Long-Distance Moving Cost Calculator
Example: Home size (bedrooms): 3 · Move distance: 1200 mi · Rate per 100 lb per 100 mi: 6 $ · Packing service: 600 $ · Boxes & supplies: 200 $ · Valuation / insurance: 250 $
| Estimated total cost | $3,210 |
| Line-haul (weight & distance) | $2,160 |
| Estimated shipment weight | 3,000 |
Worked example
A 3-bedroom home is estimated at about 3,000 pounds. Over 1,200 miles at $6 per hundred pounds per hundred miles, the line haul is 30 hundred-pound units times 12 hundred-mile units times $6, which is about $2,160. Add $600 for packing, $200 for supplies, and $250 for valuation coverage, and the move totals roughly $3,210. The line haul alone is two-thirds of the bill, so decluttering to cut weight directly lowers the cost.
Frequently asked questions
How is the shipment weight estimated?
Movers use rough rules of about 1,000 pounds per fully furnished room. This tool uses that assumption, so a 3-bedroom home lands near 3,000 pounds. Your actual weight is set at the scale on moving day, so treat this as a planning figure.
What is valuation coverage?
Basic mover liability pays only a small amount per pound if something breaks, which rarely covers real value. Full-value protection or third-party moving insurance costs more but reimburses the actual worth of damaged items. Enter what that coverage will cost you.
How can I lower a long-distance move cost?
Since price tracks weight, sell or donate heavy items you no longer need, pack yourself instead of paying for packing, and get several binding quotes. Moving in the off-season and mid-month can also lower rates.
Are moving costs tax deductible?
For most people the federal moving-expense deduction was suspended, with an exception for certain active-duty military moves. Some states differ. Check current IRS guidance and your state rules before assuming a deduction.