Planning to move to a brand-new state is a big and exciting decision. It can be a challenging and potentially stressful one, too. However, with the proper planning and experienced movers, your move can be easy, efficient and worry-free.
Compared to a local move, long-distance moves across state lines require more strategy and paperwork. A long-distance move is usually more expensive as well. Wondering what a long-distance move will cost? Many factors determine how much your move will cost, though the distance and size of the move play a big factor.
The first step in determining how much your move will cost is to decide how you’re going to move. Do you want to move yourself and is it feasible? Or would you rather hire movers to tackle the tough stuff? One way to help you decide is to understand all the costs that go into a state-to-state move. With this information, you can make the best decision for you, while ensuring you’re prepared for the costs of your move.
Continue reading to learn more about how the cost of a move is calculated from the professional movers at Mayflower.
The Hidden Costs of Moving to a New State
When moving to a new state on your own, there may be some extra costs for the move that you didn’t initially account for. These costs can include gas, meals, hotel room fees, truck rental, packing supplies, storage, pet transportation and even time-off from work while you’re moving. Each of these costs can quickly add up. Complicating matters, some of these expenses are variable.
Gas prices, for example, differ from state to state — even city to city — and fluctuate over time. Hotel rates can also change over time and are affected by room availability at that time. For example, if you don’t book a room in advance, you may find yourself paying more than you expected to.
Fortunately, there are reliable resources that can help estimate your moving costs. Wondering how much gas will cost along your route? Try using the Weekly Retail Gasoline and Diesel Price chart from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which can help plan your fuel costs in advance. Another resource when planning your move is the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fuel Economy Trip Calculator tool.
It’s important to note that each moving company has its own way of estimating its costs. Make sure to ask the professional moving company for a full list of costs to avoid any hidden fees or surprises after the move.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Moving Out-Of-State
We understand that planning a move to a new state can feel overwhelming at times. A long-distance move requires more organization and planning compared to a local move, not to mention a larger time commitment.
When planning your move, you’ll need to consider these questions:
- Will I need to downsize my belongings?
- What items should I keep and toss?
Once you have a handle on what belongings you plan to move, it’s time to decide between hiring a professional mover or planning a DIY move. Among the questions you should ask yourself are:
- Do I have any difficult-to-move items?
- What’s my timeline for the move?
- Will I need to rent storage for any of my belongings?
- What’s my budget for the move?
- How much of my time am I willing to commit to the move?
- How much of my move am I willing to outsource?
- Do I have family or friends willing to help me with my long-distance move?
Your answers to these questions will help you decide if hiring a professional moving company is right for you.
How are State-To-State Moving Costs Estimated?
There are many factors that moving companies consider when estimating the cost of your out-of-state move, such as:
- Distance of the move
- Size of the move (typically weight in cubic feet)
- Number of bedrooms
- Move date/season
- Number of specialty items, such as large furniture or fine art
- Additional costs, such as moving insurance for high-value items
- Additional services, such as packing or debris removal
Compared to a local move, a long-distance move will also incur additional transportation costs. This could be anything from a plane ticket to the cost of gas when driving your car to your new address.
The best way to help professional movers accurately estimate moving costs is to consider the services you may need. For cross-country moves, this could include a storage unit or car shipping.
Want to delve deeper? Check out our article on estimating moving costs.
Things to Look for in an Out-Of-State Moving Company
When you’re considering which moving company to use, always check that the company follows all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations for state-to-state moves. Interstate movers must be registered with the Federal government and have a United States Department of Transportation ID number.
The US DOT number signifies that the moving company is legally permitted to make interstate moves. If the moving company you are researching is not FMCSA compliant, you should start researching other moving companies. We suggest using the FMCSA search tool to find FMCSA certified moving companies.
Other ways to avoid hiring a fake moving company is to ensure you thoroughly read through the moving contract before signing anything. If a moving company does not offer a contract at all, you should not trust your belongings with them. By contrast, a reputable moving company should notify you of all expected fees associated with your move before asking you to sign a contract.
To learn more about what to watch out for, read more tips on how to avoid moving scams.
Why Professional Movers Work Best for State-To-State Moves
There are several benefits to hiring a professional moving company. Those benefits can include:
- The moving company’s valuation plan, which covers your items if they are damaged during the move
- Less stress, allowing you to focus on family and friends
- Often, a personal move coordinator for full-service packages, someone who helps you stay organized during your long-distance move
- The ability to pick and choose what moving services you’d like to hire a moving company for, such as packing services
- Less time spent moving
Sure, DIY moves are often a good way to save money. However, they will require you to invest more time and effort than hiring a professional moving company. The hidden costs of a DIY move may add up, too, making it more expensive than you may have initially thought. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as:
- Late fees
- Mileage
- Peak time rental fees
- Insurance
- Different drop-off or pick-up location fees
If you’ve already decided to move with professional movers and are looking to start collecting estimates, Mayflower is a good place to start. You can speak to one of our agents and get a quote today.
Make Your Long-Distance Move With Mayflower
Mayflower can help make the move to your new home as stress-free and as streamlined as possible. And we can assist with all interstate moves, regardless of size or distance. Mayflower offers many moving services, such as packing, storage, and furniture placement as well, allowing you to fully customize your moving experience according to your needs and budget.
Mayflower Full-Service Moving Packages
Among the services that we offer is an affordable, full-service moving package that’s perfect for out-of-state moves. This package allows you to select which services you use and pay for — and not ones you don’t need.
A full-service move includes:
- A personal move coordinator to help organize your move
- Loading and unloading of packages
- Transportation of belongings
- Full-Value Protection for peace of mind
- Standard furniture placement
- Qualified drivers and reliable moving equipment
In addition to these features, Mayflower’s full-service moving plans can include:
- Packing supplies and services
- Unpacking services
- Debris pickup
- Storage
- Car shipping
America’s Most Trusted National Moving Company
Mayflower has nearly 100 years of experience as a professional moving company, assisting with moves of all sizes and distances. We are also a registered interstate mover with FMCSA. Since our founding in 1927, we have become America’s most trusted national moving company. We’re here to help and are committed to guiding each customer Every Step of the Way® with expertly planned services.
Mayflower Moving Tips and Advice
Mayflower offers many helpful resources for planning your move. We also have articles on finding your new home or what to expect when you’re moving to another state.
For the planning stages of your move, we have articles on packing and moving preparation, as well as tips and tricks for ensuring you have a successful, worry-free move.
Start Planning – Get a Mayflower Moving Quote Today!
Ready to plan your move and considering hiring a moving company? Complete an online quote to get started!
