When you're moving cross-country, one of the most daunting questions is: How do I get all my stuff from Point A to Point B without going bankrupt? Full-service movers can cost $5,000-$10,000+, which isn't feasible for everyone—especially if you're a young professional, recent graduate, or on a tight budget.
The good news? There are numerous budget-friendly ways to ship your belongings cross-country that don't involve spending thousands on professional movers. This guide covers the cheapest shipping methods, cost comparisons, and strategies to save money on your long-distance move.
Option 1: USPS (United States Postal Service)
Best for: Books, clothes, and heavy but non-fragile items
USPS Media Mail
This is the holy grail for shipping books, CDs, DVDs, and other media items.
Cost: Starting at $4.63 for packages up to 70 lbs
Speed: 2-8 business days
What you can ship: Books, manuscripts, printed music, sound recordings, educational materials
What you CAN'T ship: Anything else (magazines, comic books with ads, video games)
Pro tip: If you have a large book collection, Media Mail can save you hundreds compared to other shipping methods. A 70-lb box of books costs about $20-30 to ship cross-country.
USPS Priority Mail
Cost: Flat-rate boxes starting at $10.40 (small box) up to $27.30 (large box)
Speed: 1-3 business days
Best for: Heavier items in smaller boxes (think clothes, kitchenware)
Strategy: Use flat-rate boxes for dense, heavy items. You can stuff as much as you can fit in the box, and the price stays the same regardless of weight (up to 70 lbs).
USPS Parcel Select Ground
Cost: Varies by weight and distance, but generally cheaper than Priority Mail for lighter packages
Speed: 2-8 business days
Best for: Bulkier, lighter items
Estimated Cost for Shipping via USPS
For a typical studio/1-bedroom apartment using USPS:
- 20-30 boxes of various sizes
- Mix of Media Mail, Priority Mail flat-rate, and Parcel Select
- Total estimated cost: $400-$800
Pros:
- Extremely affordable for books and media
- Free boxes available at Post Office
- Can schedule free pickup from your home
- Reliable tracking
Cons:
- Weight limit of 70 lbs per package
- You have to pack and label everything yourself
- No furniture or large items
- Can be time-consuming to pack and ship many boxes
Option 2: UPS or FedEx Ground
Best for: Moderate amounts of boxes when USPS isn't cost-effective
Cost: Varies widely by size, weight, and distance. Generally $15-$50 per box for cross-country shipping.
Speed: 1-5 business days
Money-Saving Strategies
- Use online shipping services: Websites like Pirate Ship, ShipStation, or PayPal shipping offer discounted commercial rates (20-40% off retail)
- Ship from a UPS/FedEx location instead of scheduling pickup: Saves $3-5 per box
- Use your own boxes: Don't buy overpriced boxes from shipping stores
- Ship multiple boxes together: Ask about multi-package discounts
Estimated Cost
For 20-30 boxes via UPS/FedEx Ground: $600-$1,200
Pros:
- Faster than USPS in many cases
- Better tracking and customer service
- Handle larger boxes than USPS (up to 150 lbs)
- Insurance options available
Cons:
- More expensive than USPS for most items
- Still doesn't handle furniture or very large items
- Retail shipping costs are high (use online services for discounts)
Option 3: Greyhound Package Express
Best for: Budget shipping between cities with Greyhound stations
Cost: $30-$80 per box depending on weight and distance
Speed: 1-3 days for direct routes
Weight limit: Up to 100 lbs per box
How It Works
- Drop off your boxes at your origin Greyhound station
- They travel on Greyhound buses (yes, really!)
- Pick them up at the destination Greyhound station
Important: You must drop off AND pick up packages yourself at Greyhound bus stations. No home delivery.
Estimated Cost: Shipping 15-20 boxes via Greyhound: $600-$1,000
Pros:
- Cheaper than UPS/FedEx for heavy boxes
- Accepts boxes up to 100 lbs
- Relatively fast on direct routes
- Good option if you have fewer boxes
Cons:
- No home pickup or delivery
- Both cities must have Greyhound stations
- Less reliable tracking
- Higher risk of damage (buses aren't designed for freight)
- Customer service can be frustrating
Option 4: Amtrak Express Shipping
Best for: Shipping between cities with Amtrak service
Cost: $50-$150 per box
Speed: 1-2 days
Weight limit: Up to 500 lbs per shipment
How it works: Similar to Greyhound—drop off at origin Amtrak station, pick up at destination station.
Pros:
- Fast transit times
- Can handle very heavy items
- More reliable than Greyhound
Cons:
- More expensive than other options
- Limited to cities with Amtrak service
- No home pickup/delivery
- Must be able to transport boxes to/from stations
Option 5: Freight Shipping (LTL - Less Than Truckload)
Best for: Large volumes of boxes or if you have furniture
Freight shipping is what businesses use to ship pallets of goods. You can use it too!
Popular Freight Companies
- FreightQuote
- Freightcenter
- Estes
- Old Dominion
- XPO Logistics
How It Works
- Pack your items into boxes or onto pallets
- Get quotes from freight brokers online
- Schedule pickup (they'll come to your home with a truck)
- Your items travel on semi-trucks with other freight
- Delivery to your new address
Cost: Typically $300-$1,500 for 1-3 pallets cross-country
What counts as a pallet?
