How Much Does A Cross Country Move Cost in 2022?

Hiring a Moving Company

Of course, any moving or relocation project is going to come with a fairly substantial price tag, and it is important to keep that in mind when planning your upcoming cross country move. The budget needs to be established early on, with subsequent decision making done within the constraints of that budget. With the inflation and the surge in gas prices and other related expenses, does moving prices spike up, or does a reliable and honest company keep the same rates?

Is It Hard to Move Cross Country LA to NY?

Relocating to another coast can be an exciting and rewarding adventure if thoughtfully planned and executed. It is a remarkably unique experience from any other move you are likely to make. However, the amount of work to be done upfront is fairly extensive, but as is so often the case, proper planning negates deficient performance.

What is the Cheapest Way to Move Things Cross Country NY to SF?

The operative word in this question is “cheap,” and it is not a word you want to base your decisions on. Cheap usually means cutting of valuable corners, which is never how you want to manage a large-scale project such as a cross country move. Now, that said, there are “less expensive” options available to you, such as:

• DIY Move. As in “do it yourself.” This means just what it says, you pack up and transport all of your possessions on your own.
• Rent a Truck. Pretty much the same as DIY, as you will be packing, loading, driving, and unloading the truck yourself.
• Choose a Cheaper Moving Date. Moving rates can ebb and flow, depending on the time of year. By choosing to move in what is considered the “off season” in your area, you stand a good chance at securing better moving rates.
• Find Free Materials. Items such as boxes can usually be obtained free of charge from businesses who break them down and throw them our every day.
• Have Your Employer Pay for It All. If your move is coming as a result of a job relocation, then there is a good chance your employer might pick up the cost of the move. It never hurts to ask.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Items Cross Country?

There is no hard and fast rule as to how much things will cost, but a fairly good rule of thumb is illustrated by the following table:

Move Type	Average Cost
Full-service moving company	$4,000-$9,000
Moving container	$2,000-$4,000
Freight trailer	$2,500-$3,000
DIY truck rental	$1,200-$2,000

Of course, as with any move, you will want to obtain a number of no obligation quotes before deciding on the provider you wish to oversee your long-distance move. This allows you to compare rates and negotiate with your top options for the best pricing available to you.

The average cost you can expect to complete a cross country move is somewhere in the neighborhood of $4000 to $5000. Of course, there are a number of variables that come into play, such as the size of your home, the number of items to be moved, the distances involved, etc. There fore you want to obtain your quotes from a company that can provide onsite estimates.

The size of your home and the valuables it contains play a significant role in the cost of a move, as all reputable providers are required by law to follow the guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as it pertains to the maximum weight allowed on their moving vehicles. Obviously if you end up hiring two trucks instead of one, the cost of the move increases accordingly.

The distance of a move involves more than just the mileage that will be traveled, but also extraneous expenses such as gas fees, labor expense, accommodations, and incidentals for moving crew members, as well as the expense involved with moving delicate or high dollar items like artwork, pianos, family heirlooms, etc.

You may also mitigate the cost of your cross country move by decluttering and downsizing. Many items that you do not plan to take with you can be donated or sold. Doing so streamlines the move, adjusts the costs, and allows you to truly start all over again in your new home.

In addition, determine during your planning time if you plan to do all the packing or not. Most moving providers offer packing services, as well as unpacking at the new location, but of course those services come at an additional cost.

Finally, consider the time of year you are planning for your move. September through March are usually consider the “off season” in many areas of the country, and you may find that moving rates and fees during this period are more affordable and agreeable as opposed to moving during the height of spring or summer, when moving demand is at its highest. Proper timing of your long-distance move can significantly impact your overall costs.

Thanks to the proliferation of Covid 19 and its subsequent variants, life in our country and around the world has gotten a lot more difficult. People plan their moves and activities much more carefully now in order to hopefully avoid contracting Covid 19, and what used to be activities taken for granted suddenly take on added weight, where we fully examine the consequences and risks of taking them on. If you are planning a cross country move in 2022, the reality is that Covid is most likely here to stay, at least to some degree, and it is important to do your moving and planning with that in mind.

Planning For Your Move

The good news is that in most states, moving companies are considered essential businesses and are not likely to be shut down or out of action in the event of future surges or lockdowns. A good many of them have adjusted their procedures accordingly in order to minimize and risks to their employees and clients. A simple phone call or email will let you know if the company you are considering for your cross-country move is doing what they should with regard to mask wearing, social distancing, and screening their employees on a regular basis to greatly reduce the chance for any infectious spread.

Many companies have also introduced contactless services, eliminating the need for most face-to-face interactions. Most now offer virtual surveys instead of in-home estimates in order to determine a price for your moving project.

Most storage companies also continue to operate during Covid, although you may be looking at decreased hours of operations, as well as different requirements for being on the property, such as a reduction in the amount of people who can access units at any one time.

Do not hesitate to ask your moving company directly about their Covid policies. Reputable companies will be only too happy to answer as many questions as you have. After all, it is their reputation that is ultimately on the line here.

Among the protocols established within the moving industry:

• To follow local and federal guidelines as far as social distancing and sanitization.
• Frequent deep cleaning of trucks and equipment.
• Social distancing with customers and within the moving team
• Wearing masks, gloves, and other protective gear.
• Keeping offices and trucks well stocked with hand sanitizer.

If you need to cancel a move due to circumstances regarding Covid, you should contact your moving provider as soon as possible. Most moving contracts are non-binding, which allows you to cancel a move up to a certain time frame without any financial penalties. Many companies are more lenient on supposed “nonrefundable deposits” due to the unusual circumstances often surrounding Covid 19.

Prepping For the Move

Purchase all of your supplies at once. You want to avoid running back and forth to the store or supply company, as doing so increases the chances for infection.

