Are you planning a move across the country? Or are you just looking to move out of the state? In both cases, it’s important to understand the cost of moving out of your state, especially if you have a lot of belongings to move and have to travel a great distance.

Fortunately, interstate moving costs aren’t hard to understand once you know the factors that influence them. In this article, we take you through the average cost of an interstate move and the various factors that influence that cost.

What Are the Average Interstate Moving Costs?

The average interstate moving costs vary based on how many things you need to move and how far you have to move. That said, you can expect to spend between $1,500 and $6,000 for most interstate moves. However, if you have to move to a state like Alaska or Hawaii, the costs can surpass $10,000 in a hurry.

Factors that Influence Interstate Moving Costs

There’s a wide gap in the average cost of an interstate move because several factors influence the price. Factors like the distance a company has to travel, the company itself, and even the amount of belongings will determine how much the move costs.

To help you get a better idea of what you can expect when it’s time to move, we cover several factors that influence interstate moving costs below.

1. The Moving Company

First and foremost, the moving company is the one that sets the rate. For this reason, it’s important to shop around to determine which moving companies offer the best prices. Now, we don’t recommend choosing the cheapest company just for the price because you don’t want your belongings to end up at their destination broken or dirty.

The good news is that most of the best interstate moving companies offer great value in terms of cost and quality of service; this guide from MoveBuddha offers an excellent place to start when looking for them. It’s also important to note that an interstate move may cost you less than $1,000 if you’re only moving a few hundred miles away and rent a truck with no moving crew. Therefore, whether or not you use a moving company at all will also impact the cost.

2. The Distance of the Interstate Move

The distance of the interstate move is another important factor to consider. For example, if you’re moving from New York to Los Angeles, the price will be higher than a move from New York to New Jersey (in most cases). This is because the moving company has to pay for transport and possibly pay multiple crews for unloading and loading your belongings.

That said, it’s important to note that pricing is often handled per mile in the interstate moving business. For this reason, the cost per mile will usually decrease as the distance increases. Not all companies offer this, so look for options that can reduce costs on long-distance moves. Also, while the price per mile will decrease, the cost of the move will still end up higher than shorter moves.

3. The Size of Your Home

Another big factor that influences interstate moving costs is the size of your home. Moving a few things from a one-bedroom apartment, for example, is more affordable than moving furniture from an eight-bedroom house.

This is because you’ll need a bigger truck, more movers, and more time to move your items. The weight and volume of the items will also influence the price, so sometimes there are outliers. For example, if your one-bedroom apartment has a lot of furniture, it may cost more to move than a house that’s relatively empty, especially if those items are heavy and delicate.

4. The Time of Year

This might seem like a wild one, but you’ll find that the time of year will also influence the cost of an interstate move. Moving during peak seasons will cost more because demand is higher. Peak seasons tend to be the start of college semesters, the summer, and the holidays.

Weather conditions can also impact the cost. For example, moving your belongings through the snow costs more because it takes more time, and the company has to be more careful.

5. Additional Fees

When moving across state lines, you may also have to pay additional fees. Some companies may charge extra for this type of move, but there are also some optional fees you can choose to pay. For example, you may want to insure your items if you’re moving them across the country in case anything happens to them.

Some other additional services may include the moving company wrapping your items or handling delicate items. There may also be additional fees if the move is complicated. If your apartment is up 10 flights of stairs, for example, you may have to pay extra.

Understanding Interstate Moving Costs

Interstate moving costs tend to be around $1,000 to $6,000 in most cases. Where the cost of your move ends up, however, depends on factors like the moving company, the distance of the move, and how many items you have.

Thankfully, once you understand these factors, you’ll have a better idea of what the cost looks like.