💰 Moving Cost Estimator
Enter your move distance, estimated shipment weight, and cost rates to calculate an estimated total moving cost.
Weight, distance and a rate
tons = weight in lb / 2000
transport cost = distance x rate per mile per ton x tons
total = base fee + transport costThe defaults are a 500 mile move of 8,000 lb at $0.80 per mile per ton with a $200 base fee: 4 tons, $1,600 of transport, $1,800 all in. That rate is the same thing as 40 cents per mile per 1,000 lb, which is the easier form to compare against a quote. Any negative input returns an error instead of a figure.
Getting the weight right
Weight decides a long-distance quote - not room count, not box count. Interstate carriers weigh the truck loaded and empty and bill the difference.
| Home | Typical shipment |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 2,000 - 3,000 lb |
| 2 bedroom | 5,000 lb |
| 3 bedroom | 8,000 - 9,000 lb |
| 4 bedroom | 12,000 lb and up |
About 1,000 lb per furnished room is the quick check. If you only have a volume figure, the industry conversion is 7 lb per cubic foot, so 1,150 cu ft is roughly the 8,000 lb default. Treat a quote priced in cubic feet with suspicion: there is no standard for measuring them, and the same load gets written up at very different volumes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move 500 miles?
The default figures give $1,800 for an 8,000 lb shipment. A real three-bedroom quote over that distance usually lands between $2,500 and $5,000 once packing, access fees and coverage go on top.
How much does a 3 bedroom house weigh for a move?
Eight to nine thousand pounds is the usual figure, or about 1,000 lb for every furnished room. Movers convert from volume at 7 lb per cubic foot.
Are movers priced by weight or by volume?
Long-distance carriers price by weight and mileage, and the weight is proved on a certified scale. Local moves are usually hourly instead, so neither weight nor volume enters the bill.