Moving101

Everything you need to know before you get a moving company quote

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The Best Online Guide to Moving

Moving101 has up-to-the-moment moving company prices, pros and cons for every moving option out there, and honest reviews from real customers who've already moved.

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HireAHelper has data from tens of thousands of moves after over a decade of helping people. Now we're handing over all of our moving knowledge to you. Learn exactly what to expect on your move, including if there's a better option for you out there. That's why Moving101 exists.

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Moving Cost Calculator

Directly hooked up to our massive database of pro movers across the country, including all their prices. Just answer three basic questions about your potential move and instantly see estimated quotes for every single way to move in your area. It's basically magic.

Local & Long Distance Moving Options

Read about the three different local and long-distance move types. We've gotten how much time and money each moving option takes down to a science!

Moving Trucks & Container Guides

The most updated guides online for Moving Trucks, Moving Containers and Freight Trailers. Find out absolutely everything about the competition - real user reviews, truck sizes, and way more. You'll be a pro before you make your first call.

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MOVING COST CALCULATOR

Find out approximately how much your move will cost based on which moving option you go with. Spoiler alert: hiring an expensive moving company or breaking your back aren't your only two options.

MOVING OPTIONS COMPARISON

D.I.Y. Move

Just You

Packing & Unpacking You
Loading & Unloading You
Driving You
Average Cost $660
Local Move: $273
Medium Distance: $576
Long Distance: $1,921
Average Time 31hrs
Planning: 6hrs
Packing: 13hrs
Moving Day: 12hrs

Very cost effective, and you have complete and utter control over every aspect of your move.

You have to ask your friends & family to help you move, again. There goes your weekend, and maybe even your back!

Hybrid™ Move

Helpers + Your Own Truck

Packing & Unpacking You
Loading & Unloading Helpers
Driving You
Average Cost $910
Local Move: $523
Medium Distance: $826
Long Distance: $2,171
Average Time 21hrs
Planning: 5hrs
Packing: 13hrs
Moving Day: 3hrs

You won't break your back or the bank! Takes minutes to book movers on your phone through HireAHelper.

You have to take more time to research your options and spend a little more than the DIY move.

Full Service Move

Movers + Truck

Packing & Unpacking You
Loading & Unloading Movers
Driving Movers
Average Cost* $2,568
Local Move: $1,300
Medium Distance: $3,000
Long Distance: $6,000
Average Time 51hrs
Planning: 48hrs
Packing: 2hrs
Moving Day: 1hrs

Someone else does all the work on moving day!

Takes days rather than minutes to get quotes. You may have to file for bankruptcy after the move. Seriously.

HYBRID™ & DIY MOVING COMPANY GUIDES

Synonymous with moving, their orange trucks are all over the place (as are their many moving services.) Call them for truck rentals, storage containers, equipment and more.
A major force in the moving world, these transportation gurus offer competitive rental rates for their fleet of yellow trucks. They provide a wide variety of moving supplies and customer discounts.
Authorities in the truck rental business, from flatbeds to moving trucks. Budget rentals are many people's go-to for completing a Hybrid Move.
The Rent-A-Car giants offer up moving and transportation options with their Truck Rental division, which is flushwith a wide variety of rental trucks to transport virtually anything imaginable.
For businesses only. A steady hand in the freight trailer and rental truck ecosystem. Easy to book moving trucks for your business needs.
Need to keep your things somewhere while you move? PODS provides portable containers so you can pack, store and have your things transported on your own schedule.
Storage containers that are delivered and driven away at your beckoning. They are the official storage containers of Lowe's Hardware and are often paired with professional labor to complete Hybrid Moves.
Now a part of U-Haul/U-Box. An original pioneer in the storage container industry. Door to Door has been storing and delivering container units since 1996, largely retaining a west coast presence.
Local storage container company with a personal touch. Provides a large variety of container options wherever they operate, including the industry's largest sizes for portable storage.
A growing storage and moving solution to keep your things safe while they're moved, near or far. A great company to combo with a Hybrid Move.
For your long-distance storage container needs, Zippy Shell is one of the safest options on the market. Zippy Shell is a subsidiary of 1-800-PACK-RAT, and are experienced at fulfilling Hybrid-Long Distance moves.
U-Pack offers a little known way to move your stuff across the country: shared storage space shipped together in a freight semi-trailer.
Veterans of the trucking industry for over 80 years, SureMove is Estes' attempt at providing the Full Service move option for personal moving all across the country.
Driving across the country since World War II, the Old Dominion freight trailer line has spent the last decade renting out space on their white and green trucks to people moving long distance.

Recent HireAHelper Customer Move Costs & Reviews

Diane S

Pittsburgh, PA
Wrote a review on 10/29/2025
ABF ReloCube Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

Trailer was appropriate size for our move, appeared to be in good condition. Drop off drivers were helpful and professional. The transit time was longer than I’d anticipated which meant rescheduling the unloading crew. Next time I’d assume delivery would be at the end of the estimated transit time (business days only) and schedule a crew accordingly.

Distance: 410 mi
Cost: $1,900
Per. Mile: $4.63
SqFt. Moved: 1,700

Ray D

Apopka, FL
Wrote a review on 10/28/2025
Penske Truck Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

have used them in the past, the 1st time they were lacking with requested equipment, thankfully we did not need the use of what we asked for, this time we got half of our request so they adjusted pricing on both occasions which was fine in the end, as far as I'm concerned.

