Moving costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Professional long-distance moving for a 3-bedroom home costs $1,500 to $9,610, averaging $5,000 for your move.
Your home size and load weight set truck space, and stairs or tight parking raise labor time.
You should budget $200 to $500 for packing supplies, plus insurance and fees for heavy specialty items.
Hiring a local moving company gives you reliable loading and driving support, saving time, effort, and stress.
In 2026, the national average cost to move a 3-bedroom house long distance is $5,000. Most homeowners spend between $2,300 and $9,600, with the spread driven by distance, total load weight, and whether you need packing services. Budget $200 to $500 for packing supplies, and factor in insurance and fees for any heavy specialty items.
I had a challenging move with an oversized sofa and large art pieces. The movers arrived well-prepared with specialized equipment, including a heavy-duty dolly and protective covers for the artwork. They expertly handled every challenge, ensuring everything was transported smoothly without any damage to my property or belongings.
When hiring movers for a long-distance move, several factors shape your total bill, including home size, distance, weight, packing prep, additional services, accessibility, season, and location. Here is a breakdown of how each factor affects the cost of moving a 3-bedroom house long distance.
The size of your home directly affects your long-distance moving cost, with larger homes requiring more movers and more truck space to handle the added volume. Fully utilized rooms such as basements, garages, and attics increase the load, which drives up both labor and transportation costs. The table below shows how costs vary by home size in square feet.
| Home Size in Square Feet | Cost Range in 2026 |
|---|---|
| 600–900 | $1,500–$3,500 |
| 900–1,200 | $5,000–$7,000 |
| 1,200–2,000 | $7,000–$10,000 |
| 2,000–2,500 | $11,000–$13,000 |
Long-distance moves, generally defined as relocations of 100 to 400 miles or more, are priced at a flat rate rather than an hourly rate, with that rate covering mileage, gas, tolls, and incidentals. The farther you move, the higher that flat rate will be, as costs scale with distance and the resources required to complete the trip. The table below breaks down typical cost ranges by distance.
| Distance | Cost Range in 2026 |
|---|---|
| 250+ | $2,200–$4,350 |
| 1,000+ | $3,100–$6,000 |
| 2,500+ | $4,200–$8,600 |
The weight of your belongings is a significant cost factor in any long-distance move, since heavier loads require a larger moving truck size that consumes more fuel and raises your overall price.
Prepping for a long distance move means budgeting for packing materials and supplies, with total supply costs typically running $200 to $500. Moving boxes cost between $2 and $5 per box, and 100 square feet of bubble wrap runs about $20.
Heavy and fragile items will cost extra on top of the flat-rate price for moving long distances. You can expect these additional moving fees to cost:
Piano: $100 to $2,000
Pool table: $50 to $4,000+
Hot tub: $200 to $1,000
Small boat: $2.50 per mile
Car: $700 to $1,200
Motorcycle: $200 to $2,000
Aquarium: $50 to $300+
Exercise equipment: $100 to $300+
Riding lawn mower: $150 to $400
Safe: $175 to $500
Fine art and antiques: $200 to $1,000
How easily movers can access your home plays a real role in your final cost, and situations like limited street parking, a walk-up apartment without an elevator, or a steep driveway can all trigger additional charges. In cases where direct access is not possible, your moving company may need to shuttle your belongings to a larger vehicle parked at a more accessible location, adding time and expense to the job.
Peak moving season runs from May through September, with weekend moves during those months commanding the highest rates due to demand. Booking well in advance and scheduling your move during the winter or on a weekday can help you secure a lower, discounted rate.
Your location is another meaningful cost factor, with average long-distance moving prices for a 3-bedroom home ranging from $2,276 in Missouri to $9,610 in Idaho, depending on where you live. State plays a major role in your location costs, as the breakdown below shows:
| State | Average Long-Distance Moving Price in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,179 |
| California | $5,353 |
| Florida | $4,448 |
| Idaho | $9,610 |
| Kentucky | $3,802 |
| Minnesota | $5,798 |
| Missouri | $2,276 |
| New Mexico | $8,036 |
| New York | $4,733 |
| Oklahoma | $6,361 |
| South Carolina | $5,434 |
| Texas | $4,267 |
| Utah | $7,348 |
| Wisconsin | $3,761 |
When moving a 3-bedroom house long-distance, there are additional fees you need to consider. These costs include:
Third-party moving insurance typically costs between 1% and 5% of your household belongings' total value, though many moving companies include their own coverage options offering either full value or released value protection.
