When it comes to moving across the country costs can add up quickly! When making any kind of move, cost is the last thing you want to be worried about. This is especially true when making big moves, like moving across the country. This can leave you wondering how can I cheaply move across the country.
However, you can choose several strategies to minimize your expenses. In this article, we will go over a few of these options so you can be better equipped for how to approach your move. Although you’re probably wishing that your move could be free, here are some of the cheapest options to move across the country!
Table of Contents
1. Moving By Yourself
The first on our list of cheapest ways to move across the country is moving by yourself. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to move alone, rather you make a DIY move! Do it yourself instead of hiring moving help, cleaning services, shipping via plane, or whatever else you may consider! Pack up all of your belongings in a car or some transportation and move out!
Making a move this way will require a lot of cleaning and decluttering beforehand. You will want to consider selling a few things before you move. Not only will this help you declutter, but you will make a profit before you leave. Even if you need help moving, ask your friends and family to help out to avoid the cost of hiring movers.
While making a DIY move requires more labor from you and whoever is moving with you, it is the cheapest way to move across the country.
2. Rent a Moving Truck
As part of your moving process, especially if you are doing a DIY move, you might require the services of a moving truck. If you move by yourself you will save a ton of money, which you can put towards a rental truck. Renting a moving truck is a popular option for people who want to move across the country on a budget.
Of course, staying on a budget means you will need to research different companies to compare prices. You can obtain quotes from multiple rental companies to find the one that suits your needs and budget. Another thing about the budget to keep in mind regarding rental trucks is that they usually don’t get very good gas mileage, so you may end up making more stops for gas than expected.
Although the rental price with other added fees including gas is different depending on your needs, renting a truck will pay off in the long run. You can find great deals through thorough research! Renting a truck will also save you money on having to ship items across the country, which can be very expensive.
3. Employ Partial Help
If you still need more moving help, but don’t want to hire a full-service moving company, you can hire partial moving help. Utilizing this method will still save you tons of money while giving you the help you need. This method would be most useful if you are on a budget, aren’t moving far, or don’t have much stuff to move.
For example, hiring a partial moving service can help you pack things into your car or rental truck, while you do the packing inside your home. Many different companies offer partial moving services that will be compatible and flexible with your specific needs.
While many of these companies are extremely reliable and credible, UniMovers offers more than just a moving experience. UniMovers offers a wide variety of services that will help with your partial moving needs, including, hourly labor, loading and unloading U-Haul trucks, and loading and unloading PODS. They also offer great rates and give part of their profit back to the community by offering scholarships and employing college students. You can get an estimate of your cost for your move by using the Travel Fee Calculator or obtaining a quote through our website.
4. Rent a Moving Container
If you have a lot of stuff to move with you, you may want to consider renting a moving container. This is one of the most popular options for long-distance and cross-country moves. Renting a portable moving container or PODS can be more pricey than just renting a moving truck, but it is still much cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company.
Another thing that makes moving containers so convenient for moving across the country is that you can double them as storage containers before and after you move. Moving containers are usually rented by the month, so your specific price will depend on how long you plan on using the container. The only work you will have to do when renting a moving container is to load your items into the container and from there the company will do the rest of the work.
Many popular moving companies offer portable moving containers or even specialize in them. Some of these companies include PODS, U-Haul’s U-Boxes, U-Pack ReloCubes, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and many more. You can also hire services, like UniMovers, to help you load and unload your PODS, but this will be an additional cost to renting the POD. You can obtain quotes from many of these companies such as PODS online and by giving them a quick call.
5. Have Your Employer Pay for Your Move
If you are moving with a new job or company, especially if you are moving under your current company, you can talk to your employer about paying for your move. Many companies have relocation policies which you can check through your employer. Depending on your company’s policy, they may pay for part or all of your moving expenses!
Moving with a company or to a new job is a way to save money when moving cross-country. Especially if you are moving across the country, companies may be more likely to pay for your move due to the distance and big changes they are asking from you.
Some companies even have moving companies they work with or prefer you to move with. If this is the case your company can help you get in contact with these companies and help you with the cost of hiring movers. Although this may not be as popular of an option as the previously mentioned ones, if you are moving across the country for a job, this is a cheap option to keep your moving costs low.
Conclusion
Moving across the country is a major life change and depending on many different factors can be very expensive. Whether it’s the new place or new lifestyle you’re worried about, the moving process should be the last thing to be stressed about. Money and financial situations are one of the largest stressors in America. In fact, in February 2022 a study from the American Psychological Association (APA) stated that around 65% of Americans responded that money is one of the most significant causes of stress in their life (APA, 2022). That’s over half of the nation and these numbers only continue to rise.
Moving to any new place, even if it is right down the road, can be stressful, but with proper planning, you can have an easy transition. There are many things you will have to pay for and many financial adjustments that come with moving across the country. Don’t let the cost of the moving process be your biggest worry.
By using the techniques and options we’ve discussed throughout the article, you can find the cheapest ways to move across the country. By saving money on moving services, you can put it towards your new home, new cars, essentials, new furniture, and even fun activities to explore your new area! Although it may require a little extra work from you and maybe your friends and family, it will all be worth it in the long run when you are settled into your new home. Wherever your life may be moving you, safe travels! ¡Buen viaje! Bon voyage!
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Reese Ledford comes from Fort Mill, South Carolina, right outside Charlotte, North Carolina. She is currently studying English and Political Science at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. In her free time, she loves to travel, draw, write, exercise, and spend time with friends and family.
