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Moving to a new part of the country is the start of a new adventure, but moving can also be expensive and aggravating.
Finding the cheapest way to move cross country lets you focus on the fun and excitement of your new home instead of getting overwhelmed. Learning how to plan a cross-country move requires you to answer three important questions:
- How do I move?
- When do I move?
- How much should I spend on moving?
Once you answer these three questions, the rest will fall into place.
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Figuring out how to move cross country cheaply is all about the details. There are plenty of affordable ways to move cross country, but you have to think outside the box.
DIY / Doing it Yourself
This is a cost-effective method if you want to forgo outside help or have very few possessions. In a DIY move, you handle everything yourself: transportation, storage, and even moving in.
If you have lots of furniture, don’t have a car, or don’t have another person to help you carry things, this may not be the right option.
Get Help from Friends and Family
If a friend or family member is willing to help, especially for free, that can slash your costs by a huge margin. They may not be able to help you settle in, but having a few extra hands to load your cargo or ship your things is always welcome!
Shipping Your Stuff in Advance
Maybe you have a few friends near your new place, or a housemate is already there ahead of you. Shipping some of your belongings before you move can save space and money, especially if you want to rent a moving van when you head out for the move.
Shipping costs are not always cheap – especially with furniture – but staggering your expenses instead of spending a lot of money all at once can be the difference between hitting or missing an important car or student loan payment.
Rent a Moving Truck or Portable Moving Container
If you have too many belongings to go DIY and can’t ship things in advance, renting a moving truck or moving container is a good way to save money. This way, you can take more than just what fits in your car.
Just keep in mind that if you rent a truck, the mileage fees can go up fast depending on how far you go. If you go with a moving container, there will likely be a charge per container, so only go with this option if you know you can make the space count.
Moving During the Off-Season
Sometimes it’s not about how you move cross country, but when. One of the most affordable ways to move cross-country is to move during the off-season, especially if you’ll need to stay at a hotel for a few days during the move. The more tourists there are, the higher-priced hotel rooms and other visitors’ essentials will be.
Most of the time, a town’s off-season is in the fall or winter, but certain places – like Colorado – are busiest in the winter. You can also plan around inclement weather. Nobody wants to pay damage fees on moving vehicles or storage containers because they got caught up in a bad storm during tornado season or during a blizzard!
Find Discounts
You can mitigate the costs of moving cross country by keeping tabs on promotions or other discounts for the services you will need. For example, if moving is going to take a few days and you anticipate staying in a hotel, check the hotel booking sites to get discounts on hotel rooms. You can also see if a moving company is offering a deal on cross-country moving services.
Hiring a Professional Cross-Country Moving Company
There is no shame in hiring an expert. Moving companies take care of everything for you, from shipping to transportation.
Make sure you get a quote before you commit to anything, and do not feel pressured to pick a company right away. When considering the cheapest way to move cross country, comparing prices is a must.
The company you hire should have reasonable prices, amazing service, and up-front pricing so you don’t have any surprises on a moving day. Make sure to get an accurate quote before committing so you don’t end up paying too much later.
How Much Does It Cost to Move Cross Country?
Moving is never cheap, but knowing how much it costs can save a lot of stress and time. There are several factors to calculating the average cost to move cross country:
- Size of the move: The more belongings you have, the more you can expect to pay. Bulky items may also have extra fees.
- Time of the year: Late fall, winter, and early spring are usually cheaper because demand is lower than in the summer.
- Move dates: The end and beginning of the month are usually the busiest.
- Access issues: Professional movers may charge more based on obstacles like stairs or a lack of parking that will make their job harder.
- Distance: Your starting point and destination will affect the cost of moving.
In general, hiring a moving company ranges from $4,000 to $9,000. Renting freight or shipping containers can average between $2,500 and $3,000.
Preparing to Move Out of State
If you want to find the cheapest way to move cross country, there are plenty of ways to cut costs. You can have friends and family help out, rent a truck to drive yourself, and plan your schedule carefully, but you may still run into unexpected costs.
Hiring a cross-country moving company that knows how to handle all of your needs, like Jordan River Moving & Storage, can make your trip stress-free and simplify things with a clear, up-front cost. We handle everything – transportation, shipping, storage, and unpacking – and have locations in Washington State, South Carolina, and New York state. Give us a call at 1-877-611-0808 for a free quote!
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