Small Long Distance Moving With American National Movers.

American National Movers offers affordable small load long distance shipping options for studio to 2-bedroom homes, as well as customers moving just a handful of furniture pieces.

Your total cost is based on the volume of items, mileage, access, and how flexible you are with pickup and delivery dates. Most small long distance moves with us fall between $2,800 and $4,000.

If you need to relocate a small load cross-country, expect the average to be closer to $4,000 due to the additional mileage and route time.

Disclaimer:

If you’re shipping mostly boxes or low-value, non-sentimental furniture, a full-service mover may not be a cheaper long distance moving option for small moves.

Does Your Long Distance Move Qualify As A Small Load?

Most long distance moving companies consider your shipment a small load if it falls between 150 and 600 cubic feet or up to 4,500 pounds of household goods. For your move to qualify as “small,” you should have a partial load that doesn’t fill an entire moving truck (typically a 20-foot or 26-foot vehicle).

When your shipment doesn’t require a full truck, companies like American National Movers can combine your load with other customers heading in the same direction. This shared-load model helps keep your long distance moving costs as affordable as possible.

Illustration comparing a small load long-distance move versus a full truckload. The small load shows a partially filled truck labeled 150–600 cubic feet for studio to 2-bedroom moves, while the full load shows a completely filled truck for larger 3–4 bedroom household moves.

Why Long Distance Movers Tend To Avoid Small Sipments.

Most long distance moving companies prefer large household moves over smaller loads because they fill an entire truck and generate higher profits. Small shipments take nearly the same amount of labor, scheduling, and professionalism as bigger jobs require —but at a lower price point.

This is why people moving a studio, 1-2 bedroom home, or just a few pieces of furniture struggle to find a reputable long distance mover willing to take the job at a price that makes sense financially.

At American National Movers, we built our small-load services around shared routing and partial

loads, which allows us to move smaller shipments efficiently — without forcing customers to pay for a full truck they don’t need.

What's The Cheapest Long Distance Moving Company For Small Moves?

Renting a truck, PODS, and American National Movers are the cheapest options for moving a small load long distance. Each option is similar in price, but the biggest differences come down to the level of service, labor, and responsibility required:

U-Haul (Truck Rental): You rent the truck, handle all loading and unloading, purchase packing materials, self-insure, and drive the truck yourself. This option is labor-intensive and best for those comfortable with a DIY move.
PODS / Portable Containers: You load and unload the container yourself. This option offers flexibility but still requires a lot of physical labor and coordination.
American National Movers: A full-service option where professional movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading. No driving, no heavy lifting, and no logistical coordination required by the customer.

Comparison graphic showing the cheapest small long-distance moving options, including renting a truck, using PODS or portable containers, and hiring American National Movers, with average cost ranges and differences in labor and service level.

Our Best Small Move Options (State to State Relocations).

If you're having a hard time finding movers to relocate your small load between states at a price that makes sense American National Movers may be able to help. Here are the long distance moving options we offer:

Shared Load Moving (Cheapest Overall).

If your load is smaller than average, the last thing you want to do is have long distance movers ship it in a dedicated truck. The cost to do so won't make sense, and at that point, you're better off DIY or selling your furniture. Instead, ask American National Movers about our shared load moving option. With this option, your items shared in a truck with other shipments headed the same way. You pay for the space/weight you use in our truck and we coordinate the route.

Best for: Budget‑first moves, flexible delivery windows.
Pros: Lowest cost; pro loading/linehaul; you only pay for your share.
Heads‑up: Delivery window is wider than a private truck.

Expedited Shared Load (Faster Window).

American National Movers also has the option to expedite your small long distance move in a shared truck. We use the same shared trucking model, but we prioritize your load onto earlier linehauls and tighten the delivery window for a modest premium.

Best for: You want it faster than economy without paying for a private truck.
Trade‑off: Slightly higher than standard shared; not as exact as dedicated.

Piggy Back Routing Your Small Load (We're in Route).

Because we operate trucks nationwide, we can often match your small load to a truck that is finishing nearby or returning empty on your lane. If it's a piggyback, the crew wraps a nearby delivery and heads to you right away. If it's a backhaul, we confirm pickup within a wider window (3–7 days, sometimes 3–10 days) and pass along the savings from avoiding deadhead. Either way, it's direct—no warehouse, no handoffs—and delivery is typically fast and straightforward.

Best For: Consumers with a flexible pick up window, typically a 3-7 day spread.
Trade‑off: Exact pickup day is set closer to the window; timing depends on the route.

Micro‑Move Direct (1–10 items, 300–600 miles, date‑certain).

If you've only got a handful of important pieces—a sofa, dining set, mattress, desk, and some boxes—we can run a direct, same‑crew trip without warehouse time. On short‑range, out‑of‑state hauls (~300–600 miles), this often lands same‑day or next‑morning delivery. Pricing typically falls around $2,000–$2,600 (sometimes less with fewer pieces and easy access). We'll conduct a quick visual survey, then put a BNTE ceiling in writing so you know the maximum before we proceed.

Best for: 1–10 items, 300–600 miles, and a firm elevator/keys time you need us to hit.

Best for: 1–10 items, 300–600 miles, and a firm elevator/keys time you need us to hit.
Trade‑off: Not as cheap as Shared‑Load per cubic foot; works best with a first pickup slot, easy parking, and one pickup/one drop (peak‑day availability can be limited).

What Small Load Long Distance Movers Cost (On Average).

The chart below shows realistic price ranges for small long distance moves handled by professional movers. These examples assume you are moving up to 4,500 pounds or 6000 cubic feet of furniture. If you're moving a few pieces of furniture or from a studio-1-bedroom or an average furnished 2-bedroom, you fit in the category of a small load:

Costs Analysis:

Short-range long distance moves have a more economical price for small loads because less travel time and fuel costs are involved. Once your move exceeds roughly 1,500 miles, pricing increases—even if you’re only moving a few items—because of linehaul time and route length.

Please Be Upfront About Your Budget.

To save yourself and the long distance moving company time, be upfront about your budget and see if they are open to negotiating to earn your business. Otherwise, you will spend 15-20 minutes per consultation only to find that the mover is out of the budget. Remember, most reputable brands have minimum charges and might not entertain relocating a load for no less than $5,000, even if it's just a few pieces of furniture.

Get A Quote: Small Long Distance Movers, Fair Price.

American National Movers is among the best long distance moving companies for small loads due to our nationwide presence and relocation packages. If you're a move minimalist and are just taking basic furniture from a studio-2-bedroom, maybe even a 3-bedroom if you're traveling light, your long distance load may be considered small. Just keep in mind prices vary based on weight, mileage, service area, and your flexibility.

Call American National Movers today for the best prices and services on your small long distance move at (800)-245-7967.