Heed These Moving Tips: 11 Moving Questions, Answered

TL;DR: Moving Tips & Moving Questions A standard rule for tipping movers is $5 per mover per hour The best time to move is in the off-season months (generally September to May) When requesting a moving estimate (the best way to find out how much your move will really cost), ask for a written, binding estimate for your move

Moving may not be rocket science, but it can seem pretty darn complicated sometimes. So, we decided to put together a list of answers to the most common moving questions people ask. Bonus: You’ll find all kinds of helpful moving tips and nuggets of advice within.    

Top Moving Questions and Moving Tips

From the cheapest way to move to the definitive answer to “Should we tip movers?,” here are the answers to your top moving questions — and plenty of moving tips, to boot.

What’s the Average Cost of Movers?

Moving costs can vary widely, depending on the distance moved, size of the move, location, and timing. Before you start getting quotes, here are some ballpark estimates for local and long-distance moves:

Local Moving Costs

A traditional moving company will cost, on average, between $1,012 and $18,000 for basic service, which includes loading/unloading and transport, according to Move.org. A moving container service like PODS usually costs between $313* and $661* for local moves, including one month of storage in your driveway or at a secure PODS Storage Center and standard delivery, transport, and pick-up service.

Long-Distance Moving Costs

The cost of a long-distance move is one of the biggest moving questions, and it’s also one of the trickiest to answer. For the most accurate idea, contact a few moving companies and ask for an estimate based on your situation. That said, in moves ranging from 400 miles to 2,000 miles, Move.Org’s 2026 State of Moving report found median moving costs from $2,750 to $6,306.

If you use a moving container service like PODS, a long-distance move usually costs between $1,505* and $4,576*, which includes one month of storage in your driveway or at a secure Storage Center and standard delivery, transport, and pick-up service.

^{* Averages based on PODS rates published YTD 2026. An estimated 20% of PODS moves fall above or below the average range.}

 Cross-country moving questions on your mind? Consider renting a PODS portable moving container to combine convenience and cost-savings — less work than a rental truck and less pricey than full-service movers.

What’s the Cheapest Way To Move Across the Country?

As you probably guessed, the cheapest way to move cross-country is to do it all yourself — the packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking. That’s if you can fit all your belongings into your own vehicle, and you’re up for doing all the work. If that’s not you, then your best bet is to compare costs between rental trucks and a moving container company like PODS, which includes storage time and all the driving. In both cases, you do all the packing and loading yourself, or you can hire hourly labor to help with the heavy lifting.

Be sure to factor in all related costs when you’re comparing estimates. For example, if you have to drive a big rental truck across the country, you may have to add the cost of transporting your car. If you need storage, you may find that PODS offers the lowest total cost — not to mention less stress.

Pro moving tip: Moving cross-country? Think outside the truck with options such as self-moving and portable containers.

For example, moving across the country will cost about:

• $2,149 to $4,402 with a rental truck (doesn’t include fuel costs)
• $4,417 to $6,773 with a PODS container (includes one month of storage and transport)
• $4,135 to $9,175 for full-service movers (includes loading, unloading, and transport)

Costs are based on estimates from PODS and the MoveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator for relocating a moderately furnished 2- to 3-bedroom household from NYC to Los Angeles, which is about 2,800 miles and 41 hours of drive time. Keep in mind that you should always get detailed estimates based on your specific moving details before creating your budget.  

Looking for more cost-saving ideas? See avoiding hidden costs of moving, how to cut costs while moving, and what to expect when moving to the West Coast from the East Coast.

Whether you hire full-service movers or hourly packing and loading help, be sure to tip them for their hard work.

Do You Tip Movers? And If So, How Much?

Whether you’ve hired full-service movers to do the entire job or hourly moving help to offer packing and loading assistance, it’s customary to show appreciation for good service and hard work by tipping each helper individually.

How much to tip movers? Tipping for moving services works differently from tipping restaurant servers and other services. It’s best to base your tip on time worked instead of a percentage of the bill. According to HireAHelper.com, about $5 per mover per hour (or about $20 per person for a half-day move) and up to $60 per mover for a long-distance move.

As with any type of gratuity, the tip should be based on the performance. Consider a bigger tip if the job involves extra heavy furniture, a lot of stairs, or service that went above and beyond. On the other hand, if you received poor, careless, or rude service, then you may choose not to tip or to adjust the tip amount accordingly.

A tip for the tippers: Whether you can tip or not, it’s always good form to provide cold water, Gatorade, or soda for your movers, as hard, back-breaking work requires proper hydration.

And if you happen to be using portable containers like PODS, moving day tips are not expected by PODS drivers, as they are there to deliver or pick up your moving container after you’ve loaded or unloaded your belongings. Pro moving tip: Pay only for the moving services you need by hiring local packing and loading assistance.

Pro moving tip: Pay only for the moving services you need by hiring local packing and loading assistance.

Can You Hire Hourly Help With Moving?

You bet. In these days of on-demand services, it’s easy to hire local moving help by the hour, for example, to load or unload your truck or moving container, or to assist with packing and unpacking. Using à la carte moving services is a great way to save money because you just pay for the help with moving that you need.

Can Your Movers Charge More Than the Moving Estimate?

