Cross-country = 1,500+ miles, and that changes the math
A 600-mile move and a 2,800-mile move are different products. Distance kills DIY economics fast: every mile is fuel, food, and a hotel stop. By 2,500+ miles, the cost gap between a freight container and a full-service carrier narrows enough that 'cheapest' becomes 'cheapest after my time and risk.'
Use the moving cost calculator for a baseline before any of these conversations. The route lanes on popular routes show real averages by corridor.
Cross-country price comparison by home size
DIY 'all-in' assumes 8–10 mpg, $3.80/gallon diesel, three nights of hotels, food, and standard rental insurance. Full-service ranges assume binding-not-to-exceed estimates from licensed carriers (not brokers).
| Home size | U-Haul DIY | U-Pack / PODS | Full-service carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,200–$3,200 | $2,000–$3,400 | $3,400–$5,400 |
| 1 BR apt | $2,800–$4,000 | $2,800–$4,200 | $4,500–$7,000 |
| 2 BR apt | $3,800–$5,400 | $3,800–$5,800 | $6,500–$10,500 |
| 3 BR home | $5,200–$7,500 | $5,400–$7,800 | $10,500–$16,500 |
| 4+ BR home | $7,200–$10,500 | $7,500–$10,800 | $15,000–$24,000 |
Option 1 — U-Pack and freight container (cheapest for small loads)
U-Pack uses 28-foot freight trailers and ReloCube containers, riding on existing freight routes. You load it; they drive it. For 1–2 bedroom cross-country moves, this is the lowest sticker price almost every time.
Tradeoff: limited dates (freight schedules are not on-demand), and you do all the loading. Hire labor crews at each end for $300–$600 if you need help.
Option 2 — PODS or 1-800-PACK-RAT (most flexible)
PODS drops a 16-foot container at your home, gives you days to load, then trucks it. Pricing is higher than U-Pack but the flexibility — and built-in storage if your delivery slips — wins for households juggling closing dates.
PACK-RAT often lands between PODS and U-Pack on price. ABF Moving's U-Pack and PODS dominate volume, but smaller regional players (e.g., COWs, Smartbox) can undercut on specific routes.
Option 3 — DIY truck rental (cheapest only at smaller sizes)
U-Haul, Penske, and Budget will rent you a 26-foot truck one-way to almost anywhere. The truck is cheap; everything around it is not.
Cross-country DIY adds 30–50 hours of driving time. At median wages, that is $900–$1,500 of your time you do not see on a receipt. For most working professionals, a freight container beats DIY on cross-country routes once that is counted.
- Confirm one-way drop fees both directions (LA → NY differs from NY → LA)
- Check your auto insurance — it may cover the truck and the rental insurance is markup
- Allow 4–7 driving days; do not drive a 26' truck more than 8 hours per day if you are not used to it
Option 4 — Full-service licensed carriers (closer than you think on big homes)
For households with 7,000+ pounds of inventory, the math flips. Loading a 4-bedroom home into a freight container is a two-day job. Driving it 2,500 miles is another five days. By the time you tally hired labor, fuel, lodging, food, and the time off work, full-service is often within $1,500 of DIY — and the carrier carries the cargo insurance.
Get three quotes. Always verify the carrier's USDOT number. Confirm whether the company is the actual carrier or a broker reselling the move.
How to make any option cheaper
- Move October–April (off-peak); avoid June, July, end-of-month
- Cut weight aggressively before pricing; every 1,000 lbs saved is $300–$700 cross-country
- Pack everything yourself except fragile and high-value items
- Use credit card payment for chargeback protection
- Watch for accessorial fees: long carry, stair carry, shuttle, elevator delays
- Compare three licensed long-distance movers — never sign on the first call