Moving101

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

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The Best Online Guide to Moving

Moving101 has up-to-the-moment moving company prices, pros and cons for every moving option out there, and honest reviews from real customers who've already moved.

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HireAHelper has data from tens of thousands of moves after over a decade of helping people. Now we're handing over all of our moving knowledge to you. Learn exactly what to expect on your move, including if there's a better option for you out there. That's why Moving101 exists.

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Moving Cost Calculator

Directly hooked up to our massive database of pro movers across the country, including all their prices. Just answer three basic questions about your potential move and instantly see estimated quotes for every single way to move in your area. It's basically magic.

Local & Long Distance Moving Options

Read about the three different local and long-distance move types. We've gotten how much time and money each moving option takes down to a science!

Moving Trucks & Container Guides

The most updated guides online for Moving Trucks, Moving Containers and Freight Trailers. Find out absolutely everything about the competition - real user reviews, truck sizes, and way more. You'll be a pro before you make your first call.

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MOVING COST CALCULATOR

Find out approximately how much your move will cost based on which moving option you go with. Spoiler alert: hiring an expensive moving company or breaking your back aren't your only two options.

MOVING OPTIONS COMPARISON

D.I.Y. Move

Just You

Packing & Unpacking You
Loading & Unloading You
Driving You
Average Cost $660
Local Move: $273
Medium Distance: $576
Long Distance: $1,921
Average Time 31hrs
Planning: 6hrs
Packing: 13hrs
Moving Day: 12hrs

Very cost effective, and you have complete and utter control over every aspect of your move.

You have to ask your friends & family to help you move, again. There goes your weekend, and maybe even your back!

Hybrid™ Move

Helpers + Your Own Truck

Packing & Unpacking You
Loading & Unloading Helpers
Driving You
Average Cost $910
Local Move: $523
Medium Distance: $826
Long Distance: $2,171
Average Time 21hrs
Planning: 5hrs
Packing: 13hrs
Moving Day: 3hrs

You won't break your back or the bank! Takes minutes to book movers on your phone through HireAHelper.

You have to take more time to research your options and spend a little more than the DIY move.

Full Service Move

Movers + Truck

Packing & Unpacking You
Loading & Unloading Movers
Driving Movers
Average Cost* $2,568
Local Move: $1,300
Medium Distance: $3,000
Long Distance: $6,000
Average Time 51hrs
Planning: 48hrs
Packing: 2hrs
Moving Day: 1hrs

Someone else does all the work on moving day!

Takes days rather than minutes to get quotes. You may have to file for bankruptcy after the move. Seriously.

HYBRID™ & DIY MOVING COMPANY GUIDES

Synonymous with moving, their orange trucks are all over the place (as are their many moving services.) Call them for truck rentals, storage containers, equipment and more.
A major force in the moving world, these transportation gurus offer competitive rental rates for their fleet of yellow trucks. They provide a wide variety of moving supplies and customer discounts.
Authorities in the truck rental business, from flatbeds to moving trucks. Budget rentals are many people's go-to for completing a Hybrid Move.
The Rent-A-Car giants offer up moving and transportation options with their Truck Rental division, which is flushwith a wide variety of rental trucks to transport virtually anything imaginable.
For businesses only. A steady hand in the freight trailer and rental truck ecosystem. Easy to book moving trucks for your business needs.
Need to keep your things somewhere while you move? PODS provides portable containers so you can pack, store and have your things transported on your own schedule.
Storage containers that are delivered and driven away at your beckoning. They are the official storage containers of Lowe's Hardware and are often paired with professional labor to complete Hybrid Moves.
Now a part of U-Haul/U-Box. An original pioneer in the storage container industry. Door to Door has been storing and delivering container units since 1996, largely retaining a west coast presence.
Local storage container company with a personal touch. Provides a large variety of container options wherever they operate, including the industry's largest sizes for portable storage.
A growing storage and moving solution to keep your things safe while they're moved, near or far. A great company to combo with a Hybrid Move.
For your long-distance storage container needs, Zippy Shell is one of the safest options on the market. Zippy Shell is a subsidiary of 1-800-PACK-RAT, and are experienced at fulfilling Hybrid-Long Distance moves.
U-Pack offers a little known way to move your stuff across the country: shared storage space shipped together in a freight semi-trailer.
Veterans of the trucking industry for over 80 years, SureMove is Estes' attempt at providing the Full Service move option for personal moving all across the country.
Driving across the country since World War II, the Old Dominion freight trailer line has spent the last decade renting out space on their white and green trucks to people moving long distance.

Recent HireAHelper Customer Move Costs & Reviews

Glen K

Sparks, NV
Wrote a review on 11/26/2024
PODS Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

PODS were right on schedule with everything and kept us updated on delivery and pickup schedules. They even provided great suggestions for companies to load and unload the POD.

Distance: 240 mi
Cost: $3,000
Per. Mile: $12.50
SqFt. Moved: 1,100

Patricia L

Clarksville, TN
Wrote a review on 11/26/2024
PODS Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

The overall service was fantastic - PODs was what I needed to complete my move. However, the initial quote process was not thorough and I got a slightly smaller POD than I should have. The initial drop off also had some difficulties with the driver calling out, however the mechanic that stepped in did an amazing job! PODs was always responsive to questions and everything happened and cost what it was reported to. No hidden fees, no hidden agendas.