Distance: 1,000 mi
Cost: $1,200
Per. Mile: $1.20
SqFt. Moved: 2,200

LaShea H

Jacksonville, FL
Wrote a review on 10/27/2025
PODS Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

PODS was the best option for me to go with for my long distance move. The customer service was the best both of us asking as many questions to make sure my move went smoothly. It is fairly priced as well with affordable payment options. This is the best option if you are okay with not having your stuff with you for a few weeks. The container sent to me was very clean could have been brand new. I would 100% use them again for all my moving needs. I'm recommending them to anyone who'll listen.

Distance: 300 mi
Cost: $1,300
Per. Mile: $4.33
SqFt. Moved: 900

Heather M

Louisville, KY
Wrote a review on 10/27/2025
1-800-Pack-Rat Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

I rented the largest container available. My home is 3 bedroom w/ basement, just under 1000 sq foot. It did not all fit but I am not disappointed in this company. The price compared to other pods is way better. They have barn style doors to allow easier packing and access. They are fast, friendly and customer service is great. My only concern is the floor inside the pod was cracked when I received it. But it seemed to have a good foundation underneath to support.

Distance: 30 mi
Cost: $500
Per. Mile: $16.67
SqFt. Moved: 1,000

Steven G

Omaha, NE
Wrote a review on 10/25/2025
Budget Truck Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

The price was decent. The truck was beat up, but fully functional. Some of the extra's we ordered were not available on pickup day (only 12 of the 24 moving blankets, no dolly). As such, I reduced the rating one star.

Distance: 1,000 mi
Cost: $1,500
Per. Mile: $1.50
SqFt. Moved: 1,500

John A

Charles Town, WV
Wrote a review on 10/22/2025
PODS Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

The drivers were communicative and friendly, and very competent delivering and retrieving my two 16' containers in some tight spaces. The costs were clearly explained, and as my schedule and details changed they issued updated statements that were easy to access in my PODS online account. All in all it seems like a well run, orderly operation and I would use it again for a major move.

Distance: 1,800 mi
Cost: $10,000
Per. Mile: $5.56
SqFt. Moved: 1,200

Joni O

Leesburg, VA
Wrote a review on 10/13/2025
Penske Truck Review
(4 out of 5 rating)

When giving discounts by phone please tell the renter what to bring to make sure to get the discount. We didn't have the AAA card and lost 80-100 dollars off

Distance: 300 mi
Cost: $800
Per. Mile: $2.67
SqFt. Moved: 1,200

Tamiko J

San Jose, CA
Wrote a review on 10/7/2025
1-800-Pack-Rat Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

After a very disappointing experience with another container company, 1-800-PACK-RAT was truly amazing! They delivered container when expected, kept in contact throughout the process, were on time, and even provided additional help for me!

Distance: 875 mi
Cost: $3,700
Per. Mile: $4.23
SqFt. Moved: 1,250

Holly C

Lynn Haven, FL
Wrote a review on 10/5/2025
ABF U-pack Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

Al the drivers with Upack were kind, helpful, and professional. They were a life saver on the front end of the move and we cannot thank them enough for being so great to deal with at such a stressful time in our lives.

Distance: 900 mi
Cost: $6,978
Per. Mile: $7.75
SqFt. Moved: 1,800

Melody V S

Elyria, OH
Wrote a review on 10/3/2025
ABF U-pack Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

The drop off to both my home I left and the home I moved to was very professional. I was fortunate to rent a brand new truck with a slide in ramp. My movers saw it today and were impressed and very grateful for the new trailer. It was very clean inside!

Distance: 800 mi
Cost: $4,001
Per. Mile: $5.00
SqFt. Moved: 1,500

Laura B

Denver, CO
Wrote a review on 9/24/2025
ABF ReloCube Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

Still in transit with our stuff, but the drivers were very nice and informative, and our things might actually arrive to the new address ahead of schedule which is great!

Distance: 1,335 mi
Cost: $2,951
Per. Mile: $2.21
SqFt. Moved: 1,140

Jankail A

Henrico, VA
Wrote a review on 9/16/2025
Budget Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

My transportation experience was seamless. I rented a 16' truck one way, and everything went smoothly from pickup to return. Refueling at Sam’s Club cost about $60, and the drop-off location was just 7 miles from my new place, which made things easy and stress-free. Couldn’t have asked for a better process.

Distance: 186 mi
Cost: $445
Per. Mile: $2.39
SqFt. Moved: 1,025

Robert C

Cottonwood, AZ
Wrote a review on 9/15/2025
Uhaul Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

It was a 1,700 mile move and the truck and equipment performed very well. We were able to return the equipment to the Cottonwood office where the person in charge was very knowledgeable and helpful. It was a positive experience

Distance: 1,700 mi
Cost: $2,500
Per. Mile: $1.47
SqFt. Moved: 1,200

Karen C

Trenton, NJ
Wrote a review on 9/4/2025
Uhaul Truck Review
(5 out of 5 rating)

As with the movers, the UHaul support people were surprisingly helpful for a huge company. We needed to change our vehicle type and they made this happen even when several locations were closed for the holiday.

Distance: 10 mi
Cost: $85.00
Per. Mile: $8.50
SqFt. Moved: 800

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