Moving Cost Calculator
Pick your home size and moving distance to compare the estimated cost of a DIY truck, full-service movers and a moving container, plus the truck size and packing supplies you need. Every assumption is editable and nothing leaves your browser.
Recommended truck size
Packing supplies estimate
Assumptions (edit to match your local prices)
These defaults are rough US ballpark figures for estimating only. Get written quotes before you book; real prices vary by city, date, access (stairs, long carries) and how much you own.
By home size
| Home | Weight (lb) | Boxes | Truck (ft) | Crew hours | Crew size | Containers |
|---|
Rates
This is an estimate, not a quote. Tips, parking permits, stairs or long carries, bulky items (pianos, safes), valuation coverage beyond the basic level and tolls are not included.
How to use the Moving Cost Calculator
- Choose your home size and enter the moving distance in miles or kilometres.
- Pick the moving date (peak summer and weekend moves cost more) and tick options such as professional packing or loading help.
- Press Estimate moving cost to compare the three ways to move; the cheapest is highlighted.
- Check the truck size recommendation and the packing supplies list.
- Open Assumptions to replace the default rates with quotes or prices from your area, then copy the estimate.
How the moving cost estimate works
- DIY truck = truck rental + fuel (miles ÷ mpg × fuel price) + damage protection per day + dolly and pads + packing supplies, plus lodging and meals when the drive takes more than one day. Local moves use a day rate plus mileage for the round trip; long moves use a one-way rate per mile.
- Full-service movers: local moves = movers × (job hours + drive time + travel fee) × hourly rate per mover; long-distance moves = shipment weight × rate per pound, where the rate grows with distance. Professional packing is added per box if you tick it.
- Moving container = containers × (delivery, pickup and first month) + transport per mile for long moves + extra storage months + packing supplies.
- A peak-season surcharge (default 15%) applies to the main service in summer or at weekends. Each total is shown with a likely range of −15% to +20%.
Worked example with the default assumptions: a 2-bedroom home (about 5,500 lb, 60 boxes) moving 250 miles off-peak. A one-way 15 ft truck at $1.20 a mile is $300, fuel for 250 miles at 10 mpg and $3.50 a gallon is $87.50, two days of protection $40, equipment $40, meals $60 and packing supplies $262, about $790 in total. A moving container costs about $1,090, and full-service movers about $2,320 (5,500 lb × $0.375 per lb, plus supplies).
Default assumptions by home size
| Home size | Est. weight | Boxes | Truck | Local crew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | 25 | 10 ft | 2 movers, 3 h |
| 1 bedroom | 3,500 lb | 40 | 10 ft | 2 movers, 4 h |
| 2 bedrooms | 5,500 lb | 60 | 15 ft | 3 movers, 6 h |
| 3 bedrooms | 8,500 lb | 85 | 20 ft | 3 movers, 8 h |
| 4 bedrooms | 11,000 lb | 110 | 26 ft | 4 movers, 10 h |
| 5+ bedrooms | 14,000 lb | 140 | 26 ft (+ trailer) | 4 movers, 12 h |
These are planning figures, not measurements. A minimalist 3-bedroom may weigh less than a full 2-bedroom; adjust the numbers in the Assumptions panel.
Ways to cut moving costs
- Move off-peak: mid-month weekdays between October and April are usually cheapest.
- Declutter first: selling or donating heavy items reduces weight-based quotes and the truck size you need.
- Get free boxes from grocery or liquor stores and use towels and clothes as padding.
- Mix and match: rent a truck but hire two movers for loading only, or use a container and load it yourself.
- Budget the drive: the fuel cost calculator and road trip cost calculator help plan a long one-way trip.
Frequently asked questions
What size moving truck do I need?
As a rule of thumb, a 10 ft truck suits a studio or small 1-bedroom, a 15 ft truck a 1–2 bedroom home, a 20 ft truck a 2–3 bedroom home and a 26 ft truck a 3–5 bedroom home. If you own a lot of large furniture, go one size up; a second trip usually costs more than the bigger truck.
How are moving costs estimated here?
DIY cost = truck rental (day rate plus mileage locally, or a per-mile one-way rate) + fuel + damage protection + equipment + packing supplies + lodging and meals for multi-day drives. Local movers are priced by crew size × hours × hourly rate; long-distance movers by shipment weight × a rate per pound that rises with distance. Containers are priced per container plus transport per mile. All rates are editable.
Why are long-distance movers priced by weight?
Interstate moving companies usually base their price on the weight of your shipment and the distance, plus extras such as packing, stairs and valuation coverage. That is why decluttering before a long-distance move saves money: every pound you do not ship lowers the bill.
How many moving boxes do I need?
A common estimate is roughly 25 boxes for a studio, 40 for a 1-bedroom, 60 for a 2-bedroom, 85 for a 3-bedroom and 110 or more for a 4-bedroom home. Book-heavy or hobby-heavy households need more. The calculator adds tape, packing paper and bubble wrap in proportion.
How accurate is this moving estimate?
It is a planning estimate with a likely range, not a quote. Prices vary a lot by city, season, day of the week, access (stairs, elevators, long carries) and how much you own. Use it to compare options and budget, then get at least three written quotes.
Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers?
Renting a truck and doing the work yourself is usually the cheapest option, especially for short moves. Full-service movers cost more but save time and physical effort. Moving containers sit in between: you pack and load, and the company drives.