You can expect to pay 1% of the total estimated cost of your household goods for full-value protection coverage. The moving company will fully repair or replace your lost or broken items. Or they will offer money for repairing or replacing a damaged or lost item.
Released value protection is budget-friendly, and you typically won't pay extra for this insurance. The moving company will pay no more than $0.60 per pound for broken or lost items.
Tipping your movers after a long-distance move is a thoughtful way to recognize exceptional service, and you can offer either a flat rate per person or 10% to 20% of your total bill in gratuity.
It's possible to rent a moving truck and handle your relocation yourself, and you stand to save thousands of dollars on labor if you DIY. However, while labor is usually the most expensive part of moving services, it's still best to hire a local moving company to get the job done. You'll save time and energy, as well as reduce the stress involved with moving.
There are a few important benefits you'll enjoy when you invest in professional labor costs and hire a pro to handle your move.
Professionals have equipment and large crews that can save you time and energy throughout the process.
Experts can pack your belongings and secure them during the move to reduce the risk of damage and potential replacement costs.
Pros are less likely to cause damage to your home on either side of the move, and reputable movers will cover any damages resulting from mistakes.
Professionals offer peace of mind that your relocation will go smoothly and according to your schedule.
Driving a moving truck yourself can be stressful, as you'll need to stick to specific routes that avoid low overpasses and bridges.
Moving a 3-bedroom house long distance is a lot of work. You can make it easier by adding a few extra service items. These items include:
Professional packing and unpacking: $1,000 average
Renting a storage container: $2,610 to $3,290
Professional furniture assembly: $120 to $180 per piece
Professional organizers: $250 to $1,500
The best way to save money while moving a long distance is to set a budget and do as much prep work as possible. Here are ways to save money during your cross-country trek:
Get quotes from at least 3 moving companies.
Plan and book your moving company early.
Move during the off-season or during the week.
Create a moving checklist at least 8 weeks in advance and make sure you stick with it.
Keep your set moving date as movers may charge $500 or more to change your moving date.
Pack and unpack all of your household items.
Choose the proper moving insurance with the best rate.
Declutter your home and sell or donate belongings you no longer need before moving.
Make sure you explain what services you want and if you need your mover to handle packing and unpacking, too.
Discuss any add-on services you need, like vehicle transportation, furniture assembly, and more.
Make sure you’re clear on the process your pro will take if something goes wrong and your belongings or home are damaged.
Discuss the timeline for the move to avoid surprises on the day of the relocation.
Ask your pro if they include supplies in their estimate or if you need to provide them on the day of the move.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
I recently moved to another state and chose United Trust Van Lines after comparing several companies. Their team was punctual, professional, and extremely careful with my belongings. I was especially impressed with how they handled my home office setup and fragile items. Everything arrived on...
United Trust Van Lines, LLCShowed up on time and cleaned carpets well, but didn?t move furniture.
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of ColumbusA reliable team for moves across state. My switch to a new place needed careful lifting through tight hallways. The movers checked the doorway first, then carried heavier pieces with slow, controlled movements. Their patience helped prevent damage, and I?d choose them again.
**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
All My Sons Moving & StorageI could not have moved without the help of Jen Stover! I was in my house for nearly 20 years, so the thought of clearing it out while working full time was overwhelming. Jen takes great joy in sorting and organizing while asking the hard questions with patience and compassion. Jen is...
Go and Stow Home OrganizingCouldn't have been a worse experience. 3 of my belongings were lost and 5 belongings were damaged. My furniture was clearly dragged across the ground. The movers couldn't move the furniture I paid extra heavy weight fees for so I had to help them move my own furniture. The manager gave me...
US Interstate and RailExcellent experience for me! They helped me a lot with my move. very reasonable price. Good communication with the office manager is excellent.
Goodview Moving and StorageI was concerned about my possessions safety throughout the move but Bridge View Van Lines took all necessary security measures to make sure everything arrived in mint shape I am really appreciative of their effort and commitment They made my long distance move seem simple
Bridgeview Van LinesThis moving company is the best in Columbus, Ohio! They rescued me when my movers didnâ t show up. Do not ever use Plane Movers! They never showed up for my move, claiming that I never signed the contract. They didnâ t call me to follow up, communication was awful. The people that work for...
All My Sons Moving & StorageOzie and Tyquese were great and worked fast. It was a good move
All My Sons Moving & StorageFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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