Popular US moving routes
Real migration data, distance, transit times, and the licensed carriers that service each lane.
Pick a lane to see typical 2BR pricing, transit windows, and the best-rated movers for that exact corridor.
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Real prices from licensed interstate movers.
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Why the route matters more than the carrier
Two interstate moves of identical weight can cost different totals on the same calendar week, depending on the lane. Drivers price one-way deadhead miles into the quote — a popular outbound lane (say Los Angeles → Phoenix) is cheaper because the truck won't return empty. A reverse lane on the same route is often 10–20% more.
This page tracks 100 of the most-searched US moving routes. Each route page below has its own cost breakdown, transit window, and the specific carriers that quote that lane regularly.
How interstate pricing actually works
Three numbers add up to the final invoice on a long-distance move: linehaul, accessorials, and valuation. Linehaul is weight × tariff rate × distance — the part that scales with the move itself. Accessorials are everything else: long carry, stairs, shuttle truck, packing materials, storage in transit. Valuation is your insurance election.
Linehaul is what most quotes lead with, but accessorials are where price surprise lives. Always ask the dispatcher to itemize: "What accessorials are likely on this move?" If the answer is vague, get the same quote from a competitor and compare line by line.
| Component | Typical share of total |
|---|---|
| Linehaul (weight × distance) | 55–70% |
| Fuel surcharge | 5–10% |
| Packing materials + labor | 10–25% |
| Accessorials (stairs, long carry, shuttle) | 5–15% |
| Valuation coverage | 1–3% |
Top state-to-state routes
Sorted by lane volume. Each links to a full cost and timeline page.
Binding, non-binding, binding-not-to-exceed
- Non-binding — the estimate is informational; final bill is based on actual weight or volume. Often comes in higher than the quote.
- Binding — the carrier commits to the price for the inventory listed. If actual weight is more, the price still holds.
- Binding-not-to-exceed — the carrier commits to a maximum; if actual weight comes in lower, you pay the lower amount. This is the version to ask for in writing.
Regional patterns worth knowing
Northeast → South lanes (NYC → Florida is the textbook example) are heavy in winter as retirees relocate, then heavy again in summer with family moves. Pricing is most competitive in October and February.
West → Mountain West lanes (California → Colorado, California → Idaho) have run hot since 2020 and stayed that way. Carriers often won't honor a quote older than 14 days on these lanes because demand keeps shifting rates.
Midwest ↔ Sunbelt lanes are seasonal: heavy outbound from Chicago and the Great Lakes in spring and fall, lighter in deep winter. Midwest movers often have spare capacity in January if your timeline is flexible.
Northeast ↔ South
West ↔ Southwest
Midwest ↔ Sunbelt
What the FMCSA actually does for you
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the agency you call when an interstate move goes wrong. They keep the public SAFER database (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) where you can verify any USDOT number in 30 seconds. They also publish the booklet "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" that every interstate carrier must give you before pickup — if your mover doesn't, that's a flag.
What they don't do: settle disputes directly. For damage claims, you file with the carrier first and have nine months from delivery to do so. If the carrier denies, your next step is small claims court or arbitration through AMSA — not FMCSA.