Research
Long-distance moving costs by distance
What our cost model gives for a typical two-bedroom long-distance move at seven distances, and the cost per mile that implies. These are our model’s numbers for planning, not prices collected from movers and not quotes.
| Distance | Low | High | Midpoint | Approx. cost/mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 mi | $771 | $1,043 | $907 | $3.63/mi |
| 500 mi | $1,474 | $1,994 | $1,734 | $3.47/mi |
| 1,000 mi | $2,879 | $3,896 | $3,388 | $3.39/mi |
| 1,500 mi | $4,285 | $5,797 | $5,041 | $3.36/mi |
| 2,000 mi | $5,691 | $7,699 | $6,695 | $3.35/mi |
| 2,500 mi | $7,096 | $9,601 | $8,349 | $3.34/mi |
| 3,000 mi | $8,502 | $11,503 | $10,003 | $3.33/mi |
How the model works
Our ranges come from our own cost model, not from prices collected from movers. For a long-distance move it starts with a typical volume for the home size (900 cubic feet for two bedrooms), turns that into weight at 7 pounds per cubic foot, and multiplies weight by road miles at one flat rate.
It then adds a flat $80 for basic valuation, applies a season factor (our model adds 18% for May to September and 5% when no date is given) and keeps the midpoint at $900 or more. The range shown is 15% either side of the midpoint.
It does not know your actual inventory, stairs, long carries, packing, storage or the tariff of the mover you choose. Those decide the real price, which comes from a written estimate.
Why the per-mile figure barely moves
Because the model prices distance at one flat rate, its cost per mile falls only slightly as the distance grows (about $3.63 a mile at 250 miles and $3.33 at 3,000 miles, as the fixed valuation amount is spread thinner). Real long-haul prices can behave differently. Use these figures to sense-check a written estimate, not to replace one.
Questions about this data
Is cost per mile a good way to price a move?
Only as a rough check. Long-distance moves are priced mainly on the weight of your shipment and the distance together, plus services such as packing, so use a per-mile figure to compare, not as a price.
Are these prices binding?
No. They are planning figures from our model, not quotes. A real price comes from a written estimate after a mover reviews your inventory. The 8 Top Movers moving team gets rates from the licensed movers in its network and brings back written estimates.
Sources
- Top Movers Hub cost model (moving-estimate-v2)
- FMCSA — Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move (opens in a new tab), retrieved 2026-07-30
Want real prices for your move?
The 8 Top Movers moving team gets rates from the licensed movers in its network and brings back written estimates. You never pay us, and asking is never a booking.