Distance: 300 mi
Cost: $2,000
Per. Mile: $6.67
SqFt. Moved: 1,000

Mary Y

Tucson, AZ
Wrote a review on 11/25/2024
ABF ReloCube Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

We had a great experience with UPacks Relocube service. We used two cubes for our move. The scheduling was easy and communication was clear. The drivers who delivered and picked up the cubes on both ends of our cross-country move were friendly and efficient. Highly recommend!

Distance: 1,600 mi
Cost: $3,500
Per. Mile: $2.19
SqFt. Moved: 1,200

Suzanne H

Milwaukee, WI
Wrote a review on 11/25/2024
ABF ReloCube Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

While the move turned out okay, it was stressful at times due to inflexible scheduling. I moved into a city with parking restrictions, and the company was not helpful in making sure my trailer could be dropped off in the morning and picked up before the end of the day. I managed to make it happen, but more support and understanding during the process would have been nice.

Distance: 660 mi
Cost: $3,500
Per. Mile: $5.30
SqFt. Moved: 1,500

Jay W

San Antonio, TX
Wrote a review on 11/19/2024
Budget Truck Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

Unfortunately all of the 16' and similar size trucks had been rented from the rental companies before we could schedule. We snagged one of the few 12' trucks left and made some compromises. It worked fine and had no problems except limited cab room meant reclining the seats was far too limited and just wish they would ditch the low rear step and install an 8' ramp.

Distance: 1,362 mi
Cost: $3,300
Per. Mile: $2.42
SqFt. Moved: 600

Tori H

Detroit, MI
Wrote a review on 11/18/2024
Budget Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

The Budget staff were GREAT. They are kind, professional, and accommodating. After hours dropoff is available and simple. The inside of the truck was clean and stench-free. The pricing was great. I would book with Budget again.

Distance: 45 mi
Cost: $70.00
Per. Mile: $1.56
SqFt. Moved: 1,100

Don S

Phoenix, AZ
Wrote a review on 11/9/2024
ABF U-pack Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

Easy to communicate with, to coordinate with and to work with, every step of the way. They lived up to everything that all the previous google reviewers said.

Distance: 750 mi
Cost: $1,638
Per. Mile: $2.18
SqFt. Moved: 775

Sydelle W

Arlington, TX
Wrote a review on 11/7/2024
ABF U-pack Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

Great customer service. Kept me informed every step of the way. Driver took time to go over the steps when he dropped off the trailer and when I called to have it picked up they came the same day.

Distance: 1,250 mi
Cost: $4,600
Per. Mile: $3.68
SqFt. Moved: 1,500

Payton B

Roanoke, TX
Wrote a review on 10/28/2024
Uhaul Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

I had an incredible experience with Golden Movers and can’t recommend them enough! Our original movers, who we had booked a month in advance, canceled the night before our move, leaving us in a total bind. I placed an inquiry on Golden Movers’ website, and within two minutes, Camillo called me back and scheduled a same-day move for us—truly a lifesaver moment! This local family business not only stepped up immediately, but their kindness, communication, and customer support were impeccable throughout. I hired them for a two-hour job, but they were so efficient they finished unloading our truck in under an hour! They turned what was an extremely stressful situation into a calm and relaxed experience, handling everything with care and professionalism. I’ll definitely be hiring them for my next move. Highly recommend Golden Movers to anyone needing fast, reliable, and friendly movers. Thank you for saving the day - y'all were incredible!

Distance: 400 mi
Cost: $350
Per. Mile: $0.88
SqFt. Moved: 1,100

Lisa C

Sarasota, FL
Wrote a review on 10/15/2024
1-800-Pack-Rat Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

Great option for moving long distance or when you are not sure of the timing of the unloading. All went great except the initial delivery of the empty container arrived several days late and threw off my loading schedule.

Distance: 1,200 mi
Cost: $3,500
Per. Mile: $2.92
SqFt. Moved: 1,800

Charlotte F

Lawrence Township, NJ
Wrote a review on 10/4/2024
Penske Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

The truck was very new and well equipped with various features, like a backup camera, cruise control, wall outlet, USB Port, AC Adapter, and a light that shows when cars are in your blindspots. I had an issue where my battery died, and the free roadside was simple to call and get set up, and the guy arrived 20 minutes early, to boot!

Distance: 50 mi
Cost: $180
Per. Mile: $3.60
SqFt. Moved: 900

Jordan W

La Salle, MI
Wrote a review on 10/3/2024
Uhaul Truck Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

U-haul did well on their commitment and promise, but Kendra the associate at the U-haul Moving and storage location (2797 Pelham Pwky) in pelham, al U-haul location was very rude and short with patience.

Distance: 1,100 mi
Cost: $650
Per. Mile: $0.59
SqFt. Moved: 1,800

Brooke F

Nashville, TN
Wrote a review on 9/28/2024
Penske Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

My one bedroom fit great into a 12’ truck but I didn’t have a sofa or tables so I would definitely size up if you have more traditional “one bedroom” apartment furniture. My movers made sure everything fit though and nothing was damaged.

Distance: 1,700 mi
Cost: $1,100
Per. Mile: $0.65
SqFt. Moved: 900

Carlos M

Buckeye, AZ
Wrote a review on 9/22/2024
1-800-Pack-Rat Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

Great moving unit for the 8ft. It looked brand new. I suggest updating the 16ft unit. The one I used showed a lot of wear and tear. Some holes could be seen at the bottom.

Distance: 2,600 mi
Cost: $7,500
Per. Mile: $2.88
SqFt. Moved: 2,200