Is DIY Moving That Much Cheaper Than Hiring Long Distance Movers?
- American National Movers
- May 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 27
Self moving and doing it yourself make sense in some cases. But, it's important to remember long hauls do not huge a price difference on the DIY VS. movers conversation.
Please see the chart below for reference:
Is It Cheaper To Hire Movers Or Should I Do It Myself?
Long distance moving is generally expensive, so it's common to wonder if renting a U-Haul is cheaper than hiring movers. Now, if your move is a short local haul, then doing it yourself is almost always cheaper than hiring a moving company. But if you need to transport furniture to another state, doing it yourself is not nearly as cheap as you may think.
In many long distance moving cost scenarios, the final cost difference between a DIY truck rental and hiring long-distance movers is only about $800–$1,400, not the thousands that people imagine.
This guide breaks down the real differences between DIY moving and hiring movers so you can choose the best long distance moving option that saves you time, money, and stress.
DIY Moving Looks Like The Cheapest Option, But It's Not As Cheap As You Think.
On paper, U-Haul and Penske look like the obvious, cheaper choice, but this is where they take advantage: they disclose only their rental costs and are not transparent about the overall expense of doing it yourself.
DIY Moving Costs: Breakdown
Aside from what's mentioned in the chart above, here are the expenses you should consider before deciding whether doing it yourself is better than hiring movers.
Fuel.
Fuel can cost you between $300 and $900, depending on the distance of your relocation.
Packing Materials.
For small, long distance moves, packing material costs aren't a big deal, but for larger homes, you can easily spend close to $1,000.
Mileage Fees (If applicable).
Some U-Haul rental agreements do not come with unlimited mileage. Once you exceed the mileage limit, you'll pay on a per-mile basis that can get expensive.
Labor (If applicable).
Consumers may consider renting a truck, then hiring labor to help them pack and move their house. Labor help is about $1,000-$ 1,700. Another hefty expense on top of the rental fee. At that point, it might be best to hire affordable long distance movers instead.
Time.
We all heard the saying "time is money." It may sound cliché, but it really is. Our time is really valuable. The time you spend packing and moving your furniture can take several hours and, in some cases, many days. At that point, is the minimal saving really worth it? Some people end up having to call off work to finish the DIY job, which ultimately becomes an unexpected expense.
Hiring Movers Is Not As Expensive As DIY If You Hire an Affordable Company.
Most people assume hiring movers costs thousands more than doing it themselves — but that's only true if you're getting quotes from major van lines like Allied, Mayflower, United, or North American. These national brands charge premium prices because of their branding, corporate overhead, subcontracting structure, and limited availability.
Homeowners who contact these companies first get hit with $10,000–$15,000 quotes, panic, and immediately consider renting a U-Haul instead.
But here's the truth:
👉 When you compare DIY moving to an affordable long-distance moving company like American National Movers, the price difference isn't huge.
For most customers, the added convenience, speed, and safety of hiring movers are well worth the small cost difference.
Below is a simple comparison so you can see the reality:
When Is It Cheaper to Do The Move Yourself Instead Of Hiring Movers.
Doing the move yourself can be cheaper — but only under very specific conditions. DIY moving only makes financial sense when the load is small, the distance is short, or the value of your items is low enough that hiring movers wouldn't be worth it.
Below is a clearer breakdown of when a DIY move may be the smarter choice:
Small Long Distance Moves (Light Loads Only).
If you're only moving boxes, clothes, or a few inexpensive pieces of furniture, a rental truck or small freight option (like FedEx Freight or UPS) is cheaper and a better option than DIY or hiring movers.
This only applies when:
Your shipment is small.
No large furniture needs to be wrapped or protected.
You're okay handling the loading and unloading yourself.
If your items are sentimental or fragile, or you have more than 1–2 rooms of belongings, hiring an affordable mover is usually the safer choice.
Short-Distance Relocations (Typically Under 100 Miles).
For local or short-distance moves, renting a 15–20 ft truck is usually far cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company.
A DIY local move can cost:
Under $1,000 for the truck.
Free or low-cost help if you have friends available.
This works best when you have:
reliable helpers.
A small apartment or single-bedroom home.
Furniture that's easy to move and not fragile.
For moves over 100 miles, the DIY advantage drops quickly due to fuel, mileage fees, and the time involved.
The Value of Your Household Goods Matters.
If the items you're moving are:
Cheap.
Replaceable.
Not sentimental.
Not worth the cost of professional transport.
It may be wiser to sell the furniture and rebuy it in your new state.
This approach makes sense for:
Students.
First-time renters.
Budget-conscious movers.
Minimalist households.
However, if your items have real value or would be expensive to replace, hiring affordable long-distance movers is often the better financial choice — even if the upfront cost is slightly higher.
Hiring Movers Vs DIY: A Quick Decision Guide.
Still on the fence on whether you should hire movers or do the move yourself? Use this quick-scan checklist below. The more green checkmarks you see, the more a full‑service mover will likely be cost-effective and save you time and stress. A row of blue checks signals a do‑it‑yourself move could be your budget‑friendly match.
Now that you understand the real costs of DIY vs hiring movers, use this quick checklist to see which option fits your move best.
Conclusion: Use Movers Or Do It Yourself?
DIY Moves are only slightly cheaper than hiring long distance movers. In many cases, it's worth spending the extra to avoid having to do everything else yourself. For an affordable quote, contact American National Movers. Our long-distance moving costs are lower, and our movers are trustworthy.
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