The price ranges on InstantMovers.com are rough planning ranges from a simple model. They are not quotes and no mover has agreed to them. Moving companies set their own prices after assessing your move. Here's exactly how the ranges are made so you can judge them yourself.
Distance
We estimate road distance from the centre points of the first three digits of each ZIP code (from U.S. Census ZIP Code Tabulation Area data), using straight-line distance multiplied by 1.18 to approximate road miles. For short moves within one area this can be off by 10–20 miles.
Local moves (100 miles or less)
Hourly pricing: crew size and hours by home size (for example 2 movers for 4–6 hours for a 1-bedroom, 3 movers for 5–8 hours for a 2-bedroom), crew hourly rates of about $110–$180 for 2 movers, $150–$240 for 3 and $190–$300 for 4, plus one hour of travel time and driving time between homes at about 35 mph.
Long-distance moves (over 100 miles)
Weight-based pricing: an assumed weight by home size (studio 2,000 lbs, 1 bedroom 3,500, 2 bedrooms 5,500, 3 bedrooms 8,000, 4 bedrooms 11,000, 5+ bedrooms 14,000) multiplied by a per-1,000-lb rate made up of a fixed part plus a per-mile part. Lower bound: $250 + $0.30 per mile per 1,000 lbs, with a minimum of $1,200. Upper bound: $450 + $0.52 per mile, with a minimum of $2,200.
Adjustments
- Moves in May to September: +5% (low) to +15% (high).
- Full packing service: +15% to +30%.
- Stairs or long carries: +3% to +10%.
- Moving containers and truck rental: shown as rough fractions of the full-service range, for comparison only.
Limitations
The model doesn't know your actual belongings, access, exact route, fuel costs or local market prices, all of which can move the real price well outside these ranges. We'll update the model as we collect real quote data and will note the date of each change here.
Model version 1, November 2026.