How much does it cost to move, and what factors affect that?
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.
