Cross-Country Moving Cost in 2026
By the Moving Company Estimate data team · Last updated July 2026 · Methodology
Short answer: moving cross-country (2,500+ miles) costs $2,275–$15,550 with full-service movers in 2026. A 2-bedroom home runs $4,400–$6,550; a 4-bedroom, $8,625–$12,850. This far out, transport is priced at the lowest per-mile tier, so New York→LA and Boston→SF cost essentially the same for the same home.
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Cost by home size, coast to coast
From our published rate model at ~2,700 miles, the same engine behind the calculator:
| Home size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio (~1,800 lbs) | $2,275 | $2,775 | $3,375 |
| 1 Bedroom (~2,900 lbs) | $2,975 | $3,625 | $4,425 |
| 2 Bedroom (~5,500 lbs) | $4,400 | $5,375 | $6,550 |
| 3 Bedroom (~9,000 lbs) | $6,500 | $7,925 | $9,675 |
| 4 Bedroom (~13,500 lbs) | $8,625 | $10,525 | $12,850 |
| 5+ Bedroom (~18,500 lbs) | $10,450 | $12,750 | $15,550 |
Real corridor examples (2-bedroom)
Once you cross about 2,500 miles you're in the top rate band, so the famous coast-to-coast corridors converge on the same price, the exceptions are "short" cross-country runs like Chicago→LA that fall a band lower:
| Corridor | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago → Los Angeles (~2,056 mi) | $3,825 | $4,675 | $5,700 |
| Atlanta → Portland (~2,559 mi) | $4,275 | $5,225 | $6,375 |
| New York → Los Angeles (~2,885 mi) | $4,575 | $5,575 | $6,800 |
| Boston → San Francisco (~3,178 mi) | $4,850 | $5,900 | $7,200 |
| Miami → Seattle (~3,224 mi) | $4,875 | $5,950 | $7,250 |
Under ~2,000 miles the math changes meaningfully, see the long-distance moving cost guide for 250–2,000 mile tables, or route pages like New York to Miami and Boston to Tampa for corridor-specific numbers.
With full packing service
Most coast-to-coast movers add professional packing, at this distance, box quality genuinely matters, and mover-packed boxes carry better claims coverage:
| Home size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,500 | $3,050 | $3,725 |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,300 | $4,025 | $4,900 |
| 2 Bedroom | $4,925 | $6,000 | $7,325 |
| 3 Bedroom | $7,275 | $8,875 | $10,825 |
| 4 Bedroom | $9,750 | $11,875 | $14,500 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $11,900 | $14,500 | $17,700 |
What to expect that nobody tells you
- You get a window, not a date. Consolidated shipments deliver in 7–21 days coast to coast. If you need a firm date, a dedicated truck costs 25–50% more.
- A lighter load is your biggest lever. Downsizing before a cross-country haul cuts both the truck size and the crew hours, and it saves far more on a coast-to-coast move than on a 250-mile one. Books, old furniture, and garage iron are the classic offenders.
- Peak season stacks. A July 29 move date pushes a $4,950 typical 2-bedroom to about $6,150, the peak-season and end-of-month premiums multiply.
- Containers are the real budget rival. If you can load yourself, a container runs roughly $3,000–$5,000 coast to coast, the PODS vs movers comparison breaks down when it wins.
The cross-country planning timeline
Long moves reward early booking more than any other purchase in the process. Eight weeks out, get three binding, video-survey estimates, coast-to-coast spreads of $1,000+between carriers on the same inventory are normal, not a red flag. Six weeks out, book; the best interstate crews fill their summer calendars first, and a late booking often means a broker reselling your move to whoever has space. Four weeks out, start the purge (see the math above, it's the highest-paying chore you'll do all year) and schedule utility shutoffs. Move week, pack a "first 14 days" kit that travels in your car or luggage: documents, medications, chargers, a pan, and bedding, because your shipment may legally arrive up to three weeks after you do. Finally, plan cash flow: most carriers collect the balance at delivery, before unloading, by certified funds or card, not after you've checked every box.
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- No email required to see your price
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Prefer to talk? Call (561) 220-0117, free, no obligation.
FAQ
In 2026, a coast-to-coast move with full-service movers costs about $2,275–$3,375 for a studio, $4,400–$6,550 for a 2-bedroom, and $10,450–$15,550 for a large 5-bedroom home, before packing services.
Consolidated (shared-truck) coast-to-coast shipments typically deliver in 7–21 days; carriers quote a window, not a date. A dedicated truck can cross in 5–7 days but costs substantially more. Plan an air mattress and a suitcase week either way.
Cheapest to priciest for a typical 2-bedroom coast to coast: DIY truck rental ($1,800–$3,200 with fuel and lodging), moving container ($3,000–$5,000), consolidated full-service movers ($4,050–$6,050), dedicated-truck full service ($6,000+). Shipping less stuff beats every other tactic, a smaller load means a smaller truck and fewer crew hours.
Yes, open-carrier auto transport coast to coast typically adds $1,100–$1,600 per vehicle (editorial market range). It's usually a separate carrier and contract from your household shipment, even when one company sells you both.