Long-distance moving prices for a 1-bedroom long-distance move depend on distance, shipment size, service type, and timing. Below, you’ll find realistic 2025 ranges from reputable calculators and industry guides, plus what typically moves the number up or down.
Key Points (Quick Scan)
- Full-service movers: about $2,200 – $3,500 for 400+ miles on a 1-bedroom; some cross-country routes trend higher, especially in peak season.
- Moving containers (PODS-style): roughly $2,400 to $4,800 between 500 up to 1,000 miles using one container sized for a 1-bedroom. DIY truck rental: headline truck rates can look lower, but fuel, mileage, lodging, and tolls often push totals into the $2,500 – $4,000+ range for cross-country moves.
- Protection matters: federal rules include a free “Released Value” at 60¢ per lb per item; most renters upgrade to Full Value Protection for meaningful coverage.
How Much Does a 1-Bedroom Long-Distance Move Cost?
Use these ranges as a planning baseline. They assume typical furnishings for a 1-bedroom (often 2,000 – 3,000 lbs), no specialty items, and standard access at both addresses.
| Distance | Full-Service Movers | Moving Container | DIY Truck (est. all-in) | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 – 400 miles | $1,800 – $3,000 | $768 – $2,401 (≈250 mi) | $1,200 – $2,400 | Coastal Moving Quotes; moveBuddha PODS 250-mi guide. |
| 500 – 1,000 miles | $2,200 – $3,500 | $2,401 – $4,802 | $2,000 – $3,500 | North American; moveBuddha PODS 500/1,000-mi ranges. |
| Cross-country (1,500 – 2,900 miles) | $2,500 – $5,000+ | $3,000 – $6,000 (one container; add if two) | $3,000 – $4,500+ | Allied overview; PODS blog/truck vs. container comps. |
Notes: Calculators and guides vary. North American’s estimator prices a 1-bedroom at about $2,200 – $3,500 for 400+ miles. PODS cost studies show containers in the mid-$2,000s to upper-$4,000s for 500 – 1,000 miles. Cross-country truck totals rise with fuel/lodging.
What Changes the Price Most?
- Distance & weight/volume: carriers rate by weight and mileage; containers price by container size, distance, and time on hire.
- Season and day of week: summer and end-of-month weekends run higher; mid-week, off-season moves often cost less.
- Accessorials: long carries, stairs, elevators, shuttles, or extra stops add line items; so do storage-in-transit and debris pickup.
- Packing level: DIY saves money; professional packing typically adds a few hundred to roughly a thousand dollars for a 1-bedroom.
- Valuation/coverage choice: sticking with the free 60-cents-per-pound “Released Value” keeps the bid lower, but coverage is minimal; Full Value Protection raises cost and protection.
Sample Budgets for a 1-Bedroom
Scenario A – 700 miles, full-service mover
Base transport: $2,200 – $3,500 (1-bedroom band for 400+ miles)
Packing (kitchen + fragile only): $250 – $600
Valuation upgrade (FVP): varies by carrier and declared value
Likely subtotal: $2,600 – $4,300 before optional storage.
Scenario B – 1,000 miles, one moving container
Container + transport: $2,800 – $4,800 (distance-based)
Door-to-door time on hire: adds if you keep the container longer
Likely subtotal: $2,900 – $5,100, depending on time and delivery spacing.
Scenario C – 2,500 miles, DIY truck
Truck base: $1,200 – $2,000
Fuel + mileage: $900 – $1,600 (size and MPG driven)
Hotels, tolls, food: $300 – $700
Likely subtotal: $2,400 – $4,300 before packing supplies and labor help.
Long-Distance Moving Prices Coverage & Valuation
By federal rule, long-distance moving prices provided by interstate movers must offer Released Value Protection at no cost, liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per item. That means a 25-lb TV would be valued at $15 if lost or damaged. Most customers upgrade to Full Value Protection so the mover is liable for repair, replacement with a like item, or a cash settlement up to the declared value of the shipment. Ask your mover to price both on the estimate and show deductibles in writing.
FAQ – Long-Distance Moving Prices
What’s a realistic long-distance price for a 1-bedroom?
For 400+ miles, many full-service estimates land between $2,200 and $3,500 before packing and upgrades. Container moves across 500 to 1,000 miles often run $2,400 – $4,800. Cross-country full-service or multi-container moves can exceed $5,000 depending on timing and access.
Are online averages for 1-bedroom moves reliable?
They’re good for ballparks. Independent guides place 1-bedroom long-distance averages roughly in the $2,000 – $5,000 span, with methodology differences explaining outliers on the low or high side. Always confirm with an in-home or virtual survey.
How do I lower the price without making the move miserable?
Move off-peak (fall or winter weekdays), reduce weight by donating or selling 10 – 30% of items, and self-pack non-fragile goods while having pros pack the kitchen and fragile pieces. Container timing control can also trim costs if you’re flexible on delivery.
Is DIY always cheaper?
Not always. After fuel, lodging, tolls, and time off work, DIY totals can overlap entry-level full-service bids, especially on long routes. Compare door-to-door totals, not just the truck’s sticker price.
Popular 1-Bedroom Routes for Planning Baselines
These examples translate the distance bands above into real city pairs. Prices assume typical 1-bedroom inventories, standard access, and non-peak dates. Always confirm with a virtual or in-home survey.
| Route | Approx. Miles | Full-Service | Container | DIY (est. all-in) | Typical Delivery Window | Helpful Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City to Chicago | ~790 | $2,200 – $3,500 | $2,400 – $4,200 | $2,000–$3,200 | 3 to 7 days | New York City guide · Chicago guide |
| Denver to Dallas | ~780 | $2,200 – $3,500 | $2,400 – $4,200 | $2,000–$3,200 | 3 to 7 days | Denver guide · Dallas guide |
| Los Angeles to Seattle | ~960 | $2,300 – $3,700 | $2,600 – $4,600 | $2,200–$3,400 | 4 to 8 days | Los Angeles guide · Seattle guide |
| Chicago to Atlanta | ~715 | $2,100 – $3,400 | $2,300 – $4,200 | $1,900 – $3,200 | 3 to 7 days | Chicago guide · Atlanta guide |
| Los Angeles to Austin | ~1,380 | $2,500 – $4,200 | $2,800 – $4,800 | $2,600 – $4,000 | 5 to 10 days | Los Angeles guide · Austin guide |
| Seattle to Phoenix | ~1,400 | $2,500 – $4,200 | $2,800 – $4,900 | $2,600 – $4,000 | 5 to 10 days | Seattle guide · Phoenix guide |
| San Francisco to New York City | ~2,900 | $3,200 – $5,000+ | $3,500 – $6,000 | $3,200 – $4,500+ | 7 to 14 days (dedicated) · 10–21 days (consolidated) | San Francisco guide · New York City guide |
| Miami to Atlanta | ~660 | $2,000 – $3,300 | $2,200 – $3,900 | $1,800 – $3,000 | 3 to 6 days | Miami guide · Atlanta guide |
| Boston to Washington DC | ~440 | $1,900 – $3,100 | $1,900 – $3,400 | $1,400–$2,600 | 2 to 5 days | Boston guide · Washington DC guide |
Ranges reflect typical 1-bedroom inventories (≈2,000 – 3,000 lbs) and standard access. Summer/weekend dates, stairs/long carries, shuttles, packing, and valuation upgrades can increase totals. Use the internal links above to connect readers to your city-specific guides.
References
- Allied – Long-Distance Moving Cost Calculator (ranges).
- North American Van Lines – Estimated Relocation Cost Calculator.
- moveBuddha – PODS Cost by Distance (2025).
- PODS – Cross-Country Moving Costs (containers vs. trucks).
- This Old House – Moving Costs (2025 guide); Stack Moves – 1-Bedroom Averages.
- FMCSA – Liability & Protection (Released Value 60¢/lb); FMCSA – Understanding Valuation (PDF); Suddath – Valuation Basics.
Method notes: Ranges reflect late-2024/2025 calculators and guides; your quote will vary by inventory, dates, and access. Always request a written, itemized estimate.
