5 min readGone are the days of paying friends in pizza and beer to haul a couch between apartments. Now, moving means planning, budgeting, and coordinating far more than a few helping hands. Costs can pile up fast, especially for a cross-country move—truck fuel, stair fees, and surcharges for bulky furniture all add to the bill.
In 2026, the average cross-country move costs about $4,567, with typical prices ranging from $2,389 to $6,867, according to HomeAdvisor/Angi. Factors like distance and home size can push that number higher, and a coast-to-coast move can run closer to $10,300.
If you’re relocating for a new job, you might be lucky enough to have your employer cover some or all of the expenses. But if you’re footing the bill yourself, experts say there are smart ways to cut costs, with a few trade-offs to keep in mind. Here’s the cheapest way to move cross-country in 2026.
What’s the Cheapest Time of Year to Move?
Flexibility is key when it comes to a moving timeframe, but a lot of factors may not be in your control, whether that's the start date at a new job, how long it takes to buy your new home, or kids’ school schedules.
If you do have some wiggle room in your calendar, try to avoid a move during the peak summer season, which experts say can save you money. Late winter and early spring tend to be the cheapest times of year to move, says Nick Friedman, co-founder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving. But generally speaking, early October through April is considered the best time to move, according to experts. If you can, avoid the weekends and end-of-month rushes to save even more money, he suggests.
What’s the Cheapest Way to Move Across the Country?
The most budget-friendly option for moving across the country is usually a DIY move with a rental truck, Friedman says. This method can save you the most money, especially if you have extra time, some helping hands, and minimal furniture, he says. Just be sure to factor in the hidden costs like fuel (moving trucks typically get only about 8 to 14 miles per gallon), overnight hotel stays on long drives, and the physical toll of doing all the heavy lifting yourself.
Moving containers or pods offer a practical middle ground. In most cases, the container is delivered to your driveway, you load it at your own pace, and the company transports it to your new home or a storage facility. This option works well if you have a moderate amount to move, though the final price will depend on the weight of your belongings and how long you need storage, Friedman says.
Full-service movers come with a higher upfront price, according to Friedman, but they handle packing, loading, transportation, and logistics. The tradeoff is a more seamless experience that can reduce stress and help prevent damage to your belongings.
How to Plan for a Cheap Cross-Country Move
A fully DIY move isn’t realistic for everyone, but here are some optional, expert-approved strategies to bring down your moving bill and make a cross-country move as seamless as possible.
See What You Can Get Covered
If the last time you moved was before 2017, you might remember being able to deduct moving expenses on your taxes. Currently, moving expenses can’t be deducted on your federal tax return unless you’re an active-duty service member or part of the intelligence community relocating because of a permanent change of station. That said, state rules can differ, so it’s still worth checking whether your state offers any deductions based on where you live. Additionally, some employer relocation packages include reimbursement, says Sain Rhodes, a real estate expert with Clever Offers, so it’s smart to factor that into negotiations when evaluating a new job offer.
Inventory Everything and Move Only What Matters
Start by taking a full inventory of your belongings and deciding what’s truly worth bringing with you, Friedman says. The fewer items you move, the lower your costs will be for transportation, fuel, and labor.
“I also urge my clients to consider selling, donating, or leaving behind anything, including bulky, heavy, or old furniture, that will cost more to ship than to buy again at their new location,” Rhodes says.
Schedule Your Move During the Off-Season
Moving companies and truck rentals are typically most expensive during the summer, when demand is highest. Planning your move in the fall or winter, or even mid-month instead of at the beginning or end, can help you lock in lower rates.
Pack Everything Yourself
Packing on your own is one of the easiest ways to cut costs, Friedman says. Instead of paying for professional packing services, use affordable or free materials you might already have on hand, like suitcases or bins, as well as towels and clothing to protect fragile items. You might also be able to score some free boxes from community apps like NextDoor and BuyNothing.
Stage Items Near Exits
If you’re hiring movers for part of the job, make their work as efficient as possible, Friedman says. Place packed boxes and furniture near doors, hallways, or garages ahead of time. This reduces labor hours, which can directly lower your final moving cost. Staging boxes and furniture near the exit before movers arrive can help cut labor charges by 20 to 30 percent, he says.
Consider a Moving Container or Pod
Moving containers or pods can be a smart middle-ground option. You handle the loading and unloading, while the company manages transportation. This approach is often cheaper than full-service movers but more convenient than driving a rental truck across the country yourself.
Hire Movers Only for Heavy or Specialty Items
To balance cost and convenience, consider hiring movers just for large, heavy pieces or bulky furniture, Friedman suggests. Handling the rest yourself keeps expenses down while still protecting the items that are hardest to move safely.
A final note: Moving across the country is a major undertaking, and the cheapest quote upfront doesn’t always translate to the lowest overall cost, Friedman says. As you compare quotes, be sure to factor in the cost of packing and packing materials, especially if you’re moving a large volume of items or anything fragile, he adds. Stairs at either your current home or your new destination can also lead to additional fees, as can specialty items like pianos, safes, or oversized furniture.
“Ideally, start planning two to three months in advance for a long-distance move to lock in the best rates and avoid last-minute premiums,” Friedman says.
