You select your home size and enter the one-way distance of your move, then choose DIY or professional. For DIY, the tool estimates truck rental by home size, round-trip fuel at 6 MPG, packing supplies, and insurance at 15% of truck plus fuel. For professional movers, it estimates a per-mile cost scaled by load size. All values are rough averages and actual costs depend on season, market, and specifics.
For local moves (under 50 miles), DIY is usually much cheaper. For long-distance moves, the gap narrows because fuel, truck rental, and your time add up. Get quotes from professional movers to compare — sometimes full-service movers are competitive with DIY for cross-country moves.
Moving costs are generally lowest from October through April (off-peak season). Summer months (June-August) are the most expensive because demand peaks. Mid-month and mid-week moves also tend to cost less than beginning/end of month or weekends.
This estimate does not include storage fees, temporary housing, cleaning, utility deposits, pet transport, vehicle shipping, or tips for movers. Budget an additional 10-20% for unexpected expenses that come up during most moves.
Basic liability coverage (often included by truck rental companies) covers very little — typically $0.60 per pound per item. If you have valuable furniture, electronics, or fragile items, consider purchasing full-value protection. Check whether your homeowner's or renter's insurance covers items during transit.
Estimate only. Results reflect your inputs and standard formulas — they are not financial, tax, legal, health, or investment advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.