- Standard pallet is 48" x 40"
- You can stack boxes 4-6 feet high
- Weight limit usually 1,500-2,000 lbs per pallet
Estimated Cost Examples:
- 1 pallet (30-40 boxes): $300-$600
- 2 pallets (60-80 boxes + some furniture): $600-$1,000
- 3 pallets (entire 1-bedroom apartment): $800-$1,500
Pros:
- Very cost-effective for large volumes
- Can ship furniture and large items
- Home pickup and delivery
- Much cheaper than traditional movers
Cons:
- You must pack and palletize everything yourself
- Need to wrap pallets in stretch wrap for security
- Limited liability for damage (insurance recommended)
- Terminal delivery may be to a loading dock, not your door
- Slower transit times (5-10 business days)
Option 6: Moving Container Services (PODS, U-Pack, U-Box)
Best for: Full household moves with flexibility on timing
Popular Services
- PODS: $1,500-$5,000
- U-Pack ReloCubes: $1,000-$3,500
- U-Haul U-Box: $1,200-$4,000
- 1-800-PACK-RAT: $1,500-$4,500
How It Works
- Company delivers portable container to your home
- You load it at your own pace
- They pick it up and transport it
- Delivered to your new home where you unload
Pricing factors:
- Number of containers needed
- Distance
- How long you need to keep the container
Pros:
- Flexible loading/unloading timeline
- Don't have to drive a truck
- Can handle entire household
- Storage options available
Cons:
- More expensive than pure DIY shipping
- You still do all the packing and loading
- Requires space to park container at your home
- Transit time can be 1-2 weeks
Option 7: Hybrid Approach (What Most Budget Movers Do)
The cheapest strategy is often combining multiple methods:
Example Strategy for a 1-Bedroom Apartment
Ship via USPS Media Mail:
- All books (10 boxes): $200
Ship via USPS Priority Flat Rate:
- Clothes and linens (15 boxes): $300
Ship via freight (1 pallet):
- Kitchen items, electronics, small furniture: $400
Sell or donate:
- Large furniture, old appliances
Pack in car:
- Valuables, important documents, essentials for first week
Total cost: $900 vs. $5,000+ for full-service movers
What to Ship vs. What to Sell/Donate
Worth Shipping:
- Sentimental items
- Electronics (TV, computer, gaming systems)
- Quality furniture that's expensive to replace
- Clothes and personal items
- Kitchen essentials
- Books (if you're a reader)
Probably Not Worth Shipping:
- Cheap IKEA furniture (costs more to ship than replace)
- Old mattresses
- Heavy, low-value items (dumbbells, old textbooks)
- Worn-out clothing
- Excess kitchen gadgets
- Anything you haven't used in a year
Rule of thumb: If it costs more to ship than to buy new, sell it.
Read more: How to sell your stuff before a big move
How to Pack for Shipping
Get Free or Cheap Boxes
- USPS provides free Priority Mail and flat-rate boxes
- Liquor stores have sturdy boxes with dividers (great for glassware)
- Grocery stores often have free boxes
- Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace free section
- Buy used boxes from U-Haul Box Exchange
Packing Tips
- Use clothes and linens as padding: Wrap fragile items in towels and t-shirts
- Fill empty space: Boxes shouldn't have room for items to shift
- Don't exceed weight limits: 70 lbs for USPS, 150 lbs for UPS/FedEx
- Label clearly: Mark "FRAGILE" and which room box goes to
- Reinforce boxes: Use quality packing tape on all seams
- Distribute weight evenly: Don't put all heavy items in one box
Complete packing guide: Expert packing tips for long distance moves
Insurance and Liability
USPS Insurance
- $50 coverage included free
- Additional insurance: $2.95 for up to $100, increasing rates for higher values
UPS/FedEx Insurance
- $100 coverage included free
- Additional insurance available at varying rates
Third-Party Insurance
For freight shipping or moving containers, consider third-party moving insurance:
- Typically 1-3% of declared value
- Covers damage, loss, or theft
- Worth it for valuable items
Cost Comparison Table
| Method | Best For | Estimated Cost | Effort Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Media Mail | Books & media | $200-$400 | Medium |
| USPS Priority | Clothes, small items | $400-$800 | Medium |
| UPS/FedEx Ground | General boxes | $600-$1,200 | Medium |
| Greyhound | Heavy boxes | $600-$1,000 | High |
| Freight (LTL) | Large volume | $300-$1,500 | High |
| Moving Container | Full household | $1,500-$5,000 | Medium |
| Rental Truck | DIY full move | $1,200-$2,500 | Very High |
| Full-Service Movers | Convenience | $5,000-$10,000+ | Low |
Final Money-Saving Tips
- Declutter ruthlessly: Every item you don't ship is money saved
- Time your move: Avoid summer months when shipping rates are highest
- Get multiple quotes: Prices vary significantly between companies
- Use online discount shipping services: Save 20-40% off retail rates
- Pack efficiently: Lighter, smaller boxes cost less to ship
- Ship during off-peak times: Mid-week, mid-month shipping can be cheaper
- Consider selling and rebuying: Sometimes it's cheaper to buy new furniture than ship old
Final Thoughts
Shipping your belongings cross-country doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. With strategic planning, a willingness to do some work yourself, and smart use of various shipping methods, you can move for $500-$1,500 instead of $5,000+.
The key is starting early, comparing all your options, and being realistic about what's worth shipping versus what you should sell or donate. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
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