Moving Cross-Country: 3 Options for Every Timeline and Budget

Moving cross-country is a big undertaking, but there are moving options that can help make it a less arduous experience. Depending on your budget and timeline, you might choose a portable moving container, hire full-service movers, or go the DIY route and drive a rental truck to your new destination. Here’s how the best options for moving cross-country compare — from cost, convenience, and flexibility to the trade-offs that come with each.

Best Options for Moving Cross-Country

There’s no one-size-fits-all moving method that works best for everyone. Someone who wants movers to handle nearly everything may prioritize convenience, while a family trying to stretch a tight budget might be willing to do most of the work themselves. When you’re comparing the best options for moving cross-country, start by deciding what you can spend. Then consider how flexible your timeline might be and where you’re willing to put in some sweat equity. Here are the three options and how they compare.

1. PODS Portable Moving Container — Most Flexible

If flexibility is your key consideration in moving cross-country, PODS portable moving containers are your best bet. With PODS, everything is done on your schedule. On the date you select, a container is delivered to your driveway, where you pack and load it on your own time. When you’re ready, PODS will pick it up and deliver it to your new home. If you need a little extra time, you got it: PODS includes one month of storage in the cost of every move, so you can keep your belongings secure at a PODS Storage Center until you’re ready for delivery. This is particularly convenient if your closing dates don’t match up or there are other delays that keep you from moving into your new place — especially when you’re moving cross-country.

And living in a city without driveways doesn’t necessarily rule out a PODS portable container. PODS City Service is designed for just that. Your container remains on the PODS truck while you load and unload, and PODS handles the logistics of driving and parking.

How PODS Works

• Choose the PODS container size you need.
• Have the container delivered to your home.
• Pack and load on your own schedule.
• PODS picks up the container and transports it to your new home or to a PODS Storage Center.
• When you’re ready, unload the PODS container at your new home.

Pros of PODS

• You can pack and load on your own schedule.
• You don’t have to drive a truck.
• You don’t have to drive cross-country.
• One month of storage is built into the cost of every move.
• Your container can be stored between homes if your plans change.
• PODS can refer you to local packing and loading help if you need a hand.
• City Service makes it less stressful for urban dwellers to use PODS in spots where leaving a container isn’t an option.

Things to Consider

• Moving cross-country with PODS will typically cost more than the DIY route of driving a rental truck yourself.
• Unless you hire help, you’re responsible for packing and loading your belongings. And unloading and unpacking.
• You need an appropriate location for container delivery (your driveway, for example) unless City Service is available in your area.

2. Full-Service Movers — Least Work

If your priority in cross-country moving options is to reduce the amount of physical work you’ll need to do, full-service movers are the way to go. Keep in mind that the definition of “full service” depends on the company you choose, though. Movers typically load your belongings, transport them to your new home, and unload. You may also pay to have them pack and unpack, disassemble and assemble furniture, and other services.

That convenience comes at a price, of course. Full-service moving is almost always the most expensive of the three moving options for cross-country relocations because you’re paying for both labor and transportation — which of course includes fuel, not the most conveniently priced commodity these days.

How It Works

• Get estimates from a handful of companies to understand your cross-country moving options.
• Decide on the services you need — packing, furniture assembly, etc.
• Your selected moving company loads your belongings on the scheduled pickup date.
• The company transports your shipment cross-country.
• The movers unload (and potentially unpack, depending on your package) at your destination.

Pros of Full-Service Movers

• Professionals handle the loading, driving, and unloading.
• Packing and unpacking may be part of the deal.
• You don’t need to drive a giant moving truck hundreds of miles.
• You’ll be responsible for less physical labor than with PODS or a DIY rental truck.

Things To Consider

• Full-service moving companies generally cost more than the other long-distance moving options.
• Your schedule may be less flexible — a key factor when moving cross-country.
• Delivery windows can vary according to the company’s schedule, rather than yours.
• Your final bill may be higher for circumstances like elevators, stairs, parking issues, and the like.

3. Moving Truck Rental — Cheapest

If keeping costs down is your main priority, renting a moving truck is usually the least-expensive option for moving cross-country. You’ll save on labor pros, but the trade-off is you’ll do pretty much everything yourself. That means not just packing your belongings, but loading and driving the truck, paying for gas and hotel stays, and unloading all your things at your new home.

How It Works

• Schedule the truck for your move.
• Pack and load your belongings on moving day.
• Drive the truck to your destination.
• Unload all your belongings and return the truck to the rental agency.

Pros of Moving Truck Rental

• Your upfront costs will generally be the lowest of the three moving options.
• You control your driving route and travel schedule
• You can cut costs by finding free or inexpensive moving boxes.

Things To Consider

• You do the packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
• Gas prices.
• Driving a big truck can be challenging.
• Expenses like hotel stays, mileage charges, insurance, and other extras may shrink your savings.

Declutter before moving cross-country to save on moving expenses, regardless of the moving service you choose.

