have to stay while traveling, and the expense of hotel stays and meals will be additional to the moving cost. The longer the distance, the higher will be the expense of hotel stays and meals during the transit.
• Tips for movers- Giving tips to the mover is optional. If you are satisfied with the service provided by the mover and want to appreciate the crew for their efforts, then you can tip them.
  How Much Does It Really Cost to Move a 2-Bedroom Apartment Cross Country?
• Sample scenario with an itemized estimate for each method
  Moving a 2-bedroom apartment cross-country involves financial and logistical undertakings. If you move a 2-bedroom apartment cross country during peak season you can opt for any of the available options.

Compare DIY vs. container vs. full-service for same route

Tips to Save Money on Your Cross-Country Move

• Declutter before moving and reduce the shipment weight or volume. This will minimize the number of items and decrease the moving cost.
• Book your move in advance to grab the lowest rate on your move and find the mover of your choice.
• Get multiple quotes from different movers to compare moving rates, services, and customer reviews.
• Plan your move during off-seasons to grab the lowest moving rates, promotional offers, and discounts.
• Minimize the moving cost by opting for self-packing instead of full-service moving.
  Checklist for a Smooth Move
• Timeline for preparation (8 weeks to the moving day)- Explore the moving checklist at Van Lines Move Moving Checklist. This 8-week timeline will help you plan and organize your move

Moving Cost Caculator

Conclusion

Moving a 2-bedroom apartment cross-country will require careful planning and understanding of the finances involved. There are several ways to plan a budget-friendly move, like DIY truck rental, moving container service, etc. For a full-service move for a 2-bedroom apartment cross-country, the moving cost ranges from around $3,400 to $10,000. Other than moving costs, several other expenses are included, like storage, vehicle shipping, temporary storage, packing supplies, and more. Consider all the parameters before booking a move with a professional moving company. To plan and book your move, connect with Van Lines Move and request moving quotes online for free.

FAQ

How much do movers cost cross-country?

A cross-country move with a full-service moving company is around $4,000 to $7,000 but can range from $2,500 to $17,000 or more. The moving cost depends on various parameters like distance, volume & weight of shipment, moving services, moving day, and more.

How much money should I have to move across the country?

To move across the country, you must have around $4,000 to $15,000.

What is the cheapest way to move belongings across the country?

There are various options available, including DIY rental trucks, moving container services, and more.