Why You Need a Moving Cost Calculator

Need help budgeting for your next move? Whether it’s local or long-distance, a moving cost calculator can give you a reliable estimate for expenses and help you compare prices across companies—so you can plan with confidence.

So, how much does it cost to move? Here’s what factors and services will impact the cost of moving the most:

Factors That Affect Moving Costs

Every move is different and requires different services. The specific factors that will have the biggest impact on cost include distance, home size, and the weight of your items. Travel fees, stair carrying fees, and fuel charges may impact the pricing.

A moving cost calculator will take all of these factors into consideration and provide you with an accurate breakdown of expenses to help you plan accordingly.

Breakdown of Moving Services and Their Costs

When using an online moving calculator, you can completely customize your quote to align with your unique needs. You can pick and choose which services you need, so you only pay for what you absolutely need. Here's a quick look at popular moving services you'll likely need to add to your moving package:

Packing and Unpacking Options

If you don't plan to pack or unpack your items yourself, you can add packing and unpacking services to your moving plan. The movers will help carefully pack your belongings and prepare them for transit. Once the items arrive at your new home, they'll carefully unpack your items, assemble appliances, and remove unwanted debris at the end of the move. To reduce extra costs of moving, consider packing and unpacking your belongings yourself.

Loading, Unloading and Furniture Disassembly

Movers can help with loading and unloading your items onto a moving truck. The cost of these services will depend on the set-up. Do your movers need to carry items up three flights of stairs? Are you moving out of a high-rise apartment downtown with a small elevator? Depending on who you work with, you may be required to pay an elevator fee or a stair carrying fee for loading and unloading. These fees will be taken into consideration when you use a moving cost estimator.

Transportation and Logistics

The further the move, the more you can expect to pay. If you're moving across the country or to a new state, transportation and travel fees might be added to your estimate. These fees are designed to cover the fuel and labor costs associated with long-distance and cross-country relocations. If you're relocating locally, your moving estimate will be lower because you won't need to factor in extra costs for fuel and labor.

Storage Solutions

Are you downsizing to a condo or apartment in the city? Do you need a temporary solution for your valuables? Storage is a helpful add-on service to store items if you're downsizing, need more space, or moving somewhere new temporarily. If you're moving to a new city or state and your new place isn't ready, storage solutions can also be useful to ensure you have a secure place for your items while you wait.

Storage units are available in a variety of sizes. You also have the option to rent them for short- and long-term leases. Moving companies like North American Van Lines provide storage solutions as an optional add-on to your moving estimate.

Specialty Item Handling and Custom Crating

If you need help transporting fragile or delicate items, consider adding fragile-only packing services to your move. Movers are professionally trained to pack specialty items, like an expensive chandelier or a grandfather clock. Their skills and expertise will incur an additional cost, but the peace of mind they provide is priceless.

Average Moving Costs by Move Type

Every move is different. Here's how the average linehaul cost compares by moving type:

Ways to Save on Moving Costs

Moving can get expensive. Here are five tips you can use to cut costs and save on your next move:

• Downsize before you relocate to lower the weight of your items
• Compare pricing between different moving companies to find the best price for your move
• Move during a weekday or plan your move during the off-season
• Pack and unpack your items yourself
• Ask your friends or family members for extra help packing and unpacking

Why Choose North American for Your Move

For over 90 years, North American Van Lines has been helping individuals and families relocate across the United States and Canada. We have hands-on experience assisting with local, long-distance and cross-country moves.

What makes us different from other moving companies is our affordable rates and personalized moving plans. You can customize your moving package to align with your budget and needs, ensuring you only pay for what you need.

How to Get an Official Moving Quote

Whether you're moving down the street or to a new city, you can count on North American Van Lines every step of the way. If you're ready to start planning your next move, use our free online moving calculator today. We'll send you an accurate estimate for your next local, long-distance or cross-country relocation.