Cheapest Way to Move Furniture to Another State

Shipping furniture across country

Sending a card or a small package across the country is typically straightforward and inexpensive, but when you need to ship furniture, the price can be a different story. Whether moving long distance or sending furniture to someone, there are various ways to get everything to another state safely, and the costs can vary widely. 

Let’s explore different shipping options and see which is most cost-effective for moving furniture out of state. 

4 ways to move furniture out of state 

Here are 4 ways to transport furniture long distance. We’ve listed them in order from cheapest to most expensive. 

1. Cheapest furniture shipping option: U-Pack self-moving service

Using a self-moving service like U-Pack® is often the most economical way to ship at least one room of furniture to another state. U-Pack is cost-effective for small moves because rates are based on the space used rather than the weight of the shipment. So go ahead and ship that heavy couch! There are no extra fees for fuel, taxes or liability coverage since it’s all included in your quote! 

With U-Pack, either a ReloCube® metal container or a moving trailer can be delivered right to your door. You handle the packing and loading, and our experienced driver will deliver to the destination. This is an excellent option with quick transit times (typically 4-6 business days) that’s easy and affordable.  

A ReloCube can hold a king-sized bed, a sofa and a dining room table — things that can be difficult (and expensive) to pack and move with other shippers. Moving trailers have flexible space, so you can use as little as 5 linear feet or up to the whole trailer and have your price adjusted accordingly. Plus, you don’t have to drive your furniture to a different location! 

Another great thing about U-Pack is that your things stay in the same moving equipment during transit, reducing the chance of damage from repeated handling.  

Explore other reasons people choose U-Pack 

2. Rental trucks have added costs when transporting furniture 

Rental trucks are great for moving furniture from one town to another, but extra fees can add up fast when you need to go out of state or across the country.  

Rental rates don’t include the cost of fuel, liability coverage or taxes. Most trucks only get about 8-10 MPG when empty. When you add the extra weight of furniture, the gas mileage can decrease and add a significant amount of money to your moving cost. 

Other things to consider:  

• Not everyone is comfortable driving long distances in a bulky truck 
• The trucks can be too small or too large for the amount of furniture you need to move  
• You’ll have the added hassle of returning the equipment after use 

3. Parcel shipping is only affordable for small items  

If you need to ship a small piece of furniture, parcel carriers like FedEx®, UPS® or USPS® are typically affordable.  

However, because rates are based on dimensions and weight, parcel shipping can get expensive when shipping large furniture or multiple pieces.  

Another thing to remember is that it can be challenging to get the furniture to the shipping store. Renting a truck to haul it can add to your moving budget, and there can be extra fees to pick things up from your home.  

4. Furniture movers charge premium rates 

Companies that specialize in moving furniture often charge the highest rates. These companies create custom boxes and crates to fit each item and protect it during transit.  

This isn’t the cheapest option for furniture, but it is the safest if you have priceless antiques or a piano.  

If you need to move a unique item and regular furniture, consider using a furniture mover for the priceless item and a cheaper method for everything else to save money. 

Is there an alternative to shipping furniture out of state? 

Depending on the value of the furniture and your attachment to it, it might make sense to sell it and purchase something else — especially if you’re moving. For example, if you’ve had the same couch since your first place and it’s seen better days, it might cost more to move the piece than it’s worth.

Get a free furniture shipping quote from U-Pack

Get a free quote for shipping your furniture out of state and see why U-Pack is often the cheapest way to move.  

Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant about the space needed to ship your things, or use our free room-by-room space estimator. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions. We’re happy to help.