Why do moving companies charge by weight for long-distance moves?

Federal regulations (FMCSA) require interstate movers to charge by actual weight for non-binding estimates. Local intrastate moves are usually hourly per state PUC rules.

What's the difference between Released Value and Full Value protection?

Released Value is free but only pays $0.60 per pound per item (a damaged $1,000 TV at 30 lb = $18). Full Value Protection (typically 1% of declared value) pays repair or replacement cost.

How accurate are the home-size volume estimates?

They're industry averages. A heavily-furnished 1-bedroom might be 700 cu ft; a sparsely-furnished 3-bedroom might be 900. Walk-through estimates from movers are more accurate.

Should I get a binding or non-binding estimate?

Binding estimates lock in price (you pay the quote even if it weighs more). Non-binding can be cheaper but exposes you to weight surprises. Get binding for any move over 1,000 miles.

What's the cheapest way to move?

Renting a truck (U-Haul, Penske) and doing it yourself. The tool doesn't model this — but for context, a 1-way 1,000-mile truck rental runs $1,200–$2,000 plus fuel, before your labor.

Moving Cost Calculator

Estimate moving costs for local hourly moves and long-distance per-lb moves with packing supplies.

Written by Golam Rabbani, Founder & Lead Engineer

This interactive tool requires JavaScript. Read the formula and worked example below; you can compute the result by hand.

How to use this moving cost calculator

Pick imperial (miles) or metric (km) units and your currency.
Choose Local or Long-distance — local uses crew hours, long-distance uses $/lb.
Pick your home size from the dropdown (studio through 4+ bedrooms).
For local moves, enter expected crew hours and hourly rate; for long-distance, enter distance and $/lb.
Add packing supply costs, contents value, and insurance/valuation %.
Press Calculate to see the total moving cost broken out by line item.

About this moving cost calculator

The moving cost calculator gives you a realistic estimate by combining industry rule-of-thumb home-size volumes with the pricing model that matches your move type. Local moves are priced by the hour (crew rate × hours, plus a one-hour travel fee). Long-distance moves are priced by weight ($/lb × volume × 7 lb per cu ft conversion). Packing supplies and full-value insurance are added on top.

Example: a 2-bedroom local move (~850 cu ft, ~5,950 lb) with 6 crew-hours at $150/hour, $400 in packing supplies, $15,000 contents value at 1% valuation. Labor = 6 × 150 = $900. Travel fee (1 hour) = $150. Packing = $400. Insurance = 15,000 × 0.01 = $150. Total = $900 + $150 + $400 + $150 = $1,600.

Long-distance comparison: the same 2-bedroom move at $0.70/lb = 5,950 × 0.70 = $4,165 in transport alone, plus packing and valuation. Real quotes vary heavily by season (summer is 30% higher) and route; get 3 binding estimates before committing. Volume figures from United, Allied, and Mayflower rate guides; the 7 lb/cu ft conversion is industry-standard.

FAQ

Why do moving companies charge by weight for long-distance moves?: Federal regulations (FMCSA) require interstate movers to charge by actual weight for non-binding estimates. Local intrastate moves are usually hourly per state PUC rules.
What's the difference between Released Value and Full Value protection?: Released Value is free but only pays $0.60 per pound per item (a damaged $1,000 TV at 30 lb = $18). Full Value Protection (typically 1% of declared value) pays repair or replacement cost.
How accurate are the home-size volume estimates?: They're industry averages. A heavily-furnished 1-bedroom might be 700 cu ft; a sparsely-furnished 3-bedroom might be 900. Walk-through estimates from movers are more accurate.
Should I get a binding or non-binding estimate?: Binding estimates lock in price (you pay the quote even if it weighs more). Non-binding can be cheaper but exposes you to weight surprises. Get binding for any move over 1,000 miles.
What's the cheapest way to move?: Renting a truck (U-Haul, Penske) and doing it yourself. The tool doesn't model this — but for context, a 1-way 1,000-mile truck rental runs $1,200–$2,000 plus fuel, before your labor.