What Are The Cheapest Long Distance Moving Options?
- American National Movers
- Jun 25, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 1, 2025
People search for the cheapest way to move long distance because movers can be expensive — but not every moving option costs the same; there are cheaper options available.
This guide is an unbiased, no-nonsense breakdown of the cheapest and most efficient ways to move your furniture long distance, so you can avoid overpriced moving companies and choose the best option for your budget.
Cheapest Ways To Move Furniture Long Distance.
Many people think long distance moving is “expensive” because the first companies they contact are usually major van lines — the most expensive movers in the industry. These brands focus on high-profit loads, heavy overhead, and corporate pricing.
Fortunately, there are respectable moving alternatives that offer affordable rates, transparent pricing, and real long-distance service built for everyday customers — not just high-ticket moves.
If you’re moving mostly boxes and only one or two pieces of furniture, freight shipping is usually the cheapest long distance option.
Average Cost:
$1,500–$3,500 (depending on weight and mileage of relocation).
Best For:
Students.
First-time renters.
Light Shipments.
People with just boxes, no furniture, or only 1–2 small pieces.
Pros:
Cheapest method for small shipments, without renting a U-Haul or hiring movers.
Fast delivery.
No need for a truck.
Cons:
Not suitable for furniture.
No professional handling, you pack yourself.
Strict weight limits.
Pro Tip:
Use this option only if your belongings can fit on a pallet or a crate.
2. DIY Rental Truck (Cheapest Full-Home Option — But High Effort)
Truck rentals like U-Haul, Budget, or Penske are the cheapest long distance moving option for simple, small loads. Larger shipments with U-Haul are generally expensive, and their costs are not far off from hiring affordable long distance movers.
Average Cost After Real Expenses:
$3,800–$5,500
When It’s Truly Cheapest:
Loads under two bedrooms.
Routes under 600–800 miles.
You have strong help on both ends.
You’re comfortable driving a 20–26 ft truck.
Pros:
Cheapest upfront.
You control your timeline and shipment.
Cons:
Fuel, tolls, hotels, and mileage costs.
Physically demanding.
Risk of needing a second truck.
Long-distance driving stress.
No insurance for poor loading mistakes.
Pro Tip:
DIY is cheap when the load is small — not when the home is large, or the distance is long.
3. Moving Containers (Cheaper Than Major Brands, Easier Than DIY).
Services like PODS, U-Pack, and 1-800-PACK-RAT deliver a container to your home. You load it, and they handle the transport. This cheaper moving option is only about $800 to $1200 than renting a U-Haul with upfront pricing.
Average Cost:
$3,800–$5,200
Best For:
People who don’t want to drive.
1–2 bedroom homes.
Flexible delivery windows.
Pros:
You avoid driving a truck.
Flexible loading timeline.
Good for medium loads.
Cons:
You handle all of the labor.
Delivery windows may be slow (up to 21 days).
Limited size and container options for large moves.
Costs increase quickly if you need two containers.
Access issues with the container and/or trailer.
Pro Tip:
Consumers have reported access issues within their backyard or driveway when PODS attempted to drop off the container. This has resulted in a canceled move and the need to hire a last-minute long distance moving company. Make sure your container fits at the drop-off location and that one container is big enough for your move.
4. Shared-Load Moving (Cheapest Full-Service Option).
Shared load moving (also called consolidated shipments or shared-truck service) is when moving companies combine multiple shipments going in the same direction.
Average Cost:
$3,000–$6,000
Best For:
1–2 bedrooms or small three-bedroom homes.
Consumers with flexibility in delivery.
Budget-conscious customers who still want full-service.
Pros:
Full service at a lower long distance moving cost.
Safer than DIY.
No driving or heavy labor.
Relocation costs are similar to PODS.
Cons:
Slightly longer delivery windows (7-14 days).
Availability varies by route.
Pro Tip:
This is one of the best-value options if you want movers and are ok with sharing a truck with other customers. However, shared load moving is only a good cheap way to move furniture long distance if your okay with waiting up to 2 week for your furniture to arrive.
5. Affordable Long Distance Movers (Best Overall Value)
Affordable full-service movers — like American National Movers — provide everything: packing, loading, hauling, fuel, tolls, and delivery. The price is much lower than major van lines because smaller carriers don’t have huge overhead or multiple subcontractors.
Average Cost:$4,800–$6,600.
When It’s Cheapest:
2–5 bedroom homes.
Moves over 300+ miles.
Customers who want zero stress.
Pros:
No driving.
No loading or unloading.
Shorter delivery windows.
Licensed + insured.
Cost effective with costs similar to PODS and U-Haul.
Cons:
Must book early during peak months (May–Sept).
Not a major brand.
For most people, this ends up being the smartest and most affordable “full-service” option — especially compared to major van lines that charge $10,000–$15,000+.
Cheapest Long Distance Movers With Good Reviews To Consider.
There aren't many reliable long-distance movers offering dirt-cheap prices. This is because the level of professionalism you receive from movers is heavily influenced by the price you pay. Choosing the cheapest option is not always wise—unless you have a small long-distance load or are relocating basic furniture.
Here are the cheapest options we can find that are trustworthy:
This national moving company has built its reputation on providing reasonable prices while still ensuring customer satisfaction. American National Movers offers prices similar to PODS, with an average cost of $4,500. American National Movers has an A+ rating with the BBB and a 4.9-star rating across other review platforms.
Bell Hops Moving:
Bell Hops is a popular, cheaper long-distance moving option with an average cost of $5,800, but they broker out their loads. This means they will arrange for the transportation of your household goods, rather than handling the haul directly. Bell Hops has a 3.2-star rating on Yelp, a 4.3-star rating on TrustPilot, and a 2.0-star rating on Consumer Affairs. This indicates that Bellhops Moving has a mixed bag of reviews, ranging from good to bad. But this is what you should expect when hiring long distance movers on a budget.
PODS Moving And Storage:
PODS has affordable long-distance movers with an average cost of $5000, but there is a catch—you have to do the loading, unloading, and packing yourself. . Once you pack and load the goods on the container, PODS hires a subcontracted driver to haul your goods. PODS reviews reflect a 1.4-star rating on Yelp, but they still maintain an A+ rating on the BBB. But are PODS better or cheaper than movers?
For more information on PODS versus movers, see our article here: PODS VS Movers.
Allied Van Lines:
Allied is a major van line that offers competitive pricing compared to other national van lines; however, it is not as affordable as the moving companies mentioned above. With Allied, you can expect an average cost of $5,000 for small long distance shipments and about $7,500.00 for larger homes. Allied Van Lines is A+ Rated with the BBB, has a 1.8-star rating on Yelp and averages a 4.0-star rating on other platforms. Although Allied has several complaints, it is still considered a reputable and reliable long-distance moving company.
Final Thoughts — What’s Truly the Cheapest Way to Move Long Distance?
There isn’t one single “cheapest way” to move long distance — the right option depends on your load size, distance, and how much work you’re realistically willing to handle:
For most households moving 2–5 bedrooms across states, the most affordable way to move long distance is by hiring a budget-friendly mover, not an expensive van line.
If you’re only moving boxes or a very small shipment, freight companies like FedEx Freight or UPS can be the cheapest method.
If you’re moving a small amount of furniture and want control over your schedule, a DIY rental truck might save you money — as long as the route is short and you have reliable help.
At American National Movers we have some of the cheapest ways to move your furniture long distance while still providing a reliable service. Give us a call today and lets find a moving plan that works for your needs and budget.