Moving101

Everything you need to know before you get a moving company quote

The Best Online Guide to Moving

Moving101 is your go-to resource for understanding how moving actually works, and how much it really costs. We break down today's most common moving options, compare real prices, and share honest pros and cons so you can make smart decisions before you ever request a quote.

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Moving101 is built on HireAHelper's decade-plus of real-world moving data and experience. We've helped coordinate hundreds of thousands of moves nationwide, and we use that insight to give you clear, practical guidance-whether you're researching your options, estimating costs, or ready to book trusted movers. No guesswork. No sales pressure. Just the information you need to move with confidence.

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Moving Cost Calculator

Get a fast, realistic estimate of what your move will actually cost. Our calculator is powered by real pricing data from hundreds of thousands of completed moves, so you can compare DIY transportation options, labor-only, and full-service movers without guesswork, phone calls, or spam.

Local & Long Distance Moving Options

Not sure which type of move makes sense for you? We break down the three main moving options—DIY, labor-only, and full-service—so you can see how they compare on price, effort, and convenience for both local and long-distance moves.

Moving Trucks & Container Guides

Choosing the right transportation can make or break your move. Our in-depth guides compare rental trucks and moving containers using real customer reviews, hands-on experience, and real cost data—so you can do all your research in one place.

MOVING COST CALCULATOR

HireAHelper's moving cost calculator uses pricing from hundreds of thousands of completed moves to show what people actually pay for DIY, labor-only, and full-service moves. Just enter your move distance and home size to see realistic cost ranges for your main options.

Want to dig deeper? Learn how our moving cost calculator works, or get started by using the calculator below.

Truck & Moving Container Guides

One of the most recognizable names in moving, U-Haul offers widespread availability, a wide range of truck sizes, and portable container options. It's a popular choice for local and regional DIY moves where convenience and pickup locations matter most.
Penske is known for newer trucks, reliable reservations, and predictable long-distance pricing. It's a solid option for people who want a more comfortable, dependable truck for larger or longer moves.
Budget focuses on affordable truck rentals for local and regional moves. With competitive pricing and a broad range of truck sizes, it's often a go-to for cost-conscious movers who want to keep expenses down.
Enterprise Truck Rental offers clean, well-maintained trucks that work best for local and short-distance moves. All rentals are round-trip, which means it's really only useful for local moves.
PODS is one of the most well-known moving container companies, offering flexible, pack-at-your-own-pace moves without driving a truck. It's especially popular for long-distance moves, storage needs, and situations where timelines don't line up perfectly.
Known for durable, all-steel containers and built-in storage time, 1-800-PACK-RAT is a strong option for long-distance moves or situations where you need extra flexibility. It's especially appealing if you live near one of their service locations and want a sturdier container.
Go Mini's focuses on local and short-distance moves, offering roomy steel containers delivered right to your driveway. With a more localized, franchise-based approach, it works best for people staying nearby who want hands-on service and flexible timing.
SMARTBOX is designed for slower, more flexible moves where you want time to pack and easy access to storage. It's best suited for smaller homes or moves where convenience and pacing matter more than speed.
Zippy Shell combines portable containers with warehouse storage and long-distance transport. It's a good fit for moves that involve storage along the way or routes that larger national container brands don't always serve.
U-Pack is built for long-distance moves on a budget. You only pay for the space you use, while professional drivers handle the cross-country transport.

Recent HireAHelper Customer Move Costs & Reviews

Barbara K

Plainfield, IL
Wrote a review on 2/28/2026
PODS Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

PODS has been good, very easy to deal with. It took me longer than I anticipated to find a house, so I paid a fortune in monthly storage fees, but that's on me, not PODS.

Distance: 600 mi
Cost: $4,000
Per. Mile: $6.67
SqFt. Moved: 2,000

Judith M

Saint Louis, MO
Wrote a review on 2/28/2026
PODS Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

The PODS container was the perfect solution to my temporary storage needs. I will certainly consider this again in the future if I have similar needs.

Distance: 3 mi
Cost: $550
Per. Mile: $183
SqFt. Moved: 400

Rosie B

Atlanta, GA
Wrote a review on 2/27/2026
Uhaul Truck Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

The truck wasn't available at the scheduled pick up time at 10 am in Eldorado, Arkansas. They rented it out to someone else at 9. Uhaul said another truck was available 35 miles away. They gave me the number to call and reserve the truck. When i called the number it was to the person they gave it to at 9am. I told the person our situation, and they returned the truck to Uhaul so we could rent it. Uhaul in Eldorado, Arkansas on Hillsboro Street get a POOR rating. When I dropped the truck and trailer off on Peter's Street in Atlanta, GA, I was given the best service. The staff was wonderful. No problems. I give them a 100% rating.