How To Save Money When Moving Cross-Country

Regardless of the option you choose for moving cross-country, there are things you can do to cut costs. Here are five tips for saving a few dollars.

1. Move During the Off-Season

Just like vacationing, moving has a busy season. It’s best to avoid the peak months of May through September, when families take advantage of kids being out of school to make their moves. Winter weather is a trade-off, of course, in many parts of the U.S., so check road conditions and plan for potential weather delays when you’re considering your cross-country moving options.

2. Move in the Middle of the Week/Month

A weekday move is likely to give you more availability than weekends. Likewise, mid-month dates can be less competitive than month’s end, when leases are typically beginning and ending. If you’re getting quotes from companies for moving cross-country, be sure to ask whether changing your date by a few days will affect the price.

3. Declutter Before Moving

The less stuff you have, the less you have to pack and deliver to your new home. Declutter before moving to lighten your load and potentially lower your costs, particularly when it comes to full-service movers that charge by the pound. Also, purging just feels good: Sell items you no longer want, donate things that are still usable, and send others to the recycling bin.

4. Look for Discounts

Don’t book anything before checking for promotions and other discounts that may apply to your move. PODS regularly offers special deals, so check out the current PODS promotions before getting your final quote. Also ask full-service movers and truck rental companies about potential discounts — you never know where you might be able to save a few bucks.

5. Choose the Best Option for Moving Cross-Country

Even with the best cross-country moving options, the process involves a lot of moving parts: Job start dates change. Closing dates are adjusted. Weather gets in the way. Those unexpected snafus can cause moving costs to add up — you might need to rent a truck a second time, for instance, if shifted dates require putting your belongings in storage. Bottom line: Sometimes spending a little more upfront can help mitigate costs that arise with those kinds of hiccups.

That flexibility is one reason PODS can make sense even if a DIY rental situation has a lower price. One month of storage is included in the cost of every PODS move, and you can have the container stored at a secure PODS Storage Center until you’re ready for delivery. It’s one of the best cross-country moving options that can help make it easier to pivot if your plans change.

Give yourself eight weeks of prep time before moving cross-country to avoid feeling overwhelmed during the process.
(Source: Blue Bird via Pexels)

Moving Cross-Country — FAQS

Q: Is moving across the country a good idea?
A: It can be, depending on your goals for the move. A new job, being closer to family, or just wanting a change of pace can make relocating worthwhile.

Q: How stressful is a cross-country move?
A: Coordinating moving logistics, planning for travel, and dealing with all the things that come with a new home can be stressful. But if you fully explore the moving options for cross-country destinations, start planning early, keep a moving checklist with things like what to pack first, and pad your timeline with a few extra days, the process won’t seem as intimidating.

Q: How long does it take to do a cross-country move?
A: If you start your long-distance moving timeline about eight weeks before moving day, you should be in good shape. That gives you time to declutter, book your moving service, pack, and handle all the other logistics.  

Q: What not to pack when moving cross-country?
A: It’s always a good idea to keep medications, important documents like birth certificates and passports, and keys with you rather than in the moving truck or container — a backpack is a good option. Also check state and federal guidelines for transporting hazardous materials like lighter fluid, fireworks, and paint.

Q: What is the cheapest way to do a cross-country move?
A: Loading up your car or renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option. But make sure to research moving cross-country tips and — most importantly! — keep in mind that DIY doesn’t mean “free.” Gas, insurance, hotels, meals, and other road-trip expenses can add up. Plus, you’ll be handling all the packing, loading, and driving yourself.

Q: What is the best cross-country moving service?
A: The answer depends on your priorities. Flexibility? PODS is your best bet. Low cost? DIY may be for you (but see caveats above). Minimal physical labor? A full-service mover will likely fit the bill. But for overall convenience combined with pricing, PODS Moving and Storage tops the list of best cross-country moving companies.

Q: How much does a cross-country move usually cost?
A: Costs vary considerably depending on the distance of your move, how much stuff you have, the time of year, and how you do the move. The latest estimates for cross-country moving costs range from about $1,000 to $14,000 or more, with rental trucks on the low end, portable containers in the mid-range, and full-service movers at the top price point. The specific route is key, of course, and the final price ultimately depends on where and how many items you’re moving.

Q: Is it cheaper to use PODS or a moving company?
A: PODS is often the less expensive option compared with a full-service mover because you handle packing and loading rather than paying pros to do it for you. But again, when you’re looking at PODS vs. a moving company, pricing varies by location, dates, distance, and the services you select.

Move Cross-Country With PODS

Make your cross-country move flexible with PODS portable moving containers. Pack and load on your own schedule, and then let PODS handle the driving to your new home or a PODS Storage Center. If your new home isn’t quite ready, no sweat: One month’s storage is included in the cost of every move. And if you’re looking for some help with the heavy lifting, PODS can refer you to local packing and loading services to lend a hand.

Call PODS at 877-350-7637 for a free long-distance moving quote.

Karen Dybis is a freelance journalist and a frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. Her work has appeared in Time magazine, U.S. News & World Report, The Detroit News, and more.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}