The route cost calculator
Price the move before anyone quotes you
Pick one of 40 curated routes or any two states, set your home size and month, and get the typical low/typical/high band for all three ways to move. Every figure is a published band, not a quote.
Methodology, in short
The calculator computes typical published bands from two inputs: approximate road distance and home size (a proxy for shipment weight — a studio runs ≈1,800 lbs, a 4-bedroom ≈9,500 lbs). Full-service bands use a base-plus-per-mile model calibrated to industry-typical ranges; container bands run 55–70% of full service; truck-rental bands add a fuel estimate at 8 mpg and $3.60/gal. Peak months (May– August) apply a 15–25% multiplier. State-to-state distances are straight-line centroid distance × 1.2 — labeled as estimates.
The full model, every constant, and the honesty rules live on the methodology page. The one number this tool can never give you is a price for your stuff — for that, get binding quotes and use these bands as your negotiating baseline.
FAQ
How much does it cost to move cross country?
For a coast-to-coast move (≈2,800 miles), typical published bands run roughly $2,800–$7,100 full-service for a 1-bedroom, $4,200–$10,700 for a 2-bedroom, with containers around 55–70% of those figures and DIY truck rental roughly $1,900–$3,300 including fuel. These are typical bands, not quotes — your inventory, dates, and access set the real price, so always get binding quotes.
Is it cheaper to use pods or movers?
Moving containers ("pods") typically land around 55–70% of a comparable full-service band, because you supply the packing and loading labor. Whether that saves real money depends on whether you can physically load a container and how much your time is worth — for big homes or walk-ups, full-service quotes sometimes close the gap.
When is the cheapest time to move?
September through April, mid-month and mid-week. May through August is peak season, when published rates typically run 15–25% higher across all modes — the calculator applies that multiplier when you pick a peak month.