Planning an out-of-state move can feel overwhelming. You’re not just packing boxes, you’re budgeting for truck rentals, labor, travel, and potentially full-service help. Whether you’ve moved before or this is your first time relocating out of state, understanding what contributes to the total cost of the move is essential.
Below, we walk through two concrete examples using UniMovers’ rates. These will show you how to relocate out of state without nasty surprises in your budget. We also include comparisons with a full-service moving company and an out-of-state moving truck rental to help you choose the best out-of-state moving companies or options for your situation.
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The Cost of Moving Out of State
If you’re moving out of state, it’s helpful to see how costs scale with distance. We’ll use UniMovers’ labor-only rates plus estimates for rental trucks and travel fees. Let’s take a look at two scenarios for an example.
Scenario A: Moving From Raleigh, NC to Charleston, SC
An out of state move from Raleigh, NC to Charleston, SC is a relatively short move (about 280 miles). Suppose you’re moving a 2-to 3-bedroom home. Using UniMovers’ actual estimates and rates, we would recommend three movers, which costs $180/hour. If loading and unloading take six hours, total labor would cost $1,080. Additionally, a travel fee would apply for the movers to travel to the second, out-of-state address. Conservatively, that might add $600–$800. So labor plus travel might run around $1,600-$2,000. However, in this case, UniMovers has locations in both Raleigh and Charleston, meaning you can save money by utilizing local teams to avoid a travel fee. In that case, you would only pay the estimated $1,080 for labor across both locations.
Then comes the out-of-state moving truck rental or transport. Renting a one-way moving truck that can accommodate a two- or three-bedroom home, plus paying for fuel, insurance, and drop-off fees, could cost another $800-$1,500 (using U-Haul pricing). That brings the total out-of-state move cost for Scenario A (labor plus transport) to about $1,900-$3,500 using UniMovers for loading and unloading plus a rental truck.
By comparison, hiring one of the best out-of-state full-service moving companies could run much higher—often $3,500–$6,000+—since those quotes typically include materials, packing, transport, specialized handling, and sometimes storage.
Scenario B: Moving From Charleston, SC to Iowa City, IA
For a move from Charleston, SC to Iowa City, IA the distance is far greater (approximately 1,000 miles). Using UniMovers’ labor-only rate with three movers at $180/hour, loading and unloading may still take around six to eight hours, depending on how much there is to move and how much prep work is needed. That gives a labor cost of $1,080 to $1,440. Then the travel fee for the crew to travel to the second address could add around $3,000. So, the labor plus travel portion alone might run $4,000-$4,500. Fortunately, UniMovers has local teams in both Charleston, SC, and Iowa City, IA. By working with them directly, you can avoid travel fees and keep your labor costs in the range of $1,080–$1,440.
When you factor in the cost of an out-of-state moving truck rental for a long-distance trip, including fuel, drop-off fees, insurance, and possibly overnight travel, the total could reach $2,500–$4,000+.
Altogether, an out-of-state move under Scenario B might run $3,500–$8,000+ with UniMovers handling loading and unloading while you arrange transport. Opting for a full-service mover who would cover everything from packing to delivery could raise the total to $7,000–$10,000+, depending on weight, access, and services.
What Impacts the Cost of an Out-of-State Move Most
Several factors drive up the cost when you move out of state. First, the number of movers matters. UniMovers charges $60/hour/mover. Every additional mover increases the hourly rate and often reduces hours needed, but sometimes fewer movers make the job go slower, costing you more in the end.
Next, the number of hours needed for labor for loading and unloading can add up. Travel fees can also increase your overall cost if there are no local teams to service your labor-only move. Long-distance moving companies will also charge travel fees, but they will cost more as they also transport your items.
Out-of-state moving truck rentals also rise sharply in cost with distance, fuel price, size of the vehicle, and whether it’s a one-way or round-trip. Factors like timing (peak seasons, weekends) and add-ons such as packing, furniture disassembly, or specialty item handling can further raise your costs, all of which contribute to your final out-of-state moving total.
Other Costs to Consider in an Out-of-State Move
While labor and truck rental are major drivers of out-of-state move costs, several other expenses factor in, especially for long-distance moves:
- Packing materials: Boxes, tape, packing paper, moving blankets, and ratchet straps can add up in cost. However, there are plenty of ways to save money or get moving supplies for free.
- Transportation costs: Beyond truck rental, you’ll need to budget for gas, mileage, and insurance. For long hauls, fuel alone may cost several hundred dollars.
- Travel costs: Consider your own travel during the move. Will you drive your car, fly, or take a bus? Longer relocations may require overnight hotel stays and meals on the road, adding hundreds to the total.
- Optional and non-monetary costs: Tipping movers, lost work time, temporary or mobile storage, and the stress of coordinating logistics all add to the burden of an out-of-state move.
How to Relocate Out of State with Smarter Choices
If your goal is to minimize your out-of-state move cost while still using reliable service, there are a few guiding principles.
First, choose one of the best out-of-state moving companies that matches your actual needs. Perhaps you only require loading and unloading while arranging your own transport or truck rental. UniMovers often fits this approach, allowing you to limit services and control costs.
Second, be realistic about what you can do yourself. Packing ahead, having everything staged, disassembling furniture—these things save mover hours. Third, shop out-of-state moving truck rental options early; one-way truck rental can be surprisingly costly if you wait until the last minute or misjudge truck size. Fourth, always get multiple quotes and compare full-service movers and labor-only companies like UniMovers. Fifth, time your move wisely. Moving in the middle of the week or during off-peak season often reduces surcharges and availability premiums.
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Conclusion
Knowing the true cost of moving out of state means adding up labor, travel fees, transport costs, and extra services. For a short interstate move like Raleigh, NC to Charleston, SC, that could mean $1,900-$3,500 with UniMovers labor-only services plus a truck rental. For a long move like Charleston, SC to Iowa City, IA, your cost is closer to $2,500–$4,000+ under similar arrangements.
If you go with one of the best out-of-state full-service moving companies, you’ll pay more, but the logistics will be handled for you. If your priority is balancing cost and convenience, using more DIY-friendly methods like renting your own moving truck and hiring labor-only moving companies like UniMovers for loading and unloading often offers the best middle ground.
Relocating out of state is rarely simple, but by understanding how each cost component adds up—labor rate per mover, hours required, travel, and transport—you can plan ahead, avoid surprises, and pick solutions that work for both your schedule and your budget. If you’re about to move and want a personalized estimate, check out UniMovers’ rate calculator or request quotes from full-service movers to see exactly what your out-of-state move will cost.
FAQs
The cost of an out-of-state move largely depends on the distance you’re moving and which type of movers you decide on—DIY, labor-only, or full-service. Shorter moves with a DIY or labor-only approach may only cost a few hundred dollars. However, a long-distance move or utilizing a full-service moving company can drive that price up into the thousands.
Yes, all of UniMovers’ services, including packing, are offered at the same flat hourly rate. Customers just need to provide their own boxes, tape, and packing supplies.
Renting your own truck and hiring a labor-only moving company for loading and unloading is usually the most affordable option.
Avoid peak summer weekends if possible. Moving mid-week or during the off-season can save hundreds.
Janine Loy is a college student and writer with a love for stories—whether found in books, nature trails, pixelated worlds, or curled up with her cat. When she's not writing, she's probably leveling up, getting lost in a novel, or chasing the next scenic hike.
