Are you looking for the most cost-effective way to travel around the country? We can’t say we blame you. Given that the estimated cost of recruiting experienced movers for an interstate transfer is $4,890 (based on a weight of 7,500 pounds and a distance of 1,000 miles), it’s understandable that you’re worried about the costs. Even the cheapest cross-country movers would almost certainly set you back thousands of dollars. There are, fortunately, less costly cross-country relocation options. It is possible to travel the cross country without breaking the bank by employing labor-only movers or renting a moving container. Your specific needs and budget will determine the most cost-effective way to travel around the country. However, always remember that the cheapest option might not always be the right option for you. The four most common types of cross-country moves are listed below, along with their approximate costs. The cost of your move will be depended on the number of belongings you’re moving, the distance you’re driving, any additional services needed, and the time of year you’re moving. There are 11 ways to save costs on your next cross-country move.

1. Get Rid of Your Stuff

If you’re like most people, you’ve accumulated a large amount of stuff over the years, much of which you no longer need. You will make money to help pay for your move a tub by selling things before you move. You’ll also reduce the number of items you need to pack, making unpacking and shipping costs more straightforward. Throw a yard sale or rent a booth at a nearby flea market if you have the time and patience. You can also sell your possessions on the internet. Selling products online has never been easier, thanks to online marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook, eBay, Nextdoor.com, and Amazon. Remember that mobile apps like OfferUp and LetGo are another great way to sell products before traveling quickly. Often consider specialty shops. If you have old dresses in good condition, for example, you can sell them on sites like Buffalo Exchange or even local clothing stores in your town. Almost everything, including camera equipment, jewelry, electronics, books, and CDs, can be found in specialty stores.

2. Hire a portable storage container

A moving container is one of the most common cross-country moving options. For various factors, renting a portable moving container is a better option than hiring full-service movers. First, renting a portable moving container is significantly less expensive than hiring a licensed moving company. Second, before and after the transfer, portable moving containers may be used as storage containers. The cost of renting a container is determined by the amount of time you intend to rent it and the container’s size. In general, the cost of renting a moving container for a long-distance transfer ranges between $2,000 and $3,000 per month. You can see the difference when you will have a comparison that to the $4,000 to $9,000 that a reputable cross-country moving company would most likely charge. All you have to do to move using a moving container is fill your boxes and things, and the container company will take care of the rest. PODS, ABF’s U-Pack ReloCubes, Go Mini’s, U-U-Boxes, Haul’s, and 1-800-PACK-RAT are just a few of the famous moving container companies.

3. Look for free moving supplies and crates.

Gathering and using as many free moving materials as possible is one of the easiest ways to save money on long-distance moves. This entails scouring local stores, online marketplaces, and community groups for used boxes, packaging paper, and packing tape.  I also suggest asking friends and family members whether they have any extra boxes.

4. Invest in a moving vehicle.

Renting a truck and doing the drive yourself is the easiest way to move cross country. Consider renting a moving truck from a reliable truck rental company if you’re willing to move around the nation. You will almost certainly save thousands of dollars by opting for a DIY transfer. A fixed-rate, fuel costs and any extra insurance costs are usually included in the price of a truck rental. Bear in mind. However, that truck rentals do not get excellent gas mileage. In reality, the average rental truck only gets about 10 miles per gallon. If you’re traveling 2,000 miles across the world, you’ll need about 200 gallons of gas to reach your destination. If the fuel capacity of the truck rental is about 30 gallons, you’ll need to stop for gas at least seven times during the ride. U-Haul, Budget, Enterprise, and Penske are all familiar truck rental companies. Rates for truck rentals vary depending on the date and venue, so get several quotes from different companies in your region to find the best price.

5. Make use of a freight trailer.

Using a big freight moving trailer instead of a moving company is one of the cheapest ways to transport your belongings around the world. Surely a freight moving trailer company will deliver a wide trailer (28 feet) and give you three days to load it. The company will pick it up and move it to your new home in three days. Renting a freight trailer is usually thousands of dollars less expensive than hiring a full-service moving company. The total cost of a long-distance move with a U-Pack moving trailer, according to HireAHelper, is $3,094.

6. Choose a more convenient moving date.

Believe it or not, the time you travel has a significant effect on the cost of your move. Avoiding the busiest moving days and times will save you money on truck rentals, moving firms, and other expenses. Between the months of October and April, aim for a mid-day, mid-month shift. ngly advise you to find out about the company’s relocation policies. Many businesses can pay for all or part of the relocation, so it’s worth inquiring with the human resources department. They might even have their own favorite cross-country moving business. If your employer pays for your transfer, keep all of your moving receipts (even your receipts for moving supplies). This way, you’ll be able to keep track of your costs and be fully reimbursed for your relocation.

9. Hire a moving crew

Are you looking for anyone to assist you with loading and unloading your rented truck? There are plenty of alternatives to hiring a full-service moving company, fortunately. Junk disposal, donation pickups, and packaging assistance are also possible facilities. You can also look into Moving Assistance, an online marketplace that can assist you in searching for and locating local moving services in your region. You’ll actually save thousands of dollars by hiring a labor-only moving company rather than a full-service moving company.

10. Enlist the help of family and friends.

Of course, in addition to recruiting moving labor, you can still enlist the assistance of friends and relatives. If you’re looking for the easiest and cheapest way to drive around the world, this is most likely the best option. You may, however, need to work with other people’s schedules, and you may want to repay your friends in another way (think: pizza, wine, or a gift card).

11. Look for bargains

Study moving firms, moving containers, truck rentals, and moving supply stores that deliver offers and discounts before you pass. Some of these discounts are so substantial that they can transform an otherwise costly moving company into the most cost-effective and cheapest alternative. Military promotions are available from a variety of organizations for those who serve or have served in the military.