Movers are prohibited from charging more than the estimate if you have a written binding estimate for your move. However, if you only have a non-binding estimate, then the total cost can exceed the estimate the movers gave you. This is why it’s so important to get your moving estimate in writing: Note that it states clearly whether it’s binding or non-binding, and details all services to be performed. To provide a binding estimate, traditional movers generally require an in-person inspection of your home so they can estimate the weight of your belongings, which is how they determine your moving costs.

If you use a moving container company like PODS, the pricing isn’t based on weight but on the container size, distance, and storage time. Once you reserve with PODS, your quoted price is locked in and will stay the same unless you change the order.

Pro moving tip: Avoid surprise moving fees by getting a binding estimate.

When is the best time to move?’ is one of the most common moving questions, but the answer depends on your priorities.
(Source: Alex Galperin via Unsplash)

When Is the Best Time To Move?

If you have flexibility, try moving in the off-season months (generally September through May), when fewer people are relocating. You’ll get the best moving rates and have fewer scheduling issues because moving companies aren’t as busy during those months. You’ll also have a better chance of negotiating a good deal on your new home or apartment when fewer buyers and renters are in the market. However, moving during the off-season can be tricky to navigate if you have school-aged children or difficulty taking time off of work. And if you live in an area with harsh winters, you may want to avoid scheduling your move during the worst months.

Pro moving tip: If your moving timeline is flexible, move in the off-season to save some dough.

How Long Before Moving Should You Start Packing?

It’s best to start packing at least four weeks before your moving date. Before that, start with getting rid of stuff you no longer need or want to keep.

Q: What are the best items to have with me on moving day? A: Pack a duffle bag or box with essential items you’ll need on your first day and night in your new place, such as: Phone chargers, toiletries, medication, pajamas, a change of clothes, and any other items you want to keep an eye on during moving day.

What Should You Pack First When Moving?

Start your packing process with the spaces and items you use and need the least. For example, start packing:

• Spare rooms
• Storage closets and cupboards
• Decorative items and knick-knacks
• Books
• Junk drawers
• Storage closets and cupboards
• Attic and garage storage

Just be sure to leave out special items you may need for your trip or your first few nights. What might those things be? Read the next question and answer.

One of our favorite moving tips: Don’t pack away the things you’ll need during the first few days in your new home. These should be boxed up last and kept with you on moving day.
(Source: Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels)

What Should You Not Pack When Moving?

Here’s one of the moving tips you’re probably not thinking about in all the chaos of packing: When you’re packing, be sure to set aside a box, suitcase, or both, for traveling and “first-night essentials,” so those items don’t get packed away and loaded accidentally. You’ll want to have enough clothes, toiletries, medication, and everyday basics for your trip as well as the first few days after your arrival. You’ll also want to keep important documents and valuable items with you.

Having your essentials with you will take pressure off having to unload everything and dig through boxes right away, and you won’t be forced to run out and buy stuff you already have.

Items to keep for your essentials include:

• Clothing for travel and the first few days — remember the weather may be different where you’re moving!
• Toiletries
• Daily medication — keep at least a one-week supply, but aim for a bigger supply if possible
• Basic first aid items
• Toilet paper, a few towels, and paper towels
• Shower curtain and rings
• Air mattress and pump — don’t forget to keep these out when you’re packing up storage items
• Kitchen essentials — sponge, eating utensils, knives, a few plates and bowls, favorite pan, large spoon, and spatula
• Cleaning supplies — hand and dish soap, disinfectant cleaner, and wipes
• Small set of basic tools
• Flashlight and batteries

What not to pack? You also shouldn’t pack hazardous items, such as fuel, toxic chemicals, or waste. For a full list of prohibited items, check with your service provider.

Do You Need Moving Coverage?

Accidents and damage can happen, even with the best moving companies. If you want to be reimbursed for any damages to your belongings, then you should look into moving coverage. If you already have a homeowners or renters insurance policy, you should check with your insurance company first to see if they offer coverage during a move, and if so, how much. If there’s no coverage, or it’s inadequate, then check with your moving company about coverage options.

Q: What is the best way to pack for a home move? A: Creating a moving checklist that outlines a realistic timeline for decluttering, packing, and hiring movers or loading up your moving truck or container is one of the simplest but best moving tips to start with.

Creating a moving checklist and a plan for decluttering are some of the best moving tips to make moving easier.
(Source: Cottonbro via Pexels)

How Can You Make Moving Easier?

Moving’s never going to be easy, but there are zillions of moving tips for making it a lot less painful. Here are some of our favorite tips to make moving easier:

• Start with a moving checklist to stay organized and on track.
• Get rid of as much stuff as possible by donating, selling, and giving it away.
• Begin packing as soon as you know you’re moving.
• Have a moving container delivered, so you can take your time and pack and unpack gradually while minimizing the clutter and chaos in your living space.
• If you can swing it, schedule some overlap between homes.
• Hire hourly moving help to take care of the heavy lifting and stuff you don’t want to do.
• Expect some hiccups, have a sense of humor, and keep moving forward.

Let PODS Help You With Your Move

We could go on forever when it comes to questions and tips about moving, but when you’re ready to get on the road, PODS can help you with the heavy lifting. Make your move to a new city flexible with PODS portable moving containers. One month’s storage is included in the cost of every move, so you can take your time getting settled into your new place. PODS can even refer you to local packing and loading services to help with the heavy lifting.

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

Liz Taylor is a freelance writer who keeps up with moving and storage trends while editing the PODS Blog.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}