What is the cheapest way to move local or across the country?
Every dollar counts these days. If you plan ahead, you surely can save hundreds—or even thousands of dollars on your upcoming move.
The two most affordable moving options are rental trucks and moving containers. If you are moving local, renting a truck could be the cheapest option. either way you go rental trucks or moving containers you will need professional moving help to load and unload, furniture assembly services.
Going across the country? It’s s a lot’s of competitions there most companies tell you rental trucks are cheaper, but in your quotes they don’t include travel costs (like gas and lodging). When you add in those expenses, more often moving pods are less expensive by about 10%—or upwards of $400 for a coast-to-coast move.
WHEN TO USE FULL-SERVICE MOVERS
A full-service move is almost never going to be cheaper than renting a truck or a moving container, but it may be more convenient if you can afford to pay someone else or can’t take time off work. Use our moving costs guide to compare pricing.
What is the cheapest way to move locally?
The cheapest way to move locally in the united states is to rent a moving truck and do everything yourself buying boxes, tapes, packed, disassembly and cleaning. Some of the research shows that it will cost you less money to use a rental truck versus a moving pod.
Put another way, a move of 421 miles costs approximately $1.73 per mile if you use a rental truck. A moving container sets you back $4.66 per mile. That’s such a significant savings that the comparison isn’t even close.
Rental trucks are affordable because you do almost all the work yourself. For local moves, there isn’t a cheaper option.
Rental trucks vs. moving pods costs (local move)
Data current as of 1/22/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Quotes based on moving a moderately furnished, 900 sq. ft., two-bedroom home a distance of 421 miles. Travel costs included.
Why are rental trucks so affordable for short-distance moves?
There’s a common theme when it comes to rental trucks: DIY. Moving trucks are so affordable because you’re doing the loading, driving, and unloading.
GET A LITTLE HELP
Did you know you can hire moving labor services and pay by the hour to help you pack and unpack, load and unload, and even assemble furniture?
Learn more about how much you can pay for moving help
You load and unload the truck yourself
It’s not fun to look at a house full of belongings or a truck full of boxes and think of the work needed to load and unload the moving truck. That’s one reason people often pay professional movers to do the work for them.
But you save some cash if you do it yourself or having a friend or family help.
How much?
About $50 per hour per person. See 5 tips to follow while seeking for moving help or moving labor services in your area
Average moving labor costs
Data current as of 1/24/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Five workers for four hours.
Drive the truck yourself or your friend
It’s hard to emphasize just how much you can potentially save by driving a moving truck yourself. Every major alternative to being your own chauffeur involves you paying someone else:
- Hourly labor drivers (available for short-distance moves only)
- Moving container companies
- Full-service professional movers
In the end, it comes down to convenience vs. cost. Sure, you can hire someone else to do the hard stuff, but your bank account will be noticeably smaller because of it.
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move a distance of several hundred miles or less, you can’t beat the affordability of renting a moving truck.

SAVE MORE WITH A BUDGET DISCOUNT
Budget Truck Rental offers more discounts than any other rental truck company. From savings just for military members to student discounts, see why we like Budget.
What is the cheapest way to move across the country?
The cheapest way to move cross country is to use moving pods. Our research shows it’s about 10% less expensive to use a moving pod than a rent moving truck for a distance of 2,000 miles or more because you save on travel costs like food, lodging, gas, and rental truck mileage fees.
Those who are looking to save money while moving long distance should definitely consider hire a company that supply moving pod. At EasyGo PRO we go beyond to make sure we bring you the right help on your move, the right service. As moving is so stressful we believe we can reduce your stress to 70% not only on saving you money also provide you the information you need to know every dollar counts.
Why moving PODS are less affordable than truck rental for long distance moves.
Moving pods are affordable because you do some of the work yourself. In certain cases (like long-distance moves), they are often your cheapest option because you don’t have as many travel-related costs.
For example, a flight gets you cross country in less than a day, but a rental truck can take upwards of a week. It doesn’t take long for the cost of gas, hotels, and meals to dwarf what you would spend up front on plane tickets.
Moving pods vs. rental trucks costs (long-distance move)
Data current as of 1/24/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Quotes based on moving a moderately furnished, 900 sq. ft., two-bedroom home a distance of 2,193 miles.
Why are moving containers so affordable for long-distance moves?
It’s almost counterintuitive to think that moving containers are more affordable than rental trucks. As we illustrated earlier, that isn’t always the case.
Moving trucks are by far your cheapest option for a short-distance move.
But when you’re moving across the country, the DIY savings of loading and unloading your moving pods is compounded by significantly diminished traveling costs (for instance no rental truck mileage fees, no overnight hotel stays, etc.).
Moving pods are usually your most affordable option for long distance moves.
Save money on cleaning, packing and disassembly your furniture
The cost of your cleaning session will vary based on the size of your home. The number of rooms can influence the price, as can a request for different kinds of services.
The price also may vary depending on where you live in the united states; rates for housecleaning services can vary from region to region.
There are all kinds of sources available to help you estimate the cost in your area. For example, https://easygopro.us/ put the cost of cleaning services somewhere in the ballpark of $160 to $189 per cleaning session. Learn more about house cleaning prices in your area.
Get up to 5 free quotes from local home cleaners and hire the one that fit your budget.
SAVE MONEY ON PACKING MATERIALS
You can lower moving costs by finding free boxes or low cost packing supplies ask in your local grocery, liquor store…
You load and unload the moving pods yourself
Just like with a rental truck, you save a boatload of money (compared to a full-service move) loading and unloading the moving containers yourself.
If you want to pay for a little help, some moving container companies. EasyGo PRO platform has moving help, moving labor services ( offer hourly labor services specifically for loading your moving pods.
In fact, EasyGo PRO has some of the lowest prices we’ve seen for loading and unloading services in your area.
Get free quotes
See how EasyGo PRO help you with saving big money for all your upcoming projects. Learn more
Where to find cross country movers?
EasyGo PRO let you hire long distance moving companies anywhere in the united states for free. 0 dollars, you have nothing, absolutely nothing to pay to find the best local long distance movers when you are using the EasyGo PRO platform. See more tips. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, you can hire full-service movers to transport your belongings across the country. Learn more about why should you consider hire a moving company our favorite long-distance moving companies.
What are some money-saving tips for moving?
Here are some helpful tips to help you save money when you move:
- Ask about discounts.
- Host a garage sale.
- Search for free boxes and other free packing supplies.
- Get several moving quotes.
You can also minimize costs if you prepare your new home for your arrival by doing things like scheduling home improvements and reserving parking. Nothing adds extra costs to your move quite like showing up to find there’s nowhere to park and your basement is flooded.
Where can I get free cardboard boxes?
Local businesses will often give you free boxes. We recommend checking with local grocery stores, furniture stores, liquor stores, and other retailers.