How to actually compare 'cheap'
The sticker price is only one part of an out-of-state move. A $1,400 truck rental can quietly become $3,200 once you add fuel, one-way drop fee, insurance, lodging, food on the road, and the value of your time.
The honest comparison is total landed cost. We pull line items from current operator pricing across the five main categories below and combine them with route averages from popular moving routes.
Five real options, ranked by 'all-in' cost for a 1-bedroom move
Notice that for a small load, the gap between cheapest (U-Pack) and most expensive (full-service) is closer than people assume. Once you scale to a 3-bedroom home, the gap widens significantly because labor scales faster than container square footage.
| Method | Base price | Fuel + lodging | Total range |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-Pack ReloCube | $1,400–$2,000 | $0 | $1,400–$2,000 |
| PODS container | $1,800–$2,800 | $0 | $1,800–$2,800 |
| U-Haul truck (DIY) | $1,200–$1,700 | $500–$900 | $1,700–$2,600 |
| Penske truck (DIY) | $1,400–$1,900 | $500–$900 | $1,900–$2,800 |
| Hybrid: container + labor | $1,800–$2,800 | +$300–$600 labor | $2,100–$3,400 |
| Full-service mover | $2,500–$4,500 | $0 | $2,500–$4,500 |
Option 1: Portable container (typically the cheapest for medium loads)
Companies like U-Pack, PODS, and 1-800-PACK-RAT drop a container at your home, you load it on your schedule, they truck it to your new address.
U-Pack uses freight trailers or ReloCubes and is generally the cheapest of the three — they bill by linear feet used. PODS is more flexible on storage time. PACK-RAT lands in the middle.
- Best for 1–2 bedroom moves under 1,500 miles
- You do the loading and unloading (or hire labor crews separately)
- Storage built in if your delivery date slips
- Watch the surcharges: long carries, extra storage days, container redelivery
Option 2: DIY truck rental (cheapest if you can drive it)
U-Haul, Penske, and Budget all offer one-way truck rentals between any two states. The published rate is usually the lowest line item on this page — but the all-in number depends on fuel and lodging, both of which you control.
A 26-foot truck gets 8–10 mpg. A 1,200-mile move at $3.80/gallon costs $480–$600 in diesel. Add hotels and food and the 'cheap' rental is often $700–$900 more than the sticker.
- Best for moves under 800 miles or households moving for the second or third time (driving a 26' truck takes practice)
- Insurance from the rental company is markup; check your auto policy and credit cards first
- One-way drop fees vary wildly by route — quote both directions if you have flexibility
- Add a few hundred dollars for labor-only loaders/unloaders at each end if your back is tired of stairs
Option 3: Hybrid — container + hired labor
Many shippers split the difference: order a container for the drive, then hire 2–3 movers for two hours each side to load and unload. Labor crews bill $150–$250 per hour for a 2-person team.
This is often the best value for a 2-bedroom apartment with stairs, where DIY loading risks injury and full service is over budget.
Option 4: Full-service movers (when it actually wins)
Full-service is rarely the absolute cheapest, but it can be the best total value when:
- You are moving a 3+ bedroom home with heavy furniture across more than 1,500 miles
- You cannot take a week off to drive and unload
- You have valuable items that benefit from full-value protection
- You are moving for work and reimbursement covers the difference
Always verify the carrier's USDOT number and confirm whether you are talking to a carrier or a broker. The cheapest full-service quote is meaningless if it is from a broker that re-sells the move.
Five free ways to lower whichever option you pick
- Move mid-month, mid-week, October–April — peak season pricing is real (15–30% above off-peak)
- Cut weight: every 1,000 lbs you donate or sell saves $200–$500 long-distance
- Pack yourself; 'pack and load' service typically costs $500–$1,500 extra
- Get three written quotes — the cheapest is rarely the first one
- Use a credit card for chargeback protection; refuse cash-only deals