Distance: 500 mi
Cost: $1,200
Per. Mile: $2.40
SqFt. Moved: 1,700

Cindy E

Mesa, AZ
Wrote a review on 2/23/2026
1-800-Pack-Rat Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

This is a great alternative to having a company you. You pick the date you want the Pack Rat dropped off and the day picked up. You can have the company keep it for up to 30 days without another month’s storage charge. This let me move into new home and change what I need to.

Distance: 350 mi
Cost: $1,500
Per. Mile: $4.29
SqFt. Moved: 1,400

Justin G

Vancouver, WA
Wrote a review on 1/24/2026
ABF U-pack Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

The Upack drivers and experience was fantastic. They explained how it all worked when I got the trailer, and what needed to be done once it was packed.

Distance: 2,400 mi
Cost: $6,100
Per. Mile: $2.54
SqFt. Moved: 1,800

Mark G

Conway, SC
Wrote a review on 1/23/2026
Uhaul Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

John was fast, efficient, professional, and probably the friendliest fellow in all of South Carolina. Made getting the truck the easiest part of the move.

Distance: 10 mi
Cost: $70.00
Per. Mile: $7.00
SqFt. Moved: 1,600

Michael G

Denison, TX
Wrote a review on 1/17/2026
ABF U-pack Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

No idea why the truck sat in Dallas Texas for 4+ days before it was delivered 1.5 hours away - And yes, they complied with the extra $500 to get it there on Thursday. Oh well....

Distance: 2,200 mi
Cost: $7,000
Per. Mile: $3.18
SqFt. Moved: 2,007

Nicole F

West Chester, PA
Wrote a review on 1/12/2026
Penske Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

The Penske truck worked out great for my move. Everything fit perfectly, and the trip went smoothly. The truck/trailer/container was in really good shape, clean and ready to go. Customer service was great from start to finish. Booking was easy, and they kept me in the loop for pick-up and drop-off, which I really appreciated.

Distance: 75 mi
Cost: $77.00
Per. Mile: $1.03
SqFt. Moved: 1,500

Melissa B

Portland, OR
Wrote a review on 1/5/2026
Penske Truck Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

The pricing and people were top notch and amazing. The only reason Im putting four stars instead of five was the truck pulled very hard to the right. Not a big deal for across town but across the US was a bit of a headache. Would still recommend them for the top choice anyway. A clean reliable truck that got me all the way from Alabama to Oregon. Kept me warm through the snows and winds of Wyoming no problem too!

Distance: 2,700 mi
Cost: $1,870
Per. Mile: $0.69
SqFt. Moved: 300

Dennis I

Tempe, AZ
Wrote a review on 12/31/2025
ABF ReloCube Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

ABF went above and beyond to adapt to an unexpected situation, they have my highest praise. Their driver Dave was the MVP and Hero that enabled the entire move. Staff was flexible and friendly at every interaction.

Distance: 1,950 mi
Cost: $3,200
Per. Mile: $1.64
SqFt. Moved: 800

Yoshi S

San Diego, CA
Wrote a review on 12/23/2025
ABF ReloCube Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

Very happy with the service provided by ABF and their Relocube product for a cross border 3000+ mile move. The entire process was explained clearly and any additional questions were answered promptly by their agents. Everything went smoothly as scheduled: pickup and delivery dates were as promised and the customs process went without a hitch. YMMV but the cost for me was very reasonable for this type move and was the lowest priced option compared to competitors.

Distance: 3,000 mi
Cost: $2,300
Per. Mile: $0.77
SqFt. Moved: 900

Benjamin G

Matthews, NC
Wrote a review on 11/24/2025
Budget Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

The truck was not the newest but it ran the road well during the day and the evening. The only mishap was that the inside Dick light failed to stay on but we were able to complete our task.

Distance: 421 mi
Cost: $500
Per. Mile: $1.19
SqFt. Moved: 500

Victoria M

Portland, OR
Wrote a review on 11/18/2025
1-800-Pack-Rat Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

I had used 1-800-Pack-Rat previously during the pandemic. I had no issues and decided to use them again for our move out of state. They were great, the only problem was that an inexperienced driver was scared to do a our drop off because we had low power lines. I spoke with a manager, and the next morning, we had the storage delivered without issues with the power lines.

Distance: 972 mi
Cost: $3,000
Per. Mile: $3.09
SqFt. Moved: 840

Steven G

Omaha, NE
Wrote a review on 10/25/2025
Budget Truck Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

The price was decent. The truck was beat up, but fully functional. Some of the extra's we ordered were not available on pickup day (only 12 of the 24 moving blankets, no dolly). As such, I reduced the rating one star.

Distance: 1,000 mi
Cost: $1,500
Per. Mile: $1.50
SqFt. Moved: 1,500

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