What Really Drives the Price of a Long Distance Move
Five main factors determine your long distance moving cost: distance, season, home access, specialty services, and delivery timing. Here’s a quick list of explanations and insights from our experts here at National Van Lines:
- Distance and location
The farther you go, the more you will pay. Moves to or from rural areas or in mountainous regions, for example, can be costlier. - Time of year
Summer pricing is often higher because demand is at its highest. Off-season moves in fall or winter can cost less, especially if you book well in advance. Keep in mind that peak pricing tends to occur starting mid-May, and continues throughout the summer months. On average, pricing during peak season will be 10% higher than other times of the year. - Home access
Making it easy for movers to park close, use elevators, or move items along clear paths helps keep labor time and costs lower. Sharing these details early means a more accurate quote. - Specialty services
Add-ons like professional packing, unpacking, or moving large furniture and appliances will increase your total. Decide early which services are worth the investment. - Delivery timing
If you need your belongings delivered on a specific date, you may pay more for a dedicated truck and schedule. Flexible delivery windows can help reduce costs.
Dig deeper into how these factors affect your final price in our full blog.
