So, you are looking for the cheapest ways to move across the country. Well, you have plenty of company. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, the average cost for hiring professional movers for a cross country move is around $4,300. This is why it is understandable why a lot of people are a little concerned about the related costs for such a significant transition. The good news is that there are cheaper ways to manage a move out-of-state.
From renting shipping/storage containers to hiring a labor-only moving company, it is possible to move your belongings from one end of the country another end without spending a lot of money. The following are several ways you can save money when you are moving long distance.
Find Free Packing Materials
One of the easiest means to save a few dollars when embarking on a long-distance move is by collecting and using as many free moving supplies as you can. This means that you will need to look for free boxes, newspaper and bubble wrap from community groups, retailers, and online marketplaces. Some of the places you can look for these supplies are:
- Nextdoor.com
- Craigslist
- Local businesses
- U-Haul Box Exchange
- Free-cycle
- Recycling drop-off points
- Friends
- Family
- Neighbors
- Bookstores
Rent A Truck
If you are ready to move across the country, and you do not mind the drive, rent a moving truck from an established rental truck company. By doing this, you will be potentially saving thousands of dollars. For example, you can rent a truck with U-Haul for a one-way move. You will be given a set price that includes the distance being traveled, the cost of the renting, and any insurance costs. You will also have to pay for fuel costs. Keep in mind that these types of truck rentals do not get very good gas mileage. The typical truck rental does not get more than ten mpg. So, if you are traveling 1,000 miles, the truck will need 100 gallons of fuel. Truck rental options include Enterprise, U-Haul, and Budget.
Rent A Portable Storage/Moving Container
Renting one of these containers is a popular alternative to renting a traditional moving company. For one thing, it is less expensive than hiring a professional moving company. These portable containers also double as storage containers for before and after you have moved. The costs for one of these containers will depend on how long you plan to keep the container, as well as the size of the container.
Typically, the average monthly rent for one of these containers can range from $2,000 to $3,000 a month. However, when compared to $4,000 to $6,000 a month for a moving company, one can easily notice why t is easy to see why this is the cheaper alternative.
Choose A Good Date To Move
What does this mean? Well, believe it or not, but the time of year you move can also affect how much money you will spend on relocating out of state. When you avoid moving during peak times of the year, you will save money on moving companies, truck rentals, etc. Examples of the peak dates and times to avoid if you can are:
- Weekends
- The months between May and September (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
- The first weeks of the month
- The last weeks of the month
- Try to select a date during the middle of the week, in the middle of a month before May or after September.
Enlist The Help Of Family And Friends
You can ask your friends & family to help you with certain aspects of your long-distance move. This is probably the cheapest solution, but you will have to be accommodating to other people’s schedules. You can always pay your friends and family back with a gift card, lunch, pizza, bottle of wine.
Moving across town is a major deal for some people, but moving across the country is life-changing. Fortunately, this new journey does not have to leave you broke. Utilize these money-saving tips to make your cross country move stress-free and memorable.
