What is the cheapest way to move a one-bedroom apartment cross country?

In the context of relocating, moving a small apartment is a relatively cheap and easy task – there aren’t too many things to relocate (a 1-bedroom apartment can only fit so much), so packing is faster (and requires less packing materials) and transportation is easier (and costs less).

If you’re moving a small apartment across town, you can easily do it yourself with the help of a few friends – you can rent a small moving van or borrow a pickup truck for your larger items and transport your smaller belongings in your car in a few trips. You’ll only have to pay for packing supplies (and not many of them since you can use alternative packing materials you already own for most of your items when moving short distance) and fuel (plus the rental fee if you rent a moving truck). A DIY-move is certainly your cheapest option when moving a 1-bedroom apartment locally.

If you’re moving across country, however, things aren’t so simple – transporting your items at a great distance will be difficult and will take a long time, there will be a high risk of damage to your belongings, and your moving expenses will be considerable (truck rental, fuel, road tolls, insurance, meals and lodgings along the way, etc.). Hiring a professional company won’t be cheap either – the average cost to move a 1 bedroom apartment cross country is $2,000-$2,500 (for a distance of 1,000 miles). Even though you’re moving a small apartment, the moving cost won’t be small at all.

How can you move your 1-bedroom apartment cheaply then? Is it possible to make your long-distance apartment relocation more affordable?

To find out the cheapest way to move a one bedroom apartment cross country, you need to compare your apartment moving options and their costs and learn some frugal tips for saving money on your move.

Find cheap cross country movers

Hiring an affordable long distance moving company is your best bet for a cheap and successful apartment relocation.

Professional moving services can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 for moving a 1-bedroom apartment across the country. Different interstate movers have different tariffs, so the final moving cost will vary considerably from company to company, even when the size of the move, the relocation distance, the required extra services, and the desired moving date remain the same.

So, to move your one-bedroom apartment cheaply across the country, you need to find reliable long distance movers who offer quality services at a reasonable price. This is a multi-step process:

• Ask friends and family if they can recommend a good, affordable mover;
• Read moving reviews to get an idea of what to expect from different moving companies in terms of professionalism and affordability;
• Get free moving quotes to see what different moving companies have to offer;
• Steer clear of rogue movers – When looking for cheap movers, keep in mind that low-ball estimates are a red flag of moving fraud and be sure to carefully research the companies you consider hiring for your move – verify their licensing and insurance information, check their accreditations and business ratings, research their complaint histories and online profiles, etc. (See also: How to avoid moving scams)
• Request in-home estimates from three or four affordable movers who seem to suit your relocation needs and requirements;
• Compare the quotes carefully and choose the best cross country movers for you.

Additional useful information: How to find cheap movers near me

When looking for affordable cross country movers, keep in mind that moving rates are higher during peak season (April to September) when the majority of house moves take place and moving services are in high demand. So, if possible, try to schedule your apartment move for a less busy period – when things slow down, moving companies are willing to offer better deals on small moves.

See also: Why should you move during the off-peak season

Share moving truck space with other people

In order to achieve maximum efficiency in long-distance relocations where big trailers have to travel thousands of miles across the country, interstate movers “piece together” as many loads as possible, so the moving trucks are filled to their utmost capacity – they transport several shipments going along the same moving route at once. Moving a small load (such as a one-bedroom apartment) fits perfectly with this efficiency strategy, so many cross country movers will want to take your small move.

When two or more customers share one truck going in the same direction, they share the moving cost as well (based on the space their goods take in the truck). So, when moving a 1-bedroom apartment cross country, sharing moving truck space with other customers will work strongly to your advantage – you will only pay for the actual space your items occupy in the moving van (not for the whole truck) and your moving cost will be smaller.

The only disadvantage is that you won’t get a guaranteed delivery date and may have to wait a long time for your items to arrive. If that is not a problem, shared load moving is your cheapest option for moving a small apartment cross country with professional moving help.

Must-read: Should you share moving truck space to share moving expenses?

Use portable moving containers

Portable moving containers also offer an affordable apartment moving solution – the average cost of moving a small apartment long distance with a pod is about $1,500-$2,500.

In addition to the affordable cost, moving with portable containers offers great convenience and takes off some of the notorious moving stress:

• moving containers are very easy to load and unload (they sit on the ground) and come in several different sizes, so you can get a pod that perfectly accommodates your needs;
• the containers are dropped off, picked up and transported by professionals, so you don’t need to worry about getting/returning the pod or about driving a moving truck across the country;
• scheduling is very flexible, so you can pack and unpack at your own pace;
• portable containers can be used for temporarily storing your items, either outside your home or in a specialized facility;
• the containers are very strong and completely insulated and can be safely locked, so you can rest assured about the safety of your belongings.

Keep in mind though that parking can be an issue when using portable containers for moving.

See also: How to move with portable moving containers

Consider other cheap ways to move a small apartment cross country

All the above moving solutions are cost-effective and highly beneficial, but the cheapest way to move 1 bedroom across country is determined by the specific circumstances in each individual relocation case. Depending on what exactly you have for moving and where exactly you’re moving to, one of the following options may work better for you:

• Freight moving services – The freight moving company will drop off a trailer at your home 24-48 hours before the move, so that you can load and secure your belongings inside. At the agreed time, the company will pick up the trailer and drive it cross country to your new home (the movers may take other loads along the way if you haven’t used all the space in the trailer). It will be your responsibility to pack your possessions (you may be required to palletize your shipment), load them onto the trailer, and unload them upon delivery – the freight company will only transport your goods. This option may be your most affordable choice if you have a lot of stuff in your one-bedroom apartment (including large furniture and appliances) or if you’re moving to a less populated area. (See also: What is freight moving)
• Cargo trailers – If you don’t have too many items to relocate and intend to drive your car to your new home, you can rent a cargo trailer and tow it cross country (provided that your vehicle has the necessary towing power). This is the cheapest way to move a one bedroom coast to coast, but driving with a trailer is not easy and can be quite dangerous for the inexperienced;
• If you’re moving only a few boxes and have no furniture to relocate, shipping your items with the USPS or with Amtrak Express Shipping may be your cheapest option.

Related: How much does it cost to move an apartment?

Know how to reduce the moving costs

Regardless of the moving option you choose, you can reduce your moving costs even further by using some efficient frugal moving tips:

• Book your move early, so you have a greater choice of affordable movers available at your preferred moving date and have greater flexibility in terms of pickup dates and delivery windows (so you don’t have to pay extra for the exclusive use of a moving truck);
• Purge your possessions and move only what you really need and love – the fewer items you decide to relocate, the cheaper and easier your apartment move is going to be (you will need less packing materials, packing will be faster, your shipment will weigh less, loading and unloading will take less time, etc.). Plus you may be able to pocket some extra money for your move if you manage to sell some of your unwanted items;
• Save on packing supplies – you can get moving boxes for free and use alternative packing materials you own (suitcases, bags, baskets, buckets, etc. as packing containers and blankets, sheets, towels, old clothes, newspapers, etc. as wrapping and cushioning materials). You’re strongly advised to buy quality packing supplies for your more delicate and more valuable items though – to provide them with better protection;
• Pack as much as possible by yourself – packing for moving is a laborious and time-consuming task, but if you have a month or more until Moving day, you should be able to easily pack the contents of a 1-bedroom apartment yourself to avoid paying for professional packing services. Just make sure you know how to pack each of your belongings safely and efficiently – your items will be on the road for a long time when you’re moving across country and will need excellent protection to survive the relocation intact and unscathed (If you have specialty items, it’s best to leave them to the professionals, despite the extra cost);
• Prepare well to avoid extra charges – reserve a convenient parking lot for the moving truck, ensure safe and easy access to your property and to your items, and be ready when the movers arrive (See also: How to prepare for movers)

Additional useful information: What’s the cheapest way to move cross country

To sum it all up – the cheapest way to move a small apartment cross country is to choose a frugal moving option that suits your specific relocation needs and use some proven tricks for saving money on a long-distance move.