5 scenarios mapped
DIY vs movers
The right mode isn't a personality trait — it's a function of distance, weight, lead time, and how much your weekend is worth. Pick the scenario that looks like your move.
Usually starts with · Container
Best Way to Move Cross-Country
Over roughly 2,000 miles the math changes: fuel, lodging, and days of your time erode the DIY discount, while container and full-service bands per mile actually improve with distance.
Read the playbook →
Usually starts with · Truck rental
Best Way to Move a One-Bedroom Apartment
A 1-bedroom shipment (~2,800 lbs) is the sweet spot for every mode — small enough for the smallest containers and trucks, big enough that full-service crews quote it efficiently.
Read the playbook →
Usually starts with · Full service
Best Way to Move a 3–4 Bedroom Family Home
At 7,000–9,500+ lbs, a family home is where full-service movers earn their band — and where an under-scoped DIY plan goes wrong most often.
Read the playbook →
Usually starts with · Full service
Moving with Cars: Shipping vs Driving
General guidance for the move-plus-vehicle problem: every extra car either gets driven (time, fuel, wear) or shipped (typically $700–$1,500 coast-to-coast on open transport) — and the right answer changes the rest of your moving plan.
Read the playbook →
Usually starts with · Truck rental
Best Way to Move on Short Notice
Under two weeks of lead time, your real cost lever is flexibility: the modes with standing capacity (truck rental, then containers) beat the modes that need scheduling (full-service crews).
Read the playbook →