The cost of an interstate or long-distance move is determined by the weight of the shipment, the mileage between origin and destination, and labor costs. The calculation of the cost of a local move is slightly different. Intra-state moves are based on a fixed dollar amount per hour. If you're moving a long distance (more than 100 miles), you'll need the services of a long-distance moving company.
Long-distance moves are calculated based on the weight of your belongings and the distance traveled. Every company is different, but they'll likely charge you a rate per pound and a fee per mile. Usually, a local move will cost you less than a long-distance move because moving companies don't have to spend as much time driving from one place to another. Insurance involves additional costs, but prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to long distances.
The weight of your household items is probably the most important factor affecting your moving expenses, both locally and over long distances. Renters and homeowners insurance policies generally don't cover the cost of items that are damaged or lost during a move. The final cost depends on the distance and volume of the move and whether the move is local or long-distance (across state lines). For example, if you're moving a long distance from New York to California, the truck rental rate will most likely include around 3,200 miles for driving and a rental time of 6 to 8 days.
And if something goes wrong, your long-distance move could end up costing you thousands of dollars more than you expected. Long-distance moving truck rental rates are based on the distance between locations and the size of the moving truck you need. Then, you'll need to consider the cost of valuation and additional services to ensure that your items travel safely over such long distances. At the end of the day, the total costs of a long-distance move can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars.
We know that we have been developing cost-predicting algorithms and moving cost checklists for years to try to approximate moving costs. Moving companies base the cost of the move based on the total weight of the shipment and the distance of the move. The weight of the shipment, the distance of the move, the type of service required, and more influence when determining the cost. And what those moves actually cost can be surprisingly similar to or even much lower than the total cost of a move done by yourself.
If you're planning an upcoming move, find out how a potential moving company's costs will help you calculate your moving budget.
