The Cheapest Way to Move Out of State: 9 Expert Tips
If you ask for the cheapest way to move out of state, most people say: Rent a truck, and drive it yourself. But that advice is only looking at the sticker price of the rental. It completely ignores the full cost of a DIY interstate move.
The price is much higher when you factor in the gas mileage of a fully loaded truck, multiple nights in a hotel, and highway tolls. And that’s before you consider missed days of work and the chance of dropping your flat-screen TV as you unload the truck. Suddenly, that rental truck becomes incredibly expensive.
To find the least expensive way to move out of state, you have to look at the big picture. A truly budget-friendly move is about avoiding hidden costs, shedding unnecessary weight, and knowing when to pay for help so you don’t pay for mistakes later.
Here are nine strategies to keep your budget intact while moving out of state.
Cheapest Out-of-State Moving Strategies: 9 Tips
You don’t have to choose between complete DIY or full-service relocation. The smartest budget strategies usually fall somewhere in the middle. Here are the strongest tips, so you can build a plan that works for you.
1. Sell or Donate What You Don’t Need
Shedding unnecessary items is one of the most affordable ways to move long distances. Most interstate movers calculate costs based on two factors: distance and weight. You can’t control how many miles you have to drive, but you can control the weight of your load. Before you buy a single box, audit your entire house. If you haven’t used an item in the last year, sell it online to fund your move, or donate it.
2. Create a Realistic Moving Budget
It’s hard to save money if you don’t know what you’re spending. Create a spreadsheet tracking anticipated expenses. Don’t just list the truck rental or the moving company quote. Be thorough, and include costs like packing supplies, gas, and temporary lodging.
3. Rent a Moving Truck
While driving a rental truck yourself is often considered the cheapest way of moving state to state, you have to do the math carefully. A large moving truck gets roughly 8 to 10 miles per gallon. If you’re driving 2,000 miles, you’ll need about 250 gallons of fuel—so the gas alone will cost hundreds of dollars. You also need to factor in the cost of rental insurance and the physical toll of driving a heavy vehicle for multiple days.
4. Use Container Services
Moving containers offer a middle ground between DIY and full-service. A company drops a container in your driveway, you load it up, and then the company drives it to your new state. This eliminates the gas cost of driving a truck, but you’ll still need to manage the lifting yourself.
5. Ship Your Items Via Freight
If you’re moving out of a small studio apartment or a dorm room, a truck or container may seem like an unnecessary expense. Shipping your belongings via a parcel carrier or a less-than-truckload freight service can be cost-effective and convenient. This is also useful if you’re moving into a storage unit temporarily and only need to ship the absolute essentials to your new home.
6. Hire Labor-Only Movers for the Heavy Lifting
The “mix and match” method is often the smartest budget strategy. You handle the transportation (renting and driving the truck), but you hire professional hourly moving help to do the actual loading and unloading. It may only take paying for two hours of heavy lifting to ensure your belongings are loaded and unloaded safely. Plus, professionals really know what they’re doing. They can arrange boxes and furniture to maximize truck space, saving you from renting a larger, more expensive vehicle.
7. Book During the Off-Peak Season
The moving industry has a peak season: May to September. These months are busy, especially on weekends and at the very end of each month. Booking your move for a Tuesday in the middle of November will yield lower quotes than booking the last Saturday in July. If your timeline is flexible, you can usually secure better rates.
8. Source Free Packing Supplies
The price of brand-new cardboard boxes and bubble wrap really add up when you have a lot to pack. To cut costs, visit your local grocery stores, thrift stores, and bookstores, and ask for leftover boxes. For packing and wrapping fragile items, use sweaters, towels, and blankets.
9. Hire a Transparent Full-Service Mover
Hiring a full-service team can actually be the cheapest way to move to another state when you look at all the costs involved. A reputable team can pack, load, and transport your belongings safely and quickly, bundling expenses into one quote. Relying on professional movers also lets work right up until moving day rather than taking days to pack and drive. The key is hiring a good partner who offers guaranteed, transparent pricing, so your estimate doesn’t change on moving day.
Additional Resources for Affordable State-to-State Moves
Here are a few more quick tips to keep your final bill as low as possible:
- Inquire about discounts: Ask if a moving company or truck rental agency offers discounts. Some services offer lower prices for military personnel, seniors, and students.
- Search for transparent movers: Look for companies with clear moving prices. College HUNKS provides a tailored quote before work starts, so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
- Pay for high-quality service: Make sure to get your money’s worth, and hire reliable services. College HUNKS has a guaranteed “two-touch” system, which means your belongings won’t be unloaded along the way. We load and unload your items once—they never leave the truck, ensuring a secure journey across the country.
- Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help. A little assistance with packing, loading, and cleaning makes a big difference in your final costs. For instance, tidying up your old apartment with friends helps you get your full security deposit back.
Ready for a Stress-Free State-to-State Move?
An affordable move is about smart planning—not cutting corners. When you take the time to declutter, track expenses, and find the best movers, you protect yourself from the hidden fees and logistical headaches that damage most budgets.
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving is ready to make your transition as smooth as possible. Whether you need hourly labor to load a rental truck or a full-service team to manage the entire journey, we deliver a stress-free experience from start to finish. Customize your move by choosing the services you need, and we’ll provide a transparent quote you can confidently fit into your budget.
Let our licensed, professional crews handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on settling into your new home. Request a no-obligation quote, and arrive at your new home with your belongings intact and your budget unbroken.
FAQ
How Much Does It Cost To Move to Another State on Average?
A cross-country relocation averages between $3,100.00 and $7,300.00. Your final bill depends on the distance, the weight of your items, and which options for moving out of state you choose. For instance, a DIY move with hourly labor help may be more affordable than full-service moving,
How Much Gas Do I Need To Move Out of State?
To calculate your gas budget, take your total mileage and divide it by 8 (the average miles per gallon for a fully loaded rental truck). Multiply that number by the average cost of diesel or regular gas along your route. Then, add a 20% contingency buffer to account for detours and traffic.
How Can I Move Out of State on a Budget?
The key to moving on a budget is controlling your item volume and labor costs. Sell or donate heavy furniture so you can rent a smaller truck. Pack your own boxes, and pay for professional help when it comes to loading heavy appliances or navigating stairs.
What’s the Cheapest Way To Move From One State to Another?
Generally, the cheapest method is a rental truck you drive yourself. This works best when you have help packing and loading, and you aren’t moving a massive home. If you have a very small volume of items, shipping them via a freight carrier while you drive your personal vehicle is an affordable option.