July 1, 2022
 |  No Comments

Hoping to keep your cross-country move low cost? You’ve come to the right place. Bellhop is here with everything you need to know about making a move across the country without spending an arm and a leg.

Let’s get started!

How to move across the country

As you might expect, moving from one side of the country to the other can add up fast. After all, you have to factor in all the costs for moving, including packing materials, movers, rental trucks, insurance, gas, and more.

How can you keep costs down? The key is to plan your move out right. Here are a few ways to move across the country affordably:

Ask your friends for help, and move yourself

If you have a group of friends who would be willing to exchange some moving help for pizza or tacos, then you’re in good hands. You can pack everything up and get your move off on the road in no time.

Advantages: 

  • Cheap
  • Fast
  • Flexible
  • Relatively easy to coordinate

Disadvantages: 

  • Items subject to damage while in transit due to inexperience packing
  • May not be insured
  • Will be on your own if people don’t show up
  • Challenging if you don’t have a moving vehicle

Get a rental truck

A rental truck may not be free, but it’s certainly a budget-friendly way to approach a long-distance move. You can talk to numerous local companies, including U-Haul, to see what they offer and make sure that it fits the size of your items. 

Advantages: 

  • More spacious than a personal vehicle
  • Can limit the number of trips needed
  • May save you money from DIYing the move
  • May have room for multiple people in the truck

Disadvantages: 

  • Can be tricky to drive for some people due to the size
  • Need people to help you load everything up
  • Can put your items at risk if you don’t have experience loading up a moving truck
  • Must pay gas and clean out the truck afterward

Hire long-distance movers

Another great option to get your move started is to hire professionals who can help you with moving across the country. That will ensure you have plenty of people to assist you with loading, delivery, and the works. Here is a guide on tips for comparing moving company quotes that may help with picking the best mover.

Advantages: 

  • Insured rental trucks available
  • Can be affordable depending on the movers
  • Items loaded up and delivered with care 
  • Multiple moving services to choose from

Disadvantages: 

  • Cost more than DIY moves 
  • May not service your new city/state (ask beforehand)
  • Must pack your items yourself
  • Need to give at least three days’ notice in most cases

Work with hourly laborers

Have a moving truck and just need someone to help you load everything up? That’s what labor-only movers are for. We can help you load your items, organize your garage, and other tasks along the way to make your move easier. 

Advantages: 

  • Pay by the hour
  • Affordable
  • Timely
  • Insured 

Disadvantages: 

  • No truck provided
  • Must pack yourself
  • Limited moving supplies on-board
  • Need proper notice

Tips for keeping costs low when moving across the country

Want to move across the country on a budget? Here are a few tips:

Tip #1: Plan your moving date carefully

Hoping to move around Labor Day or maybe over the weekend? If so, you might want to reconsider if you’re trying to do the cheapest way to move across the country. Generally, moving on a Saturday or Sunday costs more than moving during a weekday.

Also, Memorial Day to Labor Day can be a pricier time to move than other times of the year, so keep this in mind if you need to move during this time frame. Generally, the cheapest moves are during the middle of the day and middle of the month from October to April. 

Tip #2: Go on a decluttering spree

What do we mean by this? Well, the less items you have to move, the more affordable a cross-country move can be. So, before you start driving that moving truck yourself or hiring movers, consider decluttering. 

That can help you cut down on your possessions and ensure there’s less to load up onto the truck come moving day. This can make a move go faster and the load a lot lighter to carry into your new home or place of business. Sort through your items to see if there’s anything that’s in good enough condition to donate or sell. You’ll be happy you did!

Tip #3: Write a moving checklist

Knowing what you need to do to prepare for your big move can save you loads of money. Jot everything down so that you don’t miss any small details. 

You can write out everything from packing each individual room (and choosing a corresponding color) to other tasks you must complete from moving, such as setting up mail forwarding to your new address. 

Tip #4: Ask around for boxes

You’d be surprised how much money this can save you. Of course, there are many movers (like us) that offer packing supplies, such as moving boxes. However, you can also get some from your loved ones, coworkers, or friends who recently moved themselves. 

That can keep you from needing to invest in moving boxes and reuse someone else’s boxes. Just make sure they’re in good condition before you pack everything up!

Looking for the best cross-country movers?

If so, Bellhop is here for you. As your long-distance movers, we can handle everything you need for your move across the country, from the loading and unloading to the safe delivery of your items. Our moving coordination teams can also help you plan out your move from start to finish, saving you time and stress. 

Ready to get started? Find movers near you today. 

Harrison Stevens
Latest posts by Harrison Stevens (see all)