Clean as you pack. Use the packing process to wipe down and disinfect as many items as possible. If you forgot to purchase disinfectant, you can make your own by mixing one tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of water and voila, instant cleaning solution.

If your move is imminent and you find yourself not feeling well, you should, again, notify your moving provider. This allows them to know the potential risk to their employees so they can make any alterations to their Covid protocols that may be needed. Similarly, let your moving provider know if there is any chance anyone in your family has been exposed to Covid.

If you are feeling fine and no one has tested positive for the virus, maintain that status by wearing a mask and gloves when packing, and sanitizing any items that your movers will be handling directly. Try to be completely packed up no less than 24 hours before the movers arrive, store materials in a closed room (as the virus can survive on surfaces for several hours), and once the movers arrive, stay out of everyone’s space (social distancing). Continue wearing a mask and gloves. Provide hygiene products for your movers such as hand sanitizer, soap, paper towels and disinfectant at every entrance and exit.

Do not use free or recycled moving boxes as Covid can live on cardboard surfaces for up to 24 hours. With that in mind, grabbing free boxes from the shop down the street may not be the best course. Boxes and boxing materials are inexpensive and purchased at your local home improvement store.

For your own safety on the road during this process, you will want to look into disposable gloves for small transactions such as getting fuel. Have a supply of masks handy for when you have to be in social situations, and keep plenty of hand sanitizer within reach, washing your hands whenever possible. While most of us want to keep our vehicles clean, do not overdo wiping down every exposed surface in your vehicle, as this is not how Covid is spread.

Yes, you can move during the pandemic, should it stretch into 2022, and you can do so safely, as long as you follow some simple common-sense recommendations.

If there is anything good that comes out of a hundred-year pandemic, it means that protocols such as social distancing and deep cleaning also mean more time to go through your possessions and determine what needs to be kept and what needs to be discarded. If you choose to donate items, contact those businesses and again, find out what their Covid policies are. Donations may mean jumping through a few more hoops, but with the new normal we find ourselves in, it is necessary and worth it.

Bottom Line

Think safety. These are precarious and uncertain times, but with a little judicious planning and preparation, there is no reason that your cross-country move cannot happen as planned and on schedule in 2022.

Moving to a new home is a good opportunity to go through your belongings, and only move what you and your family need and cherish.  

Where can I take unwanted items? 

Once you’ve sorted through your stuff, next thing is to get rid of all your unwanted items. So, where can you donate the things you no longer need? There are many different organizations and charities that accept donations, these include: Goodwill, Salvation Army, Baby2Baby. A lot of the common charities accept most things, however, some organizations, such as the library will only accept certain items, make sure to check before you donate or schedule a pickup. In addition to donating to local donation centers, shelters are always in need of certain items. What items do homeless shelters need most? new, unused personal hygiene products, toiletries, clothes, shoes, and bedding are some of the important item’s shelters will accept. There are also charities that help homeless people get back into work, so, if you have working electronics, these can really help someone learn a new skill.  

What should you not donate? 

There are some items that should not be donated. These include: dirty, stained, or ripped clothes, shoes with holes, furniture that’s in really bad shape, or has bugs, broken glass or mirrors, dirty or broken household appliances, broken toys and children’s items.  

Moving day is approaching, and everything needs to be ready when the movers arrive. So, What happens on the day of moving and what can you expect?  

What should I do the day of moving? 

To best be prepared, start your day early. Ensure everything is ready and packed, unless you’ve hired the moving company to do the packing. Once the moving crew arrives, expect there to be quite a few people in your home, with a lot of movement and heavy lifting between the moving truck and your house. When possible, try to have children and animals out of the way. Have some snacks and beverages available for the movers and anyone onsite assisting with the move. In colder climates, also offer something warm. Before the movers leave, do a walk through of your home ensuring nothing has been left behind. Once everything has been loaded onto the moving truck, you’ll receive the bill of lading, this is your contract. Keep it safe with all your other moving paperwork. If you’re going to tip your movers, have the exact amount of cash ready, either to give to each crewmember, or to the foreman who will divide among the crew.  

How Does Knowing What To Expect On Moving Day Help Determine the Size of the Moving Truck Needed?

Knowing what to expect on moving day can greatly help determine the size of your moving truck. By understanding the nature and quantity of your belongings, you can accurately assess the space required for transportation. This allows you to avoid the inconvenience of renting a truck that is either too small, forcing multiple trips, or unnecessarily large, resulting in wasted space and money.

What is the most common moving day?  

Friday and Saturday are the most common days to move, after that a Monday. One of the reasons Friday is common, especially for local moves, is that unpacking can happen over the weekend.  

What makes moving easier? 

 Being organized! 

This is a question many people ask themselves prior to moving. If you’re undecided, remember, it’s always better to have insurance and not need it, than not have it and need it! Even for a local move. Professional moving companies will do their best to ensure nothing gets lost or damaged, but, on the rare occasion something does happen, or there’s a natural disaster, you’ll be glad you’re insured. So, when asking yourself “Do I need insurance when moving house?” question if any of your belongings are of value, either sentimentally or financially and if you want them protected.  

 How does insurance work when moving?

If you’ve hired a reputable moving company to transport your belongings, that company is obligated to provide you with information about the available options to obtain the right coverage for your move. If you’re doing a DIY (do it yourself) move, and hiring a rental truck, make sure to see and understand the available insurance options before signing any rental agreements.  

 What happens to house insurance when you move?

Some home insurance companies cover the contents of your home while they’re in transit between your old home and your new home.  However, you will only be covered if using the services of a professional moving company. If your home insurance company does not cover items while in transit, you will therefore need to get additional moving insurance!