Cheapest Way to Move Furniture to Another State

Shipping furniture out of state: What’s the best way to save money?

Transporting furniture to a new home is often one of the biggest expenses to consider when budgeting for a long-distance move. Most furniture is large and heavy, which can make it expensive to ship via a parcel service or with a moving service that charges by weight.

So, what’s the best way to ship furniture to another state or across the country? Let’s explore different options and review which makes the most sense based on the amount of furniture you need to move. 

What to know about moving furniture long distance 

There are multiple ways to transport furniture to another state, but only one will be cost-effective given your situation. Here’s what you need to know before making a decision.

The cheapest option to ship furniture out of state might surprise you

A self-moving service like U-Pack® is often the least expensive way to ship at least one room of furniture to another state. U-Pack is cost-effective for small moves because rates are based on the space used rather than the shipment's weight. There are no extra fees for fuel, taxes or liability coverage since it’s all included in your quote! 

With U-Pack, either a ReloCube® metal container or a moving trailer can be delivered right to your door. You handle the packing and loading, and an experienced driver will deliver to the destination. It’s an excellent option with quick transit times (typically 4-6 business days) that’s easy and affordable.  

A ReloCube can hold a king-sized bed, a sofa and a dining room table — things that can be difficult (and expensive) to move with other shippers. Moving trailers offer flexible space, so you can use as little as 5 linear feet or the whole trailer, and your price will be adjusted accordingly. Plus, you don’t have to drive your furniture to a different location! 

Another great thing about U-Pack is that your belongings stay in the same moving equipment throughout transit, reducing the risk of damage from repeated handling.  

Explore other reasons why people choose U-Pack. 

Rental trucks have added costs when transporting furniture long distance

Rental trucks are typically a good fit to move furniture from one town to another, but extra fees can add up fast when you need to go out of state or across the country.  

Rental rates don’t include the cost of fuel, liability coverage or taxes. Most trucks only get about 8-10 MPG when empty. When you add the extra weight of furniture, your gas mileage can decrease, significantly increasing your moving expenses. 

Other things to consider:

• Not everyone is comfortable driving long distances in a bulky truck
• The trucks can be too small or too large for the amount of furniture you need to move
• You’ll have the added hassle of returning the equipment after use 

Parcel shipping is only inexpensive for a single, lightweight piece

If you need to ship a small piece of lightweight furniture, parcel carriers like FedEx®, UPS® or USPS® are usually affordable.  

However, because rates are based on dimensions and weight, parcel shipping can get expensive when shipping large furniture or multiple pieces.  

Another thing to remember is that it can be challenging to get the furniture to the shipping store. Renting a truck to haul it can add to your moving budget, and there may be extra fees for picking it up from your home.  

Furniture movers charge premium rates 

Companies that specialize in moving furniture often charge the highest rates. These companies create custom boxes and crates to fit each item and protect it during transit.  

This isn’t the cheapest option for furniture, but it is the safest if you have priceless antiques or a piano.  

If you need to move a unique item and regular furniture, consider using a furniture mover for the priceless item and a cheaper method, like U-Pack, for everything else to save money. 

FAQs about shipping furniture across the country

Is the cost of shipping furniture long distance worth it? 

It depends on the value of the furniture and how attached you are to it. If it’s basic furniture with no special meaning, it might make sense to sell or donate it and purchase something else. 

Does it cost more to ship heavy furniture?

It can if the service charges based on weight, like parcel and furniture shippers, and some moving companies. U-Pack does not charge extra for heavy furniture since we base our rates on the space you use in the moving trailer or the number of ReloCube containers.

Do I have to buy expensive packing materials to protect my furniture in transit?

Most materials designed to protect furniture in transit are inexpensive. You can get cheap moving supplies online, at home improvement stores or at mass-market retailers. For example, a six-pack of moving blankets, which work well to protect furniture, averages only $40 on Amazon.com.

Learn more about packing and moving beds, couches and dressers.

Request your free furniture shipping quote from U-Pack

Get a free quote for shipping your furniture out of state and see why U-Pack is often the cheapest way to move.

Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant about the space needed to ship your things. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions. We’re happy to help.