How Much Does it Cost to Move Across Country?
Jun 3, 2026
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What you can expect to pay for a cross-country move in 2026
When budgeting for a cross-country move, it’s helpful to have a general idea of what to expect. Rates for moves over 2,500 miles range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on home size, the move date and the type of service (full-service vs. DIY).
If you’re looking to save money without sacrificing service, the best option is a DIY moving service like U-Pack®.
Average cost of moving across the country with a DIY service
To help you understand the price range for cross-country moving with DIY services, we compared quotes for moving a 1,300-square-foot home from Seattle, WA, to Boston, MA, in July 2026, using each company’s recommended equipment.
These prices for the 3,100-mile example move were accurate at the time of posting and were rounded to the nearest dollar. Actual moving costs will vary based on your specific moving details.
| U-Pack |
|---|
| 16 Linear feet of space in the moving trailer | $8,101 |
| Discount: BLOG25 | -$25 |
| Delivery and transportation | included |
| Taxes and Fees | included |
| Fuel | included |
| Total | $8,076 (or finance starting at $393/month with Affirm.) |
| Budget® |
|---|
| 26-ft moving truck (11 days, unlimited miles) | $7,236 |
| Limited-time discount | -$154 |
| Protection coverage | $756 |
| Taxes and Fees | $928 |
| Estimated Fuel | $2,193* |
| Total | $11,116 |
*Based on AAA’s average diesel price of $5.66 at the time of posting for the 26-ft truck’s estimated 8 MPG according to Budget’s website. Note: the nearest Budget location is in Auburn, ME, 108 miles from Bangor.
| Penske® |
|---|
| 26-ft moving truck (11 days, unlimited miles) | $9,044 |
| Pay now discount | -$904 |
| Environmental fee | $15 |
| Plus coverage | $1,411 |
| Estimated taxes | $901 |
| Estimated fuel | $1,350* |
| Total | $11,816 |
*Based on AAA’s average diesel price of $5.66 at the time of posting for the 26-ft truck’s estimated 13 MPG, according to Penske’s website.
| U-Haul® |
|---|
| 26-ft moving truck (10 days, up to 3,605 miles) | $6,030 |
| Environmental fee | $5 |
| SafeMove® damage coverage/SafeTrip® | $246 |
| Taxes and fees | $667 |
| Estimated fuel | $1,414 |
| Total | $8,362 |
*Based on AAA’s average gas price of $4.56 at the time of posting for the 26-ft truck’s estimated 10 MPG, according to U-Haul’s website.
Note: If you’re using a rental truck and plan to tow a personal vehicle, you can expect to pay an extra $600-$1000 to cover the towing equipment, extra damage coverage and increased fuel expenses.
Needing to move in the opposite direction? Check out prices for moving from the East to the West Coast instead.
Cut the cost of your cross-country move with U-Pack
Choosing a money-saving solution like U-Pack can significantly reduce the cost of your cross-country move. With U-Pack, you save money by handling packing, loading and unloading yourself while we transport your things — no rental truck required.
If you need moving labor, you can add it during the reservation and still pay less than you would with a full-service solution. Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 or use our online form for your free, no-obligation quote. If you have questions about cross-country moving costs or how U-Pack works, let us know!
Moving apartments? Learn about the cheapest way to move a one-bedroom apartment across the country.
Want to learn more about moving costs? Check out this guide to moving prices.
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