Short answer: a long-distance move of a 2–3 bedroom home commonly runs $2,800–$7,500 for 500–1,500 miles, based on 2026 published industry cost surveys — climbing toward $9,750+ for a true coast-to-coast relocation. Home size and mileage tier are the two real levers.
Cost by distance tier and home size
| Home size | Regional (100–500 mi) | Long-distance (500–1,500 mi) | Coast-to-coast (1,500+ mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1BR | $1,350 – $2,400 | $1,800 – $3,200 | $2,340 – $4,160 |
| 2 bedroom | $2,100 – $3,750 | $2,800 – $5,000 | $3,640 – $6,500 |
| 3 bedroom | $3,375 – $5,625 | $4,500 – $7,500 | $5,850 – $9,750 |
| 4+ bedroom | $6,000 – $11,250 | $8,000 – $15,000 | $10,400 – $19,500 |
Ranges synthesized from 2026 published industry cost surveys. Get a range for your exact route with the calculator.
Why long-distance pricing works differently than local
Local movers sell you their time — a crew and a truck for a few hours. Interstate carriers sell you a slot on a truck that's driving your belongings hundreds or thousands of miles, shared with other households' shipments in many cases. That shifts the pricing model to what the industry actually ships on: pounds and miles. A binding estimate requires someone to see (in person or on video) what you're actually shipping — phone-only quotes are the leading cause of "the final bill was way higher than the estimate" complaints.
How to keep a long-distance move near the low end
- Cut weight before the estimate. Sell, donate, or trash furniture you won't keep — weight is the primary cost driver, and it's the one thing fully in your control.
- Move mid-month, midweek. End-of-month and weekend slots carry a premium because that's when apartment leases turn over.
- Get 3 in-home or video estimates. Not phone quotes — the spread between binding estimates from companies who actually looked at your stuff is usually much tighter than phone-quote spreads.
- Ask what "released value" coverage actually pays. The federal minimum is $0.60/lb per item — a 50-lb TV is covered for $30 if it's destroyed, unless you buy full-value protection.