What is the Moving Cost from the East to the West Coast?

Figuring out the cost of moving from East Coast to West Coast  

If you’ll soon trade Atlantic Ocean views for the Pacific Coast (or the other way around), you’re up for an adventure of a lifetime. Of course, one of your key considerations will be how much it will cost to move across the country.

With so many options, you might wonder which moving solution is most affordable. Let’s explore some example quotes to help you get a feel for coast-to-coast moving prices so you can choose the best option for your move.

What will you pay for coast-to-coast moving?

With an unlimited moving budget, paying up to $30,000 for full-service movers would be no big deal. But if you’re looking for a less pricey way to move, you’ll want to consider a DIY moving solution like U-Pack®.

U-Pack is a more affordable way to move across the country without having to drive a rental truck. Take a look at the example move below to compare prices.

U-Pack 

We looked at an example move for a 3-bedroom home from Charlotte, NC, to San Diego, CA, in November 2024. Prices were accurate at the time of posting, but actual moving costs will vary based on location, distance, date of the move and the size of the home. 

U-Pack’s all-inclusive price for this coast-to-coast move was $5,416 for 17 linear feet in a moving trailer. The price includes equipment, transportation and standard liability coverage.  

Need moving labor? Add loading or unloading help to your U-Pack move and save money over full-service movers. 

Rental trucks

Driving a moving truck might seem like a cheaper way to go, but that’s often not the case once you add fuel costs. Gas mileage for fully loaded trucks is much lower than personal vehicles, and it decreases when towing a car. 

Compare the costs below for two national rental truck companies, U-Haul® and Penske®, using each company’s recommended equipment. We also included the costs for towing a 2022 Ford Escape. These prices were accurate at the time of posting. Actual moving costs will vary based on locations, equipment availability and the date of your move. 

Here’s U-Haul’s breakdown: 

*Based on an estimated 10 MPG per U-Haul’s website, with gas prices averaging $3.25 per gallon according to AAA’s average gas prices at the time of posting. 

Here’s Penske’s breakdown: 

**Based on an estimated 13 MPG per Penske’s website, with diesel prices averaging $3.65 per gallon according to AAA’s average fuel prices at the time of posting. 

Both rental options were more expensive than U-Pack, and keep in mind that the fuel costs were only estimates. Actual fuel costs might be higher with fully loaded trucks. With U-Pack, you can travel with your family and not worry about driving the moving equipment thousands of miles. 

Need a quote from West Coast to East Coast instead?  

U-Pack can help! Get a free, no-obligation online quote today or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.  

Do you have questions about relocating coast to coast or cross-country moving with U-Pack? Let us know in the comments. We’re always happy to help! 

U-Haul® is a registered trademark of U-Haul International, Inc. Penske® is a registered trademark of Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. Use of third-party trademarks or registered trademarks does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by such third party.