When you are moving cross-country instead of inside the town, there are more factors to consider. You are starting a new life in a different part of the country. You need to search for a job, home, school, and other basic amenities. So burning up the wallet is the last thing you want to do.

How much it cost to move long distances? It is natural for you to get amused by the figure. When you start getting multiple moving company quotes, you get confused over what to choose and how to choose one. Luckily, this is one logistical headache we can help with. Here is a general breakdown of the cost of long-distance moving. You need to remember that an array of factors that can influence your final quote.

On average, it’s between $850 and $5,000.

Movers call any move beyond 100 miles as long-distance moving. And most often long-distance moves are also interstate moving. If you are moving somewhere around 1,200 miles, it would cost you about $4,300 and the average cost of an intrastate move is about $2,300 (4 movers at $200 per hour).

How do we make a moving cost estimate?

Long-distance moving is calculated differently. Unlike local moving, it is not to be charged by the hour.

The three factors that determine the final moving quote are:

• Distance: The longer the distance between your current home and the residence you’re moving to, the higher the relocation cost.

• Shipment weight: The more household belongings you have, the higher the moving cost will be. Fortunately, you can purge the belongings and take home only what is required. This will considerably slash the moving cost.

• Additional services: The moving cost estimate you receive will include the basic move parameters, plus any additional moving services you have requested such as packing, unpacking, furniture disassembly, and/or re-assembly. And if you’ve special items like a piano or a grandfather clock, it would cost you more. Therefore, be ready to shell out extra if you need additional services.

What are the average moving costs when moving across the country?

Always remember that moving costs are approximate values and they can differ on a case-to-case basis. So never expect that same cost that your neighbor moved out.

• Studio apartment: On average, a studio apartment would have approximately 1,800-2,000 pounds of belongings, and to move it about 1000 miles away, a moving company would charge something not less than $1,500 excluding any extra services.

• 1 bedroom apartment: On average, the household goods inside a 1-bedroom apartment can weigh between 2,500 pounds and 3,500 pounds. This means the moving cost would be something between $1,800 and $2,500.

• 2-bedroom home: Your 2-bedroom home would weigh something like 5,000-6,000 pounds. If you’re moving 100 miles or more, the moving cost estimate would be between $3,500 and $4,200 as a base price with no extra professional relocation services included.

How to reduce the long-distance moving quote?

• Purge your belongings

Declutter the home and sell off every item at home that you feel is not required at the new home.

• Move during offseason

Consider moving during the offseason – between October and March, when there will be less traffic. Avoid weekends and public holidays and instead, move during weekdays and mid-months when long-distance moving company quotes will be comparatively cheaper.

• Book your mover as early as possible

Always hire movers at least a month in advance as last minute booking tends to be expensive.

Points included in a long-distance moving quote?

A moving company quote should include the name and address of your mover, the tariff cost, miles traveled, minimum weight and estimated weight, any discounts applied, packing and unpacking service fees, storage charges, transportation charges, fuel surcharges, insurance surcharges, and accessorial services.

Moving cost estimates for long-distance are subject to change. You need to extremely careful while choosing the quote and always do